Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Smart Watch Review
Not only is the new 4th gen Samsung Galaxy Watch moved from home grown Tizen OS to Google Wear OS 3, it also received a boost in the health and fitness tracking department. Start with the body composition sensor, then track your fitness progress, heart rate, blood pressure and sleep with this latest wearable from Samsung.
Instead of continuing to develop and use their own Tizen system, Samsung has taken the move to switch over to Wear OS, making the 4th generation wearable their first to go Google. This is a similar move that Fitbit is also taking with their future wearables. The result, these wearables will be able to access more apps developed for the platform instead of waiting for developers to write a version that works specifically with their proprietary systems.
But, instead of adopting the Wear OS whole sale, Samsung introduced their own custom skin, the One UI. Simply put, it makes the interface a lot sleeker and easier to use with big icons akin to those from their Tizen interface.
The Options
The Galaxy Watch4 is available in two variants, the standard or fitness and health focused variant and the more expensive, premium classic edition with rotating bezel.
Apart from the case colours and sizes, the two versions also get 4G/LTE and Bluetooth connectivity options. Here are the case sizes and colour options for each of the variant. If you ignore the connectivity options and colour choices, there are essentially four different modes based on case size and body design.
Samsung Galaxy Watch4
- Connectivity: 4G/LTE with eSIM or Bluetooth
- Colour Options: Black, Gold, Silver, Green
- Case sizes: 40mm, 44mm
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic
- Connectivity: 4G/LTE with eSIM or Bluetooth
- Colour Options: Black or Silver
- Case sizes: 42mm, 46mm
Let’s take a look at each of these variants in turn
Search Galaxy Watch4 Classic on Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Watch4
Joining the Wear OS with double the memory at 16GB compared to previous generation Watch3 and Watch2 running Tizen is this years Watch4. This new entry level watch comes in two sizes, 40mm or 44mm dial. The case is made from aluminium and is available in four different colours with matching silicone strap. They are black, silver, gold or green.
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic
The classic is a more upmarket watch and this is reflected in its price. The classic models are also bigger, available in 42mm or 46mm dial and come with a rotating bezel. The case is made from high-end stainless steel. The only let down is the silicon strap. It would benefit from leather strap or matching stainless steel bracelet. Leave the silicone strap to the standard Watch4.
Fitness Features
Common across all Galaxy Watch4 models are its suite of fitness functions. These include the ability to track different fitness activities (more than 90 exercise), steps, calories, etc. But above the standard staff is its ability to analyse body fat, water weight and bone density – a feat usually accomplished by smart weighing machines that measures body composition.
Using the onboard Samsung BioActive Sensor, the Watch4 is able to capture body composition in real time. This is then processed and displayed on the watch itself in a friendly green/red bar chart. Measurements include weight, skeletal muscle, fat mass, body fat, BMI, Body water and BMR.
Then there is the heart rate and blood pressure & ECG sensors. While most of the measurements are available on available on Samsung App, the Blood pressure & ECG monitor is only available on Samsung phone. Those with iOS device is definitely out of luck, as the Samsung App for iOS has limited functionality.
Using the app, you can also link up and share your workouts and progress with your friends and family. The app even supports live messages to keep each other motivated. Plus, the badge and point system work well to give recognition to those that work hard and have fun in the process.
Finally, there is the sleep tracker. The Watch4 tracks and analyses the different sleep stages to better understand your sleep. It also checks the blood oxygen level and snoring patterns, something
Battery Life
When it really comes down to it, any smartwatch users will have you know that being caught with a low battery mid-day is a pain in the proverbial. The Apple Watch 6 only manages up to 18 hours. Not a problem with the Galaxy Watch 4. With its efficient and powerful Exynos processor, the battery will lasts up to 40 hours. Still not weeks and weeks that we are all hoping for but enough as a device packed with this many fitness features. In reality, if you are using the watch constantly, you will get only over a day’s battery life, just like the Apple Watch.
Connectivity
As mentioned previously, both Watch4 and Watch4 Classic comes with 4G/LTE with eSIM or Bluetooth. There is a small price increase for going with the 4G/LTE model but such is a premium for continuous connectivity.
Final Thoughts
Initial feedback and user reaction has been a mixed bag. There are those who absolutely love the watch while other are more cold about it. The complaints are mainly regarding the accuracy of the sensors and data, although nothing that a software update couldn’t correct. Other users are more concerned about the app restriction required use of a Samsung smartphone to get the most of the watch. Nothing new there, just look at Apple or Huawei. Smartwatches work best with smartphones from the same company, that’s pretty much a given unless you go with a fitness only watch manufacturer like Fitbit or Garmin.
Specifications
Here is a quick table of comparison between the two models
| Galaxy Watch4 | Galaxy Watch4 Classic | |
|
OS
|
Wear OS Powered by Samsung | Wear OS Powered by Samsung |
|
Display
|
Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
|
Size/Weight
|
44mm(30.3g) / 40mm(25.6g) | 46mm(52g) / 42mm(46.5g) |
|
Memory
|
1.5 GB + 16 GB | 1.5 GB + 16 GB |
|
Material
|
Armour Aluminum | Stainless Steel |
|
Sensor
|
BA Sensor, Compass | BA Sensor, Compass |
|
PUI
|
2 Button, Digital Bezel | 2 Button, Rotating Bezel |
|
Battery
|
361mAh | 361mAh |
And if you have to compare it to previous generation Galaxy Watch, the following are specifications for Galaxy Watch2 and Watch3
| Galaxy Watch Active2 | Galaxy Watch3 | |
|
OS
|
Tizen | Tizen |
|
Display
|
Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
|
Size/Weight
|
44mm(24g) / 40mm(37g) | 46mm(53.8g) / 41mm(48.2g) |
|
Memory
|
1.5 GB + 4 GB | 1 GB + 8 GB |
|
Material
|
Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
|
Sensor
|
Photo Plethysmography | Photo Plethysmography |
|
PUI
|
2 Button, Digital Bezel | 2 Button, Rotating Bezel |
|
Battery
|
340mAh | 340mAh |
