If you own the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and are looking for an upgrade that will revolutionise your experience of owning a smartwatch, then the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is the one.But not quite. I mean, it has tons of new features that you will probably like and the design has a massive upgrade too, but in terms of what users were expecting from this smartwatch, it’s still not quite there.
In this Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 review, I will show you all the new features that this stunning new smartwatch has and, the best part, it’s not even that expensive.
Our Verdict (4.5/5)
The Samsung Watch 4 has a sleek design, the first smartwatch to run a new Google Wear OS and has tons of health features.
- Numerous health tracking features
- Sleeker design
- Google OS includes Play apps
- Affordable
- Battery life is a concern
- Samsung health is the default health app (no upgrade there)
- BIA sensor can be a bit faulty
Before we move on to the Samsung Watch 4 Review, let’s have a quick look at the specifications of this smart watch.
The Galaxy Watch 4 is the best Samsung smartwatch in the market. That being said, it’s not exactly the revolutionary piece of tech that Samsung users were expecting after the Watch 3. The first major difference you would notice in the Watch 4 is the sleeker design which gives the watch a more sharper and sophisticated look.
The Watch 4 runs the updated Google Wear OS and the integration is quite precise and effective. This time around, Samsung released two versions for its latest smartwatch. A sporty looking version of the Galaxy Watch 4 and a Classic version that is a bit more luxurious.
Here is how the two versions of the Galaxy Watch 4 compare.
| Galaxy Watch 4 | Galaxy Watch 4 Classic | |
| Starting price | $249.99 | $349.99 |
| Size options | 40mm/44mm | 42mm/46mm |
| Dimensions | 40mm:40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8 mm; 44mm: 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm | 42mm: 41.5 x 41.5 x 11.2 mm; 46mm: 45.5 x 45.5 x 11.0 mm |
| Weight | 40mm: 0.91 ounces 44mm: 1.06 ounces | 42mm: 1.64 ounces 46mm: 1.83 ounces |
| Battery capacity | 40mm: 247mAh; 44mm: 361mAh | 42mm: 247mAh; 46mm: 361mAh |
| Colour options | Black, Silver, Pink Gold, Green | Black, Silver |
From the chart above, you may have figured that the differences between the Galaxy Watch 4 and the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic lies only on the outside. The software and the features on the inside are all the same. The Watch 4 Classic has stainless steel borders, leather straps and a physical rotating bezel.
Without any further ado, let’s begin our Samsung Watch 4 Review.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Review – Software
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 features the updated Google Wear OS that is designed by Google in collaboration with Samsung. In the previous model, the software ran smoothly at first but started to show its true colours when the glitches began to appear. This time around, this is not the case. The Samsung Watch 4 offers the best user experience with its smoother transition and lag free approach.
The watch features Google’s new app cloud which has tons of Google applications such as Google maps, which is extremely handy on your wrist. Along with Google Wear, the watch also has the One UI Watch which creates a refreshingly new user experience and makes the Galaxy Watch 4 an active member of the Samsung device ecosystem.
The One UI Watch leverages the extensive watch face library which allows you to choose a new background for your watch screen every now and then.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Review – Health and Activity Tracking
The Samsung Watch 4 lets you track different types of movement during a workout such as arm curls, bench press, lateral raises and pull ups. If you compare this watch with the Apple Watch, you would notice that the Galaxy Watch 4 has more niche options when it comes to tracking activity. The default list of workouts in the Galaxy Watch 4 is not that extensive so you will have to add different workout types from the Samsung Health app.
The heart rate updates rather quickly on the Watch 4 as compared to the Watch 3. This is especially helpful during workouts where your heart rate stays in the lower range like Yoga. The Watch 4 also provides vibration and audible updates on mileage so if you are cycling, you don’t need to keep an eye on the watch. You also get a brief active summary after every 30 minutes of activity.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Review – Design
Samsung Watch 4 has a more sophisticated look as compared to the Watch 3. As mentioned earlier in the article, the watch comes in two versions, both of these versions feature a new frame that squeezes the gap between the screen and frame. The crown buttons on the side are shaped more like an oblong rather than a round crown.
The Galaxy Watch 4 classic features a rotating bezel which serves as a great navigation tool. The Silver and Black colour options make it wearable to the gym and even the dinner afterwards.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Review – Body Composition Analysis
The Samsung Watch 4 features the all new health sensor that is a composition of three different technologies; heart rate monitoring (PPG), an electrocardiogram reader (ECG) and bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). Out of the three, the BIA is one to look out of in this new smartwatch.
BIA sends a weak electric current through your body to analyse muscle mass, body fat, water composition and much more. It then routes the data back to the watch for you to see. To use this feature, you will need to hold your fingers to the crown button for 15 seconds. The feature lets you understand how your exercise and diet is having an impact on your internal body composition.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Review – Battery
Samsung claims that the Galaxy Watch 4 can run 40 hours on regular use but if you use all the features on watch, which is exactly why you would watch the watch, then you would need to charge it after every 24 hours. It’s like charging your phone on a daily basis, which is more or less a norm nowadays. So unless you are at a remote location for a week where you won’t find a charger socket, I wouldn’t worry about charging this watch daily.
Final Verdict
When it comes to design, software, and especially the BIA, the Samsung Watch 4 is a great upgrade over the Watch 3. Considering that you get all these new updates at a lower price than the Watch 3, I would say that the Watch 4 is worth looking at.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is the Samsung Galaxy watch 4 compatible with the iPhone?
No, the Samsung Galaxy watch 4 and the Samsung Galaxy watch classic are not compatible with the iPhone since it moved to Google Wear OS from Tizen. Google Wear OS is a software developed by Google in collaboration with Samsung so the watch is only compatible with Samsung and other android devices.
Q. Is the Samsung Galaxy watch 4 waterproof?
Both, The Samsung Galaxy watch 4 and the Samsung Galaxy watch classic are waterproof and you can wear them while you are in the pool but not for too long since it is recommended that you don’t wear them under water for more than 30 minutes.
Q. Where to buy Samsung galaxy watch 4?
Samsung Galaxy watch and the Samsung Galaxy watch classic are available at your nearest official Samsung store. If you want to purchase it online, you can easily buy it from Amazon and Walmart.
Q. How does the Samsung Galaxy watch 4 work?
Once the Samsung Galaxy watch connects with your Samsung smart phone, you can receive calls, send messages, browse through social media, and navigate through google maps. Basically, you can do pretty much everything on your Samsung galaxy watch that you are able to do on your phone.
Q. How to connect Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 to phone?
Connecting or pairing your Samsung Galaxy Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch classic is simple. Here are a few easy steps you need to follow.
- Download the Galaxy Wearable app from the app store on your phone
- Once the app downloads, tap OPEN, and then tap Start.
- Your watch will then start to synchronise with your phone
- Once done, you will see a similar interface on your watch as your phone
Q. Can Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 take pictures?
Though the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and the Samsung Galaxy 4 Classic does not come with a camera, it does have a camera controlling app which you can use to launch the camera app on your phone.