Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: Wear OS 3 Review

by Alex Braham 41 views

Hey guys! Let's dive into the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and its awesome Wear OS 3! This smartwatch marked a significant shift for Samsung, ditching its Tizen OS in favor of a collaboration with Google's Wear OS. It's not just a software change; it's a whole new experience. We're going to explore everything, from its design and performance to the cool features that make it stand out from the crowd. Get ready for a comprehensive look at whether the Galaxy Watch 4 with Wear OS 3 is the right smartwatch for you.

Design and Build Quality

Let's talk design. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 comes in two main flavors: the standard Watch 4 and the Watch 4 Classic. The standard model sports a sleek, minimalist design with an aluminum case, making it lightweight and comfortable for everyday wear and workouts. The Watch 4 Classic, on the other hand, brings back the rotating bezel, a fan-favorite feature that adds a touch of sophistication and functionality. It's crafted from stainless steel, giving it a more premium feel. Both watches are available in different sizes, ensuring a good fit for various wrist sizes.

The build quality is top-notch, as you'd expect from Samsung. The watches feel solid and well-constructed, capable of withstanding daily wear and tear. They also boast 5ATM water resistance and IP68 dust and water resistance, meaning you can confidently wear them while swimming or washing your hands. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass DX+, which offers excellent scratch resistance. Whether you prefer the sleek and sporty look of the standard Watch 4 or the more traditional and refined design of the Watch 4 Classic, you're getting a well-built and stylish smartwatch. The design is not just about aesthetics; it's about functionality too. The placement of the buttons, the responsiveness of the touchscreen, and the overall ergonomics are all carefully considered to provide a seamless user experience. It's clear that Samsung paid attention to the details, creating a smartwatch that not only looks good but also feels great to use. The choice between the standard and classic models ultimately comes down to personal preference. Do you value a minimalist design and lightweight feel, or do you prefer the tactile feedback and premium look of a rotating bezel and stainless steel case? Either way, the Galaxy Watch 4 offers a compelling design that blends form and function.

Performance and Wear OS 3

Okay, now for the juicy stuff: performance and Wear OS 3! The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is powered by the Exynos W920 chip, a dual-core processor built on a 5nm process. What does this mean for you? Snappy performance, faster app loading times, and smoother animations. Navigating through the interface is a breeze, and even demanding apps run without a hitch.

But the real star of the show is Wear OS 3. This is a major overhaul of Google's smartwatch operating system, and it brings a host of improvements. The interface is cleaner and more intuitive, making it easier to find what you're looking for. Google Assistant is now fully integrated, allowing you to control your smart home devices, set reminders, and get answers to your questions with just your voice. The Play Store is also integrated, giving you access to a wide range of apps directly from your wrist. One of the biggest advantages of Wear OS 3 is its deep integration with the Samsung ecosystem. If you're already a Samsung user, you'll appreciate the seamless connectivity with your other devices. You can easily control your music, answer calls, and even take photos using your watch. But even if you're not a Samsung user, Wear OS 3 offers a compelling experience with its improved performance, intuitive interface, and access to a wide range of apps. The Exynos W920 chip and Wear OS 3 work together to deliver a smooth and responsive user experience. Whether you're checking your notifications, tracking your workouts, or using apps, the Galaxy Watch 4 feels fast and fluid. It's a significant upgrade over previous Wear OS devices, and it sets a new standard for smartwatch performance.

Health and Fitness Features

If you're a fitness enthusiast, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has you covered. It's packed with sensors that track a wide range of health and fitness metrics. You've got your standard heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and step counting. But the Galaxy Watch 4 goes above and beyond with its BioActive Sensor. This sensor combines three health sensors into one: Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), Electrical Heart Sensor (ECG), and Optical Heart Rate Sensor (PPG).

With the BIA sensor, you can measure your body composition, including your muscle mass, body fat percentage, and body water. This is a valuable tool for tracking your fitness progress and making informed decisions about your diet and exercise. The ECG sensor allows you to take an electrocardiogram, which can detect signs of atrial fibrillation. This is a potentially serious heart condition, and early detection is crucial. The PPG sensor provides accurate heart rate monitoring during workouts and throughout the day. In addition to these advanced sensors, the Galaxy Watch 4 also supports a wide range of workout modes, automatically detecting and tracking your activity. It also offers advanced running metrics, such as cadence, stride length, and ground contact time. The sleep tracking feature is also quite comprehensive, providing detailed insights into your sleep stages and sleep quality. You can even use the watch to monitor your blood oxygen levels while you sleep. Overall, the Galaxy Watch 4 is a powerful tool for tracking your health and fitness. Whether you're a casual exerciser or a serious athlete, it has the features you need to stay motivated and achieve your goals. The accuracy of the sensors is impressive, and the data is presented in a clear and easy-to-understand format. It's like having a personal health and fitness coach on your wrist.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is always a concern with smartwatches, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is no exception. Samsung claims up to 40 hours of battery life, but in real-world use, you're more likely to get around 24-36 hours depending on your usage. If you're using the always-on display, tracking workouts, and using GPS frequently, you'll probably need to charge it every day.

However, the Galaxy Watch 4 does support fast charging, so you can quickly top it up when needed. A 30-minute charge can give you a significant boost, enough to get you through the rest of the day. The watch charges wirelessly using a standard Qi wireless charger, so you can use the same charger you use for your phone. One thing to note is that battery life can vary depending on the size of the watch. The larger models have slightly larger batteries, so they may last a bit longer. Overall, the battery life of the Galaxy Watch 4 is decent, but it's not exceptional. If you're a heavy user, you'll need to be mindful of your usage and charge it regularly. However, the fast charging feature helps to mitigate this issue. The key to maximizing battery life is to optimize your settings. Turn off features you don't need, such as the always-on display and automatic workout detection. You can also adjust the brightness of the display and limit the number of notifications you receive. With a little tweaking, you can easily get a full day of use out of the Galaxy Watch 4. While the battery life may not be the best in its class, the combination of decent battery life and fast charging makes it a manageable issue.

Pros and Cons

Alright, let's break down the pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 to give you a clear picture:

Pros:

  • Stunning Display: The AMOLED display is vibrant and sharp, making everything look great.
  • Smooth Performance: The Exynos W920 chip and Wear OS 3 deliver a snappy and responsive experience.
  • Advanced Health Features: The BioActive Sensor provides comprehensive health tracking.
  • Wear OS 3: The new operating system is a major improvement over previous versions.
  • Stylish Design: Available in two models to suit different tastes.

Cons:

  • Battery Life: Battery life could be better, especially for heavy users.
  • Limited iOS Compatibility: Some features are limited when paired with an iPhone.
  • Samsung-Centric Features: Some features are optimized for Samsung devices.

Who is it for?

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a fantastic choice for Android users, especially those already invested in the Samsung ecosystem. The seamless integration with Samsung devices, combined with the power of Wear OS 3, makes it a compelling option. If you're looking for a smartwatch with advanced health tracking features, a stylish design, and a smooth user experience, the Galaxy Watch 4 is definitely worth considering. However, if you're an iOS user, you may want to explore other options, as some features are limited when paired with an iPhone. Also, if battery life is a top priority, there are other smartwatches on the market that offer longer battery life. Ultimately, the Galaxy Watch 4 is a well-rounded smartwatch that offers a great balance of features and performance. It's a significant step forward for Wear OS, and it sets a new standard for Android smartwatches.

Alternatives to Consider

If the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 doesn't quite tick all your boxes, here are a few alternatives to consider:

  • Apple Watch Series 7: If you're an iOS user, the Apple Watch is the obvious choice. It offers seamless integration with iPhones and a wide range of features.
  • Fitbit Sense: If health tracking is your top priority, the Fitbit Sense is a great option. It offers advanced health monitoring features, such as stress tracking and skin temperature sensing.
  • Garmin Venu 2: If you're a serious athlete, the Garmin Venu 2 is a great choice. It offers advanced fitness tracking features and long battery life.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a fantastic smartwatch that offers a great combination of features, performance, and design. Wear OS 3 is a game-changer, and the Exynos W920 chip delivers a smooth and responsive experience. While the battery life could be better, the fast charging feature helps to mitigate this issue. If you're an Android user looking for a feature-rich smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 4 is definitely worth considering. It's a top contender in the smartwatch market, and it's sure to impress.