Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
Retail Price
$199.99
Lowest Price
$84.73
Release Date
August 27, 2021
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 stands as the premier Android watch, characterized by its intelligent Google Wear OS and a design reminiscent of its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch 3. While it feels more like a Samsung product with an underlying Google layer, it promises a unified OS ecosystem in the future. This watch, priced from $250, combines advanced health sensors with smartwatch connectivity, offering a superior blend of fitness and health features. The Classic model, which costs less than its predecessor, is enhanced by the popular rotating bezel, providing a sharp design and smart software.
Purchase Links
Overview
- Summary
- Overview - Build
- Overview - Features
- Overview - Performance
- Overview - Worth
- Recommendation
- Positive
- Negative
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, being the first Google Wear OS-enabled watch, sets the pace for the future Android watches. However, it still feels more like a Samsung product with a Google layer underneath, rather than a unified OS ecosystem. Despite this, the Galaxy Watch 4 is currently the best Android watch option available, with a promising future. It carries over much of the design and features of its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch 3, while adding more health sensor technology and a new OS. The watch, starting at $250, offers a commendable blend of fitness, health features, and smartwatch connectivity.
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a promising upgrade with a sharp design, intelligent software, and superior health sensor. It costs less than the previous version, with the Classic model featuring the popular rotating bezel.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, along with the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic offer lightweight and comfortable wear. The Classic features a physical rotating bezel and a recessed Gorilla Glass display, providing additional protection but making swipe-based interactions more challenging. On the other hand, the basic Watch 4 is more affordable and stylish, though its exposed glass could be prone to scuffs and its touch-based bezel is harder to turn. Both watches are interchangeable with standard 20mm pin-release straps, but the fit may appear slightly stiff due to the straps bulging out from the lugs.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 models maintain the consistent quality of previous Samsung smartwatches, with circular OLED faces that offer an ‘always-on’ feature. Despite not reaching the construction level of an Apple Watch, they offer a satisfactory build quality, appropriate size, and a comfortable fit.
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 presents a familiar yet refined design that can transition from gym to dinner. It comes in various appealing colors including Silver, Pink Gold, and a Green version that matches the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. However, the Green version is only available in the 44mm size. The watch is versatile in size options, accommodating different wrist sizes with models ranging from 40mm to 46mm.
Mark Spurrell
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 stands out with its minimalist design, variety of color options for cases and straps, and flatter edges on the case. Two side buttons aid navigation, while the improved display offers a sharper and larger viewing experience, with a 450 by 450 resolution on a 1.4 inch amoled screen.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 boasts a vibrant Super AMOLED display complemented by beautiful preloaded watch faces featuring animated animals and dynamic effects. The watch faces are highly customizable, allowing for various app data displays, and a vast array of additional faces can be found on Google Play.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 delivers impressive speed, with the ability to load apps faster than many other Android watches. Although it may not match the speed of the latest Apple Watch, it still provides a satisfying user experience. The performance of its new chipset indicates promising potential for future Google watches in terms of responsiveness.
CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 stands out as the top Android watch due to its excellent performance, visually appealing animations, extensive fitness features, and Google Wear OS support. However, its battery life is a bit disappointing, averaging around two days with the display off.
@mk45232 – CNET
The 44mm LTE Galaxy Watch 4 provides approximately 40-45 hours of runtime, even with extensive daily use, including sleep tracking and GPS-enabled runs. Despite its size, the device is comfortable to wear and doesn’t feel oversized or heavy. The screen is scratch-resistant, and performance is fast and efficient. Transitioning from other platforms is manageable, with Samsung Health offering comparable features to Google Fit and Bixby functioning well as a voice assistant. As a first-time smartwatch user, the reviewer found it exceeded expectations and would recommend it to others.
r/gaming
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is highly appreciated for its ability to display blood sugar levels, eliminating the need to frequently check a phone or insulin pump. While most active features are disabled, the unobtrusive step tracking feature is a welcomed addition.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, despite its shift to Wear OS, is more of a lateral progression from the Watch 3 rather than a significant leap forward. It offers better integration with Android phones, similar to the Apple Watch-iPhone synergy. However, the presence of Samsung and Google apps side-by-side may feel redundant. The watch is currently one of the most feature-rich and well-constructed Android watches, especially when paired with a Samsung phone, but the uncertainty of future Wear OS watches makes it a challenging recommendation.
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Cons
- Positive
- Negative
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers a snappy interface, enhanced support for third-party apps, and extended health tracking capabilities.
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a more affordable option than its predecessor, boasting a slimmer design, new watch faces, and an enhanced Wear OS that mirrors Tizen with a broader app range. Its standout feature is the first-of-its-kind body composition analysis.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s downsides include being restricted to Samsung’s ecosystem, reliance on Bixby, and a need for clearer privacy policy.
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has issues with the reliability of the BIA sensor and inconsistent battery life.
Build & Design
- Build - Buttons
- Build - Water Resistance
- Positive
- Negative
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 features two side buttons that serve multiple functions including access to Samsung Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung’s voice assistant Bixby. The buttons can also be used for home/back navigation and can be assigned a few other limited actions via the Samsung Wear app.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 features two buttons for efficient navigation; the top button brings you to the home screen or switches to the last used app when double-clicked, while the bottom button displays recently used apps. Long-pressing each button triggers unique functions.
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, available in two versions, showcases a reimagined frame for seamless integration between the smartwatch body and straps. It also features uniformly-shaped crown buttons, moving away from the traditional design of one round, protruding crown paired with a flush side button.
Mark Spurrell
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is highly durable and water-resistant, capable of withstanding exposure to water or sweat up to a depth of 50 meters.
Features
- Controls
- Sensors
- Software
- System
- Updates
- Positive
- Negative
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 features fixed settings for long-press actions, with the bottom button activating Samsung Pay and the top button accessing Bixby, Samsung’s digital assistant. The possibility of customization or replacement of Bixby with Google Assistant remains uncertain.
CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 provides comprehensive health data, including body fat, water percentage, BMI, and skeletal muscle mass, with a simple 15-second touch on the side buttons. The accuracy of these metrics, while seemingly consistent, hasn’t been compared to professional body analysis services.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 features an FDA-cleared ECG for heart arrhythmia testing, similar to the Apple Watch Series 4 and Fitbit Sense, but is not a substitute for professional cardiac care. It also offers a blood pressure monitor, which requires calibration with a physical cuff and is currently not approved for use in the US. Additionally, usage of the Health Monitor app necessitates a Samsung phone in certain regions.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 features a sleek, redesigned sensor array on the back, which includes an electrical ECG sensor, optical heart rate, and a new impedance-based electrical sensor. It offers an aesthetic appeal and a less bulky feel compared to previous models.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 introduces an electrical impedance sensor that estimates body water content to calculate body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, and body water. The app requires daily weight input and a 15-second scan for analysis. However, the new sensor may be challenging to use and the body analysis tool can be intimidating, potentially discouraging consistent use.
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 introduces a 3-in-1 health sensor, a significant upgrade from its predecessor. This new feature enables heart rate monitoring, ECG reading, and bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) to measure body composition. The innovative BIA feature, commonly found in high-end smart scales, analyzes body fat percentage, BMI, muscle mass, bone mass, and body water percentage. However, taking a BIA reading requires a specific handling technique.
CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 comes with Samsung Health for comprehensive health tracking including calories, steps, and activity goals. It also incorporates sensor readings like blood oxygen and ECG, along with a new bioimpedance sensor.
The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a versatile health tracker, featuring step counting, 95 different workout tracking, GPS, ECG for A Fib detection, and blood oxygen measurement. Its advanced features include sleep tracking, snoring detection when synced with a phone, and a bioelectric impedance sensor for measuring body composition such as body fat percentage and skeletal muscle mass.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 primarily uses Google Play as its app store, allowing access to Google apps such as Fit, YouTube, and Maps. However, it retains a Samsung-centric setup process, using the Samsung Wear app for pairing and Samsung Health as the primary fitness/health application.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 allows for integration with Google Fit apps for fitness tracking, however, it primarily relies on Samsung Health for data management. Although Fitbit’s Wear OS apps are anticipated, full tracking capabilities of Fitbit on this watch are not expected in the near future.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is heavily integrated with Samsung’s ecosystem, featuring a majority of default Samsung apps such as Calendar, Calculator, Contacts, and Weather. It also supports automatic settings transfer from Samsung phones and auto-switching for Galaxy Buds headphones. While some of these apps can be replaced, many are permanent.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 boasts of a significant hardware upgrade in health features, laden with multiple sensors for tracking various metrics including pulse, step count, and sleep patterns, including blood oxygen levels. It supports 95 different workout tracking options and includes an ECG for atrial fibrillation and blood oxygen detection. However, these should not be used as diagnostic tools due to occasional inaccurate readings. The watch also features a bioelectric impedance sensor for estimating body fat percentage. These health metrics are all consolidated and tracked using the Samsung Health app, offering a robust platform for users who are keen on monitoring their health trends over time.
Mark Spurrell
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, now running on Google Play Store, provides a wealth of third-party apps previously unavailable on Samsung’s Tizen. It also includes superior Google apps such as Google Maps, Google Keep, YouTube Music, and Gboard, which offers a QWERTY keyboard for easier typing.
CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is equipped with numerous health and fitness features, all of which are integrated into the Samsung Health app for comprehensive health tracking.
The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is embedded with Samsung’s proprietary software and default apps, with a few being replaceable with Google alternatives, while others require more complex solutions for replacement.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 features a new Wear OS-based operating system, which is primarily designed for Android users. This watch offers quick access to settings, an app tray, notifications, and tiles for mini-app readouts. The Galaxy Watch 4 supports Google Play apps and Samsung apps, with certain health features like ECG and body analysis measurements exclusive to Samsung Health. However, some health features require a Samsung phone for functionality.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, born from a collaboration between Google and Samsung, merges Google’s Wear OS platform with Samsung’s Tizen platform. This combination results in a swift watch that outlasts a full day without requiring power-saving modes. It supports Google Maps and will soon introduce new versions of third-party apps like Strava and Spotify. Despite running on Google’s Wear OS 3, the watch’s interface, apps, NFC payment system, health tracking, and assistant are all integral parts of Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 utilizes a combination of Google’s Wear OS and Samsung’s Tizen-inspired One UI for its core interface, offering a simplified navigation system that includes swipes for apps, notifications, quick settings, and Tiles. The inclusion of Tiles, small information widgets, reduces the need to overload the main watchface with numerous complications, enhancing user experience.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 comes with a variety of default watchfaces that balance both functionality and aesthetics. These can be easily switched and are superior to those seen on most Wear OS watches recently. For customization, users have the option to install new watchfaces from the Google Play Store or create their own using apps like Facer or Pujie Black.
Mark Spurrell
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 boasts a vast selection of customizable third-party watch faces available directly from the Google Play store and through apps like Facer.
CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 boasts a familiar and appealing design, complemented by a variety of beautiful and dynamic watch faces, including unique animations and playful animal themes, offering a visual experience not commonly found in Android watches.
@eduardguerra – The Verge
Another user pointed out that the watch works well even for non-Samsung users, requiring only a few apps to be installed.
@Siri_Duffa – Mark Spurrell
Another user has found the watch improving over time, especially with updates and the inclusion of Google Assistant.
r/GalaxyWatch
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series is set to receive an update in the upcoming months that will introduce Google Assistant, enhancing the user experience.
Performance
- Battery
- Charging
- Chipset
- Sensors
- Software
- Positive
- Negative
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has a disappointing battery life, lasting no more than two days without the always-on watch face. If the always-on watch face is enabled or the watch is used for GPS-enabled workouts, the battery drains faster, requiring daily charging. The smaller model and the LTE-equipped variant may have even shorter battery lives.
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
While the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 doesn’t deliver on the rumored week-long battery life, its 40-hour estimated lifespan is standard for daily use. Despite needing daily charging with GPS, activity tracking, and the always-on display enabled, it still competes with many top-rated smartwatches and fitness trackers. However, the inconsistency in battery performance is a minor drawback.
Mark Spurrell
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s battery life is quite limited, potentially lasting up to two days under optimal conditions.
The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers satisfactory battery life that can last for a day even with heavy use including GPS track workouts, constant notifications, and sleep tracking. For lighter use, it may extend up to two days.
r/GalaxyWatch
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s battery saving mode significantly improves battery life, even with frequent screen use.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers a fairly quick charging speed, providing sufficient battery life for the day with just about half an hour of charging.
Mark Spurrell
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, despite being equipped with a faster CPU and more RAM than its predecessor, struggles to smoothly run Wear OS. Occasional freezes in animations and delayed app launches detract from the refined experience expected from a new smartwatch.
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers versatile workout tracking features for both indoor and outdoor exercises, including niche sport selections. It provides real-time updates on heart rate, mileage, and a summary of activities every 30 minutes. The watch has an auto-pause function and can automatically detect and track activities like walking. Additionally, the Galaxy Watch 4 boasts enhanced sleep tracking metrics with frequent blood oxygen measurements and snoring tracking when used with a compatible smartphone. It also offers a stress app to monitor stress levels and suggests breathing sessions. Despite some issues with overestimated calorie counts and separate sleep recording, it proves to be a competent fitness and health monitoring device.
The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers a comprehensive health tracking feature, including detailed workout tracking for activities like biking with stats, geo-tracking, heart zones, sleep and stress level monitoring. It also includes social features for competition among other Samsung health users.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers a robust health tracking package with features like sleep tracking and scoring, running analysis, blood oxygen measurement, food and water tracking, steps, activity goals, and team activity sharing challenges. The sleep tracking feature is particularly commendable for promoting better sleep habits. The watch also automatically tracks activity, providing live heart rate readouts during workouts, making it an excellent fitness companion.
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers a superior Wear OS experience with seamless navigation between apps, menus, and settings. It maintains key features from Tizen such as rotating tiles and priority for Samsung Pay and Health, while also incorporating Google’s new app cloud, including Google Maps. Despite limited app selection and lack of Google Assistant, the watch significantly integrates into the Samsung ecosystem through One UI Watch, which automatically transitions settings between Samsung devices. It also boasts an extensive watch face library and proprietary editing suite for developers.
Comparison
- Comparison vs. Apple Watches
- Comparison vs. Apple Watches & Comparison vs. Garmin Watches
- Comparison vs. Apple Watch 7
- Comparison vs. Huawei GTE 2E
- Comparison vs. Huawei Watches
- Comparison vs. Original Samsung Galaxy Watch
- Comparison vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
- Comparison vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
- Comparison vs. Samsung Gear S3 Classic
- Positive
- Negative
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
While Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers an easy-to-use “Erase all personal data” button in its settings, the company needs to improve its explanation of privacy and encryption policies, as users express greater trust in Apple’s clear communication regarding inaccessible health data.
@CameTo – CNET
Apple’s restrictions on their products have made it simpler for users to understand, however, Android’s less restrictive approach offers more options and functions for customization. Android has become easier to use over the years, with certain functions like creating a hotspot becoming more accessible. A ‘back button’ on Android devices is seen as an advantage over Apple devices.
@philipdw6954 – CNET
The statement that the Apple Watch has more watch faces than the Galaxy Watch is contested, as Samsung offers thousands of watch faces on the Galaxy store.
@leakstan – The Verge
One user expressed satisfaction with the Galaxy Watch 4’s accuracy in golf course measurements and heart rate monitoring, even comparing it favorably to the Apple Watch.
r/gaming
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers advanced user control capabilities, which could be perceived as more advanced compared to devices like the Apple Watch.
r/gaming
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a preferred choice for those who appreciate analogue watches and desire a less intrusive notification system, offering a viable alternative to the Apple Watch.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 demonstrates fairly accurate heart rate readings, closely matching those of the Apple Watch and Garmin during bike rides. However, it’s slightly less precise in measuring distance via GPS, showing a 5 percent discrepancy. While data can be synced to Strava, it lacks the extensive third-party app integration offered by Apple Health.
@MikeHightower1 – Mark Spurrell
Despite some bugs, one user enjoys the Galaxy Watch 4, especially its sleep tracker and the Galaxy Health interface. However, they mention the LTE version drains the battery quickly, and are using the watch as a backup device while their Apple Watch 7 is being charged.
@Flyezx – The Verge
A user of the Huawei gte 2e praised its two-week battery life and noted that while it may not have as many features as the Galaxy Watch 4, it performs well in terms of showing notifications and tracking exercises.
r/Android
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 impresses with its superior user interface, especially when compared to the Huawei watch, as per a user who has been using it since December.
@DJGeeks – The Verge
A user upgraded from the original Galaxy Watch to the Galaxy Watch 4 and was generally happy with the upgrade, except for the decreased battery life. However, the fast charging feature was a saving grace.
@Snapper314 – CNET
A negative aspect of the Samsung Watch 4 is the lack of a disconnect alert, a feature present in the Active 2 Watch. This feature would alert the user with sound and vibration when the watch lost connection with the phone, helping prevent accidental misplacement of the phone.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 features a touch-sensitive rotating bezel for swift scrolling, however, it can be a bit tricky to operate. The Watch 4 Classic, on the other hand, boasts a physical bezel with a satisfying click when navigating through screens, which may justify its higher price for some users.
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 retains iconic elements from previous models, including a rotating bezel that serves as a navigation tool. This watch, however, adopts a capacitive version of the bezel, resulting in a slimmer and more modern gadget. The Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic offer identical software experiences, both featuring the new Wear OS software, Samsung’s One UI skin, a 3-in-1 health sensor, and an extensive watch face collection. Both watches come in various sizes and connectivity options, with the Galaxy Watch 4 starting at $249.99 for the 40mm Bluetooth model, while the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic begins at $349.99 for the 42mm Bluetooth version.
CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 models boast a unique interface featuring a rotating bezel, with the Classic version offering a physical, clicky bezel that’s enjoyable to use, akin to a fidget toy. However, the standard model requires touch activation which can be challenging when wet, and doesn’t provide the same tactile response.
The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers the versatility of using any 20-millimeter strap and provides a smooth user interface with a touch-sensitive bezel for navigation. Its Classic variant further enhances usability with a physical rotating bezel that clicks. The collaboration of Google and Samsung offers a customizable interface, allowing users to personalize tiles and avoid overcrowding the main watch face.
The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is priced at $249 for the basic 40mm model, with options for a larger 44mm model or the Watch 4 Classic at $349 for the 42mm model. There is also a 46mm model and an option for LTE on both versions.
@GothicDragonX – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, paired with a Note 20 Ultra 5G, offers a pleasing experience. It’s praised for maintaining the rotating bezel feature and for its transition from Tizen OS to Wear OS, which provides more apps and functionality. The smaller bezel-less Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has also been well received by first-time smartwatch users.
@RedStacheAZ – Mark Spurrell
One user is not ready to switch from their GearS3 Classic, citing some issues with Wear OS. However, they appreciate the partnership and hope that Samsung has incorporated the best of Tizen.
Price & Availability
- Price - Variants
- Value
- Positive
- Negative
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 starts at an affordable price of $249.99 for the 40mm aluminum model. The chunkier, stainless steel Watch 4 Classic with a rotating bezel is priced at $349.99 for the 42mm model. There are options for larger sizes or added LTE functionality at additional costs for both watches, all of which are compatible with standard 20mm straps.
CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 presents a familiar design that may not impress everyone. The cleaner look without the bezel is preferred due to its cost-effectiveness, being $100 cheaper than the Classic version which offers a rotating bezel as the primary extra feature.
r/gaming
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is seen by some users as a top-tier accessory, offering features like reading and quick responding to texts, and managing Spotify songs without interrupting gameplay.
r/gaming
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is highly recommended and considered to be one of the best smart watches, despite reported battery issues. It’s expected to become even better with the upcoming integration of Google Assistant.
Miscellaneous
- Concerns
- Drawbacks - Features
- Drawbacks - Performance
- History
- Issue - Features
- Issue - Manufacturer
- Issue - Performance
- Lacks
- Limitations
- Reputation
- Positive
- Negative
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 raises concerns regarding the accuracy of its BIA measurements, particularly for users under 20 years old, with potential implications for body dysmorphia. Samsung acknowledges these inaccuracies but does not enforce an age restriction on this feature.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a remarkable smartwatch, however, its full functionality is best experienced when used with a Samsung phone.
The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s major drawback is the lack of robust third-party app integration in Samsung Health, with Strava being the only notable exception.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 functions well with Samsung Pay, but struggles with Bixby. While Bixby’s performance is somewhat better than its reputation suggests, it lacks some basic features such as setting multiple alarms and occasionally has response delays. It also fails to recognize the pre-installed Google Maps for directions.
The Verge
The Bixby feature in Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is showing progress, though it still lags behind the capabilities of Siri from a few years ago, with noticeable shortcomings like the inability to set multiple alarms.
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
Samsung has revamped its branding strategy with the Galaxy Watch 4, presenting it as their flagship model with a sporty design, while the ‘Classic’ variant continues the luxurious traits of the previous Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s privacy policy may raise concerns as it potentially allows Samsung to gather extensive health data. However, it is ensured that the data is end-to-end encrypted and Samsung can only access it if the user chooses to share it. The collected information may be used for creating personalized workouts, enhancing the app, or marketing promotions.
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s body measurements feature may have discrepancies, as the readings differed by up to 5% from other devices like the Wyze Scale. It’s advisable to seek professional medical advice for wellness goals, especially for those with health conditions, instead of solely relying on this smartwatch.
Mark Spurrell
The “Raise to Wake” feature on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is inconsistent, functioning approximately 70% of the time.
@d35p0 – Mark Spurrell
A user suggested that the Always On Display’s brightness might be reduced due to the OLED display, which could be damaged by bright white spots over extended periods. It is mentioned that Samsung has limited it to 15% brightness, but other apps do not adhere to this, requiring manual adjustments.
r/Android
Despite receiving updates, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 still lacks crucial features like Google Assistant, has altered the heart rate graph to mask sensor inconsistencies, and has issues with the deep sleep function and poor battery life.
r/GalaxyWatch
A user hopes for an option to remap the long press button from Bixby to Google Assistant on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, though voice activation is not a priority.
r/GalaxyWatch
The delay in the release of Google’s Assistant app for Wear OS 3.0 is affecting Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 users, as these watches are currently the only ones running on Wear OS 3.0.
r/GalaxyWatch
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s promised Google Assistant update has disappointed users due to the lack of a specific release date, causing frustration over the vague ‘coming soon’ timeline.
Mark Spurrell
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s display has limited readability in direct sunlight due to its brightness levels.
Mark Spurrell
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s current Wear OS has several minor bugs, including an issue with certain app notifications failing to vibrate the watch in any mode.
The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has been reported to provide inaccurate health readings, including false atrial fibrillation detection.
@vincentvincent4409 – Mark Spurrell
A user reports issues with the LTE version of the watch, including overheating and short battery life, especially when listening to offline music. They had to return the watch twice due to these issues.
@Johansk182 – The Verge
A user expressed dissatisfaction with the Galaxy Watch 4’s battery life, preferring watches that can last at least a week on a single charge, even if they have fewer features.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 defaults to Samsung’s Bixby as its voice assistant, with Google Assistant currently unavailable on the device.
Mark Spurrell
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, a Wear OS device created in collaboration with Google, currently lacks Google Assistant, which is unusual. It only supports Bixby, which is less impressive and struggles with numerous text-to-speech commands.
CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 currently uses Samsung Bixby as the default voice assistant, with no Google Assistant available, a feature that is hoped to be changed soon.
Scott Stein – CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s health features, including ECG and blood pressure readings, can only be utilized when paired with a Samsung phone due to the exclusive availability of the Samsung Health Monitor app on the Galaxy App Store. This limits access for users of other Android phones, unlike devices like the Fitbit Sense that pairs with standard Google Play apps.
Dieter Bohn – The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers an exceptional smartwatch experience, particularly for Samsung users. However, non-Samsung Android users may find the requirement of installing multiple Samsung apps to access full functionality limiting. The device is incompatible with iPhones and tends to draw users into the Samsung ecosystem, which can be restrictive despite its merits.
Kate Kozuch – Tom’s Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a significant upgrade with refreshed design, software and the introduction of a Body Impedance Analysis (BIA) system. However, it falls short in terms of inconsistent battery life and the lack of some features in the initial launch of Wear OS. The BIA feature may pose risks to individuals with certain health conditions. The watch’s standout attribute is its seamless integration with other Galaxy devices, offering a level of convenience similar to the Apple ecosystem.
CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 requires a Samsung phone for ECG and blood pressure features.
CNET
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 operates on Google Play, allowing users access to a broad range of Wear OS apps, rather than Samsung’s own app store.
The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 can be paired with any Android phone, but requires the installation of multiple Samsung applications including the Wearable app, Galaxy Watch plugin, Bixby, Samsung Pay, and Samsung Health, making it a more convenient choice for existing Samsung Galaxy phone users.
r/Android
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s manufacturer, Samsung, stands out as one of the best in the market, offering consistent support for Android Smart Wear.
r/Android
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 stands out with its numerous updates since release by its manufacturer, Samsung, adding unprecedented additional functionalities compared to earlier pure Wear OS or Android Wear watches like Moto 360 gen 1 and Huawei Watch.
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