Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Review
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 boasts a wide range of health and fitness sensors, making it the best smartwatch aimed at Galaxy phone users so far. Samsung included a novel sensor that estimates basal metabolic rate and percentage body fat, a relatively unique proposal on the wearables market.
Watch 4 comes in two major variations: the regular Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic.
Highlights
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor
- Wear OS operating system
- Around 40-hours battery life
- 90+ exercise modes
- Extensive app and watch face ecosystem
- Very resistant Corning Gorilla Glass DX+
Is it Worth Upgrading to Galaxy Watch 4 ?
It is worth upgrading to a Galaxy Watch 4 if your budget allows it: Samsung has noticeably upgraded its sensor and measurement algorithm, and you will benefit from the Wear OS ecosystem and have access to an improved app store.
You’ll also enjoy a sharper screen display and faster processing time. You’ll get access to the body composition feature which is not offered by any other Samsung watch at this time and is not mainstream yet in the wearable world. Last but not least, Samsung has upgraded the accuracy of its heart rate analysis algorithm.
Galaxy Watch 4 vs. Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
Samsung has launched two models of Watch 4, which will both appeal to different types of users.
When we think of it in terms of design, the regular Galaxy Watch 4 can be seen as an upgraded version of Galaxy Watch Active 2, whilst the Classic Galaxy Watch 4 is closer to an upgraded Galaxy Watch 3.
Difference 1: Bezel
Watch 4 Classic has a physical rotating bezel. The standard model has a digital (touch-enabled) rotating bezel.
Difference 2: Size
The Classic watch comes in slightly bigger sizes: 42mm or 46mm. The standard Galaxy Watch 4 comes in sizes 40mm or 44mm. The physical rotating bezel is what makes the Classic watch bulkier, as the display dimensions are the same for the regular and Classic watches.
Other differences worth noting include color options and price.
- Read complete comparison: Galaxy Watch 4 Classic vs. Galaxy Watch 4
9 Best Overall Features of Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
What does Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 do? It does a lot more than any prior Galaxy Watch: impedance analysis, heart rate readings based on an upgraded algorithm, advanced sleep tracking, run mapping, etc. Read this section to find out more about what Galaxy Watch 4 can do.
1. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
Watch 4 is one of the rare watches equipped with the technology to run bioelectrical impedance analysis from your wrist. In just a few seconds, your watch will estimate your basal metabolic rate, your body fat percentage, your muscle composition, and your water retention.
A lot of gyms charge extra for such estimates, although their measurements are arguably more accurate than those taken by Watch 4. Nonetheless, BIA is an impressive advancement for wearables, and a great tool to track your fitness. It won’t be long before other smartwatch brands follow suit.
2. Wear OS System
Samsung has finally embraced Wear OS! The end result is a more visually appealing software, and a much broader offer when it comes to applications. With Galaxy Watch 4, you get access to the Google Play Store apps and all the popular wearable apps are available: Strava, MapMyRun, Spotify, etc.
3. Numerous Quality Sensors
Watch 4 is well equipped when it comes to inbuilt sensors. The Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis sensor is a distinguishing feature of the watch as explained earlier. Watch 4 also features two, rather than one, heart-related sensors: an optical heart rate sensor and an electrical one. Watch 4 is equipped to measure your resting heart rate, your heart rate during a workout and take electrocardiogram readings.
In addition to health and fitness-related sensors, Watch 4 is equipped with an accelerometer, a barometer, a gyro sensor and a geomagnetic sensor.
It also has a light sensor that helps the watch automatically adjust its display brightness based on surrounding light.
4. Better than Average Battery
The Watch 4 provides users with around 40 hours of usage between charges, which is much better than the Apple Watch’s average of 18 hours between charges. If upgrading from a Galaxy Active 2, you’ll likely notice a reduction in battery life. See it as the cost to pay for having Wear OS and a sleeker-looking watch.
Given that 40 hours is just short of two days, you will, realistically, have to charge your watch every day especially if you wear it for sleep tracking. But 40 hours is long enough that you won’t have to urgently charge it straight after a workout.
The exact amount of time between charges will of course depend on the features you use on a typical day. If using both GPS and music streaming for a workout, you can expect your battery to drain quicker.
If you’re after a watch with very long battery life, it’s worth exploring Garmin sports watches, as some of them have over two weeks of battery life between charges!
5. Health Tracking
Watch 4 can sync with Samsung Health to give you access to quality data about your health and fitness. Samsung Health is a great platform, easy to navigate and with a good intuitive interface. You’ll be able to track your workouts, heart rate readings, BIA readings, see your water and food intake log, etc.
That’s also where you’ll see your sleep tracking data, and find mindfulness and coaching resources.
Overall, a great one-stop-source for your personal fitness data, and a great way to stay accountable and remain informed.
6. Advanced Sleep Tracking
Galaxy Watch 4 is a contender for the best sleep tracker watch. Similar to Fitbit devices, Galaxy Watch 4 will detect when you fall asleep and track and categorize your sleep into phases (deep sleep, light sleep and REM).
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 has a blood oxygen saturation sensor, which will take measurements overnight. The watch can help identify suspected sleep apnea, a serious condition that requires medical management. Sleeping next to a compatible smartphone will also monitor ambient noise and snoring.
All those insights can help you understand your sleep quality, and identify actions to improve it.
Watch 4 has long enough battery life to last a full day and night.
7. Comfort
Watch 4 offers users maximum comfort as the device is light and the strap is soft and comfortable to wear. Consider opting for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, if you like a chunkier wearable and a rotating bezel.
8. Waterproof To 50 Meters
Thanks to the watch’s 50 meters water resistance and IP68 rating, Watch 4 is compatible with a wide range of water sports. In the pool, the watch will detect laps and calculate your average pace.
9. Clear Display
The device’s super AMOLED full-color display is clear and bright regardless of the light exposure. Its light sensor will automatically adjust the brightness such that it displays its punchy colors even in direct sunlight.
The larger case size options of Watch 4 and Watch 4 classic come with a 450-by-450 pixels display, which is better than the 396-by-396 display of the smaller case size variations.
Pros and Cons of Galaxy Watch 4
PROS
- Best software so far for a Galaxy watch
- Advanced sleep tracking
- Sleek and lightweight design
- Body composition sensor
- Better than average battery life
- Fast processing time
- Water-resistant to 50 meters
CONS
- No iPhone-support
- Storage capacity improved but unequal to Apple watch
Galaxy Watch 4 Specifications
- 1.5GB RAM + 16GB Internal Memory
- 5ATM water-resistant
- Wear OS
- Corning Gorilla Glass DX+
- Bluetooth / Wifi / NFC
- Full-color always-on display
- Bixby assistant built-in
- Optical and electrical heart rate sensors
- Automatic brightness adjustment
- Inbuilt GPS
- Mobile (contactless) payment
- Inbuilt electrocardiogram
- Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) sensor
- 90+ fitness activity modes
- Advanced sleep tracking
What are the Possible Issues With Galaxy Watch 4?
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is so far the best Samsung sports watch targeting Galaxy phone users. Its main failure is without a doubt its incompatibility with iPhones.
Another downside is that whilst each generation of Samsung watches comes with improved sensors and upgraded features, battery life remains relatively unchanged. If you upgrade from Active 2 you will even notice a worsening in battery life.
Whilst Watch 4’s battery life is technically better than the market average, with up to 40 hours of battery life between charges, you’ll still end up having to charge your watch every day to every day and a half. This is especially true if you use the GPS regularly, voice commands, etc.
Luckily Watch 4 charges relatively quickly (in about 2 hours), so given you don’t have to depart from it for too long, battery life may not be an issue for everyone.
- Related Article: Why Wear OS Watches Have Battery Life Issues
- Related Article: What You Need to Know About Samsung Watches Compatibility with IOS
Is Galaxy Watch 4 a Good Watch?
There is no doubt that Galaxy Watch 4 is one of the best fitness smartwatches Samsung has launched over the years.
An array of sensors allows fitness enthusiasts to track their heart rate, oxygen saturation level, blood pressure, and obtain electrocardiogram and body composition readings.
Watch 4 has a good quality sleep tracker, which detects when you fall asleep and categorizes your sleep into stages. It also measures stress level.
The device’s Exynos W920 chipset and 1.5GB RAM create room for a better performance and user experience. There are no lags and processing is fast.
As mentioned earlier, Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is so far the best Samsung sports for Galaxy phone users.
