Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch
While the fans waited eagerly for the launch of the next Samsung Smartwatch in the Gear series, the tech giant surprised everyone by rebranding its popular wearable to Galaxy Watch. So, is the new gadget just a disguised Gear series smartwatch? Or is it something more substantial? Read on to find out the upgrades and new features that have been incorporated by Samsung. #
Operating System
The one primary spec which has remained constant in the new smartwatch is the Operating system. This means that the Galaxy watch also runs on Tizen OS. The Tizen 4.0 is compatible with iPhone iOS, Android 5.0 and other versions above them. Overall, you feel no difference in terms of the OS from its predecessor – Gear S3. It is also easy to drag and drop widgets.
Additionally, it is very convenient to respond to any incoming messages. As with previous models, Tizen does not support third-party apps very well. The model works best on the native Samsung apps.
Apps
As with previous models, Tizen does not support third-party apps very well. It lags behind Google and Apple in this space. You can still view and reply to any notifications that come from apps like Facebook, Google, Twitter, etc. However, you are limited to just that. There is no way that you can initiate a message to that contact. The model works best on the native Samsung apps. There is good news on the music front though. This is because the Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch can store music. In other words, you can leave your bulky phone at home when you go for a jog.
Looks
The design is more elegant as the product now resembles an actual wristwatch. This means that you can match it with more outfits. Additionally, the colour choices of midnight black and rose variants are both equally attractive. Overall, an excellent design that adds an element of maturity to your look rather than being a wrist toy. Further, the watch is also available in two sizes – 42 mm and 46 mm. In other words, it can now cater to a more extensive client base. The watch also comes with a rotating bezel design. This is excellent and makes the watch more interactive. The display is bright and is replete with vibrant colours.
Fitness & Workout Tracking
it is a good buy for those with health focus daily routines. The heart rate monitor, barometer, and accelerometer work well alongside the GPS feature. The smartwatch can track breathing, heart rate, sleep duration, etc. It also effectively collects the data and gives you little vibrating prompts. This is very encouraging for those who require motivation exercising. Additionally, the smartwatch also takes stress level readings by using a heart rate monitor. This, however, may not be relevant to all the users.
Voice Assistance
The Samsung Galaxy smartwatch is equipped with Bixby. This is another significant change from the Gear series. In the previous releases, the Samsung smartwatches came with its S Voice assistance. This is an indication that the watch is better aligned with the Galaxy Smartphones. Although, Bixby can still be improved upon. It is has a slow response. Further, the assistant does not connect well with the available wi-fi networks.
Battery Life
This is one significant improvement from earlier smartwatches from Samsung. The Galaxy watch comes with excellent battery life and a wireless charger. Although the wireless charger requires improvements. Also, the 2 different sizes of the smartwatch offer different battery durations. Samsung claims that the larger model can last for nearly 7 days and the 42 mm version can stay live for 4 days. However, the GPS feature can drain the battery life much faster.
 Pros |  Cons |
|---|---|
| Stylish design and looks | Tizen OS has limited apps access |
| Good fitness tracking features | Bixby is not competent enough as a voice assistant |
| The battery life is well provided you keep off the battery draining apps | Interactions are limited when used with iOS phones |
| The gadget also includes built-in music storage | |
| Works very well with Android devices |
Conclusion
The Galaxy Watch is, no doubt an excellent smartwatch from Samsung. It has strengthened the manufacturer’s position in this market. The design is smart and comfortable at the same time. Further, the watch caters to all that you seek in a smartwatch product. It is definitely an improvement from its predecessors. If you own an Android smartphone, then purchasing this watch can be a good idea.
In spite of all the fantastic features, the watch has minor negatives. Lack of apps and minited support on Samsung pay are some of the main ones. Also, the Bixby assistant can undergo some improvements. However, these are some of the issues that the manufacturer will hopefully rectify in the subsequent models. Overall, it is Samsung’s finest smartwatch product to date. This is mainly because it offers an excellent mix of ‘smart’ and fitness features.
