We’re now on our fourth-generation Put on OS-powered Galaxy smartwatch, and by now, everyone knows what to anticipate: a shiny display screen, one other smattering of Samsung Well being expansions and watch faces, and a few ineffably incremental {hardware} upgrades. I’ve now worn all 4 generations of those watches, and that is my third 12 months reviewing the “common” model of the Galaxy Watch du jour, which suggests it’s one other 12 months of enjoying Spot the Distinction on professional mode.
On a spec sheet or a list web page, it is arduous to see what justifies the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7’s existence exterior Samsung needing its improve. Even whereas taking the be careful and setting it up, it looks like a re-run, however put on it for every week, and you may discover one thing great. Or somewhat, you may not discover one thing great.Â
What you may discover as a substitute is a mix of gimmicky AI-powered well being metrics and new gesture controls that are not truly new however are nonetheless enjoyable. Effortlessly stealing the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6’s title as one of the best Android smartwatch you should purchase right this moment, let’s dig into why you can purchase — however in all probability not improve to — the Galaxy Watch 7.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 evaluation: Specs, worth and availability
Samsung launched the Galaxy Watch 7 on July 24, 2024 in two sizes: a $300 40mm mannequin that is available in Cream (white gold) and Inexperienced (someplace between Hunter Inexperienced and Moss Inexperienced) and a $330 44mm mannequin out there in Inexperienced and Silver. LTE fashions of the Galaxy Watch 7 can be found for $350 (40mm) and $380 (44mm).
All sizes include the Sport band that matches the colour of the watch’s housing, with a small blue accent on the left facet and orange on the suitable. The 40mm comes with a S/M by default and the 44mm comes with a M/L by default, however in case you purchase the watch via Samsung, you have got the choice to customise it to a special band dimension/colour.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 evaluation: Design and show
The Galaxy Watch 7 makes use of the very same 1.3 and 1.5-inch 2,000-nit touchscreens because the Galaxy Watch 6, and it is simply as shiny, crisp, and completely straightforward to learn in direct daylight. After three years of sporting 40mm Galaxy Watches, the 44mm’s display screen has been a welcome little improve. It will not show extra parts, however they grow to be a lot simpler to look at, even the skinny issues on a watch face, and the $30 improve to 44mm appears way more justifiable if it matches your wrist.Â
Sadly, my wrist is smaller than the lug-to-lug span of the 44mm Watch 7, so I wanted watch bands that would instantly bend again to maintain the watch securely in place on my arm. This made me unable to check the sculpted-at-the-lugs Sport band of the watch absolutely, however it’s grippy with out being sticky, and the notches assist the band keep away from slipping round your sweaty wrist on this depressing summer time warmth.Â
The blue-orange accents pop with out being cheesy, although I want they had been totally different colours for every colorway — and that the Watch 7’s dwelling button had a special rim colour. The orange stands out higher in opposition to the Watch 7’s colorways in comparison with the crimson seen on earlier watches, however orange does not go along with every little thing in addition to Samsung thinks.Â
Outdoors the brand new band kinds, the one exterior distinction to the Galaxy Watch 7 is the brand new BIA well being sensor array. The dome of the array curves greater, making the watch sit greater on lanky wrists like mine, however for thicker wrists, you should not discover a lot of a distinction. We’ll get into the enhancements of the brand new sensors in a bit, however I do very very similar to the look of the dome and the brand new HR sensors. Not that you will be trying on the backside of your watch all that usually, however the eight dots white really feel cleaner than the gray, partially-clipped ring on earlier generations.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 evaluation: Software program and efficiency
One UI 6 Watch, the model of Put on OS operating right here on the Galaxy Watch 7, will probably be coming to the Galaxy Watch 6, 5, and 4 collection, however it will get to indicate off on the 7 first earlier than rolling out in every single place else within the coming months. A lot of the modifications Put on OS 5 is bringing are under-the-hood, require updates from app builders, or each, however an important function on the Watch 7 is not unique to the brand new OS; it is the growth and surfacing of the Accessibility-based gesture controls with double-pinch and knock-knock shortcuts.
Double-pinch gestures are constructed into many apps and system instruments, permitting you to shortly silence timers, flip off alarms, play/pause music, pause/restart exercises, and dismiss notifications. When two watch capabilities that may use double-pinch are open on the similar time, it pops up a window to decide on which one you wished, however that takes away the purpose of doing it one-handed.
The knock-on shortcut hasn’t gotten the play that the “zOMG, they copied the Apple Watch” pinch gestures, and it might admittedly do fewer issues. It is only a shortcut, be it to your favourite app, exercise fashion, or the flashlight. Yeah, I overlook these watches have a flashlight, too, half the time, however boy, howdy does it come in useful. Granted, you must twist your wrist up like some Energy Ranger or Ben 10 wannabe to have it shine in entrance of you somewhat than to the facet or straight up, however it’s a hands-free flashlight with none verbal instructions. The display screen has to already be on, however that is what tilt-to-wake is for.
It has been nice when it really works, however admittedly it misses my pinches and knocks about 30% of the time. Whether or not that is a failure within the detection software program, a problem stemming from how bony and skinny my wrist is, or consumer error stays to be seen, however at most, I can endure 3-5 seconds of pinching at midair like a shadow puppeteer to close my watch up whereas I am carrying one thing or typing away like a madwoman.
Samsung proclaimed the Exynos W1000 as nearly 3x sooner than the Galaxy Watch 6, however I am not seeing it. Do not get me fallacious, that is the zippiest smartwatch I’ve ever used, however it’s not magnitudes sooner, a minimum of throughout on a regular basis actions. That additional velocity probably is useful extra throughout offline GPS-tracked exercises and different intensive exercise kinds, however within the day-to-day, it is sooner, however not noticeably. Â
A brand new technology of Galaxy Watch means new watch faces, and Samsung’s new Extremely Information Board watch face permits us a peek into the way forward for Put on OS 5’s Flavors. Flavors enable builders to make presets inside their watch faces with totally different kinds and even totally different preset issues. Among the many varied flavors of the Extremely Information Board, we’ve got swimming, mountain climbing, and operating alongside the general well being model. I am hoping Samsung will enable us to avoid wasting personally edited Flavors among the many presets someday, however it’s a helpful little growth with enormous implications for watch face builders.Â
The opposite two new watch faces are… okay? Easy Digital is just a little too easy, in my view, and whereas Spatial Quantity is unquestionably distinctive, it feels awkward to have a balloon-ish numeral for the hour, analog palms for hours and minutes, after which a background gradient sweeper for seconds. Choose a lane, Samsung.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 evaluation: Well being monitoring and health
The spotlight of the Watch 7’s {hardware} upgrades its new well being sensor array, multiplying the LEDs that monitor coronary heart charge and blood oxygen to assist enhance monitoring accuracy throughout high-intensity exercises. The readings really feel extra responsive than earlier generations, however I’ve had fewer exercises to date than earlier watches as a result of the identical day my Watch 7 arrived, COVID signs started to flood my sinuses and suck out my vitality like a cartoon vampire.
The fantastic thing about being exhausted from the second you get up is you get to essentially work out the sleep monitoring and the brand new Galaxy AI-powered Vitality rating. The sleep teaching has been very hands-off this time round, however the monitoring itself has been fairly good. Blood oxygen readings have means fewer holes in them than on my Watch 6, and each the temperature and coronary heart charge charts are much less susceptible to sudden dropouts or spikes.Â
Sleep monitoring on the Watch 7 consists of your common respiratory charge, even when you do not have the flamboyant sleep apnea testing operating from Samsung Well being Monitor. Sure, the sleep apnea monitoring is unique to Samsung Galaxy telephones, identical to the electrocardiogram ECG readings have been because the Galaxy Watch 4 days. Sure, I am nonetheless mad about it; in case you pay $300 for a watch that advertises sleep apnea monitoring or irregular heartbeat detection, you should not need to spend one other $300-$1300 on a Galaxy telephone to truly use it.Â
Though it is not particular to the watch, I am grateful for Samsung’s Medicines minder. You may scan the bottles to place every sort within the listing somewhat than having to sort out the identify — although most of my prescription meds had been straightforward sufficient to search out by way of autocomplete — set reminders for meds at sure occasions of day, and even have a look at potential drug interactions you may not have identified about.Â
Look ahead to extra on this area as I end my COVID restoration and absolutely put the exercise monitoring — and the brand new dual-band GPS — of the Watch 7 via its paces. To this point, although, it and Samsung Well being work fairly nicely with out all the time throwing themselves in my face like another watches do. And Samsung stays one of many solely good watches that does not ultimately want a health subscription.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 evaluation: Battery and charging
Battery life varies extensively on a smartwatch — particularly as soon as you’re taking it exterior or undertake any prolonged exercises — so right here had been my testing elements. That is my first 44mm Galaxy Watch — my 4, 5, and 6 had been all 40mm to raised match my small wrist — and I switched off between two watch faces: the brand new Extremely Information Board watch face with a static background) and Images with animated gif backgrounds. Google Assistant was turned on however hotword detection was not enabled.
Whereas the efficiency improve of the Exynos W1000 appeared negligible, its improved effectivity helps the batter shine regardless of being the identical dimension as its predecessor. With AOD (always-on show) disabled, steady HR monitoring, and in a single day sleep monitoring, the Galaxy Watch 7 lasted two days on my wrist earlier than needing a charger on days I didn’t work out. On outdoor-heavy days and after I might handle a light-weight exercise, the battery life dropped to 33-36 hours.
Total, battery life is a bit higher, however the charging expertise suffers from the Galaxy Watch 7’s solely design change. The brand new coronary heart charge sensor and curvature of the well being sensor array push the charging coils only a few millimeters additional away when it sits on a flat charging pad — specifically, a Galaxy S smartphone with reverse wi-fi charging just like the Galaxy S24 Extremely — breaking one of the best backup charger a smartwatch might ask for.Â
Samsung calls it Wi-fi PowerShare; you’d flip it on, set your telephone down face-down, and set your Galaxy Watch on prime of it face-up. Supplied your watch band wasn’t too inflexibly curved, the watch might then recharge itself off your telephone’s battery, providing you with sufficient juice to final a couple of extra hours till you get dwelling. That is not an choice, that means that in case you lose or break your charger, you may need to go purchase one other charging puck. This is not the top of the world by any means, however it’s a small bummer price mentioning for the forgetful people on the market who may’ve relied on this function.
Additionally, if in case you have a cutesy little stand that your present Galaxy Watch charger is settled into, it may not fairly sit correctly with the Galaxy Watch 7’s charger and its deeper profile. (Farewell, candy TPU digital camera stand; I am going to miss you.) I’ve confirmed that the Watch 7 will cost on the Watch 6 charger, although, so a minimum of you possibly can preserve your outdated one in case you improve.
Though, in case you personal a Galaxy Watch 6, there is no actual motive to do this.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 evaluation: Competitors
The most important impediment for Samsung’s latest watch is not the {hardware} or the software program: it is the utter lack of motive to improve to it. For those who’re nonetheless rocking a Galaxy Watch 4, then sure, your time has come — assuming your battery even held out this lengthy — however even the bounce from Galaxy Watch 5 to 7 appears superfluous except you’ve got had poor outcomes with the ECG or coronary heart charge sensor on it. Even then, the ECG readings are solely marginally improved, a minimum of for my fingers and coronary heart or simply need to have a 2,000 nit display screen as a substitute of a 2,000 mAh one.Â
As for the Galaxy Watch 6, the one actual change is the center charge sensor, and that sensor array is a double-edged sword: it improves coronary heart charge monitoring, particularly throughout exercises, however it additionally makes the watch thicker, sitting barely greater in your wrist. Put on OS 5 needs to be arriving on the Galaxy Watch 6 in weeks, so simply sit tight, save your cash, and possibly purchase a brand new watch band as a substitute to make it really feel new.
There’s additionally the $200 Galaxy Watch FE in case you’re in search of nearly the identical options for two-thirds of the value. Nevertheless, you may nonetheless be caught with the older processor and chunkier bezels on the display screen.Â
The Galaxy Watch 7 at $300/$330 and this excessive construct high quality and software program consistency assist it simply maintain its personal in opposition to most present Put on OS watches in the marketplace. Granted, the Google Pixel Watch 2 nonetheless appears barely prettier with the recessed bands and the rounded design, however these bands are proprietary, it is costlier, and after six months, you may must pay for Fitbit Premium for plenty of the health metrics.Â
I am going to want time to completely check the exercise and GPS monitoring with the Watch 7 earlier than claiming it a Garmin-killer, however Samsung’s extra centered on smarts whereas Garmin’s 100% centered on health, so that call goes to return all the way down to how nicely you possibly can dwell with out Samsung or Google’s apps and companies in your watch.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 evaluation: Must you purchase one?
You should purchase the Galaxy Watch 7 if…
You might be new to smartwatches and need essentially the most constant expertise with out being compelled right into a subscription.You’ve got had points with previous Galaxy Watches not monitoring you correctly and are prepared to offer it one other strive.You are already invested in Google and/or Samsung’s ecosystem and desire a watch that integrates with them.You desire a smartwatch that does not require a subscription.
You should not purchase the Galaxy Watch 7 if…
You already personal a Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 or 6.You completely, positively need to have all of the bells and whistles of the newest mannequin. (For those who do, you may wish to go have a look at the Galaxy Watch Extremely.)You favor a extra flashy or weighty watch in your wrist.
Samsung’s insistence on Galaxy AI’s greatness and classy options hides the core monitoring and efficiency increase given by Put on OS 5, a brand new processor, and the upgraded well being sensors. And I am okay with Samsung specializing in the tangible right here, particularly when the proof of those upgrades will not be having lag or monitoring inaccuracies. In any case, if Samsung’s performed its job proper, you may assume Samsung hasn’t performed something in any respect and that the Galaxy Watch has all the time been this clean and secure.
When this mixture of flashy and understated provides as much as a handy guide a rough smartwatch with a shiny display screen, the decked-out function toolbox of One UI 6 Watch, and nearly 2 days of battery life, it is simple to suggest the Galaxy Watch 7 to new smartwatch patrons and older ones seeking to get again within the sport. We might not have the flamboyant new watch band system or overhauled design that the Galaxy Watch Extremely does, however it’s half the value and half the load. (And it nonetheless makes use of commonplace 20mm bands, so you are not caught with costly, proprietary watch bands.)
I would closely recommend buying and selling in an outdated smartwatch to knock the value for nonetheless lengthy Samsung is providing “any smartwatch, any situation” $100 trade-in, which makes this a $200 watch and a no brainer improve for anybody who can dig that outdated LG Watch or Pebble out of your junk drawer. However even when you must purchase at listing worth, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 earns its preserve higher than every other sub-$500 watch on the Android stage.Â
Do not sleep on this improve
The Galaxy Watch 7 might not look any totally different, however it’s acquired the upgrades the place they depend, fixing sensor wonk of years previous and tightening up an already clean system. The growth of gesture controls helps this watch really feel like one thing new after two years of minor updates and prefer it really deserves its throne atop the Android smartwatch mountain.