Samsung Smartwatches A Review of the Galaxy Watch Series

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 17, 2024

Contributions sourced from

The best Samsung watch in 2024

What is the best Samsung watch? The answer depends on what youre looking for out of a smartwatch for Samsung users. Whether youre looking for a device for fitness tracking, an extension of your smartphone or something that can save your life in some emergencies, theres a Galaxy Watch for you.

In fact, all the Samsung Galaxy Watch models can do those things, but some models do it better than others. Some look better than others, too. Samsung has made five iterations of its smartwatch with a few design variations: the latest flagships are the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, though you can often buy older models like the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 4 at a discount.

The best Samsung Watch today

The best Samsung watch overall

Specifications

Sizes: 40mm, 44mm

Battery Life (Rated): 50 hours

GPS: Yes

Swim-Proof: Yes

LTE: Optional

Reasons to buy

Slimmer display bezels

Improved interchangeable band mechanism

Satisfying physical bezel on Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

Reasons to avoid

Battery life could be more consistent

The Galaxy Watch 6 is thebest smartwatch for Android users thanks to design improvements, refreshed built-in apps and added health features. While Samsung's smartwatch lineup has received mostly iterative updates in past years, the Galaxy Watch 6 presents some truly substantial upgrades.

Samsung continues to offer one of the most robust smartwatch collections on the market with not one, but two wearable devices. The Galaxy Watch 6 strikes a balance of sleek and sporty, while the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic elevates style with the fan-favorite physical rotating bezel. Larger displays and a new interchangeable band mechanism make for a more user-friendly design, too. Our comparison ofSamsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs. Galaxy Watch 6 Classiccan help you decide which is right for you.

Read our fullSamsung Galaxy Watch 6 review.

(Image credit: Future)

The Galaxy Watch 6 is thebest Galaxy watch overall thanks to design improvements, refreshed built-in apps and added health features. While Samsung's smartwatch lineup has received mostly iterative updates in past years, the Galaxy Watch 6 presents some truly substantial upgrades.

Read our fullSamsung Galaxy Watch 6 review.

The best Samsung watch you'll find on sale

Specifications

Sizes: 40mm, 44mm

Battery Life (Rated): 50 hours

GPS: Yes

Swim-Proof: Yes

LTE: Optional

Reasons to buy

Sporty, yet versatile design

Stronger, scratch-resistant screen

Added skin temperature sensor

Longer-lasting battery life

Reasons to avoid

Skin temperature sensor doesn't work at launch

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 has a new skin-temperature reader, more scratch-resistant display and a longer-lasting battery life. It's the best Samsung watch yet, because while there aren't a ton of differences between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Galaxy Watch 4, the changes make what was already a great device all that much better. And starting at $279, it remains a fair value.

Though the skin temperature reader won't work at launch, there's plenty to like about the Galaxy Watch 5. For one, it lasted for an entire two days in our testing, and reached almost 50% charge from 0% in 30 minutes. Wear OS 3 with Samsung's skin has more perks, too, including Google Assistant and better interoperability with your other Samsung devices. For more GPS features and an even longer-lasting battery life, check out the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 review.

(Image credit: Future)

The best Samsung watch for athletes

Specifications

Sizes: 45mm

Battery Life (Rated): 80 hours

GPS: Yes

Swim-Proof: Yes

LTE: Optional

Reasons to buy

Great included watch band

Auto start and pause for workouts

Best battery life for a Galaxy Watch

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro takes aim at Garmin watches, positioned as the best GPS watchesfor outdoor sports enthusiasts that Samsung has ever released.

When it comes down to theSamsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Galaxy Watch 5 Pro , the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has a more durable design, a few GPS tools and a longer battery life. Yes, all things worth appreciating. These perks have the making of a great everyday smartwatch; not just a sports watch. Some might lament the lack of rotating bezel, but that's what the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is for.

An added skin temperature sensor is another draw of Samsung's 2022 smartwatch lineup, but it doesn't work yet. Still, we enjoyed testing it on outdoor hikes and bike rides. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the right choice for those who like a substantially sized smartwatch, several days of battery life, and enjoy outdoor sports on occasion.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 review.

(Image credit: Future)

The best Samsung watch on steep discount

Specifications

Display: 40mm, 42mm, 44mm, 46mm

Heart Rate: Yes

GPS: Yes

LTE: Optional

Battery Life: 40 hours

Swim-Proof: Yes

Reasons to buy

Slim design and fun watch faces

Improved Wear OS software

Body composition analysis

Reasons to avoid

Battery life can be inconsistent

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 was the best Samsung watch overall before the Galaxy Watch 5. It notably comes in two different designs (and prices) to cater to a wider variety of user needs. The standard Galaxy Watch 4 looks more like the previous Galaxy Watch Active devices and is the companys flagship, starting at $249. Then, the Classic version carries on the luxurious characteristics like the physical rotating bezel, starting at $349.

Thanks to a 3-in-1 health sensor, the Galaxy Watch 4 measures heart rate, takes ECGs and reads body composition. However, a number of features are exclusive to Samsung phones, like ECG and blood pressure monitoring if youre in a country its available. Otherwise, the one Galaxy Watch 4 setback is inconsistent battery life, but as long as you dont mind a daily charge, youll benefit from on-board GPS, an always-on display, excellent sleep tracking and more.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 review.

How to choose the best Samsung watch for you

Choosing the best Samsung watch for you doesnt need to be a hard decision. In most cases, it will come down to the newest Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, Galaxy Watch 6 Classic or Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The Galaxy Watch 5 or Galaxy Watch 4 could also be found on sale sometimes. Wed recommend getting either of the Galaxy Watch 6 models if you want to have a smartwatch with the ambitious Wear OS software and the most advanced health monitoring features and you own a Samsung smartphone.

And, if youre still questioning which Samsung watch is best, or whether a Galaxy Watch is the best smartwatch for you, take a look at our smartwatch buying guide. It includes a number of Galaxy Watch and fitness tracker comparisons, which may help you determine whether one of the best Fitbit devices or best Garmin watches better suits your needs.

How we test the best Samsung watches

We test Samsung smartwatches the same way we do all smartwatches: By wearing them for several days to see how they hold up in a series of everyday trials. We first see how well the watches fit on our wrists, and how easy the displays are to navigate and read, especially in sunlight. Depending on its capabilities, we also test the watches' sensors, such as GPS and heart rate monitors.

Other criteria that factor into our ratings include the smartwatchs software and app collection, how well it interacts with our smartphone, and battery life. In all of this, we also take into account the price of the smartwatch. The less a watch costs, the more leeway we're inclined to give it. In the case of the best Samsung watches we also analyze how each new Galaxy Watch compares to its predecessor, and how well (or not) the company continues to push the boundaries of wearable technology.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 review

Two-minute review

The Galaxy Watch 3 isn't the latest model in the line any longer, but as our Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 review will demonstrate, it's still well worth considering.

This isnt the perfect smartwatch, but it has a dazzling design, a vivid display, and a variety of new fitness features to help you track your progress across a wide range of activities, and stay motivated.

Samsung has stuck with a traditional-looking circular display shape, and a rotatable raised bezel that enables you to physically cycle through on-screen menus. Its tactile, and that click, click, click as you navigate the round interface feels satisfying.

It looks better than the first-generation device as well - the design is slimmer (and lighter), making for a more svelte-looking device that could compete with the likes of the Apple Watch 7 in a beauty contest.

The new fitness features improve the activity tracking that you expect to get from any smartwatch now and includes an electrocardiogram - something that wasn't so common back in those days, as well as fall detection too.

The battery life on the Galaxy Watch 3 could be better, but its not disappointing if youre happy to put your smartwatch on charge for a few hours after a couple of days. If youre expecting a device that can last weeks, however, you probably wont want to read on any further.

If youre looking for the best smartwatch to pair with an Android phone, you want the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, but this comes close. If you own an iPhone, this may still even beat some older Apple Watches if youre looking for a circular device rather than Apples trademark squared design and you like what you see.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: release date and price

Out now
Starts at $399 / 399 / AU$649

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 specs

Screen sizes: 41/45mmWeight: 48.2g/53.8gSoftware: Tizen OS 5.5RAM: 1GBStorage: 8GBGPS: Built-inBattery capacity: 247 / 340mAhWireless charging: Yes, Qi

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 was unveiled alongside the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra at the companys virtual Unpacked launch for 2020. That took place on August 6, so it's getting much trickier to track down the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 now. Not least because the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 range is now available.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 price was originally $399 / 399 / AU$649 for the smaller 41mm model, and $429 / 419 / AU$699 for the larger 45mm version. LTE connectivity raised the price further, to $449 / 439 / AU$799 for the 41mm version, and $479 / 459 / AU$849 for the 45mm variant.

Expect to find it much cheaper now, although you may have to stick with a refurbished model if you're desperate to get hold of one.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: design and display

1.2-inch or 1.3-inch circular AMOLED screen
360 x 360 resolution
Slim, light and comfortable

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(Image credit: TechRadar)

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3s design is more refined than the original Galaxy Watch, and the design team has engineered another smartwatch masterpiece here. Its slimmer, lighter, and more comfortable to wear than the original device.

You have the choice of two sizes, with a 41mm being the smaller option, and a 45mm model for those who prefer a larger watch on their wrist. For the purpose of this review weve tested the 45mm variant, so elements of the user experience with the smaller model may differ slightly.

The core features are the same across both models, with just a couple of small differences in the specs.

Youre getting a 1.2-inch (41mm) or 1.3-inch (45mm) Circular Super AMOLED panel, with a full-color always-on display. From our time with the larger watch weve found this to be the perfect size, as it was on the original 45mm device.

The display has a resolution of 360 x 360, which at this size is perfect for looking at stats and swiping through the menus. The device is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass DX; for some reason its not DX+ as on the original Watch, and were not sure why, or what it means - weve reached out to Samsung for an explanation.

The display is bright and easy to read in all types of light, so you shouldnt struggle to see this screen even when youre exercising outdoors.

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(Image credit: TechRadar)

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is 14% slimmer than the original Galaxy Watch, yet keeps the same attractive circular screen shape and size. The ornate rotating bezel that doubles as a way to navigate the on-screen menus also remains, albeit in a less chunky state.

Both variants of the watch come in stainless steel, with the 45mm weighing 53.8g and the 41mm 48.2g. Theres also a new extra-light titanium model, which is only available in the 45mm size and weighs 43g. This isnt currently on sale yet, but were expecting it to cost extra.

We found the Galaxy Watch 3 to be comfortable to wear casually as well as during workouts - its not going to be as trim as a fitness tracker, but if youre looking for a smartwatch this is going to be a comfortable choice.

So what colors can you get? You can see the Mystic Black finish pictured throughout this review, and the 45mm Watch 3 also comes in a Mystic Silver version thats slightly lighter. Both variants come with black leather straps.

If you opt for the smaller 41mm device youll have the choice of Mystic Silver or Mystic Bronze colors. Both of these also come with leather straps, so whichever size and color combo you opt for youll have to spend extra on another strap if you want a more fitness-friendly silicone material.

The 45mm is compatible with all 22mm straps, and the 41mm device is designed for use with 20mm straps.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: performance and software

Dated chipset yet reasonable performance
1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage
Runs Tizen, not Wear OS

The Galaxy Watch 3 is running on the same chipset that powered the original Galaxy Watch from Samsung, which may disappoint some, although we didnt find this to be an issue when using the smartwatch.

Apps loaded as quickly as wed expect them to, and thats partly due to the 1GB of RAM included here, which seemed to be enough. An odd element is the LTE version of the original Galaxy Watch sported 1.5GB of RAM, but the company has seen fit to drop that here.

Processing power isnt often a major thing on a smartwatch though theres less to run here than on a typical phone and we found that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 continued to perform well throughout our entire time testing it.All versions of the device come with 8GB of storage, and we found the OS and pre-loaded apps were already using 3.59GB of this space, so if you want to fill your watch up with apps and music youll have around 4GB to use.

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The Tizen app store(Image credit: TechRadar)

The Galaxy Watch 3 is running Samsungs Tizen software, which had been used for a few years on Samsung's smartwatches by this point, but notably the newer Galaxy Watch 4 has moved back to Wear OS.

The latest Tizen OS 5.5 software is on offer here, and if youve used a Samsung smartwatch in the few years prior to this model you'll know what to expect this is accomplished software, although Samsungs ecosystem doesnt have as many third-party apps as watchOS (on the Apple Watch) or Wear OS.

Instead, youll be using a lot of the features already included on the smartwatch, or downloading some third-party services from the Tizen store. Some big-name apps such as Google Maps are missing here, but Samsung has included a lot of alternatives that mean the overall experience is still satisfying.

Navigating around the watch is easy, and thanks to the rotating bezel we found scrolling through menus to be a genuine joy. You can tap and swipe on the screen with your finger if you wish, but we think youll find yourself using that bezel instead.

In terms of compatibility, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 works with both Android devices and iPhones. Certain features are optimized for Samsung handsets, and similarly some elements work better on Android devices than on iPhones, but generally, Samsung watches work as well with iPhones.That said, it wont integrate as well as an Apple Watch. Youll miss out on being able to reply to iMessages, for example, though message notifications can be seen on the watch face, and features like 'Find My Phone' arent possible."

Youll need an iPhone 5 or above running iOS 9 software for this to be compatible, or if youre on Android youll need a device running Android 5 software with 1.5GB of RAM or more.

If youre looking for a smartwatch that lets you leave your phone at home, theres also an LTE-ready version of both devices. Youll be able to slot in your SIM card and have an internet connection away from your phone, so you can take phone calls and use online features while running or otherwise on the move.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: fitness

Offers fall detection and on-demand VO2 Max readings
Includes all the expected health and fitness tracking features

Fitness is a key component of the Galaxy Watch 3, and while this isnt a sequel to the Galaxy Watch Active 2, it does bring a lot of fitness-focused features we saw on that device to the main series.

Seven activities will auto-trigger Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 fitness tracking, whether or not you forget to start the tracking, which is super-handy. These are: running, walking, swimming, cycling, rowing, elliptical workouts, and dynamic workouts (basically aerobics, or anything with big movements).

Weve tested these for running, walking, and cycling and found that it worked every single time its tack-sharp on kicking in 10 minutes after we started working out, so youll have peace of mind knowing your watch is tracking even if you forget to set up a workout.

(Image credit: TechRadar)

The Galaxy Watch 3 is also there at the end of automatically tracked workouts it promptly asks if youve finished a workout when it thinks youre done. It was even smart enough to know that we stopped cycling and transitioned to walking, where the Apple Watch just rolls on, messing up your cycling pace.

In between workouts, if youre on a run or walk and stop to snap a scenic photo, itll auto-pause tracking. It feels like it keeps you honest. In total, there are 40 workouts that can be tracked everything from yoga to crunches, deadlifts to pilates. Youll want to set up those that we havent listed above, as they dont automatically track, which you can do within the app or via Bixbys voice assistant.

Samsungs voice assistant is okay for starting workouts, but it didnt always work on the first try so you may want to use the apps through the rotating bezel or on the screen instead to ensure you dont get annoyed.

Samsung has helpfully equipped the Watch 3 with stress tracking, taking into account peak heart rates and suggesting breathing exercises too.

Brand-new here are fall detection, something weve seen on the Apple Watch 4 and above, and on-demand VO2 Max readings. The latter calculates the maximum amount of oxygen your body can take in during exercise, and its something thats been trickling down from high-end fitness trackers to mainstream smartwatches recently.

Note, though, that this feature isnt available everywhere at launch. Both that and the SpO2 monitor a tool to help you detect sleep apnea are now rolling out in the US now, but it's unclear when they'll be available in other markets.

We've yet to use these features on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 as they've only just started rolling out, but well be sure to update this review when weve had the opportunity to test them.

Weve yet to test the Galaxy Watch 3 in a swimming pool owing to coronavirus restrictions, but we have gotten it wet in a sink and it survived. With a design thats IP68 water-resistant you should be able to swim with the device in your average pool but its not built for salt water, so keep it out of the ocean.

Samsung only supplies a leather strap with the Galaxy Watch 3, so if you want to work out with the device youll likely want to opt for a silicone band from Samsung or a third-party supplier.

Theres also sleep tracking on the Galaxy Watch 3. Samsung is touting a partnership with the US National Sleep Institute, which is supposed to offer deeper insights into elements like REM cycles where we dream most vividly. The watch automatically tracks your sleep cycles, and greets you every morning with sleep quality reports, and tips on how to get better-quality shut-eye.

We found this to work well too, and youll be given a Sleep Score to show you how well your nights sleep was. It breaks down data into light, deep and REM sleep, as well as a total of your sleep patterns.

It has a woman's health section too for monitoring menstrual cycles, and its effects on your fitness.

Theres also stress tracking, with your stress levels monitored every 10 minutes by default you can switch it off, or set it to work continuously). Your watch will give you a warning when youre stressed, and suggest breathing exercises you can do to try and lower your stress levels.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: battery life

247mAh or 340mAh battery
Larger model has life of 2-3 days

Controversially, Samsung opted to decrease the capacity of the battery in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 compared to the original device. Thats likely a key way the company has managed to slim and lighten this device compared to the Galaxy Watch.

Its a 340mAh cell the original device was 472mAh but despite the reduced capacity we found it to work surprisingly well, although it wont give you that long lasting four to five days battery life. Instead, you should expect around two to three days of use from the Galaxy Watch 3.

Thats with general usage, and if youre exercising a lot and so using the GPS and heart rate monitor even more you may see battery life closer to a day and a half, but if youre happy to recharge your smartwatch overnight you shouldnt have any issues.

(Image credit: TechRadar)

On average, we found the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 would recharge from empty to full in around two and a half hours.

But we do need to warn you that this device wont last you for a week on a full charge, as some devices from alternative companies such as Garmin or Fitbit are able to do. Instead, this is similar battery life to what youd expect from an Apple Watch.

Weve yet to test the 41mm variant of the Galaxy Watch 3, so we cant comment on the battery life of that model. Theres a smaller247mAh cell inside that device, which suggests it may have poorer battery life, although theres less screen to power. We hope to test that device, and update this review with that information, soon.

For charging, you get a charging pad included in the box, and the device is also compatible with Qi wireless chargers if you want to get a couple more to place around your home or work. For the optimum charging performance, wed recommend using the charger in the box, but Qi pads will also work just fine.

You can also charge the device from certain recent Samsung phones too using the Wireless PowerShare feature. Just stick your smartwatch on the back of a compatible phone and it'll slowly juice up when you're in a pinch. We used this on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and we found it charged the Galaxy Watch 3, but it was nowhere near as fast as a Qi charger.