It has been a year and half since Samsung launched its Watch4 lineup in two variants. The first was the vanilla Watch4 in 40mm and 44mm options, and then the more premium, Watch4 Classic in 46mm size. Tizen OS is outdated now. The latest variants are a slightly tweaked version of Google’s Wear OS, but users can switch to Google’s native Wear OS as well while using it.
There’s a lot of competition in the market even within Samsung. The Galaxy Watch 5 has also been out for a few months now, and Huawei, Xiaomi, and AmazFit offer similar products as well. So, how does the Galaxy Watch4 fare in 2023? Let’s find out.
Galaxy Watch 4 Connectivity options
Just like previous versions, there’s a Bluetooth/Wi-Fi variant for each version and an LTE one. The LTE variant costs a bit extra than the Wi-Fi one. Since the Galaxy Watch4 is a full-featured smartwatch, you can download and install the apps on the watch itself.
Sadly, there is no Wi-Fi 6 support here, which essentially makes our CenturyLink internet recommendation less effective. It’s our go-to ISP recommendation because of its unparalleled internet service, which makes for an ideal smartwatch experience.
You can, however, install smart home apps on the watch from the Google Play Store or the Galaxy Store. The connectivity between devices is seamless, and you can control multiple devices right from the watch.
Design and Durability
The Galaxy Watch4 carries the same design language as the Galaxy Watch Active 2. Screen size is related to the option you choose between the three, 40mm, 44mm, and the bigger 46mm Classic. The Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ is beautifully curved at the edges and merges with the aluminum frame nicely.
The metal has a two-tone finish, with the glossy part right below the bezel, and the rest of the case is matte. Keep in mind that these sizes are lug-to-lug dimensions and not the actual screen size. Similarly, the thickness is kept at 9.8mm, a tad slimmer than the Watch3.
Speaking of design, the Watch 4 has ditched the rotating physical bezel and is now bezel-less. However, the functionality is still the same and you can perform the same rotating action on the virtual bezel. The Classic 46mm version retains the rotating bezel that you can use to scroll through the menu and options.
Battery Life
Owing to the size, the battery capacity differs depending on the mode. The 40mm comes with a 247mAh, while the 44mm and 46mm versions come with a 361mAh battery. It takes about an hour and a half if you use the standard charger. The battery duration depends on the type and number of options you’ve selected.
For example, if you keep the Always-On-Display on at all times, do a bit of a workout, and track your sleep at night, you might get a day and a half. This is not impressive, but it’s good enough especially when you take into account other features the watch has to offer. On moderate usage, you could get two days or more, if you stretch it.
Health and Fitness Features
The Watch comes with Samsung’s BioActive Sensor with improved health features. Of course, it can’t replace medical-grade equipment in the hospital, but Samsung claims it can give you a pretty good idea. Heart rate, blood oxygen, and body composition are standard as the Watch3. It has a ton of workout and sports options including hiking, walking, swimming, running, cycling, and more.
The built-in GPS can display your track record on a map, but it needs an internet connection at all times to maintain its accuracy.
However, the ECG and blood pressure monitor will work only with a Galaxy smartphone with their native app from the Galaxy Store. It’s not ideal, but we understand the need to push people to buy more into the ecosystem just like Apple. Another stark change from last year is that the Watch4 is incompatible with iOS, just like the iOS watches are incompatible with Android devices.
Notifications
Thanks to Wear OS, the watch can display all the notifications with specific app icons, which you can access from the drop-down bar. You can reply to messages with emojis, a voice note, or a pre-defined text. You can also customize these text templates. Conversely, you can answer calls directly on the watch since it has a built-in mic and a speaker. The notification content depends on the app. Some apps will show the image in the notification, while others will only notify you that there’s a photo, which you can view on the phone.
Conclusion
Addressing the elephant in the room, the Watch5 is strikingly similar to the Watch4. There are a few cosmetic changes in dimensions and a few physical ones like the sapphire crystal glass on all variants of the watch. The processor is also better and a few other watch faces and workout modes have been added. Price is the biggest advantage the Galaxy Watch4 currently has. Almost the same features for a little over half the price of the Watch5. The Watch 4 is an absolute bargain at the current price point. It’s up to you to decide if the price difference is worth a few extra features. If not, then the Galaxy Watch4 will serve you just fine.
