The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series represents a significant leap for the company’s wearable ambitions, marking the first time they’ve partnered with Google to run their smartwatches on the WearOS by Samsung platform. This collaboration combines Samsung’s long-standing expertise in wearables with Google’s expansive app ecosystem, promising a more dynamic and feature-rich experience. The Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic are the first smartwatches to sport this new operating system, and with their introduction, Samsung aims to redefine the Android smartwatch market. But do these watches live up to the hype? To answer that, I spent some time with the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and here are my first impressions.
Galaxy Watch 4 Series Price in India
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series offers two variants: the Galaxy Watch 4 and the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. The starting price for the Galaxy Watch 4 is Rs. 23,999 for the 40mm Bluetooth-only variant, while the LTE-enabled version costs Rs. 28,999. The larger 44mm variant is priced at Rs. 26,999 and Rs. 31,999 for the Bluetooth and LTE models, respectively.
The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, on the other hand, starts at Rs. 31,999 for the 42mm Bluetooth-only model, with the LTE version priced at Rs. 36,999. You can opt for the larger 46mm model, which costs Rs. 34,999 and Rs. 39,999 for the Bluetooth and LTE variants, respectively.
Design and Build Quality
Samsung has simplified its wearable lineup with the Galaxy Watch 4 generation, offering a clear distinction between the two models. The Galaxy Watch 4 resembles previous Galaxy Watch Active models and can be considered a successor to the Galaxy Watch Active 2. Conversely, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is more akin to a successor to the Galaxy Watch 3, sharing the same internal components but catering to different audiences.
The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic exudes a premium feel thanks to its stainless steel case and the iconic rotating bezel, reminiscent of traditional watches. This design element not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also offers a tactile way to navigate through menus and apps. The Galaxy Watch 4, in contrast, goes for a more affordable aesthetic with an aluminium body.
I had the opportunity to use the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (46mm), and its design immediately brought to mind the Galaxy Watch 3. Available in two dial sizes, 42mm and 46mm, and two configurations (Bluetooth and LTE), I found the 46mm Bluetooth-only variant to be the perfect size for my wrist. For those with smaller wrists, the 42mm dial size would be a better choice.
The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic’s stainless steel case and the rotating bezel elevate its overall look. The 1.4-inch Super AMOLED display is subtly embedded within the bezel, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass DX to minimize scratches. Two physical buttons reside on the right side of the watch, facilitating navigation through the user interface. The rotating bezel, along with swipe gestures, provides intuitive and smooth navigation through menus and apps.
Health and Fitness Tracking
On the underside of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic lies the Samsung BioActive sensor, a key feature that allows for comprehensive health tracking. This single sensor can measure various health parameters, including heart rate, SpO2 levels, stress levels, and body composition. The integration of this sensor, housed within a sophisticated design, significantly enhances the health-focused capabilities of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, pushing smartwatch health tracking to new levels.
Hardware and Performance
Powering the Galaxy Watch 4 series is the Exynos W920 dual-core processor, clocked at 1.18GHz. It is paired with 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, ensuring smooth performance for daily tasks and applications. The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic boasts a robust feature set, including support for Bluetooth 5, dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC, and four satellite navigation systems. Its IP68 rating ensures water resistance up to 5ATM, making it suitable for various activities.
Software and Experience
This is where the Galaxy Watch 4 series truly stands out. The traditional Tizen OS has been replaced with WearOS by Samsung, ushering in a new era for Samsung smartwatches. This collaboration brings Google apps, including Google Maps, Google Play Store, and Google Pay, to Samsung smartwatches, creating a more versatile and app-rich experience.
The transition to WearOS opens up a world of possibilities for app developers who were previously limited by the Tizen platform. However, I was surprised to find that Google Assistant was absent from the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, with Bixby being the only voice assistant available. It remains to be seen if Google Assistant will be integrated in future updates.
The One UI Watch 3.0 interface is a testament to Samsung’s attention to detail. It is sleek, intuitive, and significantly more polished than the WearOS experience on other smartwatches, such as the Oppo Watch. Unfortunately, the Galaxy Watch 4 series currently lacks support for iOS devices, making it compatible only with Android 6.0 or higher devices that have Google Mobile Services. Pairing the watch with a smartphone requires the Galaxy Wearable app instead of the standard Google WearOS app. While this might be a temporary measure, its impact on the future integration of WearOS-powered devices remains to be seen.
Initial Impressions and Conclusion
During my initial experience with the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, I’ve been consistently impressed. The solid build quality, the comprehensive feature set, and the refined user interface create a compelling proposition. Samsung has meticulously polished the watch’s UI, ensuring a seamless and intuitive user experience.
However, the lack of iOS support, at least for now, limits its appeal to a specific segment of the smartwatch market. With the majority of the smartphone market dominated by Android devices, the Galaxy Watch 4 series holds the potential to become the Apple Watch of the Android world.
The Galaxy Watch 4 series represents a significant step forward for Samsung in the wearable market. The combination of Google’s software and Samsung’s hardware expertise offers a compelling blend of features and user experience. It is a powerful contender in the smartwatch landscape and will certainly bring a fresh wave of innovation to the Android smartwatch market.
