When it comes to smartwatch popularity, there’s no denying that Apple is the leader on the market, this may come as a surprise considering that most smartwatches are compatible with the iPhone. But for those who have decided not to jump on the Apple bandwagon, there is one brand that is keeping them on their heels – Samsung.
Samsung is producing some of the best smartwatches available and since more and more people are looking into getting a smartwatch, either for fitness reasons or for daily convenience, I decided to take a deeper look at the best Samsung watches on the market.
Turns out, Samsung produces a number of top-tier lines of smartwatches, most of which can give even the most advanced Apple watches a run for their money. In fact, I think plenty of people will prefer these top Samsung watches over the competition for reasons which I’ll get into below.
However, my real recommendation is to look at Samsung watches if you already have a Samsung phone. Many of the best Samsung watches will pair nicely with a Samsung Galaxy or other mobile device, not just in terms of raw ease of use but also because of a few extra features that will impress you and make you raise your eyebrows.
Interested? Let’s get started and dive straight into an overview of the top 10 Samsung smartwatches I found in my search for the best.
Contents
- Top 10 Samsung Smartwatches in 2022 – At a Glance
- Best Samsung Smartwatches of 2022
- 1. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 – Best Overall Samsung Watch
- 2. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 – Best Samsung Watch for Fitness
- 3. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active – Best Value Active Samsung Watch
- 4. Samsung Galaxy Fit – Cheapest Fitness Samsung Watch
- 5. Samsung Galaxy Watch – Best Value General-Use Samsung Watch
- 6. Samsung Gear Sport – Best Budget Samsung Fitness Watch
- 7. Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro – Best Hybrid Samsung Watch
- 8. Samsung Gear S3 Classic – Best Samsung Watch for a Classic Look
- 9. Samsung Galaxy Watch 46mm – Best Samsung Watch for Men
- 10. Samsung Galaxy Watch 42mm Rose Gold – Best Samsung Watch for Women
- Methodology
- Buyer’s Guide to the Best Samsung Smartwatches
- Final Verdict
- FAQs
- Top Rated Samsung Smartwatches
Top 10 Samsung Smartwatches in 2022 – At a Glance
- Best Overall Samsung Watch – Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
- Best Samsung Watch for Fitness – Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
- Best Value Active Samsung Watch – Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
- Cheapest Fitness Samsung Watch – Samsung Galaxy Fit
- Best Value General-Use Samsung Watch – Samsung Galaxy Watch
- Best Budget Samsung Fitness Watch – Samsung Gear Sport
- Best Hybrid Samsung Watch – Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro
- Best Samsung Watch for a Classic Look – Samsung Gear S3 Classic
- Best Samsung Watch for Men – Samsung Galaxy Watch 46mm
- Best Samsung Watch for Women – Samsung Galaxy Watch 42mm Rose Gold
Best Samsung Smartwatches of 2022
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Here are in depth reviews of the 10 best Samsung watches
1. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 – Best Overall Samsung Watch
First, I figure it’s best to start with a new Samsung watch that has all the bells and whistles. While it’s a little pricier than many of the other Samsung smartwatches on this list, it’s still a great pick for those for whom price isn’t an object due to its functionality and extra features.
Coming in sizes of both 41 and 45 mm, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is the most recent iteration of the Galaxy Watch line. It features tons of great apps and sensors that make it worth the high price tag, including a battery that lasts longer than a day (with the Samsung Galaxy-exclusive feature that allows you to provide power to the smartwatch if you have a matching Galaxy phone), an automatic sleep tracker, fitness tracking for seven different activities, voice call and voice text functionality, and much more.
It’s really the Swiss Army Knife of Samsung watches. You can even pay using the watch through Samsung Pay – no need to bring your wallet to the store or work. Fortunately, the watch is bolstered with multilayered digital security to keep your personal information and banking data safe: a key concern in this day and age.
It’s both iOS and Android smartphone compatible (though again, you get extra features and functionality for pairing this watch with a Samsung phone). But I’d also point out the watch’s excellent durability – it’s water-resistant up to 50 m and comes with a leather strap that’s perfect for form and function. It also comes in three colors: bronze, black, and silver, and you’ll enjoy the minimalist but stylish aesthetic regardless.
The digital screen changes quickly and is well-lit, so you’ll never need to squint at the screen to see what’s being displayed. Ultimately, the downside is that there are plenty of smartwatches on the market that offer a better battery life, whereas the Galaxy Watch 3 can only go up to 56 hours at most. It’s usually shorter than that, too, depending on the features you use.
My advice? This is a great pick if you want a modern, up-to-date smartwatch that has everything Samsung has to offer. But since it’s a bit costly, I’d only recommend it if you’ll actually use all that stuff. Otherwise, more budget-friendly alternatives can give you a similar experience without demanding quite as high a cost.
- Comes with all major smartwatch features
- Can track your heart rate and up to seven different fitness activities
- Offers a stellar screen with great lighting
- Call and text connectivity/range is solid
- Good aesthetic and strap durability, plus waterproof construction
- Can charge it to some extent if you have a Samsung Galaxy phone
- A bit pricey compared to other smartwatches for Samsung users
- Battery life could be a little better for the price tag
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 – Best Samsung Watch for Fitness
Want a smartwatch better suited for fitness activities and helping you stick to your fitness goals? The Samsung Galaxy Active 2 is the most recent version of this particular line of Samsung watches, and it’s designed from the ground up to include additional fitness functions and features.
For instance, the Active 2 is built so that it will automatically start tracking your workouts once you set your parameters and train it to recognize when you’ve started to run or lift. This means you won’t have to fiddle with your smartwatch at the beginning of your workout session each time you head to the gym.
What exactly can you track? All the staple exercise activities you would imagine, including running, lifting, swimming, and more. Even better, this watch comes with pace coaching: a special feature you can engage to let the watch coach you through your exercises. This will help prevent you from overexerting yourself or pushing too hard during your workout, as well as help you maintain proper form.
After your workout, the watch can check your heartbeat and track your sleep quality using the built-in monitors at the base of the watch face. This will help you get the best sleep and make sure that you have the energy you need for the following day’s exercise routine.
The watch comes in a simple black color with red hands and details on the watch’s face, so it’s stark and a little masculine in terms of aesthetic. It also comes in a 40 mm size only. But since the design of a fitness-focused watch is less important than for a general-use watch, this may not be much of an issue.
This watch also only operates through Bluetooth connectivity. Again, this goes to show how much the watch’s manufacturers are focused on fitness stuff instead of general use. You won’t be able to receive texts or phone calls using this watch, but that could be a good thing for folks who don’t like to be interrupted in the middle of their workouts.
All in all, it’s a fantastic Samsung fitness watch with a leather band that’s tough and comfortable with plenty of exercise-focused features to keep you busy and motivated. Just be sure that the watch fits your wrist before buying.
- Made of leather and stainless steel – both are high-quality materials and the stainless steel will prevent corrosive damage
- Has lots of fitness-focused features
- Can effectively and accurately monitor your sleep quality
- Can automatically start tracking your workouts
- Includes coaching features to help you exercise at your best
- Leather can get a little uncomfortable if you work up a big sweat
- Limited functionality – only purchase if you want a smartwatch for fitness more than anything else
3. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active – Best Value Active Samsung Watch
The last Samsung fitness watch was a little pricey, even though its value cannot be denied. But this Samsung watch – the original Active – offers many of the same top-tier features at a much more reasonable price tag. This may make it a better choice if you want something affordable but still valuable.
It’s a little more versatile than its specialized successor, offering phone, email, and calendar functionalities in addition to fitness tracking, sleep tracking, and a heart rate monitor like the Active 2. The original Active’s Samsung activity tracker can automatically detect up to six exercises, but it also has the capability of tracking up to 39 more unique or specialized exercises depending on your fitness goals.
In addition to normal sleep tracking, this Samsung Bluetooth watch can analyze your sleep patterns and help you come up with a schedule that keeps you refreshed and energized at all times. Since it’s a more versatile smartwatch overall, it’s capable of linking with your phone to stream music, keep you connected to your texting or call notifications, and works with both Android and iOS devices.
It’s even a little thinner and lighter than the Active 2, featuring a lightweight rubber wristband. The battery lasts for several days on a single charge and GPS tracking means you can take this watch with you anywhere and keep track of your steps or distance traveled, even in inclement weather. The watch even comes in three different colors rather than regular black, offering additional potential to match it with your workout ensemble.
In my opinion, the original Samsung Active is a better pick if you aren’t interested in a fitness-only watch, but still want something with plenty of fitness tracking features to suit your exercise intentions. It doesn’t hurt that it’s a little more affordable than its subsequent counterpart, either.
- Comes with many top fitness tracking features and can track up to 39 exercises
- Can automatically track a handful of exercises
- Very lightweight and comfortable during exercise
- Has a good battery life of over several days
- Comes in several colors
- Doesn’t have a few more advanced fitness apps or features as newer Active models
4. Samsung Galaxy Fit – Cheapest Fitness Samsung Watch
Not all Samsung watches are super expensive, high-tech gadgets that only six-figure earners can hope to obtain. Check out this cheap Samsung watch that also has a few great fitness features to help exercise enthusiasts who may be on a budget.
The Samsung Galaxy Fit offers automatic fitness tracking right out of the box, allowing you to start collecting fitness data as soon as you start running, cycling, or even walking. It also comes with a pretty, brightly-colored AMOLED display, which is always on and allows you to check out your real-time fitness info with just a glance.
It’s an ultimately durable watch, which is clear to see given the low asking price. It can be taken underwater, so it’s a good watch for swimming enthusiasts, but it also includes passive fitness tracking functions like daily step tracking, calorie burn tracking, caffeine intake, and even sleep monitoring alongside heart rate monitoring.
It’s also compatible with both iOS and Android devices, and it can connect via Bluetooth to your smartphone to keep you plugged into your notifications and phone calls. While it can’t make or receive phone calls by itself, you will be able to set or program quick replies to texts and get key information about your upcoming day, like the weather forecast or other scheduled events.
In a way, I found it to be a great all-in-one smartwatch that offers most of the main features and functions you’d want from these devices with the exception of phone calls. But I can’t be too upset about that given the asking price and its slim profile. This watch unfortunately only comes in black by default, but you may be able to find a few other colors scattered throughout the market if you want something that specifically goes with your workout clothes or aesthetic.
Not a fan of this watch but still on a budget? Check out our best cheap smartwatches which includes brands other than Samsung.
- Very lightweight and durable, even for the asking price
- Comes with a light-sensitive and full-color display
- Can automatically track several types of exercises
- Has lots of passive wellness and stat-monitoring features
- Can easily connect to a smartphone and keep you plugged-in to your notifications, plus allow for quick replies
- Doesn’t make or receive phone calls
- Could be tricky to find colors other than black on the market
5. Samsung Galaxy Watch – Best Value General-Use Samsung Watch
Let’s hop back to the Samsung Galaxy line with the original Galaxy Watch. It’s still pricier than many other smartwatches on the market, but it’s also much more affordable than its more recent successors. It comes in two sizes and two colors, allowing some degree of aesthetic diversity.
Why choose this over the more recent and contemporary Samsung Galaxy models? In my eyes, you could always pick up a cheaper original Galaxy and get many of the same features and benefits of the newer Samsung Galaxy watches without having to pay quite so much. That’s worthwhile, no?
Let’s break down all that it offers. For one, it has a better battery life than the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3; it lasts for up to several days before needing to recharge. It also comes with a wireless charger out of the box, plus comes with several fitness tracking features like heart rate tracking and sleep monitoring.
There are a few backsteps, though, compared to newer models. For instance, it only connects via Bluetooth rather than LTE, so you will only be able to connect to your android or iOS smartphone using that connection type. It also doesn’t make or receive phone calls.
You should note that this watch’s default digital face is much more complex than typical, minimalist LED screens you can find on modern smartwatches. It’s tough, too, featuring a durable steel case and a rubberized wristband that can be interchanged with other colors or sizes depending on your needs. The GPS tracking is minimal but helpful if you sync the watch to an appropriate app on your smartphone.
All in all, the original Samsung Galaxy Watch is still a decent pick, especially if you prefer smartwatches that don’t have fully digital screens and can intrude on your thoughts so easily.
- Offers a cross between digital and analog watches
- Comes with a battery life of up to a few days on a single charge, and can be charged wirelessly
- Features a durable metal case and rubber wristband
- Can connect to iOS and Android devices up to 30 m away
- Lacks some of the more modern smartwatch features you might expect
- Doesn’t make or receive phone calls
6. Samsung Gear Sport – Best Budget Samsung Fitness Watch
How about a Samsung fitness watch that’s ideal if you’re on a budget? In that case, the Samsung Gear Sport might just be the perfect fitness smartwatch for your needs. It’s not too pricey compared to the other fitness-focused watches I’ve explained so far, though it’s also not the cheapest Samsung watch overall (that’s above).
Instead, think of this as a budget-friendly fitness watch that includes lots of excellent features without totally breaking the bank. It’s swim resistant down to 50 m, so it’s perfect if your preferred form of exercise is aquatic. It also offers all day and passive fitness tracking so you can keep an eye on how many calories you burn and how well your current exercise routine is treating you.
Even better, the watch comes with personal coaching built-in. This can help you stay on top of your fitness routine, maintain better form as you do your exercises, and avoid overstraining yourself. The coach can run for as long as you like, and it’s a really fun and useful function to engage throughout the day.
Everything is depicted on a minimalist and simplistic digital screen. The only downside is the time-telling aspect of the watch is a little too detail-sparse in my eyes (there aren’t any numbers in some setups, for instance). But that’s an ultimately minor downside as the focus of this watch is clearly on exercise and coaching.
But it’s not limited to those types of applications, either. The Gear Sport also comes with Samsung Pay so you can make payments right from your wrist. It can also receive calls and texts from your linked phone. Turn the bezel and you’ll automatically engage that functionality without having to fumble through a bunch of different buttons or screens on the digital interface. That’s a really neat and innovative design I’d like to see elsewhere.
Even better, the Gear Sport comes with Samsung Connect. This allows you to control any compatible smart devices and appliances right from your smartwatch, including your phones, appliances like fridges or alarms, door locks, lights, and even more. Talk about versatility! It can even download music so you can enjoy your favorite playlists as you work out, and it’ll last for several days on a single charge. A wireless charging dock comes with the purchase, to boot.
All in all, there’s a ton of value included with this Samsung smartwatch. It’s far from an over-specialized fitness accessory only suitable for exercise enthusiasts. It’s a great watch overall with some of the best fitness and exercise applications you can find.
- Comes with lots of great fitness applications and passive tracking, such as calories, sleep, and your heart rate
- Can accept calls and texts with good connectivity
- Can also let you control your other wireless devices through the smartwatch’s interface
- Very durable and suitable for outdoor or aquatic use
- Mixes fitness and other smartwatch features effectively
- Oddly, the clock is very well detailed and is kind of annoying to use
7. Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro – Best Hybrid Samsung Watch
But how about a real hybrid Samsung watch that provides you with excellent fitness features and applications, as well as more versatile smartwatch uses? In that case, check out the Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro: an offshoot of the above-mentioned Gear Sports.
This effective smartwatch is just as durable as its predecessor and is water-resistant down the 50 m, as well as dust resistant. But it comes packed with fitness apps that are powered by the Under Armour brand. This translates in practice to typical fitness tracking apps and coaching assistance, but it’s nice to know that each of these apps was developed and vetted by experts.
For instance, Map MyRun allows you to count every mile that you run with ease and accuracy. MyFitnessPal is perfect for helping you track your nutrition and come up with diet plans to give your body the fuel it needs to maximize your workout results. All-day calorie burn and heart rate tracking are also included by default. The watch comes with special notifications or pop-ups to help you adjust your daily lifestyle or activity to better suit your goals.
Connecting the watch to your smartphone is pretty easy since it’s compatible with both Android and iOS devices. Once connected, the smartwatch will allow you to link music directly to the screen, although it works as a standalone music player as well, in case you forgot your phone and didn’t bring it to the gym with you. GPS mapping and text responses to calls and SMS messages are also included – the screen is particularly well-suited, in my opinion, for text messages due to its vertical orientation.
Plus, the watch comes with a long-lasting battery that should run for several days before needing to recharge. A wireless charging dock is included by default.
But there are some downsides here. For instance, many of the above-mentioned apps that provide valuable fitness and exercise data are linked to premium subscriptions. That means you’ll need to pay an additional monthly fee on top of the initial cost of the smartwatch if you want to take advantage of that data or their tracking abilities.
Still, that may not be enough to put you off picking up one of these sleek, effective devices. It weighs just 0.07 pounds and has a particularly modern and techy aesthetic that many will really appreciate, especially in relation to the rest of their exercise outfit. Check it out if you want a versatile, capable smartwatch that does it all without being too pricey, at least initially.
- Comes with an excellent aesthetic for general use and for exercise attire
- Offers some of the best fitness apps in the industry, as they’re developed by Under Armour
- Can accept and respond to texts and allows you to select premade responses to phone calls
- Very durable and has a long-lasting battery
- Offers passive and continuous monitoring applications for fitness goals
- Works as a separate music player even if it isn’t linked to your phone
- Many of the best apps that you can use with this smartwatch require you to pay extra money in the form of subscription fees
8. Samsung Gear S3 Classic – Best Samsung Watch for a Classic Look
Many of the above Samsung watches are pretty modern in terms of their aesthetic appearance. But many people prefer smartwatches that come with a more classic look, sometimes only using digital LED screens when necessary and otherwise defaulting to a more traditional watch face.
If that’s something that sounds appealing to you, the Samsung Gear S3 Classic might be perfect. Let’s start with the appearance – the watch is set into a distinctive steel bezel. By rotating the bezel, you’ll be able to control the watch, access your apps, and respond to notifications. It’s an intuitive design that prevents you from having to press a lot of manual buttons or try to press digital buttons on extremely small screens.
It also features an interchangeable wristband that you can customize based on your favorite color, plus a durable watch face that offers military-grade performance. It can resist dust, water, and even drops from significant heights. It does all of this while still looking like a regular watch except when an application alerts you. When this happens, the entire watch face transforms into a digital screen you can use as necessary.
What exactly can this smartwatch do? Almost everything that its more digital-looking counterparts can! It runs on a long-life battery that should last for up to four days on a single charge (and that can be recharged with a wireless charger). It also comes with built-in health tracking apps to help you monitor your heart rate, investigate your fitness goals and progress, and much more.
The watch can receive texts and calls directly from your Bluetooth-connected device. It’s integrated with Samsung Pay, so you can use this watch in place of your wallet. A built-in GPS function will track your activity and make it extremely easy to share your location with others.
Once you connect the watch to your Android or iOS smartphone, you’ll be able to access most of your favorite apps right from the small but customizable watch face. Whenever a notification is received or you want to use the watch in conjunction with your smartphone, the watch face rapidly transforms into a digital screen to let you do what’s needed.
The phone call functionality is particularly crisp, and call quality is high. The only downside is that you’ll need to bring the watch pretty close to your lips to be clear to your conversational partner.
But even that flaw isn’t enough to downgrade this watch by much. It’s a phenomenal example of what smartwatches can offer in terms of aesthetics and practical benefits. Check it out if you want a smartwatch that will look fine with your regular business attire instead of just your gym clothes.
- Comes with a transformable watch face that allows you to keep a classic watch look with the practical benefits of a digital smartwatch
- Has all the major smartwatch features you’d expect
- The watch face bezel can rotate to let you access your apps, respond to notifications, and more
- Comes with interchangeable wristbands for customization
- Has a long-lasting battery and wireless charger
- The phone speaker is a bit spotty at a distance
9. Samsung Galaxy Watch 46mm – Best Samsung Watch for Men
I’ve talked a lot about style so far, and for good reason. Many people pick up smartwatches for their cellular functionality and high-tech benefits, plenty also pick watches like these for their original purpose: telling time and aesthetics. We all know that men and women often pick slightly different aesthetics, and that extends to their watch choice.
For that reason, I thought it would be a good idea to pick out a pair of Samsung watches that would be good choices for typical men and women with classically masculine or feminine tastes. Let’s start with this Samsung Galaxy Watch 46 mm: a perfect Samsung smartwatch for men if ever there was one.
For starters, you’ll notice the manly aesthetic in the form of a silver face and rubberized band. It’s both complex and high-tech yet durable looking, so it’ll suit guys that want something that looks like it can withstand a fair amount of punishment before finally breaking down. Furthering this point is the multi-day battery life – charge the watch once and it should last for a few days before needing to be recharged.
The watch face here is extremely stylish and hardly appears digital (even though it is, entirely). You’ll be able to benefit from a wide number of smartwatch features like heart rate tracking, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone synching, and much more. It’s easy to use this watch to set up a daily schedule – men who are constantly on the go due to busy work schedules will really like this aspect.
But the watch can also suggest different things for you to do if you’re bored or have some free time in your schedule. It’s an especially nice touch for guys who prefer to work out when they don’t have something else taking up space on their calendar.
The watch is also advanced since you’ll be able to connect it to any of your home Internet of things devices. As with another, earlier Samsung watch I checked out (Samsung Gear Sport), this watch allows you to control all your other smart devices like your TV, air conditioner, alarms, lights, and even your refrigerator. There’s a stereotype that dads always want to have total control over everything in the house. With this watch, that dream becomes a reality.
While the masculine aesthetic is dark and gray by default, you’ll also be able to swap out the watch wristbands for different colors if you choose. The only real downside is that the watch can only be connected via Bluetooth tech, not LTE. So make sure that you have this watch synced to your Apple or Android device if you want to take advantage of its full swath of features.
For more masculine style smartwatches, check out our reviews for the best smartwatches for men.
- Has a very masculine aesthetic, plus several different colors to choose from
- Very durable and waterproof, and has a long battery life
- Comes with an excellent digital watch face that’s big enough to suit all your needs
- Can be used to control other smart devices, either in your home or in your pocket
- Has lots of great health tracking features, an excellent calendar, and even a function that suggests activities for you
- The watch doesn’t have LTE connectivity and the band, while its color can be changed, isn’t quite classy enough to go with some business attire
10. Samsung Galaxy Watch 42mm Rose Gold – Best Samsung Watch for Women
This last high-quality choice is a perfect Samsung smartwatch for women, and not just because of its rose gold aesthetic. The watch face and the band come in rose gold by default, although you’ll be able to choose from different colors just like with the last, masculine Samsung Galaxy Watch. In fact, it’s best to think of this watch as a 42 mm version suitable for smaller and slimmer wrists and including essentially the same collection of features.
You’ll be able to use Bluetooth connectivity to sync the smartwatch to your mobile device, plus benefit from lots of passive fitness tracking functions and applications. Check out your sleep cycle quality, your footsteps, and your calories all from the high-tech digital screen. This screen is a little smaller than the last Samsung Galaxy watch, but that’s a small price to pay considering how well this watch goes with a lot of feminine accessories or styles.
You’ll also be able to benefit from Samsung Pay, which streamlines your transactions without you having to take your credit card or cash from your purse. This watch also benefits from the same durability as its masculine counterpart, featuring waterproofing down to 50 m and an excellent steel watch face.
The same downsides apply as well – this watch is only connectable via Bluetooth technology so you can’t rely on LTE connections for any of its major applications. However, there’s a lot to like here and the plethora of female-focused fitness applications (such as apps that can track your menstrual cycle) mean that it’s totally possible to fine-tune or customize this watch to be even more ideal for feminine users than it is by default.
Definitely consider checking it out if you’re a woman who likes the look and features of the 46 mm Samsung Galaxy watch above, but wants something that’s more suitable for a slimmer wrist size and that comes with a more feminine aesthetic out-of-the-box.
Speaking of feminine aesthetics, if that’s your (or someone in your life) thing then you might like our 10 best smartwatches for women.
- Looks perfect for a lot of female fashion styles and accessories, especially since it isn’t as big as the last Samsung watch
- Comes with all the major features and applications you would expect, including applications for payment, text and call qualifications, and fitness
- Comes with an interchangeable wristband that you can swap out for another color if you desire
- Built to last and waterproof down to 50 m
- Can connect to any other mobile device, including Internet of things devices throughout your home
- Only connects via Bluetooth rather than LTE
Methodology
I’ve written extensively about many other types of smartwatches for different users or collections. However, the truth is that many people like to pair their devices together by sticking with a single brand.
For instance, lots of Apple enthusiasts will buy iPhones and then other Apple devices to go along with them. Similarly, lots of people love their Samsung Galaxy phones or Samsung tablets. Since Samsung also makes Galaxy smartwatches and other devices, it makes sense that they might want to stick with that brand both since they appreciate something about it inherently and because certain brands offer extra features for being loyal.
For instance, several of the newest Samsung Galaxy watches can be charged through Samsung phones when their battery levels are low. I decided to check out, with an in-depth research session, exactly what Samsung offered on the smartwatch front, hoping to find the best Samsung watches for a variety of users.
The good news is that it took much less time than I anticipated. Turns out, Samsung watches are pretty popular, both in my office and in general. I don’t own a Samsung watch myself, but I was able to get my hands on all 10 of the above Samsung watches either since someone I directly knew had them and let me play with them or I was able to convince some store employees to let me try some watches on display.
(The latter tactic is a lot easier if you write a bunch of tech articles and promise to keep your review honest – don’t try that if the store employees don’t know you!)
In the end, I came to some foundational conclusions about each watch and was able to distill an ideal use or user for each. Then I wrote this review!
Buyer’s Guide to the Best Samsung Smartwatches
It’s one thing to read my recommendations about the Samsung watches above. But how can you tell whether a great Samsung watch is actually the perfect device to sit on your wrist? Let me break down the top things you should consider when choosing a Samsung watch.
Samsung Watch Specs
Of course, you’ll want to keep the Samsung watch specs in mind. “Specs” in this sense just means specifications – it’s things like the size of the watch, its color, the features and includes, and more.
Of all of these, features are arguably the most important. While the majority of Samsung (and other brands’) smartwatches will share a bunch of different applications or digital features, these can also vary from device to device. Most Samsung watches will include a number of fitness-focused features like:
- heart rate trackers and monitors
- sleep trackers
- fitness apps to help you enjoy a solid workout every time you head to the gym
- and more
However, Samsung watches also commonly come with Samsung Pay functionality. This is pretty similar to Apple Pay in that it lets you link a credit or debit card or an electronic wallet of some kind and pay for things just by placing your wrist near a POS terminal. It’s pretty handy if you don’t like having to carry your wallet or a card around with you, especially if you’re in fitness clothes that may not have pockets.
More modern Samsung watches (like several in the Samsung Galaxy series) will include LTE or Bluetooth connectivity to let you sync your watch with smartphones and receive notifications, like text messages, or make and receive phone calls through embedded microphones in the watch face. These features are great for those who like to use their smartwatches as replacements for their mobile devices.
All in all, what I’m saying is this: make sure you heavily consider the features a Samsung watch has to offer before finalizing a purchase.
Size
A watch’s size usually describes how wide the watch face is, although you can also find some size measurements for the wristband. Larger watches are usually favored by men, who have thicker wrists than women, who often prefer the reverse. However, larger watches can also be advantageous since they come with bigger digital displays, making it easier to read texts or use apps with your fingers.
Color
Naturally, color matters a great deal as well. Some watches will go well with your current gym or fitness clothes, while others will be a better pick for business attire or general day-to-day shopping depending on their color or aesthetic. Many modern Samsung watches also come with interchangeable wristbands so you can swap out different bands for various colors depending on your mood or outfit.
LTE or Bluetooth?
Here’s a big thing to keep in mind, which is why I include it as one of my top factors to consider in each Samsung watch review. Samsung watches will be able to connect to mobile devices like your phone using either Bluetooth or LTE connections.
Bluetooth connectivity is pretty standard. It’s what most mobile devices use to sync to each other. But it’s also limited since it means that your smartwatch must be connected to your phone in order to receive notifications, make phone calls, and more.
LTE versions of existing Samsung watches don’t require your watch to actually be connected to a smartphone at all. Instead, the watch uses an existing phone number (you get to specify which), and then can make calls, send and receive texts, and two other wireless tasks without needing to be synced to a smartphone.
This is advantageous since it allows the watch to act more as an independent device. But it also drains the battery a lot quicker and it costs data, which may increase the cost of your monthly cellular plan. Furthermore, LTE Samsung watches are usually more expensive than their Bluetooth counterparts.
It’s important to consider which of these two styles of smartwatch you want to pursue since you usually have to choose one or the other at check out. Furthermore, be advised that some mobile networks, like Verizon, reportedly have trouble recognizing the mobile numbers from LTE Samsung smartwatches. Certain smartwatch customers have reported difficulty getting their LTE watches to work due to some cellular mix up on Verizon’s end.
Bottom line: LTE connectivity lets your watch act as a phone or smart device on its own, but it’s pricier and comes with a few risks. Bluetooth connectivity is cheaper but requires your smartwatch to always be connected to your phone for maximum functionality.
OS Compatibility
The vast majority of Samsung smartwatches work well with both iOS and Android devices. Chances are if you have a Samsung phone, you’ll want to go with the Android version of a given smartwatch to benefit from increased connectivity and better applications. But my advice is to double-check which one you’re buying so you don’t accidentally get an iOS Samsung smartwatch when your phone runs on Android.
Final Verdict
Ultimately, I have a hard time recommending anything other than the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3. Sure, it’s pricey, and most of the time my favorite is usually around the middle of the pack in terms of price and features.
But the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 really brings out the big guns and offers a startling array of excellent features that I think combined to make it a top-tier choice even with its high price tag. This is especially true if you already have a Samsung phone (which I don’t), as you’ll be able to boost its battery life using your Samsung phone if it ever gets low. This is a good thing too, since you’ll recall that my main quibble with the Galaxy Watch 3 is that the battery life could certainly be better for the cost.
But it’s also a great watch in terms of aesthetics. The leather strap, minimalist display (I dislike watches with faces that are too busy and difficult to read), and various sizes make it a prime smartwatch choice for a variety of people. It’s not an over-specialized product like many of the other fitness-focused Samsung watches I found.
Still, many other folks will prefer something more budget-friendly or a watch that includes extra fitness features and exercise trackers to help them bolster their workout routine. My ending advice is this: think carefully about what you want a Samsung watch for and consider whether you need a watch that includes additional features when you pair it with a Samsung phone. Then you’ll be in a great position to pick a Samsung watch for your needs.
FAQs
Q: What is the newest Samsung watch?
A: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is the newest of Samsung’s flagship smartwatch line. It was just released in August 2020, so people have only had a few months to play around with it. I got my review copy from a friend who loves Samsung tech and was one of the crazy guys who waited in line to get his hands on one, even with COVID-19.
New Samsung watches like this are usually great choices if you have the cash to spare. In my experience, it wasn’t very buggy and didn’t have any big issues that will need to be ironed out with future versions.
Q: Do all Samsung watches come with fitness features?
A: Yes, although the depth and variety of these features can vary. Practically all smartwatches (not just Samsung watches) will come with heart rate and step trackers since it’s trivial for manufacturers to include those requisite sensors at the bottom of the watch face. Only fitness-focused watches will include specialized trackers for certain exercises and digital coaches.
Q: Is LTE or Bluetooth connectivity better?
A: It depends on your needs. LTE connectivity is better if you plan to take your smartwatch out and about without your phone on your person all the time and want to use it to make and receive phone calls and texts all the while. Bluetooth smartwatches are better if you usually have your phone in your pocket.
Q: What’s the big difference between men’s and women’s Samsung watches?
A: There aren’t very many differences in truth aside from size and aesthetics. However, women can personalize their Samsung watches by downloading female-focused fitness apps or health trackers.
Q: Can all Samsung watches be charged by a paired Samsung phone?
A: No. Only more recent Samsung watches, like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, can benefit from this revolutionary and unique feature. Keep in mind that it’s only really meant to be used when your Samsung smartwatch is really low on power, not as a long-term power source.
Top Rated Samsung Smartwatches
Last update on 2023-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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