Samsung’s more affordable watch is the better buy
Samsung made significant changes to its smartwatch lineup this year, switching from Tizen to Wear OS, rebranding its Active line, and following Apple’s lead by releasing two models to accommodate different budgets. Its efforts have paid off, as the $249.99 Galaxy Watch4 and the $349.99 Watch4 Classic are the best Samsung watches to date. The Galaxy Watch4, reviewed here, is the company’s answer to the Apple Watch SE. But unlike the SE, which looks the same as the Series 6 but lacks some its key features, the Watch4 does everything the Classic model can, but is made of aluminum instead of stainless steel and has a digital bezel instead of a physical one. It offers notable upgrades from the Watch3, including a faster processor for smoother scrolling, a higher-resolution display for crisper visuals, expanded memory for music and app storage, a sensor that can measure your body fat, and the ability to track your snoring. Attractively designed, feature-rich, and priced right, the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 is our new Editors’ Choice for Android-compatible smartwatches. Galaxy Watch4 vs. Galaxy Watch4 Classic Samsung’s 2021 smartwatch lineup includes two models, the $350 Galaxy Watch4 Classic and the $250 Watch4. Similar to how the Apple Watch only works with iOS devices, the Galaxy Watch4 series is exclusive to Android. Samsung’s latest smartwatches only work with smartphones running Android 6.0 or later with 1.5GB of RAM, a departure from last year’s Watch3, which also worked with iPhones. Left to right: Watch4 Classic, Watch4 The Watch4 has a simple, minimal design, similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch Active2. It comes in 40mm or 44mm case sizes, priced at $249.99 or $279.99, respectively for the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi model, or $50 more if you want LTE connectivity. Both sizes come in black or silver; the smaller model is also available in pink gold while the larger one also comes in dark green. For reference, the Classic model comes in 42mm or 46mm sizes in black or silver, starting at $349.99 for the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi model or $399.99 for one with LTE connectivity. For this review, Samsung sent me the 40mm Bluetooth-only Watch4 in black, as well as a Galaxy Note20 Ultra to pair with the wearable for testing. Left to right: Watch4 Classic, Watch4 Aside from price, design is the only thing separating the Watch4 from the Watch4 Classic. The Classic features a stainless steel case and a physical rotating bezel, while the standard model has an aluminum case and a digital bezel. The rotating bezel makes the Classic model a bit thicker and gives it a more rugged look. To navigate, you simply turn the bezel to scroll. On the Watch4, you can run your finger along the side of the screen to activate the digital bezel, which otherwise works the same way. The physical bezel is a pleasure to use, but we don’t think it’s worth the extra $100. On the Watch4, you can run your finger along the side of the screen to scroll with the digital bezel. Both models come with a matching fluoroelastomer (FKM) rubber band. The Classic’s Ridge Sport band has a ridge detail, while the Watch4’s Sport band is plain. Samsung sells a variety of accessory straps for the Watch4 series, including a $49.99 Hybrid Leather band for a classier look, and a $39.99 Extreme Sport model with air holes for sweaty workouts. Other than these design differences, the Watch4 and the Watch4 Classic have the same battery, connectivity, internal memory, operating system, processor, sensors, and user interface. Sleek and Speedy, But Needs Daily Charging The Watch4 and Watch4 Classic both feature two physical buttons on the right side: a Power/Home button on top, and a Back button below. You also use these buttons when taking a body composition scan (which I’ll discuss later in this review).
