So About This Galaxy 4 Smartwatch
Two weeks ago, Samsung held its unpack event, unveiling a few products, including the new Galaxy Z Fold series smartphones, new Galaxy Buds, and Galaxy 4 smartwatch. Being a current Galaxy 3 and a smartwatch fanatic, understandingly, I'm more intrigued with Samsung's new timepieces, so much, I may purchase this smartwatch. With that said, what about this Samsung Galaxy 4 Watch? Follow along in the latest post.
The design
The Galaxy 4 and Galaxy Classic are consumer choices, which retain their signature feature: the rotating bezel. Both versions will come in two sizes, 40mm and 44mm for the Galaxy 4, while the size offering for the Galaxy 4 Classic will be 40mm and 46mm. My personal preference is the Galaxy 4. The smartwatch has a sleeker and compact design in comparison to the 4 Classic.
Wear OS
The design of any smartwatch is not the main selling; it's software, explicitly the OS. The biggest draw of everyone's attention is Wear OS, a unified platform consisting of Google and Samsung's Tizen, introducing a slew of features yet retaining Samsung's software aesthetics. Wear OS will feature popular apps from Google like Google Maps and familiar services such as Samsung Pay, SmartThings, and Bixby. However, the most significant selling point for me is that the new OS will now support third-party apps, like Spotify, Calm, Strava, which you can download from Google Play.
Much improved fitness and health features
What's a smartwatch without a health and fitness feature, which the Galaxy 4 does have. Moreover, it's much improved from the last generation models. For example, the 3-in1 Biosensor chip accurately measures Optical Heart Rate, Electrical Heart, and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. In addition, users can now monitor blood pressure and even detect irregular heartbeats and blood oxygen levels.
There is Google Maps
Google Maps on a Samsung Galaxy 4? Yes, you read correctly. But to get full use of the feature, you have to own the latest Samsung smartphone, as it will automatically launch on your wrist with turn-by-turn directions.
“Hey Google”
Probably what has everyone stoked is you now can access Google Assistant from the Galaxy Watch 4. Sadly that feature will be missing by the time the device is officially launched on the consumer market. At least not yet. There is no confirmation as to when it will make it to the smartwatch.
But here's what you can do with Google Assistant on your new Galaxy 4 smartwatch. First, any user can summon Google Assistant with the usual commands, "Hey Google," even control any Google Home compatible devices in your place of residence. But, for now, users have to settle for Bixby.
We must talk about the hardware
Regarding hardware, the Galaxy Watch 4 contains a 5nm processor and 16GB of combined storage and memory. You now have a faster CPU by about 20% and 50% more RAM. The GPU, according to reports, is also much faster. In addition, the Galaxy Watch 4 display has a higher resolution, up to 450 x 450 pixels.
There's a bit of controversy regarding how many hours of power you'll get when it comes to the battery. Samsung states you'll get up to 40 hours of battery life. But I've read published reviews that, at best, you will get at least a day and a half of power. The Galaxy Watch 4 quick-charge feature is similar to what you'll find in most wireless headphones; 30 minutes of charging will give users ten extra hours of battery power.
What about price and availability?
The Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic are currently available for pre-order, making their official consumer launch on Aug 27th. As stated earlier in this post, the smartwatch will come in 40mm and 44mm, retail price starting at $249.99 for just the Bluetooth and $299.99 for the LTE models. The 40mm versions will be available in the following color schemes; Black, Silver, and Pink Gold. The 44mm models will be available in Black, Silver, and my favorite, sophisticated green.
Most consumers will likely purchase the premium Galaxy 4 Classic, which has a rotating bezel. Price starts at $349.99 for the Bluetooth model and $399.99 for LTE models, and like the Galaxy Watch 4, there are also two size options, 42mm and 46mm, with just two color schemes, Black and Silver.
