Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 – Pros and Cons Review

A Solid Smartwatch with Subtle Upgrades

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is the latest addition to Samsung’s popular smartwatch lineup, offering a blend of style, performance, and advanced health tracking. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch 6, it introduces meaningful upgrades that make it a compelling choice for Android users, particularly those within the Samsung ecosystem. After spending time with the 40mm model, here’s a detailed look at its strengths and weaknesses.

Design and Build

The Galaxy Watch 7 retains the sleek, circular design that has become a hallmark of Samsung’s smartwatches. Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, it comes in Green, Cream, or Silver, with a durable aluminum alloy case and sapphire crystal display for scratch resistance. The 1.3-inch (40mm) or 1.5-inch (44mm) Super AMOLED screen is vibrant, sharp, and readable even in direct sunlight, hitting up to 2,000 nits of brightness. The new ribbed silicone strap with colorful stitching adds a touch of personality, and the one-click band mechanism makes swapping straps effortless. However, the design is nearly identical to the Watch 6, which may disappoint those seeking a fresh look. The lack of a physical rotating bezel, a feature reserved for the Watch 6 Classic, is another drawback for tactile navigation fans.

Performance and Features

Under the hood, the Galaxy Watch 7 shines with the new Exynos W1000 chipset, built on a 3nm process for faster performance and improved efficiency. Apps open quickly, and the Wear OS 5 with One UI 6 interface feels smooth and responsive. With 2GB of RAM and doubled storage at 32GB, there’s ample space for apps, music, and watch faces. The dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) enhances location accuracy, especially in urban or wooded areas, making it a reliable companion for runners and cyclists. New gesture controls, like the double-pinch to answer calls or stop timers, add convenience, though they can be finicky at times.

Health and Fitness

The upgraded BioActive sensor, with 13 LEDs, delivers accurate heart rate, blood oxygen, and body composition measurements. The Watch 7 introduces FDA-authorized sleep apnea detection, a standout feature for health-conscious users, alongside detailed sleep tracking with AI-powered insights like the Energy Score. This metric, similar to Oura’s Readiness Score, combines sleep and activity data to guide daily wellness decisions. However, advanced features like sleep apnea detection and ECG require a Samsung phone, limiting functionality for non-Samsung Android users. Heart rate tracking excels in steady-state workouts but may lag slightly during high-intensity intervals.

Battery Life

Battery life remains a pain point. The 40mm model has a 300mAh battery, while the 44mm version gets 425mAh, but both typically last about one day with always-on display and GPS use. Heavy users may need to charge daily, which is disappointing compared to competitors like the OnePlus Watch 3, which can last up to five days. Charging takes about 85 minutes with the proprietary puck, but the lack of reverse wireless charging support is a step back from previous models.

PROS

• Sleek, durable design with a bright AMOLED display
• Fast Exynos W1000 processor and smooth Wear OS 5
• Accurate dual-frequency GPS and upgraded BioActive sensor
• Comprehensive health tracking with sleep apnea detection
• Double the storage (32GB) for apps and media

CONS

• Battery life limited to about one day
• Many advanced features require a Samsung phone
• Design nearly identical to Galaxy Watch 6
• No physical rotating bezel
• Gesture controls can be inconsistent

VERDICT

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is a polished, feature-rich smartwatch that excels in health tracking and performance, making it one of the best Android smartwatches for 2024. While its iterative design and short battery life hold it back, the upgraded processor, GPS, and AI-powered health insights make it a worthy upgrade for users with older models or those new to the Galaxy ecosystem. It offers strong value, but if battery life is your priority, you might want to explore other options.

Buy yours now for the best price!