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Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 Review: A Comprehensive Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 has arrived, promising to build on the strengths of its predecessors with new features and improvements. Having spent nearly a week with the watch, here’s an in-depth look at what you can expect from Samsung’s latest wearable, covering everything from design and performance to battery life and functionality.
Design and Build
The Galaxy Watch 7 continues Samsung’s tradition of sleek and stylish designs. It’s available in two sizes: 44mm and 40mm, catering to different wrist sizes and preferences. The 44mm model is offered in green or silver, while the 40mm version comes in green or cream. I opted for the 44mm green and the 40mm cream versions.
One notable aspect of the green colour is that it appears more like a dark grey in real life, a departure from the vibrant green seen in official images. The dark grey sport band complements this well, giving the watch a sophisticated look. The cream variant, on the other hand, is a subtle shade of silver and is nearly identical to the silver Galaxy Watch 6. Both colours are refined and stylish, suitable for various occasions and outfits.
Bands and Comfort
The default band for the Galaxy Watch 7 is a synthetic rubber sport band, which features a new ribbed design with small blue and bright orange accents. It’s designed for both comfort and style, but Samsung has also introduced two new band options: a fabric band and an athleisure band.
The fabric band is a premium upgrade from last year’s version. Made from supersoft material, it includes a redesigned middle band catcher, which makes it easier to put on and take off. I found this band particularly comfortable and wore it extensively, including during sleep.
The athleisure band combines rubber and fabric, offering a lightweight and slightly spongy feel. It’s longer than most bands, which can make it a bit cumbersome to adjust initially. However, once on, it’s both comfortable and durable. It doesn’t irritate the skin like some rubber bands can and dries more quickly after washing compared to the fabric band. While I did try wearing the athleisure band to sleep, I wouldn’t use it regularly for this purpose, as the fabric band was more comfortable for all-day wear.
Performance and Processor
One of the standout features of the Galaxy Watch 7 is its new processor. Samsung claims it is three times faster than the previous generation. In practical terms, this means the watch responds swiftly to swipes and interactions, and apps open and load more quickly than on the Galaxy Watch 6. This performance boost enhances the overall user experience, making the watch feel more fluid and responsive.
Charging and Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch 7 comes with a charging cable that’s about 30 inches long and has a USB-C connector on one end, which attaches magnetically to the watch. Unfortunately, no USB-C wall adapter is included in the box, so you’ll need to use your own.
Charging speed is impressive, with the watch reaching a full charge in approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes when using the provided cable and a 20-watt USB-C adapter. I also attempted to use the wireless PowerShare feature on my Samsung phone, but encountered a compatibility issue. This problem affected both the 44mm and 40mm models, although the PowerShare feature still works with the Galaxy Watch 6.
Battery life is another crucial aspect. With default settings, including continuous heart rate monitoring and manual stress measurements, the watch generally lasts around 45.6 hours. During my testing, I was able to track two nights of sleep before needing to recharge. The watch consumes an average of 1.04% to 1.7% of battery per hour of sleep with default settings. Disabling blood oxygen and skin temperature measurements during sleep tracking reduced battery consumption to 0.83% per hour. For those who want to maximise battery life, turning off these features is a viable option.
Features and Functionality
The Galaxy Watch 7 includes several new features and improvements. The enhanced heart rate monitor offers more accurate readings, and the watch supports continuous heart rate tracking, which can be useful for those who want to monitor their fitness levels closely. Additionally, the watch provides advanced sleep tracking, including monitoring sleep stages and offering insights into sleep quality.
Samsung has also improved the stress tracking feature, now allowing for manual measurements. This provides a more personalised approach to stress management, enabling users to assess their stress levels as needed.
The watch is compatible with a wide range of third-party apps, expanding its functionality beyond Samsung’s native offerings. Whether you’re interested in fitness tracking, productivity tools, or entertainment apps, the Galaxy Watch 7 supports a diverse ecosystem of applications.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the Galaxy Watch 7’s robust health and fitness tracking capabilities. The watch includes a range of sensors that track various metrics such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and skin temperature. It supports numerous workout modes, from running and cycling to yoga and swimming.
The GPS functionality is accurate, making it a reliable companion for outdoor activities. Whether you’re navigating through city streets or exploring trails, the watch provides precise location tracking. Additionally, the watch’s water resistance means you can comfortably wear it while swimming or during water-based workouts.
User Experience and Software
The Galaxy Watch 7 runs on Samsung’s Tizen operating system, which is intuitive and easy to navigate. The watch’s interface is user-friendly, with a variety of customisation options available. You can choose from different watch faces, arrange app icons, and adjust settings to suit your preferences.
Samsung has also included a range of productivity features, such as notifications, calendar reminders, and quick access to apps. The integration with Samsung’s ecosystem is seamless, allowing for smooth interaction with other Samsung devices.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is a significant upgrade from its predecessors, offering improved performance, a stylish design, and enhanced features. With its faster processor, new band options, and accurate health and fitness tracking, it’s a versatile and appealing choice for anyone in the market for a high-quality smartwatch.
Whether you’re looking for a device to complement your fitness regime, manage your notifications, or simply keep track of time in style, the Galaxy Watch 7 delivers on multiple fronts. Its robust feature set and user-friendly interface make it a strong contender in the smartwatch market, and it’s well worth considering for those seeking a premium wearable experience.
