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Samsung Galaxy Watch is here: A smartwatch that ticks like an analog watch
Samsung’s Gear S3 was an incredibly popular smartwatch (at least among Android Authority readers), so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the company is launching yet another entry into the smartwatch space. Alongside the Galaxy Note 9, Samsung unveiled its latest smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch.
One of the first things you should know about the Samsung Galaxy Watch, despite rumors claiming otherwise, is that it’s powered by Samsung’s own Tizen OS — just like the Gear S2 and Gear S3 before it. Sorry Wear OS fans, it doesn’t look like Samsung is ditching its wearable OS anytime soon.
Now, about that headline. To make this watch feel more like a non-smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch will actually tick every second like a normal analog watch. It sounds nifty, but I’m not sure if people are going to love this or hate it.
Samsung is launching two versions of the Galaxy Watch — the base model comes with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, while the other has Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LTE capabilities. Aside from that, both models are essentially the same under the hood. The larger 46mm Galaxy Watch comes with a 472mAh battery — a decent step up from the Gear S3’s 380mAh cell — which Samsung claims will last up to seven days on a charge. The 42mm model will have a much smaller battery at just 270mAh.
Of course, the Galaxy Watch also focuses on fitness just like all of Samsung’s other watches. This time around, Samsung says the Galaxy Watch will be able to record more accurate heart rate data, thanks to its four photodiode sensors. It also supports over 39 different types of workouts, and includes a built-in stress check like we’ve seen on Fitbit and Garmin devices in the past. It can also automatically detect up to six different workouts.
Check out the table below for the full list of Samsung Galaxy Watch specs:
| Samsung Galaxy Watch | |
|---|---|
Display | 46mm: 1.3-inch Circular Super AMOLED Full-color always-on display 360 x 360 resolution Corning Gorilla DX+ 42mm: 1.2-inch Circular Super AMOLED display Full-color always-on display 360 x 360 resolution Corning Gorilla DX+ |
Battery | 46mm: 472mAh 42mm: 270mAh Both: WPC-based wireless charging |
Processor | Dual-core 1.15GHz |
Memory | LTE: 1.5GB RAM + 4GB internal memory Bluetooth: 768MB RAM + 4GB internal memory |
Connectivity | 4G/LTE Bluetooth 4.2 Wi-Fi b/g/n NFC A-GPS/Glonass |
Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyro, Barometer, HRM, Ambient Light |
Durability | 5ATM + IP68 MIL-STD-810G |
Compatibility | Samsung: Android 5.0 or later Other: Android 5.0 or later iPhone 5 and above, iOS 9.0 or above |
Software | Tizen OS 4.0 |
Dimensions and weight | 46mm: 46 x 49 x 13mm, 63g (without strap) 42mm: 41.9 x 45.7 x 12.7mm, 49g (without strap) |
Straps | 46mm: 22mm interchangeable Colors: onyx black, deep ocean blue, basalt grey 42mm: 20mm interchangeable Colors: onyx black, lunar grey, terracotta red, lime yellow, cosmo purple, pink beige, cloud grey, natural brown |
The Galaxy Watch will launch in two sizing options — a 46mm size with a silver color and a 42mm size in midnight black and rose gold colors. The 42mm size will be available for $329.99, and the 46mm variant will go for $349.99 in the U.S. on Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung.com on August 24. If you pre-order the Galaxy Watch on Samsung.com before September 8, you’ll receive a free Samsung watch band, too.
T-Mobile announced that it will carry both Galaxy Watch sizes later this year. Pricing is as follows:
- 42mm model (comes in midnight black or rose gold): $375
- EIP: $15/month for 24 months ($15 down)
- 46mm model (comes in silver): $400
- EIP: $16/month for 24 months ($16 down)
The LTE variant will be available at AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, and Samsung.com, along with “select major national retailers” later in 2018. There’s no word on specific regions yet, but Samsung says the Watch will come to over 15 countries and over 30 carriers. We’ll be sure to update you on more pricing and availability details once we learn more.
That’s what we know so far about the Galaxy Watch. For more details on all the things Samsung announced today, be sure to head to our other coverage below: