Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Review: Still Worth It?
Alright, tech enthusiasts! Let's dive deep into the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and see if it still holds up in today's smartwatch arena. This review will cover everything you need to know, from its design and display to its performance, health features, and overall value. So, buckle up, and let's get started!
Design and Display: A Timeless Classic
The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic truly lives up to its name with its sophisticated and timeless design. The rotating bezel, a hallmark of Samsung's classic smartwatches, not only looks fantastic but also offers a tactile and intuitive way to navigate the watch's interface. Guys, I can't stress enough how satisfying it is to physically rotate that bezel to scroll through notifications or adjust settings. It's just so much better than swiping on a screen, especially when you're on the move.
Crafted from stainless steel, the watch feels premium and durable. It's available in two sizes – 42mm and 46mm – catering to different wrist sizes. The watch is also quite comfortable to wear, even for extended periods. You can easily swap out the straps to match your style or occasion, thanks to the standard 20mm band size. This is a huge plus if you like to personalize your gadgets.
The display is another highlight of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. It boasts a vibrant and crisp Super AMOLED screen that's easy to read even in direct sunlight. The colors pop, and the contrast is excellent, making everything from watch faces to workout stats look sharp and engaging. The always-on display feature is also a welcome addition, allowing you to quickly glance at the time and other essential information without having to wake the watch. However, keep in mind that enabling the always-on display will impact battery life.
Durability is also a key consideration, and the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic doesn't disappoint. It features Corning Gorilla Glass DX, which provides excellent scratch resistance. It's also 5ATM water-resistant, meaning you can wear it while swimming or showering without worry. Just remember to avoid exposing it to high-pressure water jets or extreme temperatures.
In summary, the design and display of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic are top-notch. It's a stylish and well-built smartwatch that offers a premium user experience. The rotating bezel is a standout feature, and the vibrant AMOLED display is a pleasure to look at. Whether you're a fan of classic designs or simply looking for a durable and reliable smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is definitely worth considering.
Performance and Software: Wear OS Powered
Under the hood, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is powered by Samsung's Exynos W920 dual-core processor, paired with 1.5GB of RAM. This combination delivers smooth and responsive performance, whether you're navigating the interface, launching apps, or tracking your workouts. I experienced no lag or stuttering during my testing, which is crucial for a seamless smartwatch experience.
One of the biggest changes with the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is its operating system. It runs on Wear OS Powered by Samsung, a collaboration between Google and Samsung. This means you get the best of both worlds: Samsung's intuitive user interface and Google's vast app ecosystem. You have access to a wide range of apps through the Google Play Store, including popular fitness apps like Strava and Spotify, as well as productivity apps like Google Keep and Todoist.
The software experience on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is generally excellent. The interface is easy to navigate, and the rotating bezel makes it even more convenient to access different features. You can customize the watch faces to your liking and choose from a variety of widgets to display the information that's most important to you. Notifications are also well-managed, allowing you to quickly view and respond to messages, emails, and other alerts.
However, Wear OS isn't without its quirks. Sometimes, the Google Assistant can be a bit slow to respond, and the app selection in the Google Play Store isn't as extensive as it is on smartphones. But overall, the software experience on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is a significant improvement over previous Samsung smartwatches.
Important note: The transition to Wear OS also means that some older Samsung apps and services are no longer supported. If you're heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem, you may need to adjust to using Google's alternatives. But for most users, the benefits of Wear OS outweigh the drawbacks.
In conclusion, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic offers excellent performance and a user-friendly software experience. The Exynos W920 processor ensures smooth and responsive operation, and Wear OS provides access to a wide range of apps and services. While Wear OS isn't perfect, it's a significant step forward for Samsung smartwatches.
Health and Fitness Features: A Comprehensive Suite
When it comes to health and fitness tracking, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is packed with features. It includes a built-in heart rate sensor, ECG sensor, and blood oxygen sensor, allowing you to monitor your vital signs and track your overall health. The watch also supports automatic workout detection for a variety of activities, including running, swimming, cycling, and more. So, whether you are fitness enthusiast or just starting your fitness journey, this watch has something for you.
The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic also introduces a new bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) sensor, which can measure your body composition, including your body fat percentage, muscle mass, and water weight. This is a feature typically found on high-end fitness trackers, and it provides valuable insights into your overall health and fitness level. However, keep in mind that the BIA sensor is not a medical device and should not be used for diagnostic purposes.
The sleep tracking on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is also quite comprehensive. It tracks your sleep stages, including REM sleep, light sleep, and deep sleep, and provides you with a sleep score to help you understand the quality of your sleep. The watch can also detect snoring and track your blood oxygen levels while you sleep, which can be helpful for identifying potential sleep disorders.
One of the standout features of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is its ability to take an ECG (electrocardiogram). This allows you to monitor your heart rhythm and detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart condition. However, the ECG feature is not available in all regions due to regulatory restrictions. Be sure to check if it's available in your country before purchasing the watch.
Overall, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic offers a comprehensive suite of health and fitness features. It's a great choice for anyone who wants to track their activity levels, monitor their vital signs, and gain insights into their overall health. Just remember that the watch is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and you should always consult with a doctor if you have any health concerns.
Battery Life and Charging: Decent, Not Amazing
The battery life of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is decent, but not amazing. With typical usage, I was able to get about a day and a half of battery life on a single charge. This includes tracking my workouts, receiving notifications, and using the always-on display feature. If you disable the always-on display and reduce your usage, you may be able to squeeze out two days of battery life.
However, if you're a heavy user who tracks a lot of workouts or uses the watch for GPS navigation, you may find that the battery drains more quickly. In these cases, you may need to charge the watch every day. The charging time is also relatively slow, taking about two hours to fully charge the watch from zero.
The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic supports wireless charging, which is convenient. You can use any Qi-compatible wireless charger to charge the watch. However, Samsung also includes a dedicated charging puck in the box, which magnetically attaches to the back of the watch. The charging puck is small and portable, making it easy to take with you on the go.
Compared to other smartwatches on the market, the battery life of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is about average. Some smartwatches, like those from Garmin and Fitbit, offer significantly longer battery life, but they often lack the advanced features and app ecosystem of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic.
In conclusion, the battery life of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is decent but not exceptional. It should be sufficient for most users, but heavy users may need to charge the watch every day. The wireless charging support is convenient, but the charging time is relatively slow.
Value and Verdict: Still a Solid Choice?
So, is the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic still worth it? The answer is a resounding yes, especially if you can find it at a discounted price. While it's not the newest smartwatch on the market, it still offers a compelling combination of style, performance, and features.
The rotating bezel is a standout feature that sets it apart from other smartwatches. The vibrant AMOLED display is a pleasure to look at, and the Wear OS software provides access to a wide range of apps and services. The health and fitness tracking features are comprehensive, and the body composition analysis is a unique addition.
However, the battery life is not the best, and the charging time is relatively slow. Also, if you're heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, you may be better off with an Apple Watch. But for Android users, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is one of the best smartwatches you can buy.
Consider this: If you are looking for the latest and greatest features, you might want to consider the newer Galaxy Watch models. However, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic still offers excellent value for money, especially if you can find it on sale.
In summary, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is a solid choice for anyone looking for a stylish, feature-rich, and reliable smartwatch. It's a great all-around performer that offers a premium user experience. So, if you're in the market for a new smartwatch, be sure to give the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic a serious look.
