Wear OS is Google’s Android designed for smartwatches, and prior to its collaboration with Samsung, it was barely customizable. The first package with a new version is the Galaxy Watch 4, which leaves a few questions unanswered in the test.
With the Galaxy Watch 4, Samsung has introduced a partly questionable smartwatch. At least that’s what you notice when you take a closer look at the software. Wear OS 3 from Google runs on it, so again with Google services on board. But not everyone is there. It also becomes clear that you don’t get the full package without a Samsung phone.
I think Google sort of sold or gave away their own smartwatch operating system to Samsung. In any case, it is more customizable than ever for the manufacturer. Also: Almost a year after the presentation, devices from other manufacturers are said to be equipped with the new version. During this time, only Samsung was allowed to release a smartwatch with Wear OS 3, the Galaxy Watch 4.
In the test, it quickly becomes apparent that Samsung basically has a really good watch at the start. It has a very good display, even the 44 mm version doesn’t look too big and is very comfortable to wear on the arm. On the hardware side, everything is actually right, I think. My usage behavior allows a battery life of a good two days and the system software usually reacts immediately or quickly. In any case, I didn’t remember Wear OS that well.
However, there is a catch with the hardware, because the charger for wireless charging probably does not use the Qi standard. It loads pretty quickly for that. Up to 25 percent of the battery was recharged in just over 20 minutes. So you can quickly add a few percentages in between.
Galaxy Watch 4: Fast and comprehensive
In addition to the usual pedometer, you also have a few other subtleties with you. For example, you can measure the composition (fat, water, etc.) of your body, check your pulse regularly, and have snoring detected. Even functions such as ECG measurement are available. But there isn’t everything for you if you don’t use a Samsung phone.
Blood pressure and ECG want an app on the connected smartphone that is officially only compatible with Samsung devices. So I look pretty bad with the Google Pixel 6 – even if there are already modding projects. A similar picture with the Google Assistant, which is still not available for the Galaxy Watch 4 even after the turn of the year.
For example, if you use a Samsung watch face, it only shows the health values of a Samsung app in the complications. But not those of Google Fit, unfortunately, they are not even offered. Here and there you can tell that Samsung is keeping everything well controlled and closed where it got these opportunities. This is practically new from Wear OS 3.
You have to really like Samsung
So you don’t just have to do without (a few) Google services. A smartphone from Samsung is also absolutely necessary so that all the services and system functions offered can be used. I would like to have explained why this does not apply in connection with Samsung Health, for example, but does apply to the Samsung Health Monitor. Anyway, that doesn’t make a good impression. Basically, however, the companion app is reliable and well structured.
Speaking of apps: You need the Galaxy Wearable app for the full range of smartwatches on your smartphone, plus the Galaxy Watch 4 plugin, Samsung Health and the Samsung Health Monitor. What’s the matter, Samsung?
Conclusion: Pretty good and almost perfect for Samsung fans
I bought the watch for 209 euros and I think this price is pretty fair. However, I don’t think it’s fair that the actual open Android operating system is very limited to the Samsung ecosystem in some places. So much so that not even all Google apps are included. In my opinion, this does not correspond to the basic idea for Android and that is quite a pity.
I would still recommend the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 . Definitely if you want to use a current Wear OS smartwatch. You just have to make friends with various Samsung software. Personally, it doesn’t really matter to me whether Samsung Health or Google Fit measures my steps and records them in statistics. But I would still have liked to have delivered the assistant later.