In today’s fast-paced tech world, smartwatches have become essential accessories for many people. Whether it’s simplifying daily life or better managing health and fitness, choosing the right smartwatch is crucial. When considering a smartwatch, I want it to allow me to take hands-free calls during busy moments, quickly check important notifications, and control music playback when my phone is put away. However, besides these basic functions, an excellent smartwatch should also feature comprehensive health monitoring, fitness tracking, sleep tracking, and offer good value for money.

Among the many smartwatches available, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm) stands out as a noteworthy option. If you’re looking for a wearable device that offers a great balance of features and cost, I recommend taking a closer look at the Galaxy Watch 4 before exploring the latest versions in the Galaxy Watch series. Although it’s not Samsung’s newest model—the latest being the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7—it still provides many essential features that can meet most users’ needs.

Core Features of the Galaxy Watch 4

Health Monitoring Features

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 excels in health monitoring. It comes equipped with several key features:

  1. ECG (Electrocardiogram) Monitoring
    This feature provides real-time ECG readings and can detect potential heart issues such as arrhythmias. ECG monitoring is crucial for understanding heart health, particularly for those with a family history of heart disease or who are at risk.
  2. Blood Pressure Monitoring
    The Galaxy Watch 4 also supports blood pressure monitoring. With built-in sensors, you can measure your blood pressure at any time. This feature is especially useful for hypertension patients or anyone needing regular blood pressure checks.
  3. Sleep Tracking
    The watch offers detailed sleep analysis, tracking sleep stages and quality. This data helps you understand your sleep patterns and make adjustments to improve sleep quality.
  4. Body Fat Measurement
    In addition to basic heart rate monitoring and step counting, the Galaxy Watch 4 includes body fat measurement to provide a more comprehensive view of your physical condition.

Fitness Tracking Features

The Galaxy Watch 4’s fitness tracking capabilities are extensive, including:

  1. Multiple Workout Modes
    The watch supports automatic detection of up to six workout modes, including running, swimming, rowing, and more. This feature ensures accurate tracking of your exercise sessions, regardless of the activity.
  2. Advanced Exercise Tracking
    Beyond basic step and calorie counts, the Galaxy Watch 4 offers advanced workout tracking. This is particularly important for users who require precise data on their workouts.
  3. Real-Time Data Feedback
    During exercise, the watch provides real-time data, allowing you to monitor your performance and adjust your workout intensity and methods accordingly.

Smart Features

In addition to health and fitness functions, the Galaxy Watch 4 offers several smart features:

  1. Notification Management
    The watch can receive and manage notifications from your phone, allowing you to quickly view messages, emails, and app alerts without constantly checking your phone.
  2. Music Control
    When your phone is not within reach, you can use the Galaxy Watch 4 to control music playback, including switching songs and adjusting volume.
  3. Voice Assistant Integration
    The watch supports both Google Assistant and Samsung’s voice assistant, enabling you to use voice commands to control the watch, obtain information, or perform other tasks.

Price and Value

The Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm) is priced reasonably at around $270. Compared to the more advanced Galaxy Watch 7, which offers longer battery life and a larger screen, the Galaxy Watch 4 still provides all the essential functions I need without being overly complex. If, like me, you don’t require the latest high-end features, the Galaxy Watch 4 is a great fit.

Considerations

It’s worth noting that some users have recently reported faster battery drain with the Galaxy Watch 4. Samsung has provided recommendations on how to diagnose and resolve battery issues, which you can follow if you encounter similar problems.

Recommended Product

Besides the Galaxy Watch 4, another smartwatch worth considering is the Fitbit Charge 5. It is a comprehensive health tracking device that offers a range of fitness and health monitoring features.

Fitbit Charge 5

  • Price: Approximately $150
  • Core Features:
  • ECG Monitoring
  • Skin Temperature Monitoring
  • Sleep Tracking and Advanced Sleep Analysis
  • GPS Functionality
  • Multiple Workout Modes
  • Pros: Long battery life, comfortable wear, accurate health tracking features.
  • Cons: Smaller screen, limited third-party app support.

Whether you choose the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 or the Fitbit Charge 5, both smartwatches offer a wealth of features to help you manage health and fitness. When selecting the right smartwatch, considering your specific needs and budget will help you make the best choice. For those looking for a balance between price and functionality, the Galaxy Watch 4 is highly recommended.