Samsung is actively expanding its presence in the wearable technology market, particularly in India, with deliberate efforts to strengthen its position. The recent introduction of the “Samsung Galaxy Watch Active” exemplifies this strategy. Designed to cater to individuals seeking to monitor their health amidst hectic lifestyles, this smartwatch offers a plethora of tracking capabilities including heart rate, exercise, sleep, and stress monitoring. Priced at Rs. 19,990, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active presents a compelling option for consumers. However, whether to purchase it or not is a decision best made after considering a comprehensive review of its features and functionalities.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active:
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active, identified by its model number SM-R500NZGAINU, represents Samsung’s latest offering in the smartwatch market, priced at approximately Rs. 19,990. Boasting an extensive array of activity and health tracking features, it caters to a wide range of user needs. Available in four vibrant color options, this watch comes equipped with both long and short silicone straps for added versatility. Interested buyers can easily find the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active on Amazon, where they can conveniently place their orders. For detailed specifications, please refer to the list provided.
Here are the specifications for the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active:
– Size: 39.5 x 39.5 x 10.5mm, weighing 25g without the strap.
– Display: A vibrant 1.1” Circular Full-Color Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels and Full Color Always On Display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass.
– Battery: 230mAh capacity.
– Processor: Powered by Exynos 9110 running at 1.15 GHz.
– Operating System: Tizen OS 4.0.
– Memory: Equipped with 0.75GB RAM and 4GB of storage.
– Connectivity: Supports Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi b/g/n, NFC, and GPS/Glonass.
– Sensors: Includes accelerometer, barometer, gyro sensor, heart rate sensor, and light sensor.
– Charging: Supports WPC based wireless charging.
– Durability: Rated 5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810G for water resistance and durability.
– Compatibility: Compatible with Samsung devices, Android 5.0 or higher with 1.5GB RAM or more, iPhone 5 and above with iOS 9.0 or higher.
– Features: Offers 24/7 activity tracking including 4-stage sleep tracking, continuous heart rate monitoring, auto stress tracking, high heart rate alert, 39 built-in exercise modes, and 50m water resistance with Water Lock Mode.
Contained within the package are the following items:
– Galaxy Watch Active with a small strap
– Wireless charger
– Large strap
– Quick Start Guide (QSG)
The overall dimensions of the package measure approximately 9.6 x 8.8 x 5.6 cm, with a total weight of around 181 grams.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active Review:
I recently acquired the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active in black, and it’s been just a few days since I started using it. As I continue to explore its features, I’ll be updating this review with my latest findings and experiences. Beginning with its design, I’ll then delve into its functionality, features, and the pros and cons. Let’s kick off this Samsung Galaxy Watch Active review by examining its design.
Evaluation of the Design of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active:
The smartwatch comes equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection for the display, ensuring durability against scratches. Positioned on the right side are two buttons, while the left side remains blank. On the rear, there’s a heart rate sensor. The top and bottom feature strap holders compatible with 20mm straps, offering versatility in personalization. Inside the box, you’ll find a charging cradle featuring USB Type-A on one end and a watch holder with wireless charging technology on the other.
Available in four color options—Silver, Black, Green, and Rose Gold—the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active also offers eight strap color choices: Orange, Light Blue, White, Yellow, Light Pink, Green, Black, and Light Grey. Personally, I received a Black watch with a Black strap. Additionally, two silicone straps of varying lengths are included in the box, allowing for customization based on wrist size. The straps are easy to attach and detach, boasting a quality reminiscent of Apple Watch’s Sport Band. Overall, this smartwatch boasts a compact, lightweight design that exudes both style and durability.
Reviewing the Specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active:
In this Samsung Galaxy Watch Active review, let’s delve into its specifications, user interface, and features. Powering the Galaxy Watch Active is the Exynos 9110 SoC, coupled with 768MB of RAM and 4GB of onboard storage. Unlike some competitors, Samsung has opted for its own Tizen-based Wearable OS 4.0, rather than Google’s Wear OS, resulting in a near-perfect combination. The smartwatch operates swiftly and is highly responsive.
With an IP68 and MIL-STD-810G rating, along with 5ATM water resistance, the Galaxy Watch Active ensures durability, making it suitable for underwater use without concerns. It excels in tracking swimming activities as well.
Connectivity options are abundant:
Connectivity options are abundant, including Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, NFC, and GPS. Users can pair Bluetooth headphones directly with the smartwatch, eliminating the need to carry a smartphone during runs. However, to unlock its full potential, the Galaxy Watch Active requires the Galaxy Wearable (Samsung Gear) companion app. The app seamlessly connects the watch to the smartphone and maintains a stable connection without any noticeable drop-offs. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy Health App is necessary for accessing detailed sleep data.
Despite its impressive features, some users have reported issues with the Galaxy Wearable (Samsung Gear) app, particularly on Android 10 devices. Common complaints include battery consumption and data synchronization problems. It’s imperative for Samsung to address these issues promptly to ensure a smooth user experience.
Moving on to battery life, the Galaxy Watch Active is equipped with a 230mAh battery, which, according to official claims, lasts approximately 45 hours on a single charge. However, personal experience indicates that the smartwatch can exceed this estimate, as it retained some battery power even after 48 hours of use.
Reviewing the Features of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active:
The Smartwatch arrives with several pre-installed watch faces, which users can customize, and additional faces can be downloaded from the Galaxy Store directly on the watch. Its screen automatically turns off when the wearer lowers their hand to conserve power. The user interface is straightforward and intuitive, facilitating easy navigation. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active boasts numerous tracking features.
Monitor various activities:
It can monitor various activities such as walks, runs, hikes, cycling, swimming, and sleep, among others. Moreover, it aids in exercise routines by tracking specific activities like arm curls, dead-lifts, jumping jacks, yoga, and more. The Smartwatch offers continuous heart rate monitoring throughout the day and features a raise-to-wake function. Additionally, it can track water and coffee consumption and reminds users to move if they’ve been inactive for an extended period.
However, blood pressure monitoring is not supported by the Galaxy Watch Active, a limitation also noted in the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active review on gadgets.ndtv.com. Despite expectations, this feature is not available—at least not yet, making it less of a selling point for the device.
Assessment of Samsung Galaxy Watch Active’s Performance: A Review:
In this review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active, we shift our focus to its performance. Starting with the display, the AMOLED screen, though compact, delivers crisp visuals and responsiveness to touch input. Navigating through apps and scrolling feels smooth, while the auto brightness feature adapts well to varying lighting conditions, ensuring clear visibility even outdoors.
The watch’s physical buttons are also highly responsive and tactile. One button serves as a convenient back function within the user interface, while the other brings up the app list. Swiping down on the screen reveals a toggle bar for quick access to various settings, including the useful Water Lock mode for swimming sessions, preventing accidental touchscreen input.
Terms of notifications:
In terms of notifications, the smartwatch excels in keeping users informed, allowing customization of notification preferences for different apps. Responding to notifications is flexible, with options for speech, emojis, handwriting recognition, or predictive text input. However, the use of Bixby for speech-based replies may not always offer the best experience and can be somewhat sluggish compared to alternatives like Wear OS.
Sensors:
Moving on to sensors, the watch demonstrates decent accuracy in tracking activities such as walking and exercise repetitions, though there may be slight discrepancies. Integrated GPS functionality provides detailed route mapping, while sleep monitoring and continuous heart rate tracking deliver reliable data for health insights.
One standout feature is the exercise tracking capability, which not only records workouts but also offers helpful suggestions for breaks and exercise positions, enhancing the overall workout experience.
Battery life:
In terms of battery life, the Galaxy Watch Active impresses with its longevity, lasting nearly two days on a single charge with moderate usage. However, battery performance can vary based on factors like GPS usage, notification frequency, and screen brightness. Charging the device to full capacity using the provided cradle takes approximately 100 minutes.
In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active emerges as an attractive wearable option, boasting a sleek design, solid performance, and commendable battery life. While it may have its minor shortcomings, its overall feature set makes it a compelling choice for users seeking a reliable smartwatch experience.
Final Thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active:
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active offers a compelling blend of a sleek operating system, durable design, and an array of features. While Tizen OS 4.0 provides ample functionality, it may lack the extensive third-party app support found in other platforms. Despite its commendable performance in activity tracking, its precision could be improved compared to competitors like the Fossil Sport and Apple Watch Series 3. When stacked against the Fossil Sport, the Galaxy Watch Active proves superior, but the Apple Watch Series 3 edges it out slightly due to nuanced features and ecosystem. In conclusion, if you seek a smartwatch with versatile functionality and decent accuracy, the Galaxy Watch Active is a solid choice. However, for those prioritizing pinpoint accuracy, limited options are available. Thank you for your attention. Please share your thoughts and product recommendations in the comments section below. Additionally, remember to subscribe to our newsletter and share this article with others. Have a wonderful day!
Leave a Reply