The Galaxy Watch 7 is here, and while it might look like last year’s Watch 6 at first glance, it’s packing some notable upgrades inside. From enhanced fitness tracking and GPS accuracy to a faster processor, this device promises a step up in performance and functionality. Let’s review Samsung Galaxy watch 7 and break down what you can expect in terms of design, usability, fitness tracking, and battery life.
Read on this Samsung Galaxy watch 7 review to find out what exactly is improved and whether this watch should be your next smart watch.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Galaxy watch 7 – Various options to choose from
Size 40mm or 44mm
Connectivity Bluetooth or LTE
Various colour options
If you are looking for a budget smart watch which is packed with features and value for money then read out review of CMF Pro 2 Smart Watch.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 Review : Pros and Cons
To summarize, here’s a quick breakdown of the key pros and cons to keep in mind:
Pros
- Dual-band GPS for highly accurate tracking, even in challenging locations.
- 32GB storage for extensive music libraries and other media.
- Enhanced processor for smooth performance.
- Intuitive workout tracking, with different start settings tailored for various exercises.
Cons
- Battery life could be better, especially if you’re using fitness tracking heavily.
- Limited customization on health widgets.
- Minor heart rate tracking lag during intense intervals.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Galaxy watch 7 – Various options to choose from
Size 40mm or 44mm
Connectivity Bluetooth or LTE
Various colour options
Also see: Budget Smart Watches Under £50 and Under £100
Galaxy Watch 7 Design and User Interface
The Galaxy Watch 7 keeps the iconic design which round face that’s familiar to Samsung users. However, instead of physical bezel, the watch features a sleek digital bezel. The Galaxy watch itself is visually appealing, feels sturdy, and provides a comfortable fit—whether you’re out for a run or just handling a day at work. There are also a few new customizable watch faces, which might not feel like a revolutionary change, these do give users a bit more personality and functionality at a glance.
The user interface is excellent, using swiping gestures you can access different menus and widgets. For example, you can swipe down to show quick settings, while swiping up will display all your apps. By rotating the touch bezel you can increase or decrease the volume, change brightness etc. However, we have not found the touch bezel as responsive as physical bezel. You’ll also find a few new health-focused widgets, such as an energy score tracker, giving you easy access to insights on your current energy level, steps, heart rate, and more. However, it would’ve been great if Samsung had included a bit more customization for these widgets, such us allowing the users to pick the metrics they value most.
Fitness Tracking and GPS Accuracy
Next in the Samsung Galaxy watch 7 review is fitness tracking and GPS. In the Galaxy watch 7, Samsung has focused heavily on fitness accuracy. The watch comes equipped with dual-band GPS which significantly improves location tracking, even in remote remote areas or while hiking etc. Therefore, whether you’re running, cycling, or hiking, you can expect accurate maps of your routes.
Speaking of workouts, Samsung has also added smarter start settings for various activities, which is a big plus for usability. For example, when you select running the watch defaults to a manual start, allowing GPS to lock in accurately before you begin. So no more rushing out the door only to realize the GPS hasn’t quite locked yet. Other activities, like walking, automatically go into countdown mode, so you don’t have to worry about a locked-in signal right away.
Heart Rate Monitoring
When it comes to heart rate tracking, Samsung made some strides with accuracy, though it’s still not perfect. For steady-state exercises like jogging or walking, the Galaxy Watch 7 does a solid job and even compares reasonably well with high-end chest straps like the Polar H10. However, it does tend to lag slightly during high-intensity interval training, which involves sudden spikes and dips in heart rate. While the Watch 7 does catch up quickly enough, those doing intense interval training may notice a delay in the real-time readings.
In terms of steady-state workouts, like a 20-minute jog, the Watch 7’s heart rate tracking holds up well against even the best wrist-based heart rate monitors on the market. Although it occasionally skips a data point, the tracking is generally good. This level of reliability is more than sufficient for the average user.
Battery Life and Performance
Samsung has improved internal specs, packing the Watch 7 with a new 3nm W1000 five-core processor. This upgrade ensures higher processing speeds, making the user interface feel smoother than previous versions and reducing the wait time for loading apps or syncing data. Alongside this processor, Samsung Galaxy watch 7 includes 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. This added storage is a major perk for those who like to load up tracks or podcasts for offline listening, as you can now store a significant playlist from Spotify or other apps without running out of space.
We have noticed its battery life is significantly less than Samsung’s promised battery life. The battery life does not seem to be any better than Samsung Galaxy watch 6. However, its still decent as it offers faster processing speeds and the battery life varies based on your usage. If you’re pushing the GPS and fitness tracking capabilities to the max, then expect to charge the watch daily. However, with moderate use, it can last around 2 days, and lighter users could stretch it close to three. While Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a longer battery life, this Galaxy Watch 7’s half price tag and lighter weight make it an excellent choice for many.
Smart Features and Connectivity
The Galaxy Watch 7’s Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity provides better stability with wireless headphones or earbuds, especially when you’re on the go. Additionally, the watch includes 32GB of storage for tracks, so if you’re a runner who prefers going phone-free, this watch has you covered. Simply download your playlists, connect your Bluetooth headphones, and you’re set.
Samsung’s integration with Google services remains excellent, so you get quick access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Pay. The voice recognition has also improved, making voice commands smoother and less errors.
Health Insights and Customization
One of the standout features on the Galaxy Watch 7 is the new energy score metric, which gives an insight into your overall energy level based on your activity, heart rate, and sleep data. Samsung’s new health widgets give quick-glance information on your heart rate, steps, and more. However, it would be ideal if Samsung allowed further customization of these health insights so users could choose the specific data they want displayed.
For example, seeing temperature or weather conditions alongside your heart rate might be useful if you’re exercising outdoors. The lack of customization feels like a missed opportunity to fully utilize the watch’s impressive display.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Galaxy watch 7 – Various options to choose from
Size 40mm or 44mm
Connectivity Bluetooth or LTE
Various colour options
Is the Galaxy Watch 7 Right for You?
If you’re considering upgrading, the Galaxy Watch 7 may be an excellent choice for you. The dual-band GPS, improved storage, and tailored workout features address many usability concerns from previous models. While it’s not a major visual upgrade, the software and hardware upgrades make it an excellent choice for fitness enthusiasts and other users .
For fitness focused users, the Watch 7 offers a good mix of reliable GPS tracking, excellent performance, and customisation, especially at this price point. However, if battery life is your top priority, you might lean toward the Galaxy Watch Ultra which has a higher price tag. Ultimately, the Galaxy Watch 7 delivers a high performing user friendly experience that makes it a worthy addition to Samsung’s smartwatch lineup, especially if you’re looking for a well rounded smart watch that doesn’t break the bank.
Final Thoughts
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Galaxy watch 7 – Various options to choose from
Size 40mm or 44mm
Connectivity Bluetooth or LTE
Various colour options
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 manages to find that sweet spot between performance and price. While it may not be a groundbreaking update, it’s reliable and packed with features. With its smart upgrades to GPS and activity tracking, combined with friendly user interface and better storage capacity, this watch for anyone who wants a reliable, feature-packed smart watch.
