Should I get a Galaxy watch?

[Casey Cheung]

Lately, I've also been wondering whether it's worthwhile to get a smartwatch, such as a Galaxy watch or the new Active watch. But after watching a bunch of YouTube videos, various reviewers have pointed out that the heart rate and step monitor apps are not so accurate on both watches. So that makes me doubtful about getting either of these watches. I would like to get the Active watch, but only if it really is accurate for heart rate and steps. The other reason I'm thinking of getting a smartwatch is because my beloved Citizen EcoDrive watches are getting harder to read the date info due to the small font size. When I first bought the watches several years ago, my eyesight was nearly 20/20. Nowadays, I can hardly read the small numbers on my analog watches. So I resort to pulling out my phone out of my pocket just to read a simple date. Lame, I know. So I'm hoping to find a suitable large font size face on the watch that displays time, day, date info, plus fitness info too. Notification alerts for texts and emails would be nice too. Am I asking too much?

 

[sonnnet]

Lately, I've also been wondering whether it's worthwhile to get a smartwatch, such as a Galaxy watch or the new Active watch. But after watching a bunch of YouTube videos, various reviewers have pointed out that the heart rate and step monitor apps are not so accurate on both watches. So that makes me doubtful about getting either of these watches. I would like to get the Active watch, but only if it really is accurate for heart rate and steps. The other reason I'm thinking of getting a smartwatch is because my beloved Citizen EcoDrive watches are getting harder to read the date info due to the small font size. When I first bought the watches several years ago, my eyesight was nearly 20/20. Nowadays, I can hardly read the small numbers on my analog watches. So I resort to pulling out my phone out of my pocket just to read a simple date. Lame, I know. So I'm hoping to find a suitable large font size face on the watch that displays time, day, date info, plus fitness info too. Notification alerts for texts and emails would be nice too. Am I asking too much?

No, you aren't asking too much. Either watch will do that, and more, for you (although they work so much better with a Samsung phone). The Galaxy Watch is superior of the two models. Forget the bad 'reviews'. All that is fixed now with the latest software update. I am so impressed with my Galaxy Watch now, it's phenomenal and I'm certain nothing else on the market can match it.

 

[Casey Cheung]

Both watches are accurate now with the latest update? That's good to know.

Question: Do both the watch and phone give you the same results for both heart rate and steps (or close to it)?

Also, why exactly is the Galaxy better than the Active watch? Is it because of the rotating bezel on the Galaxy? Anything more?

 

[sonnnet]

Both watches are accurate now with the latest update? That's good to know.

Question: Do both the watch and phone give you the same results for both heart rate and steps (or close to it)?

Also, why exactly is the Galaxy better than the Active watch? Is it because of the rotating bezel on the Galaxy? Anything more?

Yes, early days with the new update but my HR is spot on all the time. I don't concentrate so much on steps (I'm more into exercise) but others have reported step count seems fixed.
S Health allows you to combine/ correlate watch and phone steps (eg watch captures you walking round the house while your phone is on a table somewhere).
Watch will monitor HR all day if you want it to and you won't need to record HR on your phone anymore. But yes, results are consistent on my Note9 when I've compared.
Galaxy Watch has a rotating bezel for navigation (which is fantastic and industry leading) and has a speaker for voice feedback, ringtones, notifications, taking a call on the watch, etc. Of course you have the choice of vibrate or silent if you prefer. Galaxy Watch Active doesn't have rotating bezel or a speaker. Battery life on Galaxy Watch is incredible (days worth on 46mm model) and far better than the Active.

 

[Casey Cheung]

Sonnnet, thanks for your helpful reply.

Can you tell me the difference between the Galaxy watch 42mm versus 46mm, other than the size? Do both watch sizes have rotating bezels? Anything more?

Thanks! Casey

 

[sonnnet]

Sonnnet, thanks for your helpful reply.

Can you tell me the difference between the Galaxy watch 42mm versus 46mm, other than the size? Do both watch sizes have rotating bezels? Anything more?

Thanks! Casey

No problem. As you say, obviously the size but more importantly, the battery life. 42mm will just about get one day, possibly a bit more. With 46mm, some report 3 days or more. Of course, it depends how you use it, but 46mm gives you far more scope to use it to it's potential. But yes, both have rotating bezel.
Sounds like you are getting interested!

 

[Casey Cheung]

This is the current watch I'm using now. It's actually quite sophisticated for an analog watch. But nowadays, I'm having a hard time reading the freakin small numbers, haha!

https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/product/JY0010-50E.html

So I'm considering a "smart" watch that I can actually see the numbers up close without reading glasses. I'm only considering a Samsung brand since I have the S9, and previously the Note 2, 3, and 4.

 

[sonnnet]

This is the current watch I'm using now. It's actually quite sophisticated for an analog watch. But nowadays, I'm having a hard time reading the freakin small numbers, haha!

https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/product/JY0010-50E.html

So I'm considering a "smart" watch that I can actually see the numbers up close without reading glasses. I'm only considering a Samsung brand since I have the S9, and previously the Note 2, 3, and 4.

The Eco Drive watches are fantastic. Before the Galaxy Watch, I had pretty much always had mechanical watches, both Quartz and Automatic divers watches. I thought I would miss the magic of the mechanical movement, but in fact, I haven't changed out my Galaxy Watch for one of my older watches one single day since going Smartwatch. There are thousands of watch faces out there so you would easily find something to your requirements. Or if you got nostalgic, you could go for something like this, not a million miles from your Eco Drive (but still with small numbers!) The watch pictured is an older Samsung S3 model. It looks much better on the Galaxy Watch, but hopefully you get the idea.

 

[Casey Cheung]

That's a cool face watch! Very high tech. The only thing that bothers me is that too many numbers are obscured by the "LCD" display. That's the OCD part of my brain coming out, haha.

I also still have the original 15+ year old Tissot Touch watch that has possibly the first touch screen face that predates all other touch screen watches. You tap on different parts of the screen to get different readings for Compass, Temperature, Altimeter, Barometric pressure, etc. The watch was considered very high tech for its day. The newer Touch version has solar cells built into it.

So I'm a sucker for techy wearables for years. It's only a matter of time before deciding on getting a smart watch. My very first foray into health tracking semi smart watches was a Fitbit Heart Rate watch that paired with my old Note 3. But the build quality of that Fitbit from a few years ago was so pathetically cheap that the wrist band was detaching from the face and became inoperable. That was $200 down the drain. Although the Galaxy watch appears to be more sturdy, I still have my reservations about its build quality. But only time will tell. My mechanical Tissot Touch watch from 15+ years ago still works perfectly. I doubt any of these smart watches can last for more than a few years.

 

[Casey Cheung]

BTW, your comment about the 42mm Galaxy watch getting only a day or so of battery life is a bit disconcerting. I'm used to having 6 different Citizen EcoDrive watches that can last more than several months on a fully charged solar charge, LOL.

 

[sonnnet]

That's a cool face watch! Very high tech. The only thing that bothers me is that too many numbers are obscured by the "LCD" display. That's the OCD part of my brain coming out, haha.

I also still have the original 15+ year old Tissot Touch watch that has possibly the first touch screen face that predates all other touch screen watches. You tap on different parts of the screen to get different readings for Compass, Temperature, Altimeter, Barometric pressure, etc. The watch was considered very high tech for its day. The newer Touch version has solar cells built into it.

So I'm a sucker for techy wearables for years. It's only a matter of time before deciding on getting a smart watch. My very first foray into health tracking semi smart watches was a Fitbit Heart Rate watch that paired with my old Note 3. But the build quality of that Fitbit from a few years ago was so pathetically cheap that the wrist band was detaching from the face and became inoperable. That was $200 down the drain. Although the Galaxy watch appears to be more sturdy, I still have my reservations about its build quality. But only time will tell. My mechanical Tissot Touch watch from 15+ years ago still works perfectly. I doubt any of these smart watches can last for more than a few years.

You may well be surprised at the build quality of the Galaxy Watch. It is very robust and the steel case is solid and the bezel very smooth and the buttons precise and responsive. I think it will last as long as the battery will survive however many power cycles and we would be talking years. It's more likely you would want to upgrade after a few years if and when something even more sophisticated comes out, rather than the watch breaking down.
Yeah, I love the Tissots. I know the original Touch range, they were trailblazers. I have a 20+ year old Tissot divers chronograph (non touch) with a 12 hour stopwatch. That's still a rare feature as most chronographs - even high end - have only a 1 hour or even 30 minute stopwatch. It's a great watch, but the features of the Galaxy Watch mean I'd rather wear that.

If you haven't seen already the thread entitled 'lovin the Ringke Bezel styling', take a look. There are some pictures of my watch and others which show how you can customise with straps, bracelets and bezel styling. Most likely you could switch out a bracelet from one of your mechanicals and fit it right onto your Galaxy Watch if you wanted to, just check the lug size.

 

[Casey Cheung]

Sonnnet, nice pic of your pimp-ed out Fortis watch! Very stylish!

 

[Casey Cheung]

This is what I'm wearing today, a very decidedly un-smart watch, haha!

 

[sonnnet]

Sonnnet, nice pic of your pimp-ed out Fortis watch! Very stylish!

Thank you Casey! Check out this one I just found on the Facer app today. It's a real functioning chronometer. (And I love my Chronos!) You tap the dials to start, stop, reset and even display battery percentage.

For anyone who likes it's called TIMONIERE Black Sea by Dario Marnoni

 

[sonnnet]

This is what I'm wearing today, a very decidedly un-smart watch, haha!

Nice classic look. When I want to go lo-fi and have no distractions, this is my face of choice. Looks really nice when you are in formal dress, too. The hands are a gorgeous bright white. The picture doesn't really do it justice.

 

[Casey Cheung]

Very nice and classy!

I'm curious if you experience this same problem. When I'm driving, my watch on my left wrist will reflect the sunlight from the watch onto various parts of the interior of the car. Sometimes it glares right into my eyes and other times all over the windshield. The black simple Citizen watch shown in the picture previously has such high polish on the face and bracelet that it acts like a prism and glares all over the interior while I'm driving. It's so distracting that I simply cannot wear some of my analog watches while driving during the day. Sounds almost retarded, I know, but it bothers me that much.

 

[sonnnet]

Very nice and classy!

I'm curious if you experience this same problem. When I'm driving, my watch on my left wrist will reflect the sunlight from the watch onto various parts of the interior of the car. Sometimes it glares right into my eyes and other times all over the windshield. The black simple Citizen watch shown in the picture previously has such high polish on the face and bracelet that it acts like a prism and glares all over the interior while I'm driving. It's so distracting that I simply cannot wear some of my analog watches while driving during the day. Sounds almost retarded, I know, but it bothers me that much.

I understand what you mean, but no, I've never experienced that. I don't know where you live, but here in the UK, sunny days are few and far between and we never have the brilliance of the sun that hotter climates enjoy. Much as I love my watches, I would happily trade taking my watch off when driving for for some serious sunshine !

 

[Casey Cheung]

That's funny. I'm in California, USA, so I get my share of sunshine. I prefer gray to black matte watches in part to avoid the glare. So If I get the Galaxy watch, it would def be the black version.

 

[MarineDawg]

What is the name of this face?

 

[sonnnet]

What is the name of this face?

GOLFZON Watch Face
They call it dark chronometer which is somewhat of a misnomer, but it is a great, basic minamilist face. Good one for the collection.


http://apps.samsung.com/gear/appDetail.as?appId=LUnGE3Ei0A