Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 in-depth review (video)

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, an affordable smartwatch priced at half the price of the premium Galaxy Watch Ultra, has undergone extensive testing across a variety of sports and fitness disciplines. The detailed review below by DC Rainmaker delves into the watch’s performance, focusing on accuracy, reliability, battery life, and new features to help you make an informed decision.

Battery Performance: Inconsistent but Adequate

Samsung claims that the Galaxy Watch 7 offers up to 30 hours of battery life with the Always-On Display on. However, real-world testing reveals a more generous 36-48 hours of use without LTE connectivity. It’s important to note that GPS doesn’t always turn off after activities, leading to unnecessary battery drain. During an 8.5-hour ride, the watch used 64% of its battery, suggesting an estimated 11 hours of GPS time. Keep in mind that battery life varies based on activity, indicating inconsistent performance.

Daily Activity Tracking: Innovative Features with Mixed Accuracy

The Galaxy Watch 7 introduces new features such as Energy Score tracking and AGS Index. While these features are innovative, their accuracy varies, especially in the case of Energy Score and Sleep Tracking. Despite claims to the contrary, the watch is compatible with phones from manufacturers other than Samsung, making it accessible to a wider audience.

• Tracking your energy score: A new feature that aims to provide insight into your daily energy levels, but accuracy may vary.
• AGS index: An innovative indicator assessing overall physical fitness, the reliability of which requires further verification.
• Sleep monitoring: Although the watch offers a sleep monitoring feature, the accuracy of this feature is uncertain.

Sports Features: Limitations and Workarounds

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 supports up to seven data fields for workouts, giving you plenty of customization options. However, there’s no way to track your route directly on the watch. You’ll need to rely on the Samsung Health app on your smartphone to access this feature. Additionally, the watch doesn’t support direct sensor pairing, meaning you’ll need to connect power meters and heart rate straps using your phone.

Heart Rate Accuracy: Mixed Performance

The watch has a new optical heart rate sensor that works well for running. However, its accuracy during cycling is inconsistent, raising concerns about its reliability across activities. If accurate heart rate monitoring is key to your fitness goals, this inconsistency could be a drawback.

GPS Accuracy: Room for Improvement

Despite its multi-band GPS, the Galaxy Watch 7’s tracking accuracy is below average. It struggles in a variety of environments, including open spaces and forests, likely due to poor antenna design. This limitation could be a significant issue for athletes who rely on accurate GPS data for training and performance analysis.

• Open areas: The watch’s GPS accuracy may be limited even in unobstructed environments.
• Forest areas: GPS signal performance deteriorates in heavily forested areas, making it less reliable for outdoor enthusiasts.

Final Verdict: A Budget-Friendly Option with Some Caveats

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is a good choice for everyday users who value price over precision. With its affordable price, standard Wear OS features, and improved storage, it offers a budget-friendly option with a few new features. However, serious athletes and fitness enthusiasts may find the watch’s accuracy issues with GPS and heart rate monitoring to be a significant drawback. Advantages:

• Affordable price
• Innovative features such as energy score tracking and AGS index
• Increased storage capacity
• Compatibility with non-Samsung phones

Defects:

• Inconsistent GPS accuracy
• Heart rate monitoring performance mixed
• No possibility to track the route directly on the watch
• No support for direct sensor pairing

Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is aimed at users who value affordability and are willing to compromise on accuracy. If you are a casual user looking for an affordable smartwatch with basic fitness tracking features, the Galaxy Watch 7 could be the right choice. However, if you are a serious athlete or need precise GPS and heart rate data, you may want to consider other options on the market.

Source and Image Credit: DC Rainmaker

Filed under: Android News, Gadget News, Top News

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