The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is not the flashiest smartwatch. It’s near-identical to the Watch 6 and never as placing as the brand new Galaxy Watch Ultra. But you definitely should not overlook what’s going to seemingly be the perfect Android watch of 2024 for most individuals.
Samsung gave the Galaxy Watch 7 a brand new 3-nanometer Exynos CPU, double the Watch 6’s storage, a revamped well being sensor with triple the LEDs for significantly better accuracy, and an overdue dual-band Location Services improve. It additionally will get new software program like an Energy Score and higher gesture controls by way of Wear OS 5.
On the opposite hand, the show, reminiscence, battery life, and charging are largely unchanged, and you will not discover any Watch 7 “Classic” with a rotating bezel. By and enormous, Galaxy Watch 6 homeowners pleased with their present watch haven’t got a cause to improve.
Our extremely constructive Galaxy Watch 7 evaluation runs by our expertise with the smartwatch, principally dwelling as much as our expectations however with just a few minor drawbacks. Or you possibly can take a look at our Galaxy Watch Ultra evaluation in case the premium mannequin appeals to you.
Below, we’ll focus extra on pricing, fashions, specs, new options, and the way the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 particularly compares to the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch Ultra!
Note: for those who’re interested by shopping for the Galaxy Watch 7, it is price noting that Amazon’s subsequent Prime Day sale occasion (referred to as Prime Big Deal Days) is scheduled for October eighth and ninth. We haven’t got the official reductions simply but, but when early Samsung Galaxy offers are any indication, it should be a terrific alternative to purchase some Android tech earlier than the vacation insanity begins.Â
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: Price, availability, and fashions
After the Galaxy Watch 5 and 6 each bought minor worth bumps, the Galaxy Watch 7 stays on the similar worth level as final yr: $299 / £289 / €319 / CA$409 / A$599 / ₹29,999 for the 40mm Watch 7 and $329 / £319 / €349 / CA$449 / A$599 / ₹32,999 for the 44mm Watch 7. Samsung permits you to improve to an LTE model for $50 additional.
Both Galaxy Watch 7 sizes ship in Green. The 40mm Watch 7 additionally has a Cream possibility, whereas the 44mm Watch 7 has a Silver possibility. You can select a Sport, Fabric, or Athleisure watch band as your default possibility. Samsung had a trade-in possibility at launch that included a second band at no cost, however that deal will expire quickly.
The Galaxy Watch 7 was introduced on July 10 and shipped to prospects on July 24; you possibly can order it from Samsung.com, Amazon, Best Buy, and choose U.S. carriers. The Galaxy Ring ($399) and Galaxy Watch Ultra ($649) shipped out on the identical date.Â
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: Specs
| Category | Galaxy Watch 7 40mm | Galaxy Watch 7 44mm |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.3-inch Super AMOLED, 432 x 432 decision, sapphire crystal | 1.5-inch Super AMOLED, 480 x 480 decision, sapphire crystal |
| Processor | Exynos W1000 | Exynos W1000 |
| RAM | 2GB | 2GB |
| Storage | 32GB | 32GB |
| Size | 40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7 mm* | 44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm* |
| Weight | 28.8g | 33.8g |
| Colors | Green, Cream | Green, Silver |
| Battery | 300mAh | 425mAh |
| Charging | Fast charging (WPC-based wi-fi) | Fast charging (WPC-based wi-fi) |
| Software | One UI Watch 6 (Wear OS 5) | One UI Watch 6 (Wear OS 5) |
| Communications | NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, New Radio, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz | NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, New Radio, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz |
| Sensors | Samsung Bioanimated Sensor (Optical Bio-signal sensor+ Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor | Samsung Bioanimated Sensor (Optical Bio-signal sensor+ Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor |
| Water and dirt resistance | 5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810H | 5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810H |
| Price | $299 | $329 |
The Exynos W1000 is Samsung’s first 3-nanometer CPU utilized in a smartwatch, constructed with 5 cores as a substitute of the standard dual-core design: one Arm Cortex-A78 and 4 Cortex-A55 clocked at 1.6GHz. Samsung guarantees it masses apps 2.7x sooner than the Exynos W930 within the Galaxy Watch 6, whereas outperforming it in single-core and multicore benchmarks by “3.4x and three.7x, respectively.”
Samsung instructed us that a lot of that additional processing energy goes into the revamped well being sensor array. Although the Galaxy Watch 7 tracks the very same knowledge because the Galaxy Watch 5 or Watch 6, the underside sensor has 13 LEDs for coronary heart price and blood oxygen readings as a substitute of 4 LEDs. Samsung says this new “multi-optical path” offers the Watch 7 94% accuracy throughout high-intensity exercises, in comparison with 88% on the final technology.Â
Our Galaxy Watch Ultra health take a look at confirmed real-world enhancements in coronary heart price accuracy throughout exercises, and the Galaxy Watch 7 has the identical sensor array, so it ought to carry over to the cheaper watch.
Another thrilling improve is dual-band Location Services, which triangulates your place from a number of satellite tv for pc angles to keep away from obstacles like buildings, foliage, or mountains. It’s important for correct outside exercise outcomes, and it is uncommon to search out in reasonably priced smartwatches. Thankfully, this new Location Services system did excellently in our health take a look at, dwelling as much as Samsung’s guarantees.
Samsung additionally gave the Galaxy Watch 7 32GB of storage. That would possibly sound like overkill, however we seen that the Galaxy Watch 6’s 16GB of storage was nearer to 6GB because of the default OS. With additional storage, you may have loads of house for big music playlists or podcasts, for those who like to go away your telephone at dwelling throughout walks or exercises. It additionally leaves room for all the perfect Wear OS apps you possibly can need.Â
Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Watch 6
Before we spotlight the Galaxy Watch 7 vs. 6 variations, let’s look briefly at what’s the identical:
- Both ship with 1.3- and 1.5-inch shows and the identical resolutions
- Memory (2GB)
- Battery capability (300/425mAh)
- Health sensors (HR, SpO2, ECG, pores and skin temp, BIA)
- Connectivity (Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, WiFi, optionally available LTE)
- Protection (Sapphire Glass, IP68, MIL-STD-810H)
As for the largest modifications, we have already famous how the brand new Exynos W1000 beats the Exynos W930. However, our Galaxy Watch 7 reviewer famous that, whereas “that is the zippiest smartwatch I’ve ever used,” she’s “not seeing” the two.7x increase over the Galaxy Watch 6 that Samsung guarantees. “In the day-to-day, it is sooner, however not noticeably.” That could influence your choice on whether or not to improve.
In phrases of battery life variations, we discovered that the Galaxy Watch 7 lasted two days per cost with out AOD or Location Services use, or about 33–36 hours with one Location Services exercise. Compared to the 40-hour Galaxy Watch 6, the Watch 7 could also be barely extra environment friendly.
As we stated above, the Galaxy Watch 7 will ship extra correct coronary heart price and Location Services outcomes. Our Galaxy Watch 6 health take a look at dissatisfied us, so we welcomed these upgrades, however for those who’re not a lot of an athlete or simply do not want precise outcomes, then you do not essentially want the Galaxy Watch 7.
The Galaxy Watch 7 launches with Wear OS 5 and the One UI 6 pores and skin, whereas the Galaxy Watch 6 ought to replace to this new OS inside just a few weeks of the launch (primarily based on previous historical past). The principal software program distinction is that the Watch 7 will get software program updates by summer time 2028, whereas the Watch 6 loses them in 2027.
The Watch 6 and seven have almost similar weights—the Watch 7 40mm and 44mm weigh 0.1g and 0.5g much less, respectively—however Samsung notes that the newer watch is 0.7mm thicker, and its measurement does not embody the sensor array. The additional LEDs make the Watch 7 sensor bump extra dome-like, so it “sits barely larger in your wrist” than the Watch 6, in keeping with our reviewer.
Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Watch Ultra
Despite the $350 worth hole between the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra, the 2 watches aren’t all that completely different, apart from the apparent design variations. You can learn our devoted Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Ultra information, however we’ll break down the principle variations beneath.
| Category | Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra |
|---|---|
| Display | 1.5-inch Super AMOLED, 480×480, 3,000 nits |
| Colors | Titanium Sliver, Titanium Gray, Titanium White |
| Processor | Exynos W1000 (1.6GHz) |
| RAM & storage | 2GB + 32GB |
| Battery | 590mAh |
| Software | One UI 6 Watch (Wear OS 5) |
| Sensors | Samsung Bioanimated Sensor (Optical Heart Rate + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor |
| Dimensions | 47.1 x 47.4 x 12.1mm* |
| Weight | 60.5g |
| Connectivity | LTE, Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi 2.4/5GHz, NFC, Location Services (L1+L5), Glonass, Beidou, Galileo |
| Durability | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H, Sapphire Glass |
| Price | $649 |
The Watch 7 Ultra makes use of titanium grade 4 as a substitute of aluminum, with a 47mm case that weighs 60.5g with out the strap (26.7g greater than the bigger Watch 7). It feels considerably heavier and measures 2.4mm thicker; when you can put on the Galaxy Watch 7 for sleep monitoring comparatively comfortably, that will not apply to the Watch Ultra.
Both the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Watch 7 44mm have 1.5-inch, 480×480 AMOLED shows, so there isn’t any visible improve apart from a brightness increase from 2,000 to three,000 nits on the flagship watch.
Like the Watch 7, the Watch Ultra has a digital bezel alongside the show edge. Unfortunately, whereas the Ultra’s aspect button is a crown, it is inactive so you possibly can’t scroll by menus. On the opposite hand, the Quick Button permits you to pause and restart exercises rapidly as a substitute of getting to swipe by menus with sweaty fingertips.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra has the identical 590mAh battery because the Watch 5 Pro, or 165mAh additional capability in comparison with the Watch 7 44mm. On paper, Samsung says the Ultra lasts 60 hours with AOD, however our reviewer discovered it lasts nearer to 48 hours with it. Still, that matches what the Watch 7 hits with out AOD; for essentially the most battery life potential, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is the clear alternative.
Like the Watch 7, it has 2GB/32GB reminiscence and an Exynos W1000 CPU, plus the identical sensors. The upgraded LEDs and dual-band Location Services are the identical, too. The Galaxy Watch Ultra has LTE capabilities inbuilt, when you should pay additional for it on the Watch 7.
Mainly, you are paying for some critical ruggedness. The Galaxy Watch Ultra passes the ISO22810 diving normal for 10 minutes in water at 100-meter depth. It has an 85-decibel siren and Samsung’s promise that it will possibly survive elevations as much as 29,527 ft or temperatures between -4°F and 131°F (-20ºC to 55ºC).
Should you purchase the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7?
The principal causes to purchase the Galaxy Watch 7 you probably have a Watch 6 are the sooner processor, extra correct well being knowledge, pinpointed Location Services, and further storage. They’re important upgrades, however perhaps not sufficient until you discover a good trade-in deal. If you are switching from the Watch 5, you possibly can test our Watch 6 vs. Watch 5 information to test the opposite upgrades you may obtain.
If you do not like sure elements of the Watch 6 just like the design or digital bezel, that hasn’t modified with the Watch 7. Unless you wish to maintain out for the Galaxy Watch 8 (which is rumored to change to a squircle) or pay double the value for the Watch Ultra, your solely different possibility is to look into the opposite finest Android smartwatches available on the market.
