Launched in 2021, Galaxy Watch 4 remains one of the most versatile Wear OS smartwatches available today. With its smooth performance, solid feature set — including health sensors, a crisp AMOLED display, and broad app support — the Watch 4 offers strong value for users who want a capable smartwatch without the latest‑model premium price tag.

Galaxy Watches and the Shift to Wear OS

Before the Watch 4, Samsung used its own Tizen-based software for wearables. With the Watch 4 series, the company switched to a unified platform: Wear OS “powered by Samsung,” layered with Samsung’s own One UI. This marked a major change — delivering access to a bigger pool of apps (like Google Maps, Spotify, workout apps) and tighter integration between Samsung’s ecosystem and Android at large.

This move aimed to combine Samsung’s hardware strength (sensors, build quality) with Google’s wearables infrastructure, giving users a more open and flexible smartwatch system.

What Galaxy Watch 4 Offers — Specs & Features

Hardware & Performance

Galaxy Watch 4 runs on Samsung’s Exynos W920 chipset (5 nm), paired with 1.5 GB RAM and 16 GB storage. That configuration keeps the watch snappy, responsive, and smooth even with multiple apps or fitness tracking running.
It comes in two size options: a smaller model (about 40 mm) and a larger one (about 44 mm). The larger watch has a slightly bigger battery and display — useful for users who want longer use per charge or bigger screen real estate for apps and notifications.

Display & Build Quality

The screen is Super AMOLED, known for bright, sharp visuals and good contrast. Whether you're checking notifications in bright daylight or reviewing health stats at night, the display remains clear and vibrant.
Build quality is solid. Samsung equipped the watch with durable glass and water‑resistance standards, making it suitable for everyday wear — including workouts, outdoor use, and even wet conditions.

Health, Fitness & Smart Features

One of the major strengths of the Watch 4 is its health‑tracking capability. On board are sensors that can track heart rate, SpO₂, sleep, and even more advanced metrics like body‑composition (fat percentage, water content, muscle mass) through Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). Fitness tracking — GPS, workouts, and activity logging — is also robust, making it a useful companion for both casual users and fitness enthusiasts.

Beyond health, Watch 4 supports many smartwatch staples: music control, notifications, call & message alerts (when paired with a phone), contactless payments (via NFC), and access to thousands of apps through Google Play — so it doubles as a mini smart device on your wrist.

Where the Watch 4 Falls Short — Compatibility & Trade‑offs

Despite its many strengths, there are a few things to consider:

Some of the more advanced health features (like ECG, blood pressure monitoring, certain body‑composition tools) tend to work best — or only — when paired with a Samsung phone due to software restrictions. For users with other Android phones, a few core functions may remain inaccessible, or require workarounds to function.
Battery life is decent but not exceptional — depending on usage (always-on display, frequent workouts, GPS tracking) you may need to recharge every 1–2 days. For heavy users, that’s a trade-off compared to simpler fitness bands, but typical for full-feature smartwatches.
As newer models come out, software updates and support may gradually slow for older devices — something to watch if you plan to keep the watch for many years.

User Insights:

From community feedback across various forums: many Watch 4 owners still use their devices daily, praising the balance of features, performance, and value. Some wrote:

“The watch lasts around 2 to 3 days on a full charge … the design is premium, the rotating bezel is great, and it still holds up well for daily use.”

Others noted lag in some situations — especially when using GPS or heavy health‑tracking — but considered it acceptable for everyday use. Another common point: compatibility limitations when the watch is paired with non‑Samsung phones, where features like ECG/BP sensors might be disabled by default.

For many users, though, the compromise is worth it: they get a well-rounded smartwatch without needing the newest hardware or spending premium‑flagship money.

Expert Perspective

“Galaxy Watch 4 remains a rare smartwatch that balances hardware quality, feature breadth, and platform flexibility,” says a wearable‑tech analyst. “It’s not the most cutting-edge model anymore, but for users prioritizing fitness tracking, app support, and reliable smartwatch basics — it continues to make sense, especially if priced attractively.”

What’s more, its use of Wear OS underlines a broader trend: smartwatches pixel-by-pixel evolving into ecosystem devices, bridging phones and health/fitness, without locking users into a proprietary platform.

Should You Buy Galaxy Watch 4 in 2025 — And Who Should

The Watch 4 is a strong option if:

You want a feature-rich smartwatch without paying flagship prices.
You need versatile health tracking, fitness features, and app support in one device.
You are okay with pairing to a Samsung phone for maximum compatibility — or willing to accept some limitations with other phones.
You value a proven device with mature software rather than always buying the newest model.

If your priority is longest battery life, maximum sensor accuracy, or absolute future-proofing — you might still check newer models. But for balanced value and versatility, Galaxy Watch 4 remains a solid pick.