Samsung Galaxy Served Three Ways: Part II

Welcome back to my deep dive into the middle of the Samsung ecosystem.

This week I'm trying to get the most out of three different Galaxy devices by using them all at the same time.

I've already worked through the pros (many) and cons (hardly any) of the new Z Flip4, the foldable phone guaranteed to turn heads next time you slap it down on that cafe table. But as I'm sure you're aware, Samsung Galaxies aren't just phones, there's a whole universe to immerse yourself in.

Not least of which is the Galaxy Watch5.

I've been reviewing, loving and wearing Samsung watches since... well since there were Samsung watches. So if you've read any of my previous smartwatch reviews you'll know I consider the Samsungs to be sitting at the very top of the pile - especially for Android users and if you already use a Samsung handset then frankly, it's a no-brainer.

Because Samsung has been doing this almost a decade, there's a maturity to the design language - especially when it comes to the software experience - and others are still stumbling to catch up. As a result, improving on the Galaxy Watch4 must have been a challenge.

Watch4 was the first example of Google's much hyped, revamped Wear OS - Samsung built its own One UI Watch over the top and the result was something that looked pretty familiar to Samsung's previous Tizen experience while granting access to the vastly wider range of content offered by a world of more Google-centric app developers.

After using the Watch5 for a couple of weeks, I'd have to suggest the user experience isn't vastly different to that of its predecessor. The most obvious difference between them is also the most obvious physical difference; the rotating bezel controller - the famous rotating bezel controller - is goneburger.

Now before you decide to riot in the streets over this, remember there have been other Galaxy watches without the physical bezel - most recently the Galaxy Watch Active 2. This was actually a very popular device and probably proved to Samsung the bezel controller wasn't actually compulsory. The fact is, they've still retained the rotating bezel gesture as a method of navigating the Watch5 - only now it's virtual. 

Obviously this doesn't work quite so well at the pool or in the shower but it certainly isn't the end of the world. What you get instead of a metal bezel is an edge-to-edge Sapphire crystal display. Samsung claims this is 1.6 times harder than the previous watch face and I certainly haven't managed to ding it yet. Not even slightly.

Less conspicuous is the new sensor tech. The 3-in-1 BioActive sensor is shaped to maximise its surface area, supposedly providing more accurate readings than ever. To be honest, when it comes to health tracking I've never been overly concerned with accuracy (within reason) as I feel consistency is more important. If you're training or trying to improve fitness, seeing your stats improve over time is the key.

Unfortunately, the ECG functionality of the Watch5 is yet to be activated in this region - the Watch4 also had this capability and it also hasn't been switched on yet. What's going on here Samsung? Other smartwatches can do this in New Zealand so why not yours?

There's also a new temperature sensor built into the Watch5 which doesn't work yet either. At least that feature is yet to be activated anywhere in the world. Hopefully we'll have access to it soon. It promises to provide a lot of useful information - especially when it comes monitoring possible illnesses, not to mention more accurate menstrual tracking.

So we can't really make too much noise about the new sensor tech - not yet anyway. But it's worth re-pointing out some of the useful stuff Samsung watches have been doing for a few generations now - Samsung's fitness tracking is comprehensive and accurate. You can access guided workouts via the Samsung Health app and there's even a new feature that lets you export and import saved exercise routes, so you can share your favourites with other Samsung users.

Sleep tracking is a biggie. No other device I've reviewed delves quite as deeply into my sleep habits as Galaxy Watch5 does - not only can it tell the difference between deep, light and REM sleep, it measures blood oxygen continuously and even does snore detection - although it hasn't detected me snoring lately so I'm not sure that gibes with other witness accounts. Certainly the other stats all stack up and somehow I managed an overall sleep score of 78 last night, despite the depressing fact I was only asleep for a total of 4 hours and 47 minutes. If you're bad at sleeping, Samsung Health can literally coach you to a better night's rest - although I have to ignore many of the recommendations because that's just how it is when you work in breakfast radio.

Watch5 has a bigger, faster charging battery than Watch4 - which is also very helpful if you plan on wearing it to bed. I find I can usually charge it back to 100% in the time it takes me to read a couple of chapters of my book. We're still not talking enough battery life for much more than a day or two but it's a significant improvement nonetheless.

Especially given how much you can really do with this device - control your music or podcasts, either stored locally or on your phone. Use the SmartThings app to convert the Watch5 into a remote for your compatible IoT devices - possibly even your TV. My favourite trick? Camera Controller for your phone - particularly in concert with the new foldables. It's all very well being able to shoot selfies using the Z Flip4's primary camera (with it half-folded you don't even need a tripod, it'll just sit on any flat surface). But how do you take the shot if you're too far away to touch the phone? The Camera Controller app lets you snap off pics from a distance - starting and stopping video too. You can even preview the shot right there on your wrist. Come on, that's pretty cool.

So is the Galaxy Watch5 really going to rock your world? If you're already wearing a Watch4, perhaps not. Both versions are available in 40mm and 44mm choices, in similar colours (although the larger version has swapped out the green option for a "sapphire" one) and most of the new software tweaks will appear as an update for last year's model. If a better, faster-charging battery is a must have for you, then by all means upgrade. Yes, there's been a sensor update, including the addition of a temperature sensor but given what we've seen with ECG functionality in in New Zealand, who knows when that'll be activated?

However...

If you're an Android user still wearing an older smartwatch, or perhaps you haven't even experienced the benefits of using a smartwatch at all, you'll struggle to find one with a more comprehensive package of features than the Galaxy Watch5. Remember, Samsung has been doing this for almost a decade.

And that's before you get to the all-new Watch5 Pro... but that's a whole other review.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Samsung Galaxy Watch5.