Best Samsung Galaxy Watches of 2024

Over the past few years, Samsung wearables have consistently improved, leading the way for Wear OS smartwatches by setting high performance standards and maintaining attractive price points. The initial inclusion of Bixby was a minor misstep for the South Korean electronics giant, but subsequent updates have made their default virtual assistant more agreeable and useful.

If Bixby still doesn’t meet your needs, there’s good news for Android enthusiasts: Samsung’s adoption of Wear OS has integrated Google Assistant into their newer smartwatches. We’ve tested them all and found significant positive changes with this inclusion. This shift also opened the door to a wider range of third-party apps, helping Samsung keep its position among the top smartwatch brands.

Samsung’s unique physical rotating bezel remains unmatched by other smartwatch brands. If you’re considering investing in a Samsung wearable, read on to discover which model is right for you.

1. SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 6

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 boasts a brighter, larger display, enhanced by a thinner bezel that maximizes screen space and reaches an impressive 2,000 nits of brightness. While it doesn’t represent a radical departure from its predecessors, the fitness insights have significantly improved, thanks to One UI 5.

Though it may not seem like a substantial upgrade from last year’s models, the Galaxy Watch 6 incorporates several desirable features that help it stand out. The brighter screen and reduced bezel enhance readability and reduce eye strain, providing ample room for Wear OS apps. Think of this watch as a refined iteration of the Galaxy Watch 5, with improvements in speed, performance, brightness, comfort, and a better one-click strap mechanism that should become standard on all watches.

The enhancements make the Galaxy Watch 6 more suited as a fitness-focused smartwatch. Its snappy Exynos W930 processor and larger OLED screen make the latest metrics easier to see. Additionally, it retains an array of sensors, including the BIA module, barometer, accelerometer, and compass. Samsung is also refining sleep monitoring, tracking blood oxygen levels and snoring habits.

Wear OS 4 seamlessly coordinates these sensors, ensuring smooth app performance and a harmonious integration of Google’s software with Samsung’s features. While users with a Samsung Galaxy phone enjoy extra benefits, any Android phone is compatible with the Watch 6. The 40mm model’s 300mAh battery and the 44mm version’s 425mAh battery provide all-day operation, though battery life hasn’t improved significantly from last year’s models.

Despite the modest battery life, the new health and fitness features make the Galaxy Watch 6 a worthwhile, responsive, and affordable upgrade.

Pros:

• More detailed health insights
• Reduced bezel for increased screen real estate
• Brighter screen

Cons:

• Unimpressive battery life
• Touch bezel can be finicky
• Not a significant update from previous models

2. SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic stands out with its stylish stainless-steel housing and durable hardened alloy, making it both elegant and resilient. The beloved rotating physical bezel returns, offering a tactile experience that ensures precise control of sensitive app settings.

Under the hood, the Classic shares the same electronic components as the regular Galaxy Watch 6, including the Exynos W930 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. This means smooth performance and optimized fitness tracking across both models.

The standout feature is the clicky, physical rotating bezel. After its absence in the Galaxy Watch 5 lineup, Samsung has brought it back, and it’s as satisfying as ever. While the regular Watch 6 uses touch-sensitive digital dials that are quite effective, there’s something uniquely gratifying about the mechanical clicks of the Classic’s bezel, which provides precise adjustments with smooth feedback.

There are also some under-the-hood improvements. The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic features larger batteries than the older Series 5 models, offering up to 40 hours of battery life on one charge, thanks to the same size cells as the regular Watch 6.

However, the bulkier chassis, which accommodates a 1.5-inch super-bright AMOLED screen on the 47mm model, might be too chunky for smaller wrists. The 40mm Galaxy Watch 6 might be a more appealing and cost-effective alternative, given the Classic is available in 43mm and 47mm sizes.

Ultimately, if you prefer a heavier, more robust watch, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic combines toughness with style. While it doesn’t offer a significant performance boost over the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, it remains a truly stylish and functional option with the return of the rotating bezel.

Pros:

• Built to withstand scratches and scrapes
• The physical rotating bezel is back

Cons:

• Quite expensive

3. SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 5

Hopeful fitness enthusiasts in search of a bargain would find the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 a solid choice. Powered by the slightly slower Exynos W920 with a reduced clock speed, it still offers plenty of features at a lower price point.

The Galaxy Watch 5 is an excellent alternative for those who want to save money, as it provides similar battery life and fitness tracking capabilities as the Series 6 family, but at a more affordable price. Despite initial issues (not all of Samsung’s fault), the Watch 5 has evolved into a reliable and cost-effective option.

As a mainstay in the series, the Galaxy Watch 5 includes essential sensors like heart rate monitoring, temperature, and blood oxygen tracking. It also offers thorough sleep coaching, recording every snore and night disturbance in Samsung’s health apps. Samsung continues to support the Watch 5 with software updates, ensuring integration with Samsung and Android devices through Wear OS 4. Note that an ECG or blood pressure monitor requires a Samsung phone, a requirement consistent across all Galaxy Watches with these features.

While the Watch 5 is iterative compared to its predecessor, with Samsung touting battery life improvements that we didn’t observe in testing, it remains reliable. The 40mm version has a 284mAh battery, and the 44mm version has a 410mAh battery, both lasting most of the day. Though not a dramatic improvement, the Galaxy Watch 6 does last slightly longer per charge due to a more efficient processor.

For cost-conscious Android enthusiasts, the Galaxy Watch 5 offers great value, making future upgrades both painless and rewarding.

Pros:

• Affordable alternative to the newer Series 6 models
• Monitors heart rate and blood oxygen
• First Samsung watch to feature a temperature sensor

Cons:

• Smaller screen than the Series 6 models

4. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is designed to compete with dedicated sports watches, and it comes with a price tag that reflects its rugged, adventure-ready build. Featuring a titanium casing and a battery that lasts for days, it’s the perfect outdoor companion.

The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes, as it was partially designed with them in mind. With a battery that lasts up to 80 hours, you won’t need to worry about charging while out in the wilderness. Even if the battery does run low, it won’t happen until well into the third day of a hike. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass and durable titanium case protect the bright AMOLED display from scrapes, bumps, and impact, making it perfect for rock climbing or triathlons. It’s the most durable Samsung smartwatch to date, offering features not yet seen in other models.

One of these features is GPX route tracking, commonly used in sports like mountain biking, though currently only applicable to hiking and cycling on the watch. To use this turn-by-turn navigation feature, you’ll need a smartphone app and a download source, likely requiring a paid subscription. Despite this, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is a match for any sports watch. Its thicker body, rather than the 45mm case size, makes it too big for smaller wrists. Additionally, you might want to swap out the tricky strap mechanism for something easier to manage.

The price is on the higher side, but that’s expected for a premium smartwatch. Overall, it’s a small price to pay for such a robust watch that could be your lifeline in the wild.

Pros:

• Durable titanium chassis
• Enhanced GPS features
• Large battery for extended outdoor adventures

Cons:

• Only one chassis size available
• GPX routing feature isn’t fully realized

5. SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Golf Edition

Golfing is like walking, except there’s no final destination. With the specialized edition of the Watch 5 Pro, you get a virtual caddie instead of a general-purpose virtual assistant. While it may not guarantee an improvement in your golf game, it certainly enhances the experience.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has a golf-centric variant, featuring a forest green home button and a chic two-tone green and white watch face to keep track of your game. With a press of a button, the virtual caddie is ready to calculate pin distance or guide you through fairway hazards. You can input scores, count shots, and record stats, or pause at the tee for tips to improve your drive. Golfers shouldn’t be without this wearable.

The specs of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Golf are identical to the regular Watch 5 Pro. It includes a 45mm AMOLED screen, a 590mAh battery providing up to 80 hours of battery life, an Exynos W920 processor with 1.5GB of RAM, an IP68 water resistance rating, and 16GB of internal storage. Combined with Samsung’s proprietary Wear OS, it offers a seamless golfing experience unmatched by other Samsung watches.

Its stylish design, inspired by golf courses and golfers, conceals its Pro credentials well. Although intended for golfers, it’s as tough as any Watch 5 Pro. Paired with the sporty black and white band, this accessory looks good both on and off the course. And don’t forget to check your heart rate on the bright AMOLED screen, especially when you miss your birdie—you don’t want a blood pressure spike when your game goes awry.

Pros:

• Designed for tech-savvy golfers
• Same titanium build as the Samsung Watch 5 Pro
• Built-in caddie to calculate golfing stats

Cons:

• Extra expense

Which Samsung Galaxy Watch is Best for You?

If your lifestyle includes walking fairways and chipping golf balls onto greens, then the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Golf Edition is your perfect smartwatch. For everyone else, the decision requires a bit more consideration.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Unless you’re set on owning an aesthetically appealing smartwatch with a mechanical bezel, the standard Galaxy Watch 6 is your best bet if you can afford it. It runs even the most intensive apps fluidly and is packed with the latest health-tracking sensors.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: For many, the regular Galaxy Watch 5 will work just as well. It’s a great budget-friendly option, offering most of the same tracking and software features as the Watch 6, but with smaller screens and an older processor. If budget is a primary concern, the Galaxy Watch 5 is an excellent choice.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic: For those without budget constraints, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic offers all the bells and whistles wrapped in stainless steel. It’s perfect for showing off as you delicately click the mechanical dial over its large, bright screen. This is the go-to model for those who want the latest, greatest, and toughest Android smartwatch.

It’s worth noting that the Galaxy Watch models listed here might soon be considered “older” once Samsung releases its newer smartwatches. Rumors suggest a premium Galaxy Watch 7 and an affordable Galaxy Watch FE are coming soon. If you’re looking for the latest and greatest, it may be worth waiting to see what’s next.