“Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Buds 2 at the August 2021 Unpacked event. We’ve got all the details you need to know about with our hands on reviews“
Samsung has been teasing the Galaxy Watch 4 for a while now and the brand’s latest smartwatch has finally arrived. Here’s everything you need to know, including details about the watch’s new Wear OS, release date, pricing and more.
The Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic are two big releases not only for Samsung but for Google and Android smartwatches in general. This is the first smartwatch to come running the new Wear OS and it’s the first watch from Samsung in a number of years to ditch the firm’s homegrown Tizen software.
We’ve got a full first look Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 review if you want to read more about what the new wearable is like to use and how it looks in the flesh, or you can keep on reading here for an in-depth look into pricing, features and colours.
Release date
Samsung will release the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic on August 27. They’ll be available to pre-order from August 11 through Samsung’s own store and others.
Price
Before we get into the where, it’s best to know exactly how much the different variants of the Galaxy Watch 4 cost.
Galaxy Watch 4 Prices:
- 40mm (Bluetooth): £249
- 40mm (4G): £289
- 44mm (Bluetooth): £269
- 44mm (4G): £309
Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Prices:
- 42mm (Bluetooth): £349
- 42mm (4G): £389
- 46mm (Bluetooth): £369
- 46mm (4G): £406
Where can I preorder the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4?
Listings for the Galaxy Watch 4 have already started to appear across most major retailers, giving you more freedom over where to purchase – particularly as some sites are offering additional incentives. Here’s where you can preorder the Galaxy Watch 4 right now:
- Amazon – Google Play voucher included
- Currys PC World – Google Play voucher and enhanced trade-in value
- Samsung – Google Play voucher included
- Argos – Google Play voucher included
Is there a price drop on the Galaxy Watch 3?
As of yet, Samsung hasn’t announced an official price drop for the Galaxy Watch 3 (the wearable still sells at full price on the company’s website), but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a bargain to be had. Other retailers have applied their own discounts to the device, plus there are significant price cuts available for refurbished units of the Galaxy Watch 3.
Features
The two versions of the Watch 4 have the same internals, but different designs. The Watch 4 is smaller and slimmer, with an aluminium body and no physical rotating bezel. The Watch 4 Classic looks a little more like a traditional timepiece, with a moving bezel for navigation and a stainless steel body.
The biggest change from previous Samsung Galaxy Watch models here is the switch away from the Tizen operating system to the new Wear OS software. This completely new version of Wear OS has Samsung’s own One UI skin overlaid so it should still feel familiar to those who are upgrading.
New features include an auto-download service that pulls apps from your phone and integration of both Samsung and Google services. For instance, you can choose Google Pay over Samsung Pay. Google apps like Maps, YouTube Music and so on will be available alongside Samsung stalwarts like Smart Things and Bixby.
There’s app support too, with apps being download from Google Play. These include common services like Strava, Calm, Adidas Running and Spotify. Spotify also works offline, so you can download tracks.
Samsung has implemented a number of new gesture controls for both watches, so you can interact with them with differing hand movements.
Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are compatible with all Android phones (not just Samsung ones) as long as it’s running Android 6 or higher and has more than 1.5GB RAM.
Other specs include an OLED circular display covered with Gorilla Glass DX+, 1.5GB RAM, the new Exynos W920 5nm processor and 16GB internal storage.This means they should be fairly rugged and survive being used in the gym.
Fitness features are always key when it comes to smartwatches and both versions of the Galaxy Watch 4 have plenty of skills in this area. Highlights include a new BioActive feature that combines multiple sensors into one chip. This includes sensors to measure Optical Heart Rate, Electrical Heart and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis.
These sensors can be used separately or combined to give you a ‘body composition’ calculation.
Here are a few other features the Watch 4 has:
- 5ATM rating
- IP68 rating
- GPS
- NFC
- Light sensor
- Barometer
- Qi charging
Colors
Part of what makes smartwatches so varied is the numerous colors options typically available. Samsung hasn’t disappointed in this area with the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic.
You can get the Galaxy Watch 4 in the following colors: black, silver and pink gold for the 40mm size and black, silver and green for the larger 44mm model.
If it’s the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic you’re after then you’ll be able to grab this one in black or silver.
How accurate were the rumours?
We’ve known these watches have been coming for a long time. Google and Samsung teased the existence of a Wear OS-powered Galaxy Watch at Google I/O, with many expecting it to arrive as the flagship wearable for the new software. That has turned out to be the case.
Samsung also previously unveiled the 5nm chipset that powers the watch and there have been numerous leaked renders ahead of the actual unveiling.
There were also numerous leaks of the UI showing off new animations and watch faces. All of which appear in the finished product.
Trusted Take
I have spent a bit of time with both these new watches and my first impressions are good. As a big user of Google services, the lack of things like Google Pay always put me off the older Tizen-powered Samsung watches. They’re both nice looking watches (though I prefer the simpler Watch 4 over the Classic) and they’re full of clever sensors. The price looks to be right, too.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
