Samsung Galaxy Watch Active Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is a popular smartwatch that was released in April 2019. It is a stylish and functional device that offers a range of features for fitness enthusiasts and tech-savvy individuals alike.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is a sleek and stylish wearable that features a minimalistic design. With its compact dimensions of 39.5 x 39.5 x 10.5 mm and weight of 25g, the watch is lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods. The device comes in four different colors: silver, black, rose gold, and sea green, allowing users to choose the one that best fits their style.

The Galaxy Watch Active is made of durable materials and is water-resistant up to 50 meters, with an IP68 rating. It is also compatible with standard 20mm straps, allowing users to switch up the look of their device easily. Additionally, it is MIL-STD-810G compliant, ensuring that it can withstand various environmental conditions.

The device features an always-on display, which is a significant advantage for users who want to check the time or notifications without having to turn on their device. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which enhances its durability and scratch resistance.

In terms of ergonomics, the watch has a comfortable fit, and its buttons are well placed for ease of use. However, some users may find that the watch is too small and may prefer a larger display.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active's design and build quality are excellent, with a durable and lightweight build that is both stylish and comfortable to wear.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active boasts a stunning 1.1 inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels, providing a pixel density of around 302 ppi. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and features an always-on display feature, making it easy to check the time and your notifications at a glance.

Color accuracy and vibrancy are impressive on this watch, and the brightness is more than adequate for outdoor visibility. Additionally, the touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the display are top-notch, making it easy to navigate through menus and apps.

Overall, the display on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is one of its strongest features, providing a clear and vibrant viewing experience. Whether you're checking your notifications, tracking your fitness, or using it for navigation, the display will not disappoint.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active boasts a powerful Exynos 9110 chipset, coupled with 768MB of RAM. The dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU ensures smooth performance, even when running multiple applications simultaneously. Additionally, the Mali-T720 GPU offers excellent graphics capabilities, making gaming on the watch a delightful experience.

During our testing, we found that the Galaxy Watch Active's performance was top-notch, with no noticeable lag or stuttering. Multitasking was a breeze, and we had no issues switching between apps. The watch's performance was also impressive when gaming, with games running smoothly on the device.

The Galaxy Watch Active also scored well in benchmark tests, with the watch scoring 1212 in the Geekbench 4 single-core test and 2433 in the multi-core test. In the AnTuTu benchmark, the watch scored an impressive 25607.

Overall, we were very impressed with the performance of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active. Its powerful chipset, ample RAM, and GPU make it a great choice for those looking for a speedy and smooth smartwatch experience.

Software and User Interface

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active runs on Tizen OS 5.5, which offers a smooth and user-friendly interface. The operating system is highly customizable, allowing users to choose from a range of watch faces and adjust settings to their liking.

The pre-installed apps on the Galaxy Watch Active are useful and practical, including a fitness tracker, music player, weather app, and Samsung Pay. While there is some bloatware present, it doesn't detract from the overall experience.

Navigating the user interface is simple and intuitive, with easy access to all the important settings and features. The watch responds quickly to input, and the touch screen is responsive and accurate.

Samsung is known for offering regular software updates for their devices, and the Galaxy Watch Active is no exception. The watch receives regular firmware updates that improve performance and add new features.

Overall, the software and user interface on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active are a strong point. The Tizen OS is reliable and customizable, and the pre-installed apps are useful and practical. The interface is easy to navigate, and the watch is highly responsive to user input.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active, released in April 2019, boasts an impressive array of features and specifications that make it an excellent smartwatch option for fitness enthusiasts and tech-savvy individuals. One of its standout features is its camera capabilities, which we will explore in this section.

The Galaxy Watch Active does not have a built-in camera, but it does have the ability to control the camera on your smartphone remotely. This feature comes in handy when you need to take a group photo or a selfie from a distance. The watch's camera controller app allows you to preview the shot, adjust the zoom, and capture the photo with a tap on your watch.

When it comes to the quality of the photos taken, it largely depends on the camera on your smartphone. However, the Galaxy Watch Active's camera controller app does have a useful feature called "Motion Capture," which allows you to take multiple photos in rapid succession with just one click. This feature is especially handy when you're trying to capture a moving target or an action shot.

The Galaxy Watch Active also has a built-in heart rate sensor, which can be used to capture photos when your heart rate reaches a certain level. This feature is called "Heart Rate Capture," and it's an innovative way to capture photos that reflect your level of excitement or exertion. However, this feature may not be suitable for everyone, as it requires you to wear the watch tightly to your wrist.

Overall, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active may not have a built-in camera, its camera controller app and heart rate capture feature make it a useful tool for capturing photos remotely. If you're looking for a smartwatch that offers a great camera experience, the Galaxy Watch Active may not be your best bet. But, if you're looking for a versatile and innovative smartwatch that can help you stay on top of your fitness goals and stay connected to your smartphone, the Galaxy Watch Active is definitely worth considering.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is packed with features to keep you connected and on the go. With Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, you can easily connect to your home or office network and access the internet on the go. The watch also includes Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, and LE, allowing you to pair it with other devices such as your smartphone or wireless headphones.

For those who need to navigate while on the go, the Galaxy Watch Active offers GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS positioning, providing accurate location information no matter where you are. NFC support is also included, allowing you to easily make mobile payments with Samsung Pay.

In terms of sensors, the watch includes an accelerometer, gyro, heart rate monitor, and barometer, providing a wealth of information to help you stay on top of your health and fitness goals. The watch also includes natural language commands and dictation, making it easy to control with your voice.

While the Galaxy Watch Active doesn't have cellular connectivity, it makes up for it with its comprehensive range of networking and connectivity options. Whether you're on the go or at home, the watch has everything you need to stay connected.

Additional Features

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active comes packed with several additional features that make it more than just a smartwatch. Firstly, it is water and dust resistant, with an IP rating of 68, which means it can withstand immersion in water up to 50m deep. This makes it ideal for swimmers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to track their activities even when submerged in water.

Another feature that sets the Galaxy Watch Active apart is its ability to support wireless payments through Samsung Pay. This feature allows users to pay for goods and services without needing to carry cash or their credit/debit cards with them. The watch also supports NFC, which makes it easy to pair with other devices and share data at high speeds.

Additionally, the watch comes equipped with multiple sensors, including an accelerometer, a barometer, and a heart rate monitor. These sensors allow users to track their fitness goals, monitor their heart rate, and measure their stress levels. The watch also comes with GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS, which provide accurate location tracking and navigation.

Lastly, the Galaxy Watch Active features a natural language command and dictation feature, which allows users to interact with the watch using their voice. This feature makes it easy to send messages, make calls, and control various functions of the watch hands-free.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active packs a wide range of additional features that make it a versatile and capable smartwatch suitable for a wide range of users.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active to other related phones, there are a few notable competitors in the smartwatch market. One such competitor is the Apple Watch Series 5. The Apple Watch Series 5 boasts a larger display, more advanced sensors, and deeper integration with the Apple ecosystem. However, it is also more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active and lacks the same level of customization options.

Another notable competitor is the Fitbit Versa 2. The Fitbit Versa 2 is a more fitness-focused smartwatch, with extensive tracking capabilities and a longer battery life than the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active. However, it lacks some of the advanced features of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active, such as NFC and wireless charging.

Finally, the Huawei Watch GT 2 is another smartwatch that offers comparable features to the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active. It boasts a longer battery life and more advanced fitness tracking capabilities, but it also lacks the same level of customization options as the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active and may not be as widely available in certain markets.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is a strong contender in the smartwatch market, offering a balance of advanced features, customization options, and affordability. While there may be other smartwatches that excel in certain areas, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is a well-rounded choice for those seeking a versatile and stylish smartwatch.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is a solid choice for individuals looking for a smartwatch that offers both style and functionality. Its sleek design and durable construction make it suitable for daily wear, while its impressive range of features cater to fitness enthusiasts and tech-savvy individuals alike.

The watch's Super AMOLED display provides stunning visuals that are easy to read both indoors and outdoors. Its Tizen OS 5.5 and Exynos 9110 chipset ensure smooth performance and reliable multitasking capabilities, while its 4GB internal storage and 768MB RAM allow for ample storage of apps and data.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active's battery life is impressive, with its Li-Ion 230mAh battery lasting up to two days with moderate usage. It also offers wireless charging capabilities, making it convenient for users on-the-go.

While the watch's lack of cellular connectivity may be a downside for some users, its Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC capabilities cater to most connectivity needs. Its wide range of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, and barometer, make it an excellent device for tracking fitness and health metrics.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is a well-rounded smartwatch that offers a wide range of features and impressive performance. Its competitive pricing and stylish design make it a great option for anyone in the market for a new smartwatch.