With top-notch construct high quality, a vibrant show, and responsive (and customizable) controls, the $649.99 Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely makes its case as the most efficient Put on OS smartwatch for out of doors tours. Detailed sleep research, AI-powered well being insights, and multisport monitoring spherical out its spectacular characteristic set, at the side of battery lifestyles that lasts greater than an afternoon. At the drawback, the tool prices greater than two times up to the superb Galaxy Watch 7 and can not deal with water sports activities just like the $799 Apple Watch Extremely 2. The Galaxy Watch Extremely is in the end a profitable acquire when you’ve got excessive workout conduct or are not constantly close to an outlet, however maximum Android customers are with the Watch 7 due to its still-durable design, an identical monitoring skills, and far cheaper price. Design: Huge, However A number of Colour and Band ChoicesThe Galaxy Watch Extremely is available in a unmarried 47mm measurement with LTE connectivity (there is not any Wi-Fi-only type). Colour choices come with Titanium Grey, Titanium Silver, or Titanium White. You’ll be able to pick out between a sturdy silicone band (Marine), a breathable cloth band (Path), and an ordinary rubber band (Peakform) to head at the side of the watch. The Marine possibility is to be had in darkish grey, orange, or white, whilst the opposite two come solely in darkish grey. None of those alternatives provides to the fee, although they’ve other transport dates as of publishing. Samsung despatched me a Titanium Grey watch with an orange Marine band for this overview.
Since 1982, PCMag has examined and rated 1000’s of goods that can assist you make higher purchasing choices. See how we check.
You’ll be able to purchase more than one bands to fit other events; they connect and detach with a one-click gadget. Push a brand new band into position till it clicks or detach it with a button at the backside of the watch. I discovered attaching bands as simple as marketed, although the detach button every now and then were given caught. Remember the fact that older Galaxy Watch bands received’t have compatibility this type. 
(Credit score: Andrew Gebhart)
The Marine and Path bands have breathable gaps at their edges, however those make an already giant watch feel and appear even larger. The Watch Extremely weighs 2.13 oz and measures 0.47 inch thick. Despite the fact that the Apple Watch Extremely 2 has a bigger 49mm show, weighs rather extra at 2.16 oz, and is thicker at 0.57 inch, the Galaxy Watch Extremely takes up more room on my wrist as a result of the sq. face across the round show and the aforementioned band gaps.
Since I’m a large dude, I didn’t thoughts the glance, really feel, and measurement of the Watch Extremely. It’s definitely a big watch, however it’s nonetheless relaxed to put on. In the event you’re searching for one thing smaller, the Galaxy Watch 7 is available in 40mm and 44mm variations. Each Watch 7 fashions are thinner at 0.38 inch and weigh much less (1.0 ounce for the 40mm model, 1.2 oz for the 44mm model). For a in particular petite and trendy possibility, take a look at the Garmin Lily 2.Construct High quality: Particularly Rugged HardwareSamsung expenses the Galaxy Watch Extremely as sturdy sufficient for adventures, so it has a couple of technical benefits over the Galaxy Watch 7. It makes use of a titanium frame as a substitute of an aluminum one, as an example, and will get a 10ATM water-resistance score fairly than a 5ATM one. That ultimate spec method you’ll submerge it at depths of as much as 328 toes in calm recent or salt water, up from 164 toes. Samsung says the Watch Extremely can live on at extra excessive altitudes starting from 1,640 toes underneath sea stage to 29,527 toes above it, too. Each watches are impervious to mud and water publicity, due to their IP68 scores. In addition they meet the MIL-STD-810H certification, which means that they are able to undergo excessive temperature adjustments, blowing sand, and different environmental stressors similar to vibration and surprise. Samsung claims that each fashions can serve as between -4 and 131 levels Fahrenheit. For reference, Samsung’s ultimate endurance-focused smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 5 Professional, had a titanium case and the similar army certification however solely 5ATM of water resistance and no excessive altitude score.The improved sturdiness of the Watch Extremely definitely makes it extra appropriate than choices for the entirety from mountain climbing to mountain climbing to mountain cycling, however its greater water score doesn’t if truth be told upload a lot sensible price: The effective print specifies that the tool is not appropriate for water sports activities like scuba diving or jet snowboarding. To elucidate, the Watch Extremely’s 10ATM score relates extra to the power from water as a substitute of the water itself and the required intensity score applies just for as much as 10 mins. Neither recent nor salt water must be a subject matter at shallow depths for prolonged classes, alternatively, so snorkeling and spelunking are effective. You’ll be able to additionally put on it to swim laps in a pool, in fact, although the Watch 7 works simply as effectively for that.
The Galaxy Watch Extremely (left) and the Apple Watch Extremely 2 (proper) (Credit score: Andrew Gebhart)
For probably the most section, the Watch Extremely assists in keeping up with its transparent inspiration, the Apple Watch Extremely 2. Apple’s journey watch stocks the similar army apparatus certification and altitude vary, however it is a lot more appropriate for water actions due to its awesome WR100 water power score and EN13319 certification (the global usual for diving equipment). You’ll be able to dive and jet ski on your middle’s content material with the Apple Watch Extremely 2, and it even has a diving laptop on your undersea expeditions.Specifications and Options: Some Key Upgrades Over the Watch 7The Galaxy Watch Extremely includes a vibrant 1.5-inch, 480-by-480-pixel Tremendous AMOLED display this is simple to look even in direct daylight due to its 3,000 nits of brightness. It will get simply as vibrant because the Apple Watch Extremely 2 and outshines the Galaxy Watch 7 (2,000 nits). Just like the Watch 7, the Watch Extremely has a 3nm Exynos W1000 processor with 2GB of reminiscence and 32GB of garage. It runs Google’s Put on OS 5 tool with Samsung’s One UI 6 interface. Each are one technology more recent than at the Galaxy Watch 6. Put on OS 5 brings efficiency and potency developments over earlier variations, whilst One UI 6 provides choices for picture modifying, translation, widgets, and extra. Along with LTE connectivity, the Galaxy Watch Extremely has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC for cell bills. Another way, it stocks a couple of different upgrades with the Watch 7 over the corporate’s earlier fashions. For example, it makes use of a dual-frequency GPS to raised observe your location within the presence of tall constructions and timber. It additionally will get FDA approval to come across sleep apnea, in addition to complicated glycation finish merchandise (AGEs) index monitoring to supply a extra detailed image of your metabolism. Due to Galaxy AI, the Watch Extremely encapsulates all of its tracked health and sleep metrics right into a holistic Power Rating on a scale from 0 to 100. Galaxy AI then supplies Wellness Guidelines that supply steering on how one can strengthen your rating and really feel higher. It measures the quantity of sleep you get, at the side of your blood oxygen stage, middle price, breathing price, pores and skin temperature, and sleep levels. For the noisily snoring detection, you wish to have to stay your Samsung telephone within reach. In the event you run a constant direction whilst exercising, the Watch Extremely will also be told your trend to be able to race in opposition to your self.The Watch 6 used to be no slouch at well being or health monitoring, and the Galaxy Watch Extremely carries over its sensors and features. It has a integrated accelerometer, a barometer, a blood oxygen track, a gyroscope, a middle price track, a pedometer, and a temperature sensor. The Watch Extremely can routinely or manually observe a whole lot of other exercises, whilst incorporating customizable goal middle price thresholds for extra steering. Moreover, you’ll take an ECG with the watch and measure frame composition metrics like frame fats share and frame mass index (BMI), very similar to a wise scale.
(Credit score: Andrew Gebhart)
Above and past the Watch 7, the Watch Extremely has a customizable Fast Button and an 85db siren. It comprises 13 LEDs and an stepped forward BioActive Sensor for extra actual middle price readings and higher sleep monitoring. It even has a multisport tile for monitoring triathlons and will calculate your most biking persistent (known as Practical Energy Threshold) in 4 mins when you pair your telephone along with your motorbike’s persistent meter.The Apple Watch Extremely 2 additionally has a customizable button known as an Motion Button and a rather louder 86db siren, however it does not come across noisily snoring, sleep apnea, or AGEs. In the USA, it might’t track blood oxygen saturation. Different Put on OS competition are not reasonably as succesful. The OnePlus Watch 2 does not toughen ECGs, pores and skin temperature readings, fall detection, or duration monitoring. The Google Pixel Watch 2 does not permit for on-demand blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurements. Neither measures your frame composition metrics, detects noisily snoring, senses sleep apnea, or tracks AGEs.Like different Put on OS watches, the Samsung Galaxy Extremely helps solely Android telephones, so that you’re out of success when you’ve got an iPhone. In particular, the Watch Extremely works with Android telephones working Android 11 or later, although one of the extra complicated options, like noisily snoring detection and AI insights, require a Samsung telephone. The OnePlus Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 2 don’t prohibit as many options to first-party telephones. Setup and Controls: The Giant Display screen Makes Issues BetterDuring checking out, I constantly favored each the larger display at the Galaxy Watch Extremely and its customizable Fast Button. I set the Fast Button to open the My Workouts app, however you’ll additionally configure it to show at the watch’s water lock, get started a stopwatch, or flip at the watch’s flashlight. You turn on the watch’s siren by means of retaining this button for 5 seconds. You’ll be able to pick out what you need that button to do right through the setup or later by way of the Galaxy Wearable app. Except for the watch itself, the field features a wristband, a magnetic charging cable with out a brick, and a booklet with phrases and stipulations. 
(Credit score: Andrew Gebhart)
Hang the facility button to show your watch on and get began with the setup. In case you have a Samsung telephone, you must see a pop-up that activates you to pair the watch. Another way, you’ll pair the watch by way of your telephone’s common Bluetooth menu. Both method, you wish to have to check in to Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app along with your Google account subsequent.The Galaxy Wearable app then is helping you connect with your house’s Wi-Fi and configure LTE provider. The setup procedure is fast and most commonly tutorial. You wish to have to conform to numerous phrases and stipulations, in addition to approve a number of permissions. Then you definitely specify which wrist you’ll put on the watch on, your most popular orientation of the buttons, and the Fast Button serve as ahead of the app walks you throughout the controls and more than a few options.Urgent the highest button brings you again on your major watch face from anyplace you might be. Double-tap it to return on your ultimate used app, hang it in brief to get admission to Samsung’s virtual assistant Bixby, and hang it for a complete 5 seconds to name emergency services and products. The ground button takes you again a display.
(Credit score: Andrew Gebhart)
You’ll be able to additionally keep watch over the watch by way of the contact display. Swipe down from the highest to turn a customizable Fast Panel with choices similar to Do Now not Disturb and Power Saver. Swipe up on your apps, to the precise for notifications, and to the left for a customizable association of tiles with choices like Calendar, Health Stats, and Climate. New for this technology, you’ll use gestures like double-tapping your palms, knocking your fist, and rotating your wrist to snap photos or resolution calls. You’ll be able to customise tiles, apps, and watch faces from the tool itself for probably the most section, or another way throughout the Galaxy Wearable app. You additionally want the Samsung Well being app to look additional main points for tracked metrics like middle price, sleep, and steps, and the Samsung Well being Observe app for extra ECG and Sleep Apnea insights. I dislike the desire for 3 other apps to take advantage of the watch, however Apple has a an identical rely. In the meantime, the Pixel Watch 2 bars a few of its complicated metrics at the back of a $9.99-per-month subscription price. 
The Wearable, Well being, and Well being Observe apps (Credit score: Samsung/PCMag)
Outdoor of the Fast Button, the revel in of putting in, controlling, or even customizing the Galaxy Watch Extremely is equal to at the Galaxy Watch 7. Take a look at my overview of the Galaxy Watch 7 for extra main points. Since each watches run Put on OS, the app variety may be the similar. Apple’s watchOS nonetheless provides a greater selection, however you’ll most probably to find no matter standard third-party possibility you need on both.Battery Existence: Progressed, However Now not SpectacularCustomizable Fast Button and a larger display apart, my favourite improve of the Galaxy Watch Extremely over the Watch 7 is the enhanced battery lifestyles: It will probably if truth be told last longer than an afternoon clear of a charger. The Watch Extremely has a 590mAh battery, a large step up from the 425mAh and 300mAh cells for the 44mm and 40mm variations of the Watch 7. In step with Samsung, the Watch Extremely must ultimate 60 hours with none power-saving modes energetic, 100 hours in the usual power-saving mode, and 48 hours within the workout power-saving mode. The watch lasted simply over 46 hours in my battery rundown check, during which I had the always-on show energetic, didn’t use any power-saving modes, and went for a 30-minute run with the GPS on. I extensively utilized the watch’s Sleep Mode (turns off the display and silences notifications) right through the kind of seven-hour stretches of sleep over the 2 nights inside that duration.The Galaxy Watch 5 Professional lasted 57 hours beneath an identical prerequisites, whilst the Apple Watch Extremely 2 lasted 55 hours. Either one of the ones fashions are rather extra appropriate for weekend getaways or tours with out a charger.Battery lifestyles has been a subject matter with Samsung’s smartwatches going again to the Galaxy Watch 6. The Galaxy Watch 7 didn’t repair the problem, clocking in at 22 hours in this check. On the very least, the Galaxy Watch Extremely has a battery that may simply ultimate a complete 24 hours. Given the more than a few power-saving choices, you most likely may just get a weekend out of it if you are cautious. General, it is the first Samsung smartwatch in different years for which battery lifestyles isn’t an energetic detriment. Nonetheless, you must take a look at the OnePlus Watch 2 when you’re searching for a Put on OS watch that if truth be told shines on this division; it lasted 69 hours between fees with the always-on show energetic.The Watch Extremely recharged from 1% to 100% in an inexpensive two hours, which exceeded the 88 mins the Galaxy Watch 7 required to recharge. That is sensible given the bigger battery measurement. I charged it with the integrated cable, however the Watch Extremely does toughen wi-fi charging. Well being and Workout: Holistic, Detailed InsightsThe Galaxy Watch Extremely delivers higher holistic well being tracking than the Watch 7 since you’ll put on it for greater than a complete 24-hour cycle. Right through checking out, each the AI-generated Power Rating and Wellness Guidelines made sense within the context of my lifestyles.
(Credit score: Andrew Gebhart)
The previous encapsulates the quantity and high quality of your sleep along your task from the day before today to evaluate your well-being. In the future, I earned a rating of 63 out of 100; it docked me for purchasing an excessive amount of workout. The Wellness Tip famous that as a result of I used to be energetic for such a lot longer than my reasonable, it would result in overexertion. The day ahead of, I earned a 68. The Wellness Tip that day targeted round my prime middle price after I went to mattress. I had certainly been striking with buddies till past due that evening and didn’t take a lot time to unwind ahead of seeking to sleep.This holistic recommendation is maximum very similar to Garmin’s Frame Battery characteristic on contemporary wearables just like the Vivoactive 5. However while Samsung provides a static quantity for the day in response to the day ahead of, Garmin’s metric extra usefully fluctuates in response to your present state of being and task stage. Nonetheless, Samsung is forward of alternative Put on OS pageant in this entrance. Apple is rolling out a Coaching Load characteristic with its upcoming watchOS 11 tool that still screens your workout pressure over a rolling 14-day duration. The characteristic estimates your exertion stage for more than a few workouts on a scale from 1 to ten. Coaching Load is a bit more explicit to making ready for an tournament, while Garmin and Samsung center of attention on basic wellness.Except for the holistic ratings, the Galaxy Watch Extremely supplies lots of element in regards to the workouts it tracks. The usage of the multisport workout tile is modest and intuitive. You’ll be able to pick out a preset trio if coaching for a triathlon (swimming, cycling, working), a duathlon (working, cycling, working), or an aquathlon (working, swimming, working). You’ll be able to additionally create a customized trio with choices together with cycling, indoor cycling, mountain cycling, open-water swimming, pool swimming, out of doors working, and treadmill working. 
(Credit score: Andrew Gebhart)
You’ll be able to set period, distance, and middle price zone objectives for any of the workouts and permit audio comments in your development towards the ones objectives. To modify from one workout to the following, merely press and hang the Fast Button. The Fast Button additional is useful for monitoring particular person workouts: You’ll be able to faucet it to pause or resume your development. As at the Galaxy Watch 7, you’ll additionally swipe proper for a menu of choices and swipe left for media controls right through exercises. The watch helps a pleasing number of workouts; I used to be happy to seek out elliptical, rowing, and stair gadget choices to compare my gymnasium regimen. The Watch Extremely used to be beautiful dependable at routinely beginning a exercise after I went out for a stroll or run and forgot to manually activate monitoring. It extra steadily tracked a strolling exercise as I led my daily lifestyles than the Apple Watch Extremely 2, although the latter extra readily identified gadget exercises on the gymnasium.To check the Watch Extremely’s accuracy, I went for a 30-minute run whilst dressed in each the Galaxy Watch Extremely and the Apple Watch Extremely 2. The Galaxy Watch Extremely constantly confirmed a an identical middle price because the Apple Watch Extremely 2, staying inside two to a few beats in keeping with minute (BPM). Towards the top of my run, I sprinted for more than a few periods to look how effectively the Galaxy Watch Extremely saved up with drastic adjustments; it fared admirably. The variance between it and the Apple Watch Extremely 2 widened slightly right through the ones periods, however they constantly settled close to the similar quantity, even at prime intensities. 
(Credit score: Samsung/PCMag)
This matched my revel in with the Galaxy Watch 7 and presentations that the BioActive Sensor is healthier this time round. The Galaxy Watch 6 suffered some problems in this entrance. Apparently, while the Galaxy Watched 7 confirmed minor inaccuracies on my direction and distance, the Galaxy Watch Extremely were given each totally right kind. Having a look at my mapped direction within the Samsung Well being app, I may just even see the place I veered round a walker. Except for period, distance, and middle price, the Watch Extremely tracks numerous metrics right through a run. You’ll be able to see your cadence and middle price zones, in addition to test granular shape metrics like asymmetry, touch time, flight time, regularity, stiffness, and vertical. It tracks VO2 Max (maximal oxygen intake) to gauge your basic bodily health, too.To trace restoration, the Galaxy Watch Extremely presentations your middle price for the 2 mins after a exercise and compares it along with your middle price on the finish of the exercise. Frame and Sleep Metrics: Most commonly AccurateMeasuring your frame composition calls for you to put on the watch, put the hoop finger and heart finger of your reverse hand at the two buttons, and hang your fingers up. You additionally wish to input your weight so it might get a correct studying. The numbers from the Galaxy Watch Extremely are very similar to the ones from the Watch 7. My frame fats share skewed prime however my BMI (a measure of your frame weight in terms of your peak) matched the ones of the correct HumeHealth Frame Pod. After all, I examined the Galaxy Watch Extremely’s sleep tracking in opposition to that of the Apple Watch Extremely 2 and a close-by Nest Hub for 3 nights. Regardless of its massive measurement, the Galaxy Watch Extremely didn’t hassle me whilst I used to be asleep. The sleep levels chart confirmed a bizarre hole within the knowledge on two of the checking out nights, very similar to the space I noticed when checking out the Watch 7, however the numbers nonetheless ended up with reference to the readings from the Apple and Nest units. At the first evening, the Samsung watch recorded 5 hours and 59 mins of sleep when put next with 6:08 for the Nest and 5:54 for the Apple Watch. At the subsequent evening, Samsung gave me credit score for six:51, when put next with 7:26 from Nest and seven:07 from the Apple Watch. The Watch Extremely skews low, most likely as a result of the ones gaps in knowledge, however now not reasonably as little as the Watch 7.
(Credit score: Samsung/PCMag)
Another way, the breathing price used to be the similar throughout all 3 units, whilst the Apple and Samsung watches indicated an identical middle price numbers. The sleep levels charts all matched, too. I favored the extra data from Samsung’s holistic sleep rating and sleep rating components like bodily restoration, restfulness, and psychological restoration. Verdict: The Maximum Sturdy, Characteristic-Wealthy Put on OS WatchThe Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely must hang a variety of enchantment when you’re coaching for a triathlon or are lately making plans your subsequent mountain cycling shuttle: It is reasonably sturdy and really in a position to as it should be monitoring a variety of workout metrics. This type additionally has reasonably a couple of benefits over the Galaxy Watch 7, particularly, for much longer battery lifestyles, a brighter display, and a customizable Fast Button. After all, its AI-based well being metrics and complicated sleep monitoring stay it forward of Put on OS competition. All of the ones options come at an overly prime price and lead to a big watch measurement, alternatively, so maximum Android customers must nonetheless purchase the extra reasonably priced and slimmer Watch 7. And if you’re at the Apple facet of items, you’ll relaxation simple understanding that the Watch Extremely 2 nonetheless has the threshold on battery lifestyles and for excessive water sports activities.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely
Execs
Battery lasts greater than an afternoon
Detailed sleep and well being insights
Customizable Fast Button
Responsive contact and gesture controls
Sturdy titanium construct
Giant and vibrant show
View
Extra
The Backside Line
Even though it is dear, the extremely customizable Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely supplies the improved sturdiness, monitoring skills, and AI-based suggestions that severe athletes and adventurers want.
Like What You are Studying?
Join Lab Report back to get the newest opinions and height product recommendation delivered proper on your inbox.
This text might include promoting, offers, or associate hyperlinks. Subscribing to a e-newsletter signifies your consent to our Phrases of Use and Privateness Coverage. Chances are you’ll unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
