Samsung has been a leader in building robust Android-based health metrics, with an easy way to digest that information thanks to its in-house Samsung Health app. At Samsung Unpacked this past summer, the company unveiled two new smartwatches with some fascinating attributes. One of them, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, is my pick for the best Samsung watch you can get, with sleep apnea detection and more heart sensors for enhanced health tracking.
The best Samsung Galaxy watches fit a variety of needs, from everyday wear to an outdoor watch.
Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
If you’re an outdoor adventurer, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra also has a few other features, including a bigger battery. For the everyday wearer, the Watch 7 is the way to go. But Samsung has a few other options to choose from. Here are the best Samsung watches you can get right now.
Battery: 300/425 mAh | Waterproof rating: 5ATM + IP68/MIL-STD-810H | Case size: 40mm or 44mm | Screen size: 1.3-inch/1.5-inch
Pros:
Smart classic look
Four years of software support
Excellent health metrics
Cons:
Some health metrics could be presented more cleanly
Iterative design
The best Samsung Smartwatch you can buy today combines function and value into a single package. That combination exists in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. This is the watch the most people should wear if they want to take advantage of Samsung’s advanced health metrics, data and overall knowledge. Samsung has been putting a ton of health-focused functionality into its watches for years—ECG, BMI, sleep and more.
For the Watch 7, Samsung tripled the number of heart rate sensors, which allows the watch to be more accurate and to add in a couple of new health functions in this year’s model. The first, the AGEs index, stands for Advanced Glycation End products. There are compounds that your body produces naturally and are affected by what you eat, how you sleep and how active you are, and it can measure how your body is affected by these components. While this function is still considered a Samsung Labs feature, the second new feature, sleep apnea detection, has been approved by the FDA. Both of these new abilities are meant to give you an idea of our overall health, but of course, you’ll want to consult a doctor if any issues arise.
The watch comes in two sizes—40mm and 44mm, so it can accommodate most wrist sizes. The battery life is rated for around 30 hours or so, depending on the case size you get. I got closer to 48 hours when I tested the watch, so Samsung’s estimate is definitely on the conservative side.
Best Premium Samsung Watch
Built For The Great Outdoors
Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Battery: 590 mAh | Waterproof rating: 10TM41 + IP68 (ocean swimming) | Case size: 47mm | Screen size: 1.8-inch
Pros:
Extremely Durable
Long battery life
Extra functionality
Cons:
Expensive
Chonky
The other smartwatch that launched at July 2024’s Samsung Unpacked was the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. This smartwatch is the top-tier smartwatch you can get from Samsung and possibly all of WearOS, but it comes with a price tag that stings. The main upgrades for this watch include a bigger battery (good for over two days of battery life), a bulkier (and tougher) design and a bit more functionality.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra has a subjective squared circle design, which may take some getting used to. The watch also sports a middle button. It doesn’t spin, but adds quick access functionality that you can configure. Mine is currently set to flashlight, but you can also choose a workout routine, or a limited few other functions such as a stopwatch or turning on water lock.
But it’s that battery life and durability which are the main story here. The battery is larger than both of the Watch 7 cases, and initial testing has the battery life clocking in at over two days. Plus, the watch is made with titanium for an even more durable and more resistant rating than its siblings. The water resistance rating specifically is rated to 10ATM and Samsung says can stand up to ocean swimming.
Battery: 247 mAh | Waterproof rating: IP68/MIL-STD-810H | Case size: 40mm | Screen size: 1.2-inch
Pros:
Not a lot of compromise for the price
Inexpensive
Cons:
Small, with a smaller battery
Some missing features
About a month before Samsung Unpacked, the company launched a new budget smartwatch, the Samsung Watch FE. But just because it’s inexpensive doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering, as it’s still packed with features. The key differences between the Watch FE and its larger siblings is in the case and screen size, battery size and some functionality.
The Watch FE only comes in one 40mm size with a 247mAh battery, making it the smallest battery in a watch that Samsung sells. The case is made from aluminum, just like the Watch 7, and it carries the same water and dust resistance ratings, which is pretty great.
What you are missing out on are the Energy Score, Galaxy AI and sleep apnea detection, but that’s really about it. The Watch FE also has fewer heart rate sensors, so readings may not be as accurate. Battery life also won’t be as long since the watch is physically smaller. But, if you’re just dipping your toe into Samsung smartwatches, and don’t want to spend a lot, this is a great option.
Best Samsung Galaxy Watch With A Rotating Bezel
Best Buy
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
Battery: 300/425 mAh | Waterproof rating: 5ATM + IP68/MIL-STD-810H | Case size: 43mm or 47mm | Screen Size: 1.3-inch/1.4-inch
Pros:
Rotating bezel
Most of the same functionality as the Watch 7
Cons:
Bulky
Expensive
Samsung sells every watch it has made going back to the Galaxy Watch 4, but as watches get older, they become harder to recommend. However, if you want a rotating bezel, Samsung still sells that in the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. Both the Watch Ultra and Watch 7 have a digital bezel that you can run your finger around to move options up and down, adjust brightness and the like. But if you’re a sucker for that rotating bezel, the Watch 6 Classic is for you.
Some see the rotating bezel as a superior way to navigate your watch’s UI. Turning the bezel one way or the other allows you more accuracy than tapping on the watch’s screen, so it’s easy to see why it’s popular. The Watch 6 Classic comes with a high price tag—it’s around the same price as the new Watch 7—so it doesn’t come cheap. The watch case is larger than the Watch 7, though the screen is about the same size.
Like the Watch Ultra, the Class is bulkier than its non-classic sibling, so those with smaller wrists may want to think twice. Plus, there’s also the consideration that this is last year’s smartwatch, so you’ll be one year down on the four years of updates that Samsung promises. But the rotating bezel is a desirable feature for some, and if that’s you, then this watch is for you.
What the reviews say: Contributor Janhoi McGregor reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. In his review, he liked the new sensors, saying, “Samsung also changed the PPG sensor to an invisible infrared sensor that activates when sleep mode is turned on. In other words, you won’t have to worry about waking up to the green LED sensor in the middle of the when wearing during your sleeping hours.”
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’re proud of our extensive library of tech guides and recommendations. In particular, we have an ever-growing section of content specifically about computer and tablets.
This guide was written by Adam Doud, who has over a decade of experience writing about consumer technology with a particular focus on mobile phones and wearables. He’s tested most smartwatches on the market over the past several years, including the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.
All picks in this guide were approved by Rebecca Isaacs, Forbes Vetted’s tech editor, a consumer technology expert who has years of experience writing about and covering all the latest gadgets.
All of the picks in this roundup were personally tested by Doud. In addition to his rigorous testing, we leaned on the expertise of colleagues and sorted through online reviews.
The tech world moves fast. This story was last updated to include the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra to this list.
How I Chose The Best Samsung Watches
To make my recommendations, I put the latest Samsung devices to the test, taking into account my decade of firsthand experience testing and reviewing wearables, including smartwatches, hybrid smartwatches and fitness trackers.
I prioritized models that present sizing and accessorizing flexibility with different band sizes, as well as design, as some models offer multiple sizes to fit a variety of needs.
I considered the different features that Samsung smartwatches have, from rotating bezels to sleep apnea detection. I also took into consideration durability and battery life of each smartwatch.
Finally, the contenders that made this list present the connectivity, wellness and fitness features most users turn to daily on their Samsung phones to keep up with work, texts or workouts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do Samsung Watches Take Standard Watch Bands?
All the watches take standard size watch bands except the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, which uses a proprietary watch band attachment. As of this writing, the Watch Ultra’s unique band attachment makes finding third-party watch bands very difficult. The rest of Samsung’s lineup takes varying sized bands, depending on the case you get—check your instruction manual for the size.
How Long Will My Samsung Galaxy Watch Last?
Samsung has promised four years of software and security updates for all the watches in this list. Older watches may expire sooner than that, though, so you’ll want to double-check if you plan to buy a different model.
Can Samsung Health Metrics Diagnose Illness?
No. Like any other smartwatch, the health metrics collected should be taken as a guideline, not a rule. Health metrics can vary and these watches should not be considered medical devices. But they can detect trends that you might otherwise not know about which can (and should) alert you. From there, you can make the decision whether or not to consult your physician.
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