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Technerd108

macrumors 68040
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Oct 24, 2021
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I just thought I would post a thread here for those that have current or at least within the last year or two Android watches of any brand. New and upcoming releases are also on the table. Comparison to Apple watch is fine.

Let's keep this to wearOS Android watches only. No fitness watches.

What is your model, year released, brand, thoughts and experiences. Would you recommend an Android watch to a friend? Anything else related to topic at hand.
 
For those who wanted some arm hair, I hope you're ready. I'm almost positive I'm sticking with the Watch 6 Classic. The Watch Ultra what's delivered late last night so I'm just setting it up this morning, but I don't really think I like the looks of it. The trail band is really nice. But I just don't know if this is really a watch I want to wear everyday. I thought I would like the white and silver more, but it's almost too much white and not enough silver. And I love the look of the stainless steel on the Classic.
 

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For those who wanted some arm hair, I hope you're ready. I'm almost positive I'm sticking with the Watch 6 Classic. The Watch Ultra what's delivered late last night so I'm just setting it up this morning, but I don't really think I like the looks of it. The trail band is really nice. But I just don't know if this is really a watch I want to wear everyday. I thought I would like the white and silver more, but it's almost too much white and not enough silver. And I love the look of the stainless steel on the Classic.
Yeah literally the only thing I wish I could have is the Ultra Analog face on my 6 Classic. This face is awesome. I just can't stand the look of the watch.
 
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I like the Ultra and the Classic its the AW I can't stand the look of and I normally like the classic tank style cases
Yeah I already put the Ultra back in the box and it's being returned today. Took about 5 minutes for me to make that easy decision. Lol. It's actually not the square design that I don't like, it's the fact that it's too white. I wish they would have made one that's all silver, and then I would have definitely kept it.
 
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Yeah I already put the Ultra back in the box and it's being returned today. Took about 5 minutes for me to make that easy decision. Lol. It's actually not the square design that I don't like, it's the fact that it's too white. I wish they would have made one that's all silver, and then I would have definitely kept it.
I opted for the all black

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For those who wanted some arm hair, I hope you're ready. I'm almost positive I'm sticking with the Watch 6 Classic. The Watch Ultra what's delivered late last night so I'm just setting it up this morning, but I don't really think I like the looks of it. The trail band is really nice. But I just don't know if this is really a watch I want to wear everyday. I thought I would like the white and silver more, but it's almost too much white and not enough silver. And I love the look of the stainless steel on the Classic.
The classic definitely looks and suits you better
 
My dream scenario is that the next Classic that comes out later this year(?) still has the rotating bezel, that awesome stainless steel finish, and a battery the size of the Ultra.

I will say that the battery on the Classic is pretty good though. I end every date at around 60%, and I could probably even sleep with it on, but I have to research sleep mode a bit more on it because I don't to accidently wake the watch and call someone at 2am.

Edit: Ope. Sleep mode is actually really nice because it still shows the time but very dim and the rotating bezel doesn't wake it up. Sleep tracking, here we go!
 
I test drove the Galaxy Watch Ultra (GWU) for 2 weeks and ultimately returned it, my issues primarily surround the Wear OS ecosystem in comparison to Watch OS. I did like the hardware though (with one notable exception) and if I had to pick a Wear OS watch, it would be the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

The hardware is very nice (I chose the silver/white version with the white band) though it is a chunkier boy than the Apple Watch Ultra (AWU). The circle face on a squircle body looks better in person than in many photos. It’s nice to have greater flexibility and choice with watch faces.

My biggest issues:
  • No rotating crown or rotating hardware bezel. The rotating bezel is a hallmark feature of other Samsung Watches and not utilizing it on the GWU is a huge miss. It makes navigation of the OS so much better.
  • Limited configuration of the hardware buttons, especially the Action button.
  • Inability to change the way the apps are displayed on the apps screen. I’m not familiar with many of the apps just based on their icon and would prefer the option to have an alphabetical list/app drawer.
  • While the face watch customization is nice, choice of available complications is pretty poor to say the least.
  • Battery life just didn’t match the Apple Watch Ultra. I was the monster that wore both watches for the better park of two weeks and mirrored tasks, functionality to see how they compared and the GWU had less comparative battery every single day. And my AWU has a cellular connection using more power when not connected to my phone. The difference was usually not huge but was noticeable and on a few occasions, pretty dramatically different.
  • Finally, the biggest problem—app ecosystem just doesn’t compare. So many apps that are available on Watch OS, including very popular, well known apps either have much more limited functionality or just don’t exist. This can be either an Android or Wear OS issue.
Greater developer support of Wear OS would go a long ways towards remedying my issues. Improve that and add a rotating hardware element and I’d be sold on it.
 
I test drove the Galaxy Watch Ultra (GWU) for 2 weeks and ultimately returned it, my issues primarily surround the Wear OS ecosystem in comparison to Watch OS. I did like the hardware though (with one notable exception) and if I had to pick a Wear OS watch, it would be the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

The hardware is very nice (I chose the silver/white version with the white band) though it is a chunkier boy than the Apple Watch Ultra (AWU). The circle face on a squircle body looks better in person than in many photos. It’s nice to have greater flexibility and choice with watch faces.

My biggest issues:
  • No rotating crown or rotating hardware bezel. The rotating bezel is a hallmark feature of other Samsung Watches and not utilizing it on the GWU is a huge miss. It makes navigation of the OS so much better.
  • Limited configuration of the hardware buttons, especially the Action button.
  • Inability to change the way the apps are displayed on the apps screen. I’m not familiar with many of the apps just based on their icon and would prefer the option to have an alphabetical list/app drawer.
  • While the face watch customization is nice, choice of available complications is pretty poor to say the least.
  • Battery life just didn’t match the Apple Watch Ultra. I was the monster that wore both watches for the better park of two weeks and mirrored tasks, functionality to see how they compared and the GWU had less comparative battery every single day. And my AWU has a cellular connection using more power when not connected to my phone. The difference was usually not huge but was noticeable and on a few occasions, pretty dramatically different.
  • Finally, the biggest problem—app ecosystem just doesn’t compare. So many apps that are available on Watch OS, including very popular, well known apps either have much more limited functionality or just don’t exist. This can be either an Android or Wear OS issue.
Greater developer support of Wear OS would go a long ways towards remedying my issues. Improve that and add a rotating hardware element and I’d be sold on it.
All good points. Yeah when I tried on the Ultra this morning, that was the first thing (other than I did not like how it looked) I noticed, no rotating bezel. I didn't realize how much I use it until I didn't have it. The Ultra was definitely snappier though, kind of pissed that I even turned it on because now my Classic seems slower but it's not laggy or anything.

It makes me glad that I don't really use my watch like a lot of other users. I really don't care about apps at all on watches. I only use it for notifications, telling time, tracking steps and workouts, and camera control maybe 2-3 times per year. So to me, the Galaxy Watches are no different than Apple Watches.
 
All good points. Yeah when I tried on the Ultra this morning, that was the first thing (other than I did not like how it looked) I noticed, no rotating bezel. I didn't realize how much I use it until I didn't have it. The Ultra was definitely snappier though, kind of pissed that I even turned it on because now my Classic seems slower but it's not laggy or anything.

It makes me glad that I don't really use my watch like a lot of other users. I really don't care about apps at all on watches. I only use it for notifications, telling time, tracking steps and workouts, and camera control maybe 2-3 times per year. So to me, the Galaxy Watches are no different than Apple Watches.
I first discovered camera control with the watch a few days ago 😂. I think a SKU got leaked reflecting an 8 Classic, it's listed in GSMA database. Decided to pass on the Ultra, I'll almost certainly trade in my 6 Classic for the 8.

 
No rotating crown or rotating hardware bezel. The rotating bezel is a hallmark feature of other Samsung Watches and not utilizing it on the GWU is a huge miss. It makes navigation of the OS so much better.
Although I enjoyed having a rotating hardware bezel.. we still have the option to rotate along the bezel, so is it really a huge of a miss? And what’s wrong with utilizing touch?

Limited configuration of the hardware buttons, especially the Action button.
Granted the Action button is limited to Exercise, Stop Watch, Flashlight and Waterlock… but double pressing the Home button allows for launching apps or using any assistant.

Inability to change the way the apps are displayed on the apps screen. I’m not familiar with many of the apps just based on their icon and would prefer the option to have an alphabetical list/app drawer.
I agree with you here. Pixel Watch allows this option, not sure why Samsung hasn’t implemented on their version. Oddly enough, there’s the ability to have a launcher.


While the face watch customization is nice, choice of available complications is pretty poor to say the least.
I’m confused here… what complications are you looking? Amoledwatchface dev make some good ones… especially the one where it shows your phone battery.

Finally, the biggest problem—app ecosystem just doesn’t compare. So many apps that are available on Watch OS, including very popular, well known apps either have much more limited functionality or just don’t exist. This can be either an Android or Wear OS issue.
Only thing missing from Wear OS for me… is Apple Music app and that’s completely understandable why it’s not available. But I have the essential apps needed on a watch… Weather, Pocket Cast, Calculator, Clock, Calendar, Google Home, Google Keep, and Google Maps. Heck, there’s Samsung Internet on it. And people complain about the lack of apps… contact the developer.

I did this for Pocket Casts… I contacted them about the lack of Wear OS app, they told me that if it was enough of a demand for one… they will make it. So, I made a reddit post about it… asked users to contact Pocket Casts if they want one. Enough users reached out… so they made one.
 
Although I enjoyed having a rotating hardware bezel.. we still have the option to rotate along the bezel, so is it really a huge of a miss? And what’s wrong with utilizing touch?


Granted the Action button is limited to Exercise, Stop Watch, Flashlight and Waterlock… but double pressing the Home button allows for launching apps or using any assistant.


I agree with you here. Pixel Watch allows this option, not sure why Samsung hasn’t implemented on their version. Oddly enough, there’s the ability to have a launcher.



I’m confused here… what complications are you looking? Amoledwatchface dev make some good ones… especially the one where it shows your phone battery.


Only thing missing from Wear OS for me… is Apple Music app and that’s completely understandable why it’s not available. But I have the essential apps needed on a watch… Weather, Pocket Cast, Calculator, Clock, Calendar, Google Home, Google Keep, and Google Maps. Heck, there’s Samsung Internet on it. And people complain about the lack of apps… contact the developer.

I did this for Pocket Casts… I contacted them about the lack of Wear OS app, they told me that if it was enough of a demand for one… they will make it. So, I made a reddit post about it… asked users to contact Pocket Casts if they want one. Enough users reached out… so they made one.
The touch bezel is finicky as hell. The point is having your fingers off the screen and having that mechanism to scroll is far more functionally useful, IMO. And the button opportunity is already there…the orange Action button is placed exactly where a rotating crown is often found on most regular watches. Again, missed opportunity and one that’s pretty consistently echoed by reviews online.

Yeah, it’s mostly the limitations of the Action button that’s the most frustrating. I don’t use Samsung’s health and workout ecosystem so not being able to change it to something else is frustrating. I’d love to have a button to quickly open my Google Pay wallet and another for app switching. Not sure why they couldn’t have added a second function to double clicking the back button.

Complications? How about complications for all of the apps, especially third party. Many of the apps I use don’t have the choice of options that you typically find on an AW, if they have any at all. I admittedly didn’t dive down the rabbit hole of third party watch face devs but to be honest, I’d prefer a much better native selection.

Well, we obviously use our watches differently and most of the apps I use on the AWU don’t have matching parity on Wear OS though most exist on Android (AnyList, Athlytic, Spark, YouFit gyms, Authy, 1Password, ESPN, Fitbod just to name a few of the apps I use daily). Heck, Google’s own Tasks app doesn’t have a Wear OS version.

And funny you mention Pocket Casts because yes they have an app which I appreciated since I use it many hours a day. But they don’t even have the ability to passively sync my podcasts to the watch. If I want to be able to listen to anything in my Up Next playlist, I have to remember to manually sync/download it beforehand which honestly is a deal breaker. I listen both via my phone and my watch and not being able to seamlessly move between the two devices with everything staying in sync is a huge miss. Why offer this funcionality on iOS/Watch OS but not on Wear OS? And yes, I did reach out to the developer.

Again, it’s good hardware and like yourself, many here find what they need on Wear OS. I use my smart watch for more tasks and functionality than most and Wear OS just doesn’t match up for MY NEEDS, yet. I didn’t expect to find everything perfectly matched and I’m willing to make a move or two to a different app if it adequately replicates what I need but switching now would’ve required too many compromises. I’ll revisit again as Wear OS hopefully gets better.
 
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Again, it’s good hardware and like yourself, many here find what they need on Wear OS. I use my smart watch for more tasks and functionality than most and Wear OS just doesn’t match up for MY NEEDS, yet. I didn’t expect to find everything perfectly matched and I’m willing to make a move or two to a different app if it adequately replicates what I need but switching now would’ve required too many compromises. I’ll revisit again as Wear OS hopefully gets better.
Admittedly, we all use our devices differently. We all have different setups… for me, I prefer Android over the iPhone thus I don’t have the luxury to choose between Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch.

I’m a huge fan of the custom watch faces something that’s unavailable on the Apple Watch and then there’s option to use Google Assistant, which we all know doesn’t compare to Siri. Although, the Apple Watch is an awesome device… Galaxy Watch or Wear OS is a solid alternative. I just don’t want the narrative out that the Galaxy Watch can’t compete.
 
Which one do you prefer and why?
This might surprise some. But I actually prefer the GW 5 Pro, I wear it more than the others.. I just like the look of it more than the others. Its purely a personal preference on my part. The battery life is awesome and I prefer the size and shape.
 
This might surprise some. But I actually prefer the GW 5 Pro, I wear it more than the others.. I just like the look of it more than the others. Its purely a personal preference on my part. The battery life is awesome and I prefer the size and shape.
Your 5 Pro looks a lot like the 6 Classic. Agreed it has the best look.
 
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Admittedly, we all use our devices differently. We all have different setups… for me, I prefer Android over the iPhone thus I don’t have the luxury to choose between Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch.

I’m a huge fan of the custom watch faces something that’s unavailable on the Apple Watch and then there’s option to use Google Assistant, which we all know doesn’t compare to Siri. Although, the Apple Watch is an awesome device… Galaxy Watch or Wear OS is a solid alternative. I just don’t want the narrative out that the Galaxy Watch can’t compete.
Sorry, not trying to give the impression that it can’t compete. The overwelming majority of people choose phone first so their choice of smart watch will then fall within that ecosystem and in that regard, GWU is in my opinion, the best Wear OS option right now and what I’d likely recommend to anyone on Android with similar wants/needs to myself. Smaller watch I’d probably recommend a Pixel Watch.

I generally prefer iOS but I’ve used Android as a second (and occasionally as my primary) device for the better part of 12 years so I’m a bit unique in that the better smart watch can actually drive what phone I’ll use. The GWU just doesn’t match up to the AWU for my particular needs.
 
This might surprise some. But I actually prefer the GW 5 Pro, I wear it more than the others.. I just like the look of it more than the others. Its purely a personal preference on my part. The battery life is awesome and I prefer the size and shape.
Not surprising as its my favourite also, great size and still works well today.
 
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I’ve been using the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 (2022) with Wear OS. It’s a solid watch with smooth performance and works really well with Android phones. Battery life lasts about 2 days, which is decent. The fitness tracking is good, but not as detailed as some dedicated fitness watches. I’d recommend it if you’re already using Android, but if you need really advanced health features, there are better options. Overall, it’s a great all-around Android smartwatch for most people.
 
Every time I’ve considered switching to Android, watch selection really limits me. Among the things that I need are LTE support since I leave my phone at home when I go to the gym or for a run; that narrows things down to the Samsungs and Pixel watch. The latter used to have rough battery until recently; anyone here use one and use the LTE function? The Samsung watches aren’t a starter for me because I’d go Pixel and I sense some functionality is lost not using a Samsung ecosystem
 
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