[skdking]

Originally Posted by ram.iyer95

Hi all, I've been using the Galaxy Watch 4 (44mm, BT version) for the past two weeks, and would like to share my user experience. Since the newly launched Watch 5 is mostly similar to the Watch 4, I am hoping that this might benefit even people considering getting the newer device.

............

Wow. What a comprehensive write-up. It is this kind of piece that makes spending so much time on this biblical website really worthwhile. Kudos.

I have also purchased an SGW 4 44mm recently. My decision to buy it was influenced largely by your review. Thanks.

One query. I have shifted to this SGW 4 from Fitbit Sense. With Fitbit, I could monitor all my data collected by the watch via both, my phone and my PC.

In the case of SGW 4, is this data not displayed on PC via a website? Is there a way out through a third-party app or website?

Thanks, anyway.

[ram.iyer95]

Originally Posted by skdking

Wow. What a comprehensive write-up. It is this kind of piece that makes spending so much time on this biblical website really worthwhile. Kudos.

I have also purchased an SGW 4 44mm recently. My decision to buy it was influenced largely by your review. Thanks.

One query. I have shifted to this SGW 4 from Fitbit Sense. With Fitbit, I could monitor all my data collected by the watch via both, my phone and my PC.

In the case of SGW 4, is this data not displayed on PC via a website? Is there a way out through a third-party app or website?

Thanks, anyway.

Thank you for the kind words, and congratulations on the purchase. Happy to be of help.

I am yet to come across any solution for the WearOS platform that enables viewing health data on PC, as neither Samsung Health nor Google Fit have desktop clients.

Would be a good feature to have, though.

[abhi3284]

Originally Posted by abhi3284

Am planning to upgrade to a newer and better smartwatch and need some guidance in making the right choice. Budget is 10 - 12k and have narrowed down to Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and the new launch Amazfit GTR Mini.

Originally Posted by skdking

I have also purchased an SGW 4 44mm recently. My decision to buy it was influenced largely by your review. Thanks.

Originally Posted by ram.iyer95

Thank you for the kind words, and congratulations on the purchase. Happy to be of help.

I too purchased a Galaxy Watch 4 44 mm BT variant couple of weeks ago. Got it at a good price from Croma Online via the Tata NEU App. Good detailed Review @ram.iyer95. Helped me finalize the GW 4 as well. Thanks.

Enjoying using it so far and its a big step up from my previous MI Band 6. Battery being the major downer. Lasts about 1.5 days for me. Though it is a Battery Hog, i found the Battery Charging Speed more disappointing. Takes close to 2.5 Hrs. to charge from 0 to 100, which is painfully slow. Another observation is the Watch back gets more than Warm post charging. Have to wear it after 5 mins, so it cools down a bit.

What charging times are you guys getting? I have been experimenting with different charging Adapters / Power banks to see if the Speed improves. Any specific Charging Adapter to be used with the GW 4 or any other ways to improve its charging speed?

Thanks.

[skdking]

Originally Posted by abhi3284

I too purchased a Galaxy Watch 4 44 mm BT variant couple of weeks ago. .....

Enjoying using it so far and its a big step up from my previous MI Band 6. Battery being the major downer. Lasts about 1.5 days for me. Though it is a Battery Hog, i found the Battery Charging Speed more disappointing. Takes close to 2.5 Hrs. to charge from 0 to 100, which is painfully slow. Another observation is the Watch back gets more than Warm post charging. Have to wear it after 5 mins, so it cools down a bit.

What charging times are you guys getting? ........

Thanks.

Congrats.

Same times here too. Sigh. Do post if you discover any better way.

[ram.iyer95]

Originally Posted by abhi3284

I What charging times are you guys getting? I have been experimenting with different charging Adapters / Power banks to see if the Speed improves. Any specific Charging Adapter to be used with the GW 4 or any other ways to improve its charging speed?

The Watch 4 charges only at 5W max, so changing charging adapters is not going to make a difference, as almost all the charging adapters available nowadays are capable of delivering 5W; this is what I have observed.

The Watch 5 is an improvement in this regard as it can charge at 10W.

[deep_blue]

Has anyone using the Samsung watch 5 managed to activate ecg & blood pressure monitoring in India? There is a hack available by installing an apk, just wondering if its safe as it has to be downloaded on both the watch & phone.

[PetrolRider]

I am not up to wearables, they are not my thing, till now. I am up for conversion.

Reason being the typical Indian corporate life style and growing age are having impact on my health. This is making me think about keeping track of some of my health parameters regularly, such as heart rate, oxygen level, BP, sleep quality and respiration parameters etc. during sleep and other work.
I am not at all a fitness enthusiast by any means. I have started recently doing some mild exercise like treadmill etc (not cardio, walking mostly).

I am not a fan of a mini mobile strapped to my arm, I have somehow convinced myself on those slim invisible bands, baby step(?). But, somehow feel like I have already missed the Bus and bands have become dinosaurs now.

I, nevertheless, checked few of them. Fitbit Inspire 3, ticks most parameters, but then the exuberant subscription cost is kind of deal breaker for me. Without the subscription, majority of my requirements remain unfulfilled.
Then, Garmin Vivosmart 4 is kind of OK, but I am getting review that getting parts and service is an issue with Garmin low cost products. Current Garmin owners may put their view.
I find Samsung watch 4 has a nice prospective considering I have a Samsung phone, but in near future if I move out of android, it would be a showpiece.

I am skeptical about the MI band and other of such products as I am unsure the cost difference rather large between Fitbit / Garmin with similar features even with brand surcharge for the later. Could they be skipping on some censers to save cost ?

I would love to get some suggestion from long timers. At this moment, I am keeping my budget around 10K as I am skeptical how long I would remain as a convert to these things. If, I last for 2 years, I would think about upgrading to a proper Garmin may be.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by PetrolRider

I would love to get some suggestion from long timers. At this moment, I am keeping my budget around 10K as I am skeptical how long I would remain as a convert to these things. If, I last for 2 years, I would think about upgrading to a proper Garmin may be.

I dont expect any service from Garmin in India. At best they can only replace the watch. So I would just expect the product to work flawlessly for 3-4 years at best and then move on. And that I think a Garmin is capable of.

Exceptions will happen and we will need to deal with that. Dont have an answer for that aspect.


PS: I had a VivoActive 3. I used for 3 years before moving to FR945. (The VivoActive 3 was still in good condition when I changed)

[Ps_o]

Originally Posted by PetrolRider

I am not up to wearables, they are not my thing, till now. I am up for conversion.

I would love to get some suggestion from long timers. At this moment, I am keeping my budget around 10K as I am skeptical how long I would remain as a convert to these things. If, I last for 2 years, I would think about upgrading to a proper Garmin may be.

Depends on your usecase,bands are not obsolete neither they would be anytime soon. Under 10K INR you will get mostly smartwatches/band with sport features.

Some things to consider:

• Wearable bands eg. a Honor band 6 or an amazfit or a miband will all give you the same data (SPO2, Night sleep, HR etc.). I do not believe any will give you BP though (even on expensive sportswatch)
• Find out your appetite for cycling/running? Incase you will be dedicating sometime every week(3-4 times) go for a smartwatch else settle for any of the bands under 3-5K unless you want to splurge (your money your rules)
• Vivosmart4 is good enough (around ~7k currently) however it's a very old model considering Garmin roles out new SKU every year with very large S/W and price differentiators. Good for you incase you are not a FOMO kind of soul.
• Remember Garmin support will quote high prices for replacement, they have long way to catchup to USA, CA, EU, Taiwan type support) so if your vivosmart 4 band breaks or develops bubble they can charge same amount for replacement as your total cost.

HR sensors are more of less the same/or have same functionality, what differs is the algorithm being applied at the backend. There is no model "One watch fits for all" , it's more of "Pick your Poison".
Some days you will be happy with Garmins sport data but angry on their sleep tracking, Some time you would be happy with Fitbit Sleep tracking but angry on GPS tracking/sports data or subscription.
Some days you will be surprised how much your internal body stress level increases affecting your "body battery" or "sleep status" and how can a garmin watch calculate via HRV you had alcohol a day/night prior.

I would have suggested Forerunner55, it used to be around 15K INR however since USD <> INR and general tax increase last year it is retailing nowadays for 22K INR.
At that price point there is another brand you could look at which is Coros Pace2 (they have relatively good support and warranty applicable)

At the end of the day it boils down to the ecosystem you prefer and get tied down to, like you don't prefer Fitbit's subscription service many people prefer Garmin over Coros or Polar.
Usually it means somethinggood for us consumer plus good for people who don't want to be associated with not so great watch origin or privacy policy eg. some companies have data sharing policy that might be of interest or are originating/ have ownership from countries which you personally might not approve of, again YMMV(your mileage may vary).

TL/DR - Once you start getting into the data and health benefits of it, you would love the purchase or ecosystem that comes with it. Sometimes it just helps to make a purchase that can last 2-3 years even though it seems expensive can come with enough motivation as a price value or something that comes in form of people via the ecosystem.

Go with something cheap(not associated cost with materials/brand) under 4K band (Miband, Honor, Amazfit any) and get into some habit forming, mapping daily exercise minutes and increase them by 10% every week/2 week. In 6-8 months you will be ready for sports watches and be a proper convert. Save money and gift yourself a sportswatch once you achieve a goal associated with purchase like you originally planned.
Please do not cap yourself to 10K INR when cheaper devices can perform better and provide more value for money.

Sidenote - Nothing can substitute a yearly full body checkup for yourself and your family. Get that done already if you haven't.

Originally Posted by ampere

I dont expect any service from Garmin in India. At best they can only replace the watch. So I would just expect the product to work flawlessly for 3-4 years at best and then move on. And that I think a Garmin is capable of.

Exceptions will happen and we will need to deal with that. Dont have an answer for that aspect.


PS: I had a VivoActive 3. I used for 3 years before moving to FR945. (The VivoActive 3 was still in good condition when I changed)

Garmin has upped the service in IN, you are correct though they will replace(possible with refurbished product)
Recently I had tried enquiring about service for Fenix 7 that I own (squishy button, which is a normal issue with garmin watches). USA chat where I had made the purchase offered to replace without any explanation (maybe too quick to offer replacement).

INDIA support re-directed me to support center. They will keep the watch, try and see if it can be fixed else they will replace. Here is the catch:

• I have to pay import charges, equivalent for my watch which is ~INR 13,200. The warranty for 90 days, post which for any defect it can be replaced by paying again INR 13,200.
• For out of warranty the above costs is INR 22,000, same warranty as above.
• If I would have bought the device from INDIA, would have received full warranty and no import payment which is not the case. Also IN prices are daylight robbery.

I believe this is kinda fair as there is a massive price difference in USD and INR however what is not fair is after paying import fees only getting 90 days warranty compared to international support where they give it full warranty.

[PetrolRider]

Brother, you have a unique ability to confuse more a already confused soul. I have to give you that, ha ha (I ran out of 2 emoji limit).

Originally Posted by Ps_o

I do not believe any will give you BP though (even on expensive sportswatch)

Ahh! my bad. I though I read in some review. I am too lazy to get the BP machine from cupboard and check, I guess no easy way out.

Originally Posted by Ps_o

Good for you incase you are not a FOMO kind of soul.

Had to google what "FOMO" is, but it is safe to say I am quiet far from anything FOMO with respect to gadgets. I am more of a utility over look kind of guy. Electronics kept at home are environment hazard and health risk.
What I get confused about, did you mean that getting a Garmin in India would have seamless support than importing? I can be safe and get replacement with warranty if I get a Garmin in India?

Originally Posted by Ps_o

what differs is the algorithm being applied at the backend

Understood and agreed 100%. I am not "angry" at Fitbit. I rather find it ridiculous. Similar to buying a BMW and paying subscription for ventilated seat. Here it is not ventilated seat, but akin to buying a BMW and paying subscription fee to drive it. As you said software is the heart and I have to pay for it separately, it brings the question whether I can buy a 500rs boat band and get it synced to Fitbit software. No? IMO, nothing but a unfair business practice.
Anyway, where I still stand more confused is after you threw the ecosystem into ring, how do I know which one I would like.

Originally Posted by Ps_o

even though it seems expensive can come with enough motivation as a price value or something that comes in form of people via the ecosystem.

I doubt that. I am kind of person who wouldn't use it if don't like it, "expensive" might drag for 2 more days.

Originally Posted by Ps_o

Go with something cheap ... get into some habit forming .. be a proper convert.

My plan exactly. So, what I gather, you are suggesting MI over a Garmin economy model to start with. Point taken.
But then,

Originally Posted by Ps_o

Please do not cap yourself to 10K INR when cheaper devices can perform better and provide more value for money.

Fully confused now. Now, do you want me to go for a 40K device as a starter?

Originally Posted by Ps_o

Sidenote - Nothing can substitute a yearly full body checkup for yourself and your family.

That is the constitution, we sometimes need to be reminded of to follow it.

[subraiyr]

Originally Posted by PetrolRider

I am not up to wearables, they are not my thing, till now. I am up for conversion.

Let me do a little bit of storyboarding here. Finally, you might become absolutely clear or absolutely confused

I started using a fitness tracker around 2018. At that point of time, my use case was only to count the steps i walked/ran. I started with a fitbit as i got a deal with the Versa. I wore it dilligently for 3 years and then my wife got me a Garmin Vivoactive. With that there was more data coming through. I was obsessed with the VO2 numbers and when it fluctuated from 45 to 41, my mind took a beating. But i was happy that Garmin scored my sleep much better than Fitbit. Time was spent running behind these numbers and being a bit obsessed with them. I lost my Garmin in 22 and got a Huawei, but did not like it and finally when i hit a milestone missus got me a Apple Watch. Now the Apple watch is not a fitness tracker, but more of a smartwatch. But it too tracks all the fitness numbers and gives you an eyeful of it. So your obsession with Steps, Calories - Active, Passive, Vo2, HR variability etc etc can go on. I can tell you that there are days where the watch tells me i slept for nearly 8 hours and i am waking up tired and then some days where i sleep for 6.5 hours and am bright as a bee.

None of this come close to your body actually telling you that you are in good share or something is wrong. The smartwatches always are providing you a mean score rather than an actual view of how healthy you are. Give yourself an annual check up and listen to your body. If you feet is hurting, maybe its time to give them a rest and you dont need to clock those 10k steps. Can you climb a flight of stairs and still talk normally. Then your VO2 probably is quite good.

Bottom line is that 5 years on, i miss my old watches. My measure of life success is measured in an analog manner. I still wear my Apple Watch (been about 6 months since i got it). But i wear it as a style statement and to look at time rather than be obsessed with the stats it throws.

[PetrolRider]

Originally Posted by subraiyr

Let me do a little bit of storyboarding here.

Someone who finally decided to take the baby step and be a convert, you show the mirror. I don't know whether to love you or hate you.
But one thing for sure, there are people like me in the world.

[Ps_o]

Originally Posted by PetrolRider

Brother, you have a unique ability to confuse more a already confused soul. I have to give you that, ha ha (I ran out of 2 emoji limit).
.

I quote " when cheaper devices can perform better and provide more value for money." you can go with any band you like (mi, amazfit, honor) any one of them is a great device for your use case.

Regarding ecosystem you can only like once you try, rest you can spend sometime exploring garmin forums, youtubers like Desfit, DCrainmaker for reviews and can ask here on team-bhp.

Happy to answer any specific ask you have, sorry to have confused you.

[Lobogris]

Originally Posted by deep_blue

Has anyone using the Samsung watch 5 managed to activate ecg & blood pressure monitoring in India? There is a hack available by installing an apk, just wondering if its safe as it has to be downloaded on both the watch & phone.

Yes. I purchased my Samsung watch 5 pro in Korea recently (50% cheaper than India!) and even though I was in Korea, Samsung refused to allow blood pressure monitoring stating that my phone (S22 Ultra) was purchased in India. So I used Dante's hack on XDA and Dante himself was kind enough to assist me. It works super well and is easy to use. Just use his SHM MOD application and it only takes a minute! Earlier I tried various other methods on YouTube but they didn't work.

[deathwalkr]

My Galaxy Watch 4 is not turning on. The cable is frayed at the end and I hope it's just a charger issue. Trying to buy a new charger.

Not even 2 years old, and the first time in my life a charger cable is giving up on me.

Silver lining? Dug out my old citizen eco drive, kept it in the light to charge up and voila it's working like new