Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Review

Disclaimer: We do not sell smartwatches, only smartwatch straps.

I’ve been wearing the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic since it was first released. The Galaxy Watch 4 (shown in the image) belongs to a colleague who had a similar experience. You can find all my insights in this Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 review.

Also read: Samsung Watch 4 vs Watch 3 for all the differences between the older and newer Galaxy Watch models.

Galaxy Watch 4 vs Watch 4 Classic – What’s the difference?

There are no technical differences between the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic. Both feature the same CPU, RAM and storage. The differences lie mainly in the design: the rotating bezel, overall styling, and strap mechanism.

	Watch 4	Watch 4 Classic
Processor	Exynos W920	Exynos W920
RAM	1.5 GB	1.5 GB
Storage	16 GB	16 GB

Rotating Bezel

The rotating bezel is only present on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. It adds both functionality and a premium touch to the design. With the bezel, you can:

• Wake the screen
• Scroll through menus and apps
• Adjust brightness and flashlight
• Switch between screens/tabs

Strap Design

The Classic model features a more comfortable clasp than the standard Watch 4. While the strap material is the same, you can easily upgrade by choosing a better fitting strap from Smartwatch-straps.co.uk.

Design and Sizing

The Galaxy Watch 4 is slimmer due to the absence of the rotating bezel, which may be more practical for those working with their hands. Sizes:

• Watch 4: 40mm & 44mm
• Watch 4 Classic: 42mm & 46mm

Software – Google Wear OS 3.0

Samsung replaced its own Tizen OS with Google’s Wear OS 3.0 in the Watch 4 range. This makes it easier for developers to create apps, ensuring more functionality over time.

Spotify, for example, offers a Wear OS app, allowing users to stream music directly from their Watch.

This change also means app compatibility will continue to improve across other brands that use Wear OS.

Google Assistant (Coming Soon)

Google Assistant support has been promised for the Galaxy Watch 4 range, but as of now, it is not yet available in the UK.

Bixby Voice Assistant

Bixby is still the default voice assistant, but it's limited—especially since it doesn’t support British English. If you're waiting for voice control features like smart home integration, you may want to hold off for Google Assistant.

Easy Setup Process

Pairing the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic with a Samsung Galaxy S10 was seamless. As soon as the watch requested pairing, a pop-up appeared on the phone to complete setup. The Galaxy Wearable app downloads automatically, and settings like watch faces, tile order, and notification preferences are easy to configure.

Account Syncing & Contacts

If you're logged into your Samsung account, the watch auto-syncs. You can also import your phone contacts to make calls directly from your watch.

Features I Use the Most

Always On Display

This setting ensures the watch face is always visible. While the backlight dims to save battery, a single tap reactivates the full display.

Flashlight

The watch can act as a flashlight with three brightness levels and a blinking mode. Press the lower side button to exit.

Bluetooth Headphones Support

You can pair Bluetooth headphones directly with the Watch and use Spotify offline. TV pairing, however, doesn’t work as the watch doesn't recognise it as an audio device.

Find My Phone

Activate the 'Find My Phone' feature from the Watch to make your phone ring or flash. You can also use the Galaxy Wearable app to find your watch.

Google Maps

Google Maps navigation syncs from your phone to the Watch. The Watch vibrates and gives turn-by-turn alerts, but this can be distracting while driving.

Calendar

All calendar entries are synced. However, you cannot add new events directly from the watch—it redirects you to your smartphone.

WhatsApp and SMS Notifications

Once paired via Bluetooth, the Watch 4 displays all incoming messages and notifications. You can reply using voice or on-screen keyboard without any additional setup.

Spotify Playback

Spotify’s free version works well on the Watch. With a premium account, you’ll unlock even more features. Check Spotify UK for full compatibility.

Switching Watch Faces

Press and hold the current watch face to quickly browse and select from your saved styles.

Battery Life

The Watch 4 Classic lasts about 2 days on a full charge. Despite better battery specs than its predecessor, the improved processor demands more energy, slightly shortening total runtime.

• Watch 4 (40mm): 247mAh
• Watch 4 (44mm): 361mAh
• Watch 4 Classic (42mm): 247mAh
• Watch 4 Classic (46mm): 361mAh

Water Resistance & Durability

The Watch 4 is rated 5ATM and IP68, meaning it’s suitable for swimming and showering—but not for diving. Avoid exposing it to soapy water, extreme heat, or chemicals that may damage the seal.

It also holds a MIL-STD-810G rating, providing drop protection up to 1.5 metres.

What to Avoid

• Highly acidic liquids
• Soap or shampoo
• Cleaning agents that compromise water sealing

Swapping the Strap

Replacing the strap is simple—though Samsung’s stock strap may feel stiff initially. All our straps at Smartwatch-straps.co.uk have been tested for perfect compatibility.

Final Verdict

The Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are among the best smartwatches on the UK market. If you already own a Watch 3, an upgrade might not be essential. But for Android users looking for a new smartwatch, this is a top-tier choice.