Has anyone bought the galaxy gear and what are your thoughts about it?
Thanks in advance
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium HD app
I like it very much. Click the link below to see my full review based on 5-day usage:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2477229
I bought 2 of them but I'm going to be returning them. The microphone on the bottom is very uncomfortable when resting your arm on a table or desk. It also scratches terribly easily and quickly. The metal on the top of the watch also easily marks. The app to customize watch faces stops working or at least did for me after a couple days and I have read reports of it doing the same for other people. I had to move my gmail email to the Samsung email app and stop using the Gmail app because the watch does not correctly notify with any detail for the Gmail app. It also does not currently provide any detailed reporting for Facebook or Twitter or many other apps including hangouts. I had several instances of the speaker being very distorted during normal use especially when using s voice. I don't know what they were thinking by putting the speaker on the backside of the watch but I guess I should not be surprised given that is where they usually put the speaker on phones as well. Samsung does not seem to grasp what a speaker is 4. My wife had a lot of trouble with her gear recognizing her spoken commands.
When I actually used the feature I had decent results making and receiving phone calls via the watch. It also is very convenient for alerts about texts and email that comes into the Samsung email app. But not very useful for alerts for other apps. I got decent battery life in that using today as an example using the watch from 6 a.m. Until 10 a.m. The battery was at 70 percent when I took it off. I guess it depends on what you are looking for in the watch. Personally I have come to the decision that I need a watch that is more comfortable with a replaceable band and which is able to be used on more than just Samsung phones. I don't want my watch to be a factor when I pick what phone I want to use.
I was planning on buying 2 of them, but with the poor reviews regarding the lack of notification functionality and interoperability with my wife's S4, I've decided to wait and see.
I'd consider the Neptune Pine http://www.neptunepine.com or the Omate TrueSmart http://www.omate.com if either would function properly in a companion role with my Note 3 as well as their capability as an independent Android phone. I really don't want to have to swap SIMs or decide which phone is ringing- I need it to be seamless. Then I can leave my phone during strenuous or wet activities without missing calls, notifications or music.
Gear has a slightly better screen than either, but makes absolutely no use of it.
Please post in the sticky for other devices http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2466107 or the Galaxy Gear device forum http://forum.xda-developers.com/smartwatch/samsung-galaxy-gear
HI,
I have been using this watch for over a week and I am very happy with the watch. Initially I was skeptical on what a smart watch can do, but now I am totally sold with its capability. I just want to know what other people use it for.
I used google a lot to dial my phone, to text my friends and families all handsfree. The voice recognition is amazing.
Enjoy different watch faces.
I use Wellness to track my steps and Endomondo to track my exercise.
Anyone else found other ways smartwatch is useful?
kinged said:
HI,
I have been using this watch for over a week and I am very happy with the watch. Initially I was skeptical on what a smart watch can do, but now I am totally sold with its capability. I just want to know what other people use it for.
I used google a lot to dial my phone, to text my friends and families all handsfree. The voice recognition is amazing.
Enjoy different watch faces.
I use Wellness to track my steps and Endomondo to track my exercise.
Anyone else found other ways smartwatch is useful?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is battery life?
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
kinged said:
HI,
I have been using this watch for over a week and I am very happy with the watch. Initially I was skeptical on what a smart watch can do, but now I am totally sold with its capability. I just want to know what other people use it for.
I used google a lot to dial my phone, to text my friends and families all handsfree. The voice recognition is amazing.
Enjoy different watch faces.
I use Wellness to track my steps and Endomondo to track my exercise.
Anyone else found other ways smartwatch is useful?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used my ZenWatch daily for the past 10 days and am very happy with the performance and the utility of the device. I was also very skeptical of wearable tech and up until the time I noticed this watch had never considered buying one for reasons such as the bulk of the watch, the geek factor, and the perceived lack of utility. Now that I have some experience with the watch I have grown to like it much and have received some nice comments on the appearance.
What I like the most about using the watch is that it makes it possible to screen messages without the need to look at the phone itself. Glancing at the watch is preferable to picking up the phone and swiping the screen. I leave the phone in my bag or pocket and screen messages from the watch. The phone unlock function is useful as well, the phone is unlocked while connected and locks when out of bluetooth range. I haven't yet fully used the heart rate monitor or 'Fit' functions but those seem they will be useful in the future as I get more accustomed to them.
Overall I am very happy with the functions, battery life, and appearance of the device..
paullu said:
How is battery life?
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Battery life is excellent. It lasted the whole day without problems despite active use.
In regards to battery mine will be at 40-60% at the end of a long day. IMO fantastic battery life.
Hi all,
I have been attracted towards smartwatches since the time they came. However, there are many reasons that I didn't buy any till today, money, technology and android user.
Although, now I am in the position of buying and I am aiming to buy a Samsung Galaxy watch. I have watched many reviews of that watch on youtube from big streamers to small. Also read many threads on the forum about it and it seems that there were issues with the initial firmware but after updates they were solved.
I am looking to buy the BT 46mm version.
Since this is my first SW and it costs a kidney (also I am a student), I had some concerns with it.
1. Does the battery stays for at least 3days (AOD off, BT and WiFi on)?
2. Can I install third party apps on it (getting apks from google wear store and installing on the phone)?
3. Connection with non-Samsung phones (I have OnePlus 5).
Thank you very much.
Have a great day.
This watch is not powered by Android Wear so I highly doubt that you will be able to get apk to install and run. I don't even know if there is a way to sideload apk onto the phone. Getting the watch to pair to your OnePlus should not be a problem. I am still thinking of buying this watch but the lack of available apps is definitely a turn off for me too. I am coming from a Moto 360.
1. Does the battery stays for at least 3days (AOD off, BT and WiFi on)?
Yes. Even more if you do not start training apps. They drain battery like hell
2. Can I install third party apps on it (getting apks from google wear store and installing on the phone)?
No. Watch is on Tizen system
3. Connection with non-Samsung phones (I have OnePlus 5).
This should not be a problem. The original watch mail app will not work for you - it works only with Samsung phones. You can act with mail notifications though.
Take in mind that as I heard Oneplus has some problems with BT connection - but I am not shure about that
Mister-B said:
This watch is not powered by Android Wear so I highly doubt that you will be able to get apk to install and run. I don't even know if there is a way to sideload apk onto the phone. Getting the watch to pair to your OnePlus should not be a problem. I am still thinking of buying this watch but the lack of available apps is definitely a turn off for me too. I am coming from a Moto 360.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much the answers it will surely help me in deciding.
I have been a watch collector of high end mechanical watches all my life, and I was always laughing at people with black screen watches on their wrists, until my best friend bought one and started to explain me what he can do with the watch. I bought my Samsung Galaxy watch 4 LTE about 2 weeks ago and I think I only removed it from my wrist to charge it. It is unbelievable how much I became addicted to the practicality of the watch. I am looking at the screen hundreds of times a day, using navigation, reading texts, emails, setting timers, using fitness apps etc. I consider myself a power user, and lowest battery I reached was 26% by the end of the work day. ( watch is on my wrist usually from 8 am to 9 pm ) On weekends, with lighter use I get around 65% by the end of the day. So I still have to charge it every night, but that does not bother me. Included Samsung wireless charger charges them very quickly, I can't tell exactly, but it is fast ( maybe under 1.5 hr? ) My brightness is always set to full 10. ( there is levels from 1 to 10 ) It is true, fitness apps take most of the battery power, and Navigation is power drain, because I keep the screen ON all the time for directions (you can keep it black while driving and it can be turned ON only before the turns )
I would also love to have more apps available, especially apps from Nest and Ring, because I am checking that frequently. The phone my watch is paired to is Note 9. I do recommend, if you can afford it, to buy the LTE version.
dont get one if you are planning to use the HR monitor, it is still useless after 2 updates.
I'm moving on from the disaster of my Moto 360 2nd Gen. That watch died in about 3 different ways at the same time. I'm a little cautious to invest in a new one and I'm looking for some opinions. I've been researching my options and I think I've narrowed it down https://9apps.ooo/ to these 3. I loved the look of the Moto 360 2 and will be using it for everyday notifications, workout tracking, music and navigation control and sleep tracking. I don't mind 2 quick charges a day. Any advice welcome!
I had the first Moto 360 before buying Watch4 Classic 46mm on January. I can't say I don't like it but indeed it's so much different and generally speakingoto 360 look nicer to me.
Anyway my battery can last 2 days but not a lot of notifications, brief calls directly on the watch, AOD. But when the GPS is enabled the drain is faster (and there's no way to use the phone GPS as an option, which I don't understand).
I would consider that newest fossil and moo 360 3rd still don't have Wear OS 3, if I'm not mistaken
Does it look good? I think it does!
Want to see some hand's on detailed reports for for a 1st generation smartwatch....
And how it compares to 5th generation Samsung Galaxy Watch 5!
It looks nice, even though I'm not too sure about these bezels and super rounded screen (scratches anyone?).
Got it for free through the 7 Pro pre-order though so we'll see.
I'm curious if it's going to work with Spotify. It shows that it will work with YouTube Music. When I purchased my Fitbit Ionic, they said it would work with Spotify but it doesn't. Being able to use Spotify without my phone is a must for me to purchase this watch. Does anyone know for sure if Spotify will work? I'd like to preorder.
The price is not helping it.
Some spec comparisons:
Pixel Watch Vs Galaxy Watch 5/5 Pro: Is Google Too Late?
Google has finally launched the Pixel watch, but how does it fare with the Galaxy Watch 5? Here's Pixel Watch Vs Galaxy Watch 5.
fossbytes.com
QueenVanderveen said:
I'm curious if it's going to work with Spotify. It shows that it will work with YouTube Music. When I purchased my Fitbit Ionic, they said it would work with Spotify but it doesn't. Being able to use Spotify without my phone is a must for me to purchase this watch. Does anyone know for sure if Spotify will work? I'd like to preorder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Spotify is mentioned here: https://support.google.com/googlepixelwatch/answer/12662429
I'm getting one (as is my wife) but only as they are coming free with our Pixel 7 pro's. I've had many smart watches along the way but the only one I've settled with really was the withings. I'll give this a go though. I do worry it looks small (diameter). Not convinced I will like the daily charging again. I wonder how many will actually buy at full price rather than own them from similar deals.
We don't have any good deals in the US. No free watch with 7 pro purchase. I do feel like the diameter is too small
My opinion may not be the most representative because this is the first smart watch I own, but after having it for ~24 hours, I think it's pretty good! Probably a bit overpriced, the battery is a little bit on the low side, but I had no problem with fluidity or anything like that, I originally thought the screen would be too small, but it's fine honestly, the watch's UI is pretty well optimised to work with this screen, overall a good watch in my opinion, I just don't really know about the durability, seems fragile..
Views so far on the pixel watch, coming from a galaxy watch 4 classic 46mm. only had it just over 24 hours
Like it so far, fluid design, comfortable on the wrist, personally i would of preferred it to be slightly bigger but it doesn't bother me too much its small.
Spotify does work on it
cant get ecg working in the uk, investigating further
battery life has been just as much as the galaxy watch 4
assistant works well
step counts seems a bit too high
vibrations are much better than the galaxy watch
love the scroll wheel on the side compared to the bezel scroll on the galaxy
Watch bands come on and off very easily (reviews seemed to have issues with it but i didn't at all)
would i pay the asking price, not a chance its way over priced, £379 for the LTE, it should be 279 and i then i would consider it.
Anyone want me to try something go ahead and ask
QueenVanderveen said:
I'm curious if it's going to work with Spotify. It shows that it will work with YouTube Music. When I purchased my Fitbit Ionic, they said it would work with Spotify but it doesn't. Being able to use Spotify without my phone is a must for me to purchase this watch. Does anyone know for sure if Spotify will work? I'd like to preorder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works fine with Spotify, but it won't play any music directly from the watch. I find the latter part a little odd considering it has a speaker for taking calls.
Corvida said:
It works fine with Spotify, but it won't play any music directly from the watch. I find the latter part a little odd considering it has a speaker for taking calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ugh, then I won't purchase the watch! I had to download Deezer with my Ionic which was fine, however then I had to pay another subscription to another music program. Thanks for answering this question!
I like it so far! Only tinkered with it to set it up but it looks nice, everything is fluid. The stock band seems to be comfortable too.
I think it looks a little small on my wrist compared to the OG Huawei Watch and I don't have big wrists!
It came for free with the Pixel 7 Pro, I don't think I would buy it otherwise. It's too expensive. It should have been 250 euros for the Wi-Fi model and 299 for LTE.
Will post more impressions when my P7P is set up and running.
Phil750123 said:
Views so far on the pixel watch, coming from a galaxy watch 4 classic 46mm. only had it just over 24 hours
Like it so far, fluid design, comfortable on the wrist, personally i would of preferred it to be slightly bigger but it doesn't bother me too much its small.
Spotify does work on it
cant get ecg working in the uk, investigating further
battery life has been just as much as the galaxy watch 4
assistant works well
step counts seems a bit too high
vibrations are much better than the galaxy watch
love the scroll wheel on the side compared to the bezel scroll on the galaxy
Watch bands come on and off very easily (reviews seemed to have issues with it but i didn't at all)
would i pay the asking price, not a chance its way over priced, £379 for the LTE, it should be 279 and i then i would consider it.
Anyone want me to try something go ahead and ask
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ECG app kept telling me to update the app - but the app said it was up to date. on the phone uninstall the Fitbit app and the Fitbit ECG app and then it will give you the option to update them.
Oh .... and unlike my withings they dont mean put fingers on top of the screen they definitely mean the crown on this watch. missed that a few times just by being presumptuous!
So far, I'm really liking it. Wish band availability was a bit better. Would love to have a fabric band but I can wait. Setting up the various parts seems a little convoluted. Trying to figure out which apps you need to get to make everything function and what you can actually set and what is just done automagically. Getting my main credit card onto the watch was a bit of an adventure that I finally solved.
The last puzzle piece was trying to figure out the camera remote app working between the watch and my phone. (Pixel 6 Pro) I kept getting connection errors. Finally this morning, I was able to get it to connect. Seems that when I'm on a wifi network for my phone and watch, they don't know how to detach from the network in order to talk to each other. Which makes me wonder what fiasco I'm in for when both disconnect from each other and attempt to reattach to the wifi network.
Overall, I'm not sure I'd really want it much bigger. FitBit integration has been nice to have again. (My work place ties our health insurance discount to a "health" app that's just one giant gamification. FitBit is well known for inflating step counts. Making it easier to hit point levels.) The weather app not being permanently broken like it was on my Fossil is great. And MyRadar showing radar on my watch..... amazing!
I got mine through T-Mobile. They do half off when you add a line for the watch. Unfortunately, I have two apps that keep me from completely ditching my phone at this point. (Signal and Google Voice)
I don't see any more recent reviews or opinions and I'm looking for feedback from users or those who have decided it is not for them. I posted on another forum but will also ask here.
So, what are the on-going feelings about this watch? Happy, okay, disappointed?
I've got a dying Samsung Gear S3 (battery lasts about two hours). I've been quite happy with the Gear S3 for a number of years.
I see Amazon now has a return window through Jan for the Holiday shopping season. I suspect that while still new it may go on sale sometime in the next few months. I am concerned about its "bezel-less" face and hitting it into things.
So looking for opinions now that you've had it for a month or so.
Oh, I do have the Pixel 6 Pro phone on Google Fi.
Thanks in advance.
Ok Got Mine (LTE Version)
I can't make any comparisons to other watches since this is my first...
But I'll tell you my experience so far.
1 - Face is small but manageable. Nearly impossible to type on however which I suspect os common with most watches. Expect to use Voice for the most part.
2 - I expected to find a lot more App support than I did. a whole load of Fitness monitoring crap but not much else. Expect to use the many tools found here on XDA to sideload stuff the watch should have but doesn't. Most work well, some will not.
3 - While I went for the LTE I have yet to see any benefit to it as most things merely send you to the phone for the most part.
4 - Battery life is quite good.
5 - My main uses are to control Spotify, Google Assistant and read notifications while the phone is charging.
6 - DOES NOT SUPPORT NEST DOORBELL!!!! WHY? Have to look at the phone to see who is at the door.
7 - Comes with a Qi Charger pad but no AC plug to plug it into. Thankfully I have an Anchor 3 port quick charger. The Qi Charger is magnetic but any jostling or vibration of the table will make it stop then ding when it reseats.
8 - The Watch App (on Phone) is great toa point but is limited in options. A good Watch Face Editor is needed here.
9 - While you can set Tiles, Open Apps should also show up as tiles. (this maybe my lack of how to use this device perhaps there is away to see opened apps another way)
10 -All in allI love it,but as I said there may be much better options out there for the price and better app support.
Since I had the Unlimited Plus Data plan from Google Fi for my Phone it didn't cost a penny to add the Watch to the Service.
Hope that helps someone....
Asphyx said:
Ok Got Mine (LTE Version)
I can't make any comparisons to other watches since this is my first...
But I'll tell you my experience so far.
1 - Face is small but manageable. Nearly impossible to type on however which I suspect os common with most watches. Expect to use Voice for the most part.
2 - I expected to find a lot more App support than I did. a whole load of Fitness monitoring crap but not much else. Expect to use the many tools found here on XDA to sideload stuff the watch should have but doesn't. Most work well, some will not.
3 - While I went for the LTE I have yet to see any benefit to it as most things merely send you to the phone for the most part.
4 - Battery life is quite good.
5 - My main uses are to control Spotify, Google Assistant and read notifications while the phone is charging.
6 - DOES NOT SUPPORT NEST DOORBELL!!!! WHY? Have to look at the phone to see who is at the door.
7 - Comes with a Qi Charger pad but no AC plug to plug it into. Thankfully I have an Anchor 3 port quick charger. The Qi Charger is magnetic but any jostling or vibration of the table will make it stop then ding when it reseats.
8 - The Watch App (on Phone) is great toa point but is limited in options. A good Watch Face Editor is needed here.
9 - While you can set Tiles, Open Apps should also show up as tiles. (this maybe my lack of how to use this device perhaps there is away to see opened apps another way)
10 -All in allI love it,but as I said there may be much better options out there for the price and better app support.
Since I had the Unlimited Plus Data plan from Google Fi for my Phone it didn't cost a penny to add the Watch to the Service.
Hope that helps someone....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Asphyx
Thanks for a pretty thorough review of attributes and limitations. I think I can also add it to my Fi account although, not the unlimited. I've not had LTE support before but the Samsung also sends me to the phone for more info or detail. And typing on the watch face is a real challenge there, too.
Any apps that you'd recommend? From here or Google store? I understand that its charger is proprietary and that other Qi charging stations do not work which is too bad.
Again, thanks.
Been using the watch for a few days now and it's nice. I still wish it were a little bigger. Battery life is OK, I actually used mine for 2 and a half days (not including nights) with light use.
I'm glad I got it for free with my P7P. Would I buy it at full price? No because I'm not big on smartwatches (or watches in general for that matter).