I've been training with the Galaxy Watch 9 for a month — 3 things I like (and 3 I don't)
We've been training with the Galaxy Watch 9, and there are some features we like and dislike so far.
In the past month, I've had the opportunity to test the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 during various workouts, including treadmill sessions, strength training and yoga classes. After this extensive experience, I can share three things I particularly like about the watch, as well as three aspects that aren't my cup of tea.
Firstly, I appreciate the aesthetics of the Galaxy Watch 9. Priced at $379 for the 40mm option (without LTE) or $409 for the 44mm model (also without LTE), the smartwatch-fitness tracker boasts a premium look. The sleek sports strap and screen design cater to my preferences. While the 40mm model is available in Cream or Graphite, and the 44mm in Graphite or Silver, I found the setup and pairing process with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 to be seamless.
I recommend enabling the always-on option to glance at the screen during workouts, as it helped me keep cortisol levels in check.
Secondly, the Galaxy Watch 9 offers an impressive array of health and fitness tracking capabilities. Samsung Health provides detailed insights into various sports and activities, complete with sensors that gather comprehensive data. The new Vitals dashboard, featuring metrics such as heart rate, HRV, Sp02, body temperature, breathing and Heart Health Score, presents a holistic approach to wellbeing.
The watch also includes features like Cardio Load and Fitness Index, offering a score out of 100 based on activity levels, VO2 max, recovery time and more. Customizing sports bands and enabling the always-on feature are also user-friendly aspects of the watch.
Lastly, the Galaxy Watch 9's auto activity detection is a game-changer during workouts. The watch can automatically track exercises like walking, running, cycling, swimming, rowing and elliptical training using its BioActive Sensor and accelerometer. This eliminates the need for manual start and stop for most activities, making it handy for keeping track of time, distance, pace and overall activity levels.
Although the watch tends to overestimate calorie burn, distances and paces have matched up well with my reliable Coros Pace 4, and auto-detection is particularly useful for running data.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Guide's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
