After three months with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9, these are my favorite features

After three months of using the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9, my favorite features are its improved sleep tracking and two new additions. The sleep tracking has become more accurate, identifying when I fall asleep and wake up, and providing a better estimate of the time spent asleep versus just lying in bed. The sleep score now reflects the quality of sleep more accurately, especially considering my recent chronic pain and disrupted sleep patterns.

In addition, Samsung has taken sleep efficiency into account, which is beneficial for those experiencing disrupted sleep. Another standout feature is Vitals, which monitors key metrics while I'm asleep to detect any deviations from my baseline. This includes heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and blood oxygen levels.

When these metrics are out of range, the Samsung Health app provides suggestions for the cause, such as stress, lack of sleep, intense workouts, or medications. This has helped me become more aware of when my body is under strain, prompting me to prioritize rest. However, I hope the feature evolves further to provide more specific recommendations to get back to my baseline, rather than just focusing on meeting step goals.

Lastly, the Daily Cardio Load feature has been a game-changer for me. It balances training and recovery by measuring the load placed on my heart during daily activity and exercise. If the intensity reaches 40% of my heart rate reserve or higher, it contributes to my cardio load. The Samsung Health app then informs me if I'm under my target load for the day, have reached optimal load, or have exceeded it.

This feature has encouraged me to focus on activities that challenge me without overexerting myself, taking into account my chronic migraines and fibromyalgia. While I haven't seen a significant improvement in battery life, the enhanced sleep tracking, Vitals, and Daily Cardio Load features make the Galaxy Watch 9 a smartwatch I highly recommend.