Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into a comprehensive review of the Samsung Gear Sport. This smartwatch was released a while ago, but the question remains: In a market flooded with new devices, does the Samsung Gear Sport still hold up? Is it worth your hard-earned cash? Let's get into it!

What is Samsung Gear Sport?

The Samsung Gear Sport is a smartwatch that Samsung released targeting fitness enthusiasts. It's designed to be more compact and versatile than some of its predecessors, aiming to bridge the gap between a smartwatch and a dedicated fitness tracker. The watch boasts features like GPS, heart rate tracking, water resistance, and the ability to store music offline, making it a solid companion for workouts and daily activities. It runs on Samsung’s Tizen OS, known for its smooth performance and intuitive user interface. The main idea behind the Gear Sport was to create a device that could seamlessly transition from the gym to everyday life, offering both fitness tracking capabilities and smartwatch functionalities in a sleek, stylish package. The rotating bezel, a signature Samsung feature, allows for easy navigation through menus and apps, adding to the overall user experience. The watch also supports notifications, allowing you to stay connected without constantly reaching for your phone. With its focus on fitness and its smartwatch features, the Samsung Gear Sport aimed to be a versatile device for users seeking a balance between health tracking and convenience. So, if you're trying to find a watch that fits your sporty lifestyle then this is a good contender for you.

Design and Comfort

When it comes to design and comfort, the Samsung Gear Sport strikes a good balance. It's designed to be sporty yet sleek enough for everyday wear. The watch features a circular face with a rotating bezel, which isn't just for looks; it's a super functional way to navigate through the interface. The build quality feels solid, and the watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities. Comfort-wise, the Gear Sport is lightweight and doesn't feel bulky on the wrist, even during workouts. The straps are made of a comfortable material that doesn't cause irritation, even when worn for extended periods. The watch is also customizable with standard 20mm straps, allowing you to switch up the look to match your style or activity. Overall, the design and comfort of the Samsung Gear Sport are well-thought-out, making it a versatile option for both fitness enthusiasts and those looking for a stylish smartwatch. The rotating bezel is a standout feature, providing a tactile and intuitive way to interact with the watch's interface. The watch's slim profile ensures that it doesn't feel cumbersome during workouts, while its sleek design makes it suitable for wearing in more formal settings. The ability to change the straps easily also adds to its appeal, allowing you to personalize the watch to suit your taste.

Fitness Tracking Features

The Samsung Gear Sport is packed with fitness tracking features that cater to a wide range of activities. It includes built-in GPS for accurate tracking of outdoor workouts like running and cycling, as well as a heart rate sensor for monitoring your pulse during exercise. The watch can automatically detect and track various activities such as walking, running, cycling, and swimming. It also offers guided workouts and personalized coaching to help you achieve your fitness goals. In addition to tracking your workouts, the Gear Sport monitors your daily activity levels, including steps taken, calories burned, and active minutes. It also provides insights into your sleep patterns, tracking the duration and quality of your sleep. The watch is compatible with various fitness apps, such as Samsung Health, Under Armour, and MyFitnessPal, allowing you to sync your data and participate in challenges with friends. The water resistance of the Gear Sport makes it suitable for swimming, and it can track metrics such as stroke count and distance. The watch also includes a barometric altimeter for measuring elevation changes during activities like hiking. Overall, the Samsung Gear Sport's fitness tracking features are comprehensive and accurate, making it a great choice for anyone looking to monitor their activity levels and improve their fitness.

Smartwatch Capabilities

Beyond its fitness tracking prowess, the Samsung Gear Sport functions as a capable smartwatch. It receives notifications for calls, texts, emails, and app alerts, allowing you to stay connected without constantly checking your phone. You can respond to messages directly from the watch using pre-set replies, voice dictation, or a small on-screen keyboard. The Gear Sport also supports Samsung Pay, allowing you to make contactless payments at compatible terminals. It has built-in music storage, so you can download your favorite tunes and listen to them offline using Bluetooth headphones. The watch runs on Samsung's Tizen OS, which offers a smooth and intuitive user experience. You can download apps from the Galaxy App Store, although the selection is more limited compared to platforms like Wear OS or watchOS. The Gear Sport also includes features like a calendar, weather updates, and world clock. It supports voice commands via S Voice, Samsung's virtual assistant, although its performance is not as refined as that of Google Assistant or Siri. Overall, the Samsung Gear Sport's smartwatch capabilities are solid, providing a convenient way to stay connected and manage your day-to-day tasks. The ability to receive notifications, make payments, and listen to music offline makes it a versatile companion for both work and play.

Battery Life

Battery life is always a crucial factor when considering a smartwatch, and the Samsung Gear Sport offers decent performance in this area. On average, you can expect the watch to last for around two to three days on a single charge with moderate usage. This includes tracking workouts, receiving notifications, and using the watch for basic smartwatch functions. However, battery life can vary depending on your usage patterns. If you use the GPS frequently for tracking outdoor activities, the battery will drain faster. Similarly, using the always-on display feature will also reduce battery life. The Gear Sport has a power-saving mode that can extend battery life by limiting certain features, such as notifications and background activity. Charging the watch is done via a wireless charging dock, which is convenient and easy to use. Overall, the battery life of the Samsung Gear Sport is adequate for most users, but it may not be sufficient for those who engage in long workouts or use the watch extensively throughout the day. It's worth noting that battery life tends to degrade over time, so you may experience shorter battery life as the watch ages. However, with proper usage and maintenance, you can expect the Gear Sport to provide a reliable battery performance for its lifespan.

Pros and Cons

To sum it up, here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of the Samsung Gear Sport:

Pros:

• Sleek and comfortable design
• Rotating bezel for easy navigation
• Comprehensive fitness tracking features
• Water-resistant up to 50 meters
• Built-in GPS and heart rate sensor
• Smartwatch capabilities, including notifications and Samsung Pay

Cons:

• Limited app selection compared to other platforms
• S Voice is not as refined as other virtual assistants
• Battery life may not be sufficient for heavy users

Is It Still Worth It?

So, is the Samsung Gear Sport still worth it in today's market? Well, it depends on your needs and priorities. If you're looking for a reliable fitness tracker with smartwatch capabilities and you can find it at a discounted price, it could be a good option. However, if you want the latest and greatest features, or you need a wider selection of apps, you might want to consider newer models. Keep in mind that technology moves fast, and there are plenty of newer smartwatches with improved features and performance. But if you value simplicity, durability, and a focus on fitness, the Gear Sport still has something to offer. Ultimately, the decision is up to you and what you're looking for in a smartwatch.