Why I pair my Galaxy Watch with a Samsung smartphone

Samsung’s smartwatches (and the Galaxy Ring) are suitable with most Android telephones, however you’ll solely get the total expertise when paired with Samsung Galaxy smartphones. This is applicable to older Galaxy Watch fashions as much as the newest Galaxy Watch 8 collection and Galaxy Watch Extremely 2025. However what are these options, and are they price contemplating switching smartphones for?

There are lots of options, however only some actually make the partnership worthwhile, at the very least for me. I don’t personal a Galaxy Ring, however I can touch upon the synergy between my Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy S24 FE. Whereas most advantages are health-related, a number of ecosystem options make proudly owning Samsung merchandise extra engaging and price contemplating.

I exploit my Galaxy Watch primarily as a health tracker, so I prioritize options that monitor well being points. Most health monitoring options can be found throughout all Android telephones, together with fundamental coronary heart fee monitoring, step monitoring, sleep, and SpO2 insights. Nonetheless, if you wish to use your wearable particularly to verify your heartbeat or blood stress, you must pair it with a Samsung smartphone and obtain the unique Samsung Well being Monitor app. This app can also be restricted to particular markets, so verify availability if these options are important to you.

Notably, the app permits the Galaxy Watch 4 and newer fashions’ ECG capabilities, or electrocardiogram, which samples your coronary heart’s rhythm and provides steering if it detects irregularities. Fortunately, my coronary heart’s nonetheless sturdy, however I commonly use this function once I really feel unusually drained or pressured.

Well being Monitor additionally unlocks the Galaxy Watch collection’ blood stress monitoring function, which requires calibration with a standalone monitor earlier than use. This function is nice for fast checkups in case you’re away from dwelling with out a devoted monitor.

Different Galaxy Watch options that require a Samsung smartphone embrace stress reminders, sleep apnea monitoring, and Power Rating perception.

Sleep apnea monitoring samples your respiratory and coronary heart fee rhythm at evening, checking for any regarding dips in blood oxygen ranges. It then supplies additional steering. I exploit this function a number of occasions a yr, and it provides nice perception into my total sleep well being.

Power Rating perception provides AI-powered context to your Power Rating — a determine that quantifies your every day readiness based mostly on earlier exercise and relaxation. Power Rating works with out a Samsung cellphone, however you’ll solely get the quantity and never a lot else.

A number of new Galaxy Watch well being monitoring options aren’t unique to Samsung smartphones however can be found in newer variations of One UI Watch. This consists of Vascular Load, Antioxidant Index, Operating Coach, and Bedtime Steering.

I agree, the fixed chatter about AI may be annoying, however Galaxy AI on the Galaxy Watch is sort of useful. I’ve highlighted the way it permits some well being options on the wearable, but it surely’s additionally discovered in additional common purposes. Samsung’s use of AI isn’t significantly intrusive and improves the expertise of a number of options and apps on the small display screen. Notably, Galaxy AI options require the watch to be paired with a suitable Samsung smartphone.

So what are these options? One which I discover significantly helpful is Sensible Replies, which supplies context-aware response choices to messages despatched by way of a messaging app. Whereas this function is out there by Samsung Messages, it additionally works properly with WhatsApp and Google Messages.

Imagine it or not, Samsung’s typically criticized voice assistant is definitely fairly good. I ditched Google Gemini for per week to make use of Bixby solely, and I loved it. Its availability throughout each the Galaxy Watch and Samsung smartphones makes pairing the 2 units worthwhile.

I discover that Bixby triggers settings quicker on these units than Gemini, making it a greater utility for controlling your gadget in your wrist. I exploit it to set timers, regulate alarms, and begin workouts. Tapping the Bixby button and speaking to my watch is commonly simpler than scrolling throughout its tiny show to faucet a good smaller button.

I wouldn’t think about the voice assistant higher than Gemini for on-line duties. Google’s product continues to be higher for something you want fetched from the net. However, personally, I normally use my cellphone for these duties. You should use each in your watch utilizing totally different wake phrases or bodily shortcuts for every.

Modes and Routines are a core a part of my digital life that I couldn’t think about residing with out them. That is maybe the one function I’d miss most if I separated my Galaxy Watch and Galaxy cellphone. In brief, Modes and Routines enable me to set off particular settings conditionally, based mostly on location, time of day, or linked community. However that is simply skimming the floor.

In one other article, I elaborated on the varied makes use of of Modes and Routines, together with activating power-saving mode on my watch once I don’t want all its options, flipping by watch faces routinely, or making full use of my cellphone’s Driving mode to make content material on my watch extra legible. There are numerous integrations doable with this instrument.

Some modes set off routinely, too. A Samsung smartphone and Galaxy Watch will even sync different settings with each other, together with alarms (by way of Sleep mode) and Do Not Disturb standing.

I’ll admit, that is one quirky motive to pair a Samsung smartphone with a Galaxy Watch, however I’ve grown to love it. Utilizing a tripod for smartphone pictures is a boon, particularly if you wish to seize nighttime pictures with out jittering the gadget’s {hardware}. In these instances, the digicam management function is handy.

Annoyingly, it doesn’t help particular digicam modes that may make it genuinely useful, like Gradual Movement or Hyperlapse. However, I’ve used this function greater than I assumed I might.

Because the Galaxy Ring lacks a display screen, you can’t use it to manage the digicam of your Galaxy cellphone or any Android cellphone.

Whereas a few of these options have workarounds or options, most of the above options genuinely improve the Galaxy Watch and Ring expertise. I wouldn’t counsel you rush out and buy a Samsung cellphone right this moment in case you personal a Galaxy Watch, but it surely’s one thing to think about going ahead. As Samsung continues growing extra Galaxy AI-heavy options that require its smartphone {hardware}, don’t be shocked to see extra options locked behind its walled backyard.