Choosing Galaxy Watch

[lyuc]

I am looking at purchasing the Galaxy Watch 7 LTE but can't find answers to my questions. Can you help?

1. I want access to all the health tracker benefits linked to my mobile but don't want to have my phone functions (calls, texts, social app notifications) installed. Is it possible to use a watch without these functions?

2. I may occasionally wish to listen to music during workouts, e.g. via YouTube. Is this possible?

3. If I got the Bluetooth-only watch would it wear down my phone's battery being connected to it? Can it connect to my phone's mobile data or would I have to hot-spot?

4. What exactly does LTE mean? Do I need to look at getting a separate contract for a Watch or would it connect to my current phone contract (Galaxy S23)?

Thank you!

[TechnoSteve]

1) It's dependable how you setup the watch, as to what apps are installed on it. All your health trackers are also how you set the watch up
2) You can install music apps on the watch and listen via your buds, you can also have music downloaded to the watch, which does have good enough storage, yet again depending which watch you get. Check all the details on the Samsung website
3) If you want to see your health data you'll need Bluetooth connected to your phone, you can see it on the watch but it depends on what you'd prefer to see it on. You can setup your watch to watch only mode which won't connect to your phone at all, but then that defeats having music apps on your phone
4) LTE really just means it uses mobile data via an ESIM, and you do need to pay for another line, which is really just a dummy number, because anyone which calls your mobile number, the calls will come on your watch if you're not within vasinity of your phone.

If you get a Bluetooth only watch, you'll need your phone with you always (unless you have music downloaded on your watch) just to listen to Spotify and YouTube because they need mobile data to work, unless you've downloaded content for offline usage

A LTE watch is basically a standalone watch, no phone needed, but you'll use more battery by using the mobile network, your watch may not last as long as the manufacturer states

Just go to Samsung.com and compare the watches

[AndrewL]

@lyuc: I'll do my best to answer each of your queries.

1. The Galaxy Watch7 comes preinstalled with a Phone and Messages app, however you do not need to utilise them when connected to a mobile device if you would prefer to simply use the Watch as a health tracker/media device. What I'd suggest is heading to Galaxy Wearable app on your phone > Watch settings > Notifications > App notifications, and toggling off the Phone and Messages app, as this will ensure that calls and messages remain on the connected phone. 

2. The Watch7 is capable of streaming music from certain apps e.g. Spotify, and playing downloaded media files, however YouTube support is not available. To add downloaded music, head to the Galaxy Wearable app > Watch settings > Manage content > Tracks on Watch > + > Select the files > Add to watch. Furthermore, select the 'Media Controller' app on the Watch, then select Phone to play music from the phone's music app, controlled by the watch, or select Watch to play music from the Watch's music app via the Watch's speakers or a connected Bluetooth headset.

3. Maintaining a Bluetooth connection with your phone will result in some battery drainage, however this will depend on your usage, and how frequently you sync data between the devices. It can connect to a Wi-Fi network or hotspot, but not Mobile data. 

4. The LTE model allows you to utilise the network features on the Watch7 (Calls, messages and mobile data) without being connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. It will require the eSIM to be activated by your network, and will have its own designated number. Please contact your network to make sure that they offer eSIM support for wearables. 

I hope this helps.