If you ask me, a good smartwatch is one that keeps things simple. It should let me handle calls without lifting a finger, check notifications when my phone's not around, and manage my music and audiobooks hassle-free. And if it throws in health, fitness, and sleep tracking features without costing an arm and a leg, well, that's just icing on the cake.
Enter the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm)—right now, it ticks off all those boxes, and if you're scouting for a thoughtful Valentine's Day gift, guess what? It's currently up for grabs at a discounted price.
When it comes to buying tech without breaking the bank, one smart move is to opt for a slightly older model of the latest device. Take the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, for instance. It's currently enjoying a 15% discount on Amazon, priced at $169 for the pink gold variant, down from its usual $200. Plus, it bears a striking resemblance to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, which, let's face it, only brought along minor tweaks compared to its predecessor.
Admittedly, it's not the absolute latest Samsung Watch model—that honor goes to the recently unveiled Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. But here's the kicker: the Galaxy Watch 4 packs all the essential features I'm after. Think ECG, blood pressure monitoring, sleep tracking, seamless Google integration, and Samsung Health—all neatly bundled into one sleek package.
Now, I'm no fitness freak, so I don't need all the bells and whistles of the newest tracking features, or the extended battery life and larger screen size of the Watch 6 40mm, which commands a price tag of around $300. The Galaxy Watch 4 covers my fitness tracking needs without overwhelming me with complexity. (It even throws in advanced workout tracking for six modes like running, rowing, and swimming, for those who fancy auto-detected tracking features.)
But, and here's the rub, some users have reported a recent uptick in battery drain issues. Not to worry, though—Samsung has some handy tips on how to run a diagnostic on your watch and troubleshoot the problem.
