Final 12 months’s Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely was my favourite Google WearOS smartwatch, so after I noticed the 2025 Watch Extremely with its new blue and orange coloration scheme that matches my USCG army service colours, I had to purchase it.
It seems that the brand new coloration scheme (and twice the interior storage quantity) are the one {hardware} variations between the 2024 and 2025 Watch Extremely fashions, so if you do not have a burning need for the colour then search for the 2024 mannequin which may be out there at a reduced worth.
That being stated, there are a handful of latest software program options with Samsung’s new One UI 8 replace, together with Working Coach, Google Gemini (out there with a press and maintain of a button), antioxidant measurements from the guts price sensor, and vascular load assist.
Simply observe that none of those software program options are restricted to the 2025 Galaxy Watch Extremely, so there should not many compelling causes to buy the newest mannequin.
Nonetheless, in the event you’re in search of extra storage, increasing from 32GB to the brand new mannequin’s 64GB could also be necessary sufficient for some individuals to spring for the brand new watch.
One motive I just like the Watch Extremely is the built-in LTE service so I can run safely with out my cellphone and I additionally use the watch to retailer downloaded Spotify music to take pleasure in with bone conduction headsets. With the 2025 Watch Extremely I can now load it up with a large assortment of media content material to inspire me to maneuver.
With the addition of so many new apps for the Watch Extremely, that additional cupboard space may be extra worthwhile than you’d first assume. For instance, media playback apps like Spotify are a should for a lot of, whereas health monitoring apps like Strava, Map My Run, or Hole19 are a few of the most downloaded.
All of those take up house, and the advantage of that additional storage finally means extra selections. That is particularly helpful with my new Z Fold 7 that serves as a mini pill whereas the Watch Extremely serves as my communication triage machine.
I take pleasure in working and after a few weeks, I discovered the Samsung Working Coach to fulfill my humble wants. I’m not going to win any races, however I just like the audible steerage and personalised teaching that this function supplies, particularly when it takes me two weeks to finish per week of a coaching plan. The Working Coach does not stress me to run extra usually, however is there to slot in with my schedule and assist my efforts to enhance my efficiency and prepare with some variable routines.
Whereas it’s good that each years of the Galaxy Watch Extremely assist the antioxidant index, I’ve but to see any outcome aside from “Low”, which leaves me to query the utility of this metric. Even after I spend a day consuming salads and fruit, my index worth does not change, and I’m not getting any worth out of this take a look at.
Vascular load is fascinating to me since I’m now 56 and coronary heart well being is extra necessary now than previously. Samsung does a greater job than others at offering you with data on what every metric means and methods in which you’ll enhance for higher well being.
When evaluating this watch to others, I attempted out the Galaxy Watch 8 Basic for a few weeks and whereas I really like the fluid rotating bezel, the small show and restricted battery life didn’t fulfill me sufficient to surrender the Galaxy Watch Extremely. Samsung made this huge look ahead to individuals like me and the $650 worth continues to be $150 lower than the Apple Watch Extremely 2.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
Because of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, I’m again to utilizing an Android as my major smartphone and with that transfer, the 2025 Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely is the proper companion.
The lengthy battery life, correct GPS monitoring and coronary heart price measurements whereas working, and large watch that matches my wrist effectively signifies that I’ve a mix to cowl all of my adventures. I do know that the colour of one thing might not be a giant deal to many individuals, however the truth that I can exhibit my school and army service colours results in conversations concerning the USCG and wearable know-how.
