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 shade scheme that matches my USCG navy service colours, I had to purchase it.
It seems that the brand new shade 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 accessible at a reduced value.
That being stated, there are a handful of recent software program options with Samsung’s new One UI 8 replace, together with Operating Coach, Google Gemini (accessible with a press and maintain of a button), antioxidant measurements from the center charge sensor, and vascular load assist.
Simply notice that none of those software program options are restricted to the 2025 Galaxy Watch Extremely, so there will not be many compelling causes to buy the newest mannequin.
Nonetheless, when you’re searching for 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 purpose I just like the Watch Extremely is the built-in LTE service so I can run safely with out my telephone 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 an enormous assortment of media content material to encourage me to maneuver.
With the addition of so many new apps for the Watch Extremely, that further cupboard space could be extra invaluable than you’d first suppose. 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 number of the most downloaded.
All of those take up house, and the advantage of that further storage finally means extra decisions. 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 gadget.
I take pleasure in operating and after a few weeks, I discovered the Samsung Operating Coach to satisfy my humble wants. I’m not going to win any races, however I just like the audible steering and customized teaching that this characteristic gives, particularly when it takes me two weeks to finish every week of a coaching plan. The Operating Coach would not stress me to run extra typically, 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 end result 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 would not change, and I’m not getting any worth out of this check.
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 info 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 large look ahead to individuals like me and the $650 value 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 main 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 charge measurements whereas operating, and large watch that matches my wrist nicely implies that I’ve a mix to cowl all of my adventures. I do know that the colour of one thing is probably not an enormous deal to many individuals, however the truth that I can showcase my school and navy service colours results in conversations concerning the USCG and wearable expertise.
