When companies were trying out all sorts of different designs for smartwatches, Samsung brought about a renaissance in the market with the Gear S2 four years ago. It harkened back to the design of classic timepieces and blended that with modern functionality which essentially promised customers the best of both worlds. The smartwatch they purchased did indeed look like an actual watch but could do so much more than just tell the time. Samsung also made another great design decision with the Gear S3: the introduction of a fluted rotating bezel.
That went out the window with the Galaxy Watch Active. It does not have the rotating bezel which had become a signature design element of Samsung smartwatches. The result is a watch that just comes in at 39.5mm with the requisite MIL-STD-810G and IP68 certifications. It weighs just 25g without the strap. Smaller watches were the norm a few decades ago but the industry has evolved over the years. Customers now prefer larger watches.
Galaxy Watch Active review
Galaxy Watch Active review
Smartwatch manufacturers are opting for larger sizes because they want to offer larger displays. Samsung has taken a different approach with the Galaxy Watch Active. It’s more compact, lighter and smaller than many of its rivals. So while the Galaxy Watch may stand out because of its fluted bezel, this will attract attention for its subtle curves that are certainly accentuated by the circular design.
The impact on system navigation notwithstanding, I feel that Samsung made a good decision to remove the bezel given what it was trying to achieve with this device. Do keep in mind that this isn’t a successor to the Galaxy Watch. The intention with this product was to provide a more affordable option to customers who still want the convenience and functionality that a modern smartwatch offers but in a more attainable way.
Most people may not want a chunky and bulky watch on their wrist when they’re working out and it seems that Samsung had that in mind when this device was being developed. I was surprised by how comfortable it is to wear. The interchangeable silicone strap that it comes with is also made of a very comfortable and breathable material so it never irritates you even during intense workout sessions.
Galaxy Watch Active review
Galaxy Watch Active review
The same goes for wearing the watch to bed. It’s capable of tracking your sleep after all, so why not wear it to bed? I have been doing so every night ever since I started testing the smartwatch. The Galaxy Watch won’t bother you the slightest. It just exists on your wrist without an omnipresent reminder that you have something strapped on you.
There’s not much to talk about the material since its just glass on top of an aluminum body. The frame you only really come into contact with when using the physical buttons (placed at the two and four positions) and the glass is unavoidable because it’s on top of the display. There are two physical buttons, one of which is the back key, which does what the name suggests. Press and hold it for a few seconds and it also launches Samsung Pay. The other is the home/power button which will take you to the home screen and show your apps as well as let you power off the device.
Galaxy Watch Active review 1
