Samsung recently launched its new line of smartwatches, and Olhar Digital had the opportunity to test the Galaxy Watch 9. This smartwatch incorporates advanced sensors to monitor health data and physical activities, in addition to features that allow training without needing to carry a cell phone.
Maintaining the characteristic design of previous models in the line, the Galaxy Watch 9 has a round shape and slightly curved edges, which makes it easy to adjust on the wrist. This curvature also helps the sensors located on the back to maintain proper contact with the skin, optimizing information collection throughout the day. The straps are interchangeable, and the device is lightweight, weighing less than 35 grams, ensuring continuous comfort, even during sleep.
The display uses a Super AMOLED panel with a brightness capacity of up to 3,000 nits, ensuring perfect visibility even under intense sunlight. Compared to last year's Watch 8, the margins around the screen have been reduced, maximizing the front space. Navigation can be performed through the touch screen or via two side buttons. Durability is reinforced by sapphire crystal glass, which protects against accidental scratches, and the watch has water and dust resistance, supporting immersion in water up to 50 meters (5 ATM).
Internally, Samsung equipped the Galaxy Watch 9 with the Snapdragon Wear Elite processor, providing high-level performance that runs the operating system smoothly, whether opening applications or switching screens. The available internal storage is 32 GB, sufficient to store music and applications. The device meets all expectations for a smartwatch in this category: it can remotely trigger the smartphone camera, display phone notifications, and allow calls to be answered directly from the wrist. Furthermore, access to the Play Store app is possible directly on the watch, allowing the installation of new programs without depending on the phone.
The watch also operates via voice commands and introduces a new feature based on Google's Gemini AI: simply raise your wrist and speak to activate the virtual assistant. This feature is practical for those who want to perform quick searches without having to take their phone out of their pocket. However, the battery remains a weak point, rarely lasting more than one day, requiring morning charging. Charging is done via induction through the included magnetic base, and the process is not considered one of the fastest.
The Galaxy Watch 9 is designed to go beyond just telling time, offering various sensors for health and exercise tracking. Sensors on the bottom monitor heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, stress levels, body composition, and electrocardiogram. During sleep, it tracks sleep stages, detects snoring (requiring the phone to remain nearby), and looks for signs of apnea. The system consolidates all this data into simple indicators to facilitate understanding of the physical state. It is important to note that the smartwatch serves as a reference and does not replace a professional medical diagnosis, as automatic recording failures may occur.
The collected information is accessible through the Samsung Health app. One point of attention is that, like other watches from the brand, some functions are restricted to Galaxy line smartphones; users outside this ecosystem may have limited use of the Galaxy Watch 9.
For physical activities, the watch automatically recognizes walks, runs, and gym workouts, starting the recording without user intervention. Upon completion, it displays heart rate, exercise time, and an estimated calorie burn. Thanks to integrated GPS, the Galaxy Watch 9 records the entire outdoor route without the need to carry the phone. Its dual-frequency GPS ensures accurate route tracking, even in areas with tall buildings or trails, overcoming limitations of other smartwatches. Because it is water-resistant, it can be used while swimming without compromising its function. The watch also assesses fatigue level based on recent activities, alerting about the need for rest or indicating times of greater readiness for training.
In summary, the Galaxy Watch 9 presents superior performance, a high-quality screen, and precise sensors, including dual-band GPS, making it a great choice for those looking to monitor health and activities. It is lightweight, comfortable, usable away from the phone, and has good integration with the Samsung ecosystem. However, the restrictions imposed on non-Samsung devices limit its use for those outside the brand, and battery life remains a negative point, potentially requiring daily charging, which is relevant for those who take long walks.
