Samsung’s smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch7, doesn’t rewrite the rulebook but refines what already worked. It keeps the same sleek, circular design as its predecessors while cranking up the performance and adding some new AI-powered wellness features. It’s not a massive leap from the Galaxy Watch6, but the improvements under the hood make it a solid choice for Samsung users looking for a high-performance smartwatch.

A Design That Just Works

If you’ve seen the Galaxy Watch6, then the Watch7 will feel incredibly familiar. Samsung isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel here, and honestly, that’s a good thing. The sleek, circular build still looks premium, with no visible bezel and a bright Super AMOLED Always-On display that makes everything pop. It’s comfortable, lightweight, and stylish enough for both casual wear and workouts.

The 40mm model comes in Green or Cream, while the 44mm variant is available in Green or Silver. Samsung also offers multiple band options, making it easy to customize the look. The same quick-release band mechanism from the Watch6 returns, making swapping straps effortless. However, the rotating bezel is absent, meaning those who love that tactile feel will need to opt for the Galaxy Watch6 Classic instead.

Performance: A Speed Boost That Matters

Powering the Galaxy Watch7 is Samsung’s first 3-nanometer Exynos W1000 chip. That might not mean much on paper, but in practice, it makes a difference. Apps open faster, scrolling is smoother, and even demanding tasks like fitness tracking feel more responsive. Whether it’s launching Spotify, checking messages, or tracking workouts, the Watch7 handles it all effortlessly.

Samsung has also introduced new AI-powered health features, but here’s the catch – they require a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. One of the standout additions is the Energy Score, which analyzes sleep, activity, and other factors to give an overall wellness rating. It’s a concept similar to what the Oura Ring offers, providing insights on how to optimize daily routines.

Health and Fitness Features: The Smartest Galaxy Watch Yet

Samsung has always been a leader in smartwatch fitness tracking, and the Watch7 keeps that reputation strong. It offers tracking for hundreds of workouts, including cycling, running, yoga, and custom exercise modes. A cool addition is the ability to compete with past workout data, adding a gamified element to fitness.

The new BioActive Sensor has been upgraded with more LEDs and sensors to improve accuracy in heart rate monitoring, electrocardiogram (ECG) readings, and irregular rhythm detection. It also introduces AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products) tracking, which provides insights into metabolic health. Another major upgrade is FDA-certified sleep apnea detection, making the Galaxy Watch7 a more advanced sleep tracker than ever before.

Gestures and Usability: A Smarter, More Intuitive Experience

One of the biggest quality-of-life upgrades comes in the form of new gesture controls. The Double Pinch gesture is a standout feature, allowing users to stop timers, answer calls, and even trigger the camera with a simple hand movement. If that sounds familiar, it’s because Apple introduced a similar feature on the Apple Watch Series 9 – but that doesn’t make it any less useful here.

Navigation remains smooth with WearOS 5 and Samsung’s One UI 6, giving users access to Google Play apps alongside Samsung’s suite of software. Everything from Google Assistant to Samsung Health is deeply integrated, making the Watch7 feel like a true extension of a Galaxy smartphone.

Battery Life: Still a One-Day Watch

If there’s one area where the Galaxy Watch7 doesn’t move forward, it’s battery life. The 40mm version packs a 300mAh battery, while the 44mm model gets a 425mAh battery. Real-world usage still sees the watch lasting about a day, especially if the Always-On display and workout tracking are enabled. If you plan to track sleep overnight, you’ll need to charge it daily.

Samsung has rolled out software updates to improve battery efficiency, but don’t expect a massive difference. Those hoping for multi-day battery life will need to look at competing watches like the Garmin Venu 3 or the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Price and Availability: No Price Hike Here

The good news? Samsung hasn’t increased the price compared to last year’s model. The Galaxy Watch7 starts at $299.99 / £289 / AU$549 for the 40mm model and $329.99 / £319 / AU$599 for the 44mm model. If you need 4G LTE connectivity, the price jumps to $349 / £339 / AU$649 for the 40mm and $379 / £369 / AU$699 for the 44mm.

For what it offers, the pricing is reasonable – especially considering Samsung’s new AI features and performance boost.

Final Thoughts: Worth the Upgrade?

The Galaxy Watch7 is an excellent smartwatch, but it plays things safe. The new chip makes everything snappier, AI-powered health features add valuable insights, and the design remains sleek and premium. However, battery life remains unchanged, and there’s no rotating bezel option for those who love that tactile feel.

If you’re using a Galaxy Watch 5 or older, the Watch7 is a fantastic upgrade. But if you already own a Galaxy Watch6, the improvements are more iterative than game-changing. Either way, for Samsung users, this remains one of the best WearOS smartwatches on the market.