Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch a wise investment in 2021?

Best answer: Yes. If you’re looking for a timeless wearable at an affordable price, the Samsung Galaxy Watch is a good buy at any time. However, it’s more than two years old now; you can get the more updated Galaxy Watch Active 2 for a similar price.

• Timeless and classic: Samsung Galaxy Watch ($198 at Amazon)
• Updated for fitness folks: Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 ($199 at Amazon)
• The latest and greatest: Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 ($300 at Amazon)

What features matter most to you?

When deciding whether you should buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch in 2021, be sure to think about what features are essential to your purpose. If you’re a fan of a more traditional aesthetic, then it makes sense that you’re interested in the classic look of the Galaxy Watch. Although if it’s the perks under the hood that have your attention, you might think twice about buying it now that the Galaxy Watch 3 is available. It’s a newer and more refined version of the original. It also packs in plenty of health/fitness perks that the original Galaxy Watch omits.

Speaking of which, if you’re interested in a health/fitness smartwatch, you might want to buy the Galaxy Watch Active 2 for basically the same price. It comes in a sleeker, more lightweight package. It also boasts an electrocardiogram (ECG) feature for detecting an irregular heartbeat, an advanced accelerometer, a more accurate LED-based heart rate monitor, and improved GPS accuracy.

On the topic of perks, there are many of them to go around on the original Galaxy Watch. You can add LTE connectivity to your device, which allows you to stream music without your phone and take calls on your wrist. You’ll also have health/fitness tracking, built-in GPS, sleep monitoring, heart-rate tracking, Samsung Pay, and 5 ATM water resistance. The Galaxy Watch is available in two case sizes: 42mm and 46mm. The large model might be too bulky for some wrists, but it will provide a slightly longer battery life at around four days.

Is newer better?

The Samsung Galaxy Watch might be a timeless buy for budget shoppers and those who don’t need the latest features, but for those who enjoy having the newest tech, the Galaxy Watch 3 is a better pick. There’s no denying that the original Samsung Galaxy Watch is an excellent value, especially now that it’s gone down in price. Remember that the price will go up when you add LTE to the equation.

If you have the extra money to spend and you want a slimmer and more polished design, consider the Galaxy Watch 3. It comes in a 41mm or 45mm case. It offers SpO2 monitoring and VO2 max readings. A SpO2 reading monitors your blood oxygen saturation levels while VO2 max tells you how much oxygen your body is consuming during an exercise. You also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor as well as blood pressure monitoring. If you’re not familiar, the ECG sensor can detect an irregular heartbeat that may be indicative of a more serious medical condition. Users will also enjoy built-in run coaching and recovery tools and have access to over 120 home workout videos on the Samsung Health app.

If you’re going to be bummed about spending money on an older device when a new one is available, you may want to think twice about buying the Samsung Galaxy Watch in 2021. If FOMO isn’t an issue and you’re perfectly content with all that the Galaxy Watch brings to the table, then there’s no time like the present! You’ll save a good chunk of money, too.

Timeless and classic

Samsung Galaxy Watch

$198 at Amazon
$189 at Walmart
$170 at B&H

Always a good buy

The Samsung Galaxy Watch has a lot to offer even now that it’s about to be a two-year-old device. You’ll have optional LTE connectivity, onboard GPS, health/fitness tracking with heart-rate monitoring, mobile payments with Samsung Pay, and more.

Updated for fitness folks

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

$199 at Amazon
$200 at Best Buy
$200 at Walmart

New and improved

If you’re looking for a more updated wearable that is centered around fitness tracking, you might prefer the Galaxy Watch Active 2. It’s available at the same price point and also offers LTE connectivity and two size options.

The latest and greatest

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

$300 at Amazon
$300 at Best Buy
$300 at Walmart

Nothing better

Samsung’s latest smartwatch manages to provide a perfect blend of smartwatch perks with better health/fitness tracking. The Galaxy Watch 3 is the upgrade that many users have been waiting for. However, the price tag may be steep for some.