5 Reasons To Skip A Galaxy Watch And Get Garmin Instead

Many users of wearable devices look at them as simply an extension of other hardware. In regard to smartwatches specifically, iPhone users often turn to the Apple Watch lineup, while Android users have a lot of other smartwatch brands to choose from. One of those is Samsung, whose Galaxy Watch lineup has been one of the most popular Android options for years, with its recent flagship releases including the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Despite its popularity, the Galaxy Watch lineup is not an end-all and be-all solution for all users.

For smartwatch users looking to skip a Galaxy Watch, Garmin is a brand worth taking a look at. Both Samsung and Garmin are among the smartwatch brands with the longest software support, but Garmin distinguishes itself in a number of other ways. You can think of a Galaxy Watch as a generalist device that offers a balance of smart features and health tracking capabilities. Garmin, on the other hand, is tailored for fitness enthusiasts who need advanced metrics and a longer battery life. So, if you're into fitness, here are some reasons why a Garmin might be a better choice than a Galaxy Watch.

Ensuring a wearable device has enough battery life at the times it's most needed can be a challenge for smartwatch users. Many smartwatches and fitness trackers require charging on a daily basis, and if it's not charged at the right time, sleep or other wellness data won't get logged. However, the Garmin lineup as a whole is known for exceptional battery life.

Samsung's latest smartwatch release, the Galaxy Watch 9, is rated for up to 40 hours of battery life with the always-on display disabled and up to 30 hours when it's turned on. Garmin's mid-range option, the Forerunner 570, can reach up to 10 full days of battery life between charges. All smartwatches, of course, will perform differently with certain features disabled. Garmin makes it easy to move into and out of its smartwatch modes, disabling and turning back on battery-hungry features like GPS conveniently when they're not needed.

Garmin also has a lineup of smartwatches with solar charging capabilities. This technology adds to battery life the more the watch is worn where sunlight is available. The Garmin Enduro 4 is one of these models, and it's capable of reaching 90 days of battery life when in smartwatch mode and up to 320 hours when in activity mode. This kind of battery life will outperform not only what's available in the Galaxy Watch lineup, but most smartwatches and fitness trackers on the market as well.

Garmin first made a name for itself with its GPS devices, and as a brand it's well regarded among those who enjoy the outdoors and those who take their training seriously. Garmin watches are designed to be worn on a regular basis, but they're also made for users looking to get into metrics beyond daily step counts. Alongside common tracking metrics, Garmin watches can report heart rate variability status, track numerous training activities, and even monitor the body's recovery through readiness reports.

The Galaxy Watch lineup is no slouch when it comes to fitness tracking, especially for fitness enthusiasts who may be at the beginning of a wellness journey or everyday users who simply want to get a little more in tune with their body. A smartwatch like the Galaxy Watch 9 can measure things like heart rate and skin temperature, as well as provide blood pressure estimates. Through the Samsung Health ecosystem, Galaxy Watches can typically track activities like running, cycling, and even yoga and meditation.

But in addition to deeper wellness metrics, Garmin watches provide more specialized activity tracking. Tracking for more obscure activities like rowing, backpacking, pickleball, and even motorcycle riding is built into Garmin watches, as is the ability to take on comprehensive training regimens. One of Garmin's entry-level smartwatches, the Forerunner 70, is even among the best gadgets to help prepare for a marathon.

When it comes to maps and navigation, smartwatches like what can be found in the Galaxy Watch lineup are often fine for everyday use. They're meant for the masses and thus are geared toward providing directions in well-mapped areas and for helping fitness enthusiasts track their runs, walks, and bike rides around cities, neighborhoods, parks, and well-worn trails. With outdoors enthusiasts, adventurers, and extreme athletes among its user base, Garmin builds its maps and navigation with more rugged terrain in mind.

Many of its watches come with TopoActive topographic maps preloaded, so users can see not only roads and routes on their wrist, but terrain as well. These maps show the shape of the mapped area, including elevation, which allows hikers or trail runners to spot a climb ahead of them before they're able to see it from their physical vantage point. These maps can also come in handy for more general off-road adventures, as they can be used simply for turn-by-turn directions.

Users can also use the Garmin Connect app to create workout routes that can then be sent to their Garmin watch before they set out on a trail run or extended hike. Maps are available specifically for cycling, hunting, golfing, boating, skiing, and diving. Through its Outdoor Maps+ premium plan, Garmin includes detailed map visuals, with viewing options including high-resolution satellite imagery, high-definition relief shading, and detailed raster maps.

Just about any smartwatch in the Galaxy Watch lineup can make a worthy Android recommendation. But users entrenched in the Apple hardware ecosystem will struggle to find a smartwatch solution from Samsung, as the newer models in the Galaxy Watch lineup are incompatible with Apple devices. Pairing with iOS devices is not supported, and even some non-Samsung Android phones are unable to tap into all of the features available on a Galaxy Watch.

The feature sets of Garmin smartwatches aren't tied to any one software platform. The Garmin Connect app can be installed on an Android or iOS device. This app is where everything a Garmin watch tracks ends up. Daily metrics like step counts and sleep tracking data will be logged here, and individual workouts will be recorded and archived through the Garmin Connect app as well.

In many ways, Garmin watches beat the Apple Watch for fitness users, which makes Garmin not just a worthy alternative to Galaxy Watches but also to Apple's offerings. The Garmin Connect app can sync data with other apps like Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, and Strava, allowing users to track health and workout data in apps they may already be more familiar with. And since Garmin watches don't depend on any particular secondary hardware, upgrading or switching phones won't require the watch to be replaced.

Samsung products have always been made with the masses in mind. The company has a massive reach, and it's managed to achieve this by keeping its model lineup relatively simple. Its recently released flagships are the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. While the Watch 9 is available in a couple of different sizes and band options, there's not a whole lot more to the lineup. Samsung does still sell and market the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 7, and original Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Garmin, on the other hand, has a deep lineup of smartwatches and dedicated fitness trackers. Entry-level options include the Lily 2 and the Forerunner 170, the latter of which is designed specifically for runners. On the other end of the spectrum, Garmin has a luxury smartwatch lineup available in its MARQ collection. In between those is a large number of smartwatches that range from flagships with mass appeal and specialized smartwatches made for specific kinds of athletes and outdoors enthusiasts.

Filling the void between both Samsung's and the wider smartwatch market's broad strokes are options like the Approach lineup. A smartwatch such as the Approach S72 is made for golfers and can track hand speed, backswing length, and wrist rotation to provide users with swing metrics. Another in the Garmin lineup with some specialized intentions is the Tactix 8, which is packed with features tailored to users interested in extreme outdoor and survival activities.