Can you text on a Smartwatch?

Yes, you can send texts from a smartwatch - with a Galaxy smartwatch, this is done via our pre-installed Messages app. To do this, your watch will need to have Bluetooth and be linked to your mobile (even if it’s outside the 10m range when you want to send the text).

How do smartwatches count calories?

Technically, smartwatches don’t count calories, but they do count the number of calories you burn through physical activity. In a similar way to how step trackers work on your phone, they use the data you provide such as your height, weight and age to work out what is known as your Base Metabolic Rate (BMR). After this, smartwatches use what is known as an accelerometer and a built-in heart rate monitor to assess your energy expenditure - also known as your calorie output.

Do smartwatches use mobile data?

Only Galaxy smartwatches that are 4G enabled such as the Galaxy Watch5 & Galaxy Watch5 Pro use mobile data. Your smartwatch will ordinarily use Bluetooth to communicate with your phone when it is within range. When your smartwatch is out of range (approximately 10 metres away) it will use mobile data to send and receive calls and messages. Sending messages and making calls from your smartwatch only uses a small amount of mobile data which is deducted from your phone’s data plan.

Do you have to have a data plan for a smartwatch?

While your smartwatch will use data to make calls, send texts and receive messages you do not need to have a separate data plan for your smartwatch. For example, a Samsung smartwatch has an eSIM which is paired to your phone's data plan during the initial setup process. Any data you use on your smartwatch will be automatically deducted from your phone's data plan, so there’s no need for a separate one just for your smartwatch.

Is a smartwatch an embedded system?

Without getting too technical with it, yes smartwatches are generally embedded systems. This means that they use a combination of computer hardware and software systems to operate. As many of the smartwatches' functionalities actually sit with your phone, they require less hardware to operate - which is why they’re able to do so much with just a small interface.

What does a smartwatch do?

A smartwatch does more than simply tell the time. Learn more about how they work and what the benefits of owning a smartwatch are.

What is a smartwatch?

A smartwatch is a portable device worn on the wrist that supports apps and acts as an extension of your mobile phone in some cases. Depending on the make and model, they have numerous functions that can have a big impact on day to day life.

Many people use their smartwatches to track their health, or to manage emails, texts and phone calls without the need to carry around their mobile phones. If you and your phone have parted ways, there’s even a Find My Phone function built into Galaxy smartwatches to help you find it again. Smart, eh?

Does a smartwatch need a SIM?

No, you don’t need to insert a SIM card into your smartwatch in order for it to work. Samsung Galaxy smartwatches operate using something known as an eSIM. This type of SIM isn’t a physical SIM but an electronic one that will be automatically downloaded to your watch from your phone during the initial pairing process.

What can a smartwatch do and what are the benefits?

There are many benefits to owning a smartwatch, not limited to the numerous functions that can be done with one. Some other benefits include:

1. A typically longer battery life than mobile phones
2. Innovative biotechnology for monitoring health
3. A sleek user interface that doesn’t compromise stunning wristwatch design
4. Some smartwatches are even waterproof up to 50m - such as the Galaxy smartwatches

And that’s before we really dig into the details of what exactly a smartwatch can do. Read on to learn more about the amazing functionalities of a smartwatch.

Smartwatch Apps

Many of your favourite apps that are available on your mobile are also available to download straight to your smartwatch. Check out these cool smartwatch apps available free with a Galaxy smartwatch:

· Strava - to track your runs and other workouts
· Wrist Camera - to take that perfectly timed selfie from your mobile
· Uber - for when you need a quick ride elsewhere
· Samsung SmartThings - to help manage your Samsung Home devices
· Samsung Browser - the world wide web, right at your fingertips

Tracking health and fitness

One of the most popular reasons that people look to buy a smartwatch is to track fitness. Many smartwatches can do exactly what most popular fitness trackers do, but with the added benefit of receiving notifications and other mobile phone functions. Meaning you don’t always need to carry your phone around when you’re on the move.

Thanks to the built-in GPS (Global Positioning Systems), that is included with many smartwatches, you can track your runs accurately. But it’s not just running that you can track on a smartwatch - for example, using Samsung Health and innovative BioActive Sensor technology, your Galaxy smartwatch can help you track up to 90 different activities.

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Text and voice messages

One of the features that makes a smartwatch most akin to a mobile is the ability to send both text and voice messages. With a Galaxy smartwatch, this is supported by our pre-installed Messages app that allows you to create new messages, or view incoming messages and send replies.

If you’re out of the 10 metre range between your Galaxy smartwatch and your phone, then your smartwatch will then use your mobile data to operate - there’s no need for a separate sim card just for your watch.

Notifications

If your phone and your smartwatch aren’t in the same room, you’ll still be able to see any notifications pop up on the watch’s interface. This is a very handy feature that means you don’t quite need to carry your phone around with you everywhere, especially when you’re doing things that might need your hands to be free; such as cycling, running or simply cooking dinner.

Mobile wallet

Many smartwatches now support the ability to make contactless payments in a super straightforward way - meaning not only do you not need to have your mobile with you at all times, but you can leave your actual wallet at home too!

For Samsung smartwatches, they use Samsung Pay to store your card information, meaning it’s readily accessible at the click of a button whilst you’re on the move. Don’t worry - it’s just as secure as it is on your mobile phone!

Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch Comparison

Battery (typical)
Size
Location Technology
Colours
Weight

: Galaxy Watch5
Battery (typical) : 410mAh | 284mAh
Size : 44mm | 40mm
Location Technology : GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo
Colours : Graphite, Silver, Pink gold
Weight : 33.5g | 28.7g

: Galaxy Watch5 Pro
Battery (typical) : 590mAh
Size : 45mm
Location Technology : GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo
Colours : Gray titanium, Black titanium
Weight : 46.5g

: Galaxy Watch4
Battery (typical) : 361mAh | 247mAh
Size : 44mm | 40mm
Location Technology : GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo
Colours : Pink gold, Black, Silver
Weight : 30.3g | 25.9g

: Galaxy Watch4 Classic
Battery (typical) : 361mAh | 247mAh
Size : 46mm | 42mm
Location Technology : GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo
Colours : Black, Silver
Weight : 52.0g | 46.5g

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you text on a Smartwatch?

Yes, you can send texts from a smartwatch - with a Galaxy smartwatch, this is done via our pre-installed Messages app. To do this, your watch will need to have Bluetooth and be linked to your mobile (even if it’s outside the 10m range when you want to send the text).
How do smartwatches count calories?

Technically, smartwatches don’t count calories, but they do count the number of calories you burn through physical activity. In a similar way to how step trackers work on your phone, they use the data you provide such as your height, weight and age to work out what is known as your Base Metabolic Rate (BMR). After this, smartwatches use what is known as an accelerometer and a built-in heart rate monitor to assess your energy expenditure - also known as your calorie output.
Do smartwatches use mobile data?

Only Galaxy smartwatches that are 4G enabled such as the Galaxy Watch5 & Galaxy Watch5 Pro use mobile data. Your smartwatch will ordinarily use Bluetooth to communicate with your phone when it is within range. When your smartwatch is out of range (approximately 10 metres away) it will use mobile data to send and receive calls and messages. Sending messages and making calls from your smartwatch only uses a small amount of mobile data which is deducted from your phone’s data plan.
Do you have to have a data plan for a smartwatch?

While your smartwatch will use data to make calls, send texts and receive messages you do not need to have a separate data plan for your smartwatch. For example, a Samsung smartwatch has an eSIM which is paired to your phone's data plan during the initial setup process. Any data you use on your smartwatch will be automatically deducted from your phone's data plan, so there’s no need for a separate one just for your smartwatch.
Is a smartwatch an embedded system?

Without getting too technical with it, yes smartwatches are generally embedded systems. This means that they use a combination of computer hardware and software systems to operate. As many of the smartwatches' functionalities actually sit with your phone, they require less hardware to operate - which is why they’re able to do so much with just a small interface.