Samsung Galaxy watches are famous for their stylish designs, AMOLED displays. They are also famous for their health features like ECG monitoring, blood pressure sensors, and AI-driven wellness insights like sleep analysis, stress management. They offer Long-lasting batteries (up to 7 days) that are durable against water and dust. They also enable smartphone pairing, app support, and LTE connectivity. The first Samsung watch was made in 2013 and has been evolving since then. Today at Phone Counters, we will tell you about Samsung Galaxy Watch Models by Year.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Models by Year
| Year | Model Name | Key Features | Display | Battery Life | OS | Special Notes |
| 2013 | Galaxy Gear | – 1.63″ touchscreen
– Basic app integration |
1.63″ AMOLED | ~24 hours | Android | First Samsung smartwatch; limited app ecosystem |
| 2014 | Gear 2 | – IP67 water resistance
– Heart rate sensor |
1.63″ Super AMOLED | ~1 day | Android Wear | Introduced the rotating bezel concept |
| 2015 | Gear S2 | – Circular Super AMOLED
– Wireless charging |
1.2″ Circular AMOLED | 2–3 days | Tizen OS | Classic/3G variants; LTE support |
| 2016 | Gear S3 Frontier/Classic | – MIL-STD-810G durability
– GPS tracking |
1.3″ Circular AMOLED | 3–4 days | Tizen OS | Added MST payment support (Samsung Pay) |
| 2018 | Galaxy Watch (46mm/42mm) | – 5ATM water resistance
– LTE/Wi-Fi variants |
1.3″/1.2″ AMOLED | 4–7 days | Tizen OS | First “Galaxy Watch” branding; BIA sensor |
| 2019 | Galaxy Watch Active/Active2 | – Slim design
– ECG certification (Active2) |
1.1″/1.2″ AMOLED | 1–2 days | Tizen OS | Focus on fitness tracking; touch-sensitive bezel |
| 2020 | Galaxy Watch3 | – Blood pressure monitoring<br.- Rotating bezel | 1.4″ Circular AMOLED | 2–3 days | Tizen OS | Titanium/Stainless steel variants |
| 2021 | Galaxy Watch4/4 Classic | – Wear OS 3 (with Google)<br.- Body Composition (BIA) | 1.4″ AMOLED | 1.5–2 days | Wear OS | Shift from Tizen; 5nm Exynos chip |
| 2022 | Galaxy Watch5/5 Pro | – Sapphire Crystal Glass<br.- 590mAh battery (Pro) | 1.4″ AMOLED | 2–3 days (Pro) | Wear OS | Enhanced durability; temperature sensor* |
| 2023 | Galaxy Watch6/6 Classic | – 40% thinner bezel<br.- 30% brighter display | 1.5″ AMOLED | 2–3 days | Wear OS | Larger screen-to-body ratio; One UI 5 Watch |
| 2024 | Galaxy Watch7 Pro | – AI health coaching<br.- Non-invasive glucose monitoring* | 1.6″ LTPO AMOLED | 5–7 days | Wear OS 5 | Advanced health sensors, satellite connectivity |
| 2025 | Galaxy Watch 8 (Expected) | – Holographic UI<br.- Self-charging solar bezel*
*Expected |
1.7″ Flexible AMOLED
*Expected |
10+ days (Eco)
*Expected |
Wear OS 6
*Expected |
Experimental energy tech; AR navigation
*Expected |
2013 Watches
These were the first-generation Samsung Galaxy watches featuring a 1.63-inch AMOLED display, a 1.9MP built-in camera for quick photos. They had smart functionalities like notifications, app controls. The special features were the fitness tracking via accelerometer and gyroscope sensors, and a 5ATM water resistance. This allowed it to be worn even while swimming. It ran a customized Android-based OS but required pairing with specific Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
2014 Watches
The Samsung Galaxy 2014 smartwatch lineup introduced three models powered by Tizen OS:
- Galaxy Gear 2
- Gear 2 Neo
- Gear Fit
Gear and Gear 2 Neo2 models added an infrared blaster for TV control and a heart rate monitor refinement. While the Gear Fit targeted fitness enthusiasts with a dedicated activity tracking by curved AMOLED touchscreen. These watches were IP67 water-resistant. The revolutionized the concept of wearable tech after the 2013 debut. The Gear 2 watches upgraded their predecessor with a Tizen OS (replacing Android). They had a slimmer design, and relocation of the 2MP camera from the strap to the watch body. While the Neo variant removed the camera to reduce cost.
2015 Watches
The 2015 Samsung Galaxy watch was named the Gear S2, powered by Tizen OS. It marked a pivotal shift in design and usability. This model introduced a rotating bezel for intuitive navigation, paired with a sleek circular AMOLED display. Its specialty was the health features, including heart rate monitoring, step counting, and sleep tracking, through GPS. They had a 2a-33 day battery life. And are recalled as Samsung’s most mature smartwatch to date.
2016 Watches
Samsung Galaxy watches launched in 2016 were named Galaxy Gear S3, powered by Tizen OS. They came in two models.
- Classic, stylish stainless steel design with leather bands
- Frontier outdoor-oriented with rubber straps. They are known for rugged durability and advanced functionality. They have a larger 1.3-inch circular Super AMOLED display while retaining the signature rotating bezel from the Gear S2. They were incorporated with MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) technology, enabling contactless payments via Samsung Pay. These models added LTE connectivity for calls and data independence, while both versions featured IP68 water resistance and military-grade durability. Their health features included continuous heart rate monitoring, altitude tracking via a barometer, and automatic activity detection.
2017 Watches
Samsung Galaxy 2017 watches were named Galaxy Gear Sport, powered by Tizen OS. They were fitness-oriented wearables. Their sleek design(a smaller, lighter build with a 1.2-inch circular Super AMOLED display, 67g weight) and seamless syncing with Samsung Health made them a hit among fitness enthusiasts. They were designed while retaining core smartwatch features. The new feature was the rotating bezel optimized for quick navigation during workouts. Their health features included automatic workout detection for swimming, running, and cycling, stress-level monitoring via heart rate variability analysis paired with GPS integration for route tracking without a phone.
2018 Watches
The Samsung Galaxy watch, launched in 2018, was called the Galaxy Watch, powered by Tizen OS. It is a versatile hybrid of fitness tracker and lifestyle companionship. Thus, making it appealing to both casual users and fitness enthusiasts. It showcases a sleek aluminum/stainless steel finish. It retains the basic structure of Galaxy S while introducing a refined circular Super AMOLED display (11.2-inch to 1.3-inch. This watch offers improved app integration, health tracking with continuous heart rate monitoring, automatic workout detection (39 exercise types), and advanced sleep analysis. While 5ATM water resistance remains common with the predecessors, and MIL-STD-810G durability makes it swim- and shock-proof., It features 4-7 day battery life.
2019 Watches
Samsung Galaxy 2019 watches are called the Galaxy Active, powered by Tizen OS. They are a blend of health tech and everyday wearability. These Samsung Galaxy watches shifted toward sleek, fitness-centric designs. They became more lightweight (25g for the 40mm model) with aluminum casings. They showcased a vibrant 1.1-inch/1.4-inch Super AMOLED display. Their health features included real-time heart rate monitoring, stress tracking via HRV analysis, and automatic detection for 7+ workouts (running, swimming, cycling), including blood pressure monitoring as well. They are much praised for their sporty aesthetics and responsive fitness coaching.
2020 Watches
The Samsung Galaxy 2020 Watches were named Galaxy Watch 3, powered by Tizen OS. They focused on premium aesthetics and advanced health monitoring. Galaxy Watch3 revived the classic rotating bezel but in a 15% thinner and lighter stainless steel or titanium chassis (45mm/41mm sizes). Featuring a vibrant 1.4-inch Super AMOLED display. It also offers optional LTE connectivity. It introduced health features like blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, ECG certification (FDA-approved in late 2020), and fall detection alerts. Soon, it was titled as the health guardian for aging users. Wireless PowerShare is also one of the exciting new features with compatible Galaxy phones.
2021 Watches
The 2021 Samsung Galaxy Watches, Galaxy Watch 4, showcase Samsung’s special transition from Tizen OS to Wear OS 3, co-developed with Google. Samsung rebranded them as One UI Watch. The Watch4 Classic revived the beloved physical rotating bezel, but a bit sleeker. Whereas the Watch 4 had a bezel-free aluminum design. Both incorporated with BioActive Sensor and a 3-in-1 health module combining optical heart rate, electrical heart signal (ECG), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). They help monitor body composition metrics (body fat, skeletal muscle, water percentage). Health features also included advanced sleep tracking with snore detection, blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, while blood pressure monitoring remained region-locked. These watches portray Samsung’s role in bridging fitness and holistic health tech.
2022 Watches
The Samsung Galaxy Watch, launched in 2022, is named Watch 5. They deeply focus on durability, health innovation, and rugged utility. This standard Watch debuted a sapphire crystal display with a Super AMOLED screen for enhanced scratch resistance, paired with a flatter backplate to improve skin contact. This feature assists the upgraded BioActive sensor in retaining ECG, heart rate, and body composition analysis. The added skin temperature tracking (later enabled for menstrual cycle predictions via software updates). The Watch5 Pro also featured a titanium casing, a larger 590mAh battery (2-3 days of use), and GPX route tracking for hiking. They introduced advanced sleep coaching by analyzing sleep stages and snoring via a phone mic. The D-Buckle Sport Band maintains durability and allows a secure fit during intense activities.
2023 Watches
design cues with cutting-edge health analytics, shaving a rotating bezel, larger displays, and Wear OS 4, a physical rotating bezel in a polished stainless steel frame, larger 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display, Watch6 opted for a minimalist, bezel-free aluminum design. Enabling deeper integration with Google apps (Calendar, Gmail) and Samsung’s ecosystem, including seamless SmartThings control and Emergency SOS via satellite. The upgraded BioActive Sensor retained ECG, SpO2, and body composition analysis while introducing skin temperature tracking for advanced sleep insights, such as detecting sleep disturbances linked to fever or hormonal shifts. Athletes gained auto-recognized triathlon mode and real-time marathon pacing. Both legacy users craving tactile navigation and fitness enthusiasts valuing granular biometrics.
2024 Watches
The 2024 watches are recalled as the Galaxy Watch 7. Which were later upgraded to Watch 7 Ultra. They are considered premium wearables with a blend of AI-driven health systems and durability. These watches showcase Samsung’s first dual-display design: a 1.6-inch circular Super AMOLED LTPO main screen paired with a secondary 0.8-inch Always-On E Ink strip below. This strip is always glanceable with displaying information like heart rate or weather. The watches have a titanium-ceramic hybrid chassis with MIL-STD-810H certification. They possess a novel interchangeable bezel system, allowing users to swap between physical rotating, touch-sensitive, or solar-charging bezels. The upgraded BioActive Sensor 2.0 introduced blood glucose trend analysis (via IR spectroscopy) alongside FDA-cleared continuous blood pressure monitoring. A neural temperature sensor enabled early fever detection. The watches are titled “health guardians for the AI era.
2025 Watches
The Galaxy Watch 8 is yet to be released. It is expected to have the same circular design as that of the Galaxy Ultra, but a bit thicker and more circular. They are expected to have BioActive Neural Sensor—a 7-in-1 module combining FDA-cleared real-time non-invasive glucose monitoring (via multi-spectral laser diffraction), blood ketone detection for metabolic health, and cortisol stress tracking with 95% clinical accuracy.
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