OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Smartwatches Methodology v3.0
Smartwatches Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Smartwatches Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Smartwatches Methodology v3.0

Samsung Gear Sport review: 127 specs compared

Avg. price:~£130Screen size:1.20 inchBattery life:2.5 daysDisplay type:AMOLED

Samsung Gear Sport Review: Compare 127 technical specifications and 82 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Smartwatches category and whether it is worth buying.

Samsung Gear Sport
7.2/10

Overall score

Score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 58% of models
Score components

35%

6.5

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

8.2

Reviews score

10%

6.5

Sentiment score

▲Better than 58% of smartwatches
8.0

Value for money

Value for money
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the smartwatch's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a smartwatch with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 60% of models
Score components

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

▲Better than 60%
6.5

Technical score

Technical score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 55% of models
Score components

24%

4.6

Health

21%

9.3

Fitness

16%

4.6

Battery

14%

8.0

Smart features

12%

5.7

Connectivity

9%

7.6

Display & Design

4%

6.0

Hardware

▲Better than 55%
8.2

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.4 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 66% of models

80%

7.8

Average grade

20%

9.5

Popularity

Grades by review (82)
47 reviews + 35 videos, average 7.8/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▲Better than 66%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the Samsung Gear Sport

Based on 9 · 10

Reviewers like the workout features and easy controls, but dislike the weak call and voice features and the limited apps.
Praised
Mixed views
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what

What owners say about the Samsung Gear Sport

Based on 191 owners sharing their experience in online comments

25%positive12%mixed63%negative

Owners praise the bright display and rugged design, but call limits, unreliable fitness data, battery life and screen failures dominate.

What owners dislike

  • Calls cannot be answered on the watch on many phones; owners often see only a decline option, and there is no speaker or microphone for talking.32
  • The screen stays black or the watch loops on reboot, often after swimming.30
  • Battery drains fast, with some owners getting only one to two days, and charging is slow, about 80 minutes to 50% and 120 minutes or more to full.15
  • Replying to texts and WhatsApp fails on many phones; owners can read or send messages but often cannot reply, and voice reply may show an error.13
  • Heart rate readings are often inaccurate during exercise, especially with sweat or when the watch gets wet, and some owners find it reads badly in general.10
  • GPS and live pace are inaccurate, with distances and mile splits differing from other apps, and the GPS can drop out during runs.9
  • Software updates broke sensors, gestures, notifications, the keyboard and battery life for some owners, and some watch faces were lost.9
  • With an iPhone, owners get fewer features: text message notifications may not arrive, and calls, contacts and phone-finding are missing.6
  • Repairs are costly or hard to arrange; some owners were quoted nearly half the price of a new watch for a motherboard replacement, and service centers were far away.6
  • Stock exercise profiles are limited, with many single-activity modes and no general gym or strength profile, and the watch cannot pair with an external chest strap.4

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of smartwatch Samsung Gear Sport

Technical score
Technical score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 55% of models
Score components:

24%

4.6

Health

21%

9.3

Fitness

16%

4.6

Battery

14%

8.0

Smart features

12%

5.7

Connectivity

9%

7.6

Display & Design

4%

6.0

Hardware

6.5
Reviews score
8.2
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the smartwatch's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a smartwatch with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 60% of models
Score components:

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

8.0
Heart rate monitor
yes
This smartwatch includes a heart rate monitor. 9.5% of smartwatches include a heart rate monitor.
Blood oxygen monitoring
no
This smartwatch does not support blood oxygen monitoring. 69.7% of smartwatches support blood oxygen monitoring.
ECG
no
This smartwatch does not support ECG. 18.2% of smartwatches support ECG.
Irregular heart rate warnings
no
This smartwatch does not support irregular heart rate warnings. 50.6% of smartwatches support irregular heart rate warnings.
HRV tracking
no
This smartwatch does not support HRV tracking. 45.2% of smartwatches support HRV tracking.
Show more
What reviewers say
Accelerometer
yes
This smartwatch includes an accelerometer. 0.5% of smartwatches include an accelerometer.
Barometer
yes
This smartwatch includes a barometer. 46.5% of smartwatches include a barometer.
Gyroscope
yes
This smartwatch includes a gyroscope. 28.9% of smartwatches include a gyroscope.
Cadence sensor
no
This smartwatch does not include a cadence sensor. 32.9% of smartwatches include a cadence sensor.
Distance tracking
yes
This smartwatch supports distance tracking. 3.7% of smartwatches support distance tracking.
Show more
What reviewers say
Battery life
2.5 days
Market range: <1 day – >20 days
This smartwatch lasts 2.5 days on a charge, which is shorter than 80.5% of Smartwatches and the same as 0.4% of Smartwatches.
Average of the reported 1-4 day typical-use range.
Battery life in training mode
15 h
Market range: <6 h – >48 h
This smartwatch records workouts for 15 h on a charge, which is shorter than 58% of Smartwatches and the same as 2.5% of Smartwatches.
Battery life with GPS on
14 h
Market range: <6 h – >46 h
This smartwatch lasts 14 h with GPS on, which is shorter than 69.5% of Smartwatches and the same as 0.8% of Smartwatches.
Battery power
340 mAh
Market range: <200 mAh – >500 mAh
This smartwatch has a 340 mAh battery, which is larger than 58.1% of Smartwatches and the same as 1.4% of Smartwatches.
Charge time
120 min
Market range: <60 min – >150 min
This smartwatch charges from empty in 120 min, which is quicker than 13.3% of Smartwatches and the same as 44.6% of Smartwatches.
Normalized from hour-based sources to 120 minutes.
Show more
What reviewers say
Operating system
Tizen
This smartwatch runs Tizen, which is more advanced than the system in 53.8% of Smartwatches and equal to 2.1% of Smartwatches.
Software update frequency
?
Third-party app support
yes
This smartwatch supports third-party apps. 48.5% of smartwatches support third-party apps.
Notifications
yes
This smartwatch supports notifications. 0.3% of smartwatches support notifications.
Voice assistant support
yes
This smartwatch supports voice assistants. 30.8% of smartwatches support voice assistants.
Show more
What reviewers say
Cellular module
no
This smartwatch does not include a cellular module. 16.7% of smartwatches include a cellular module.
SIM cards
0
GPS
yes
This smartwatch supports GPS. 40.3% of smartwatches support GPS.
Galileo support
no
This smartwatch does not support Galileo navigation. 43.6% of smartwatches support Galileo navigation.
Dual-frequency GPS
no
This smartwatch does not support dual-frequency GPS. 15.1% of Smartwatches offer this.
Show more
What reviewers say
Screen size
1.2 inch
Market range: <1.2 inch – >1.83 inch
This smartwatch has a 1.2 inch screen, which is smaller than 84.6% of Smartwatches and the same as 8.1% of Smartwatches.
Display type
AMOLED
This smartwatch uses AMOLED, which is more advanced than the screen in 46.9% of Smartwatches and equal to 53.1% of Smartwatches.
Resolution
360x 360
This smartwatch has a display resolution of 360x360 which is higher than that of 47% of smartwatches and equal to that of 6.1% of smartwatches.
Pixel density
424 ppi
Market range: <213 ppi – >461 ppi
This smartwatch has a pixel density of 424 ppi, which is higher than 72.4% of Smartwatches and equal to 0.6% of Smartwatches.
Display brightness
300 nits
Market range: <450 nits – >2k nits
This smartwatch has a screen brightness of 300 nits, which is lower than 98.2% of Smartwatches and equal to 1.5% of Smartwatches.
Show more
What reviewers say
CPU speed
1 GHz
This smartwatch uses a CPU configuration of 1 GHz which is faster than that in 30.1% of smartwatches and equal to that in 30.1% of smartwatches.
Derived from core-count and per-core clock notation
Processor model
?
RAM
0.75 GB
Market range: <0.5 GB – >2 GB
This smartwatch has 0.75 GB of RAM, which is less than 67.7% of Smartwatches and equal to 3.6% of Smartwatches.
768 MB RAM
Internal storage
4 GB
Market range: <0 GB – >32 GB
This smartwatch has 4 GB of internal storage, which is more than 39.8% of Smartwatches and equal to 25.5% of Smartwatches.
External memory slot
no
This smartwatch does not include an external memory slot. 0.3% of smartwatches include an external memory slot.
Show more
What reviewers say

Samsung Gear Sport vs the average smartwatch

246810TotalHealthFitnessBatteryConnectivityDisplay & DesignSmart featuresHardware
  • Emergency SOS
    This smartwatch includes Emergency SOS, the average smartwatch does not. 44.8% of smartwatches include Emergency SOS.
    SOS feature has implementation limits (phone/app/subscription/activity dependent).
  • Supports wireless charging
    This smartwatch supports wireless charging, the average smartwatch does not. 23.4% of smartwatches support wireless charging.
  • NFC functionality
    This smartwatch supports NFC, the average smartwatch does not. 45.2% of smartwatches support NFC.
  • External heart rate monitor support
    This smartwatch supports external heart rate monitor compatibility, the average smartwatch does not. 46.6% of smartwatches support external heart rate monitor compatibility.
    Compatible through third-party apps/workarounds.
  • Supports Wi-Fi
    This smartwatch supports Wi-Fi, the average smartwatch does not. 43.5% of smartwatches support Wi-Fi.
  • Calorie tracking
    This smartwatch supports calorie tracking, the average smartwatch does not. 48.7% of smartwatches support calorie tracking.
  • Rugged construction
    This smartwatch has a rugged design, the average smartwatch does not. 41.2% of smartwatches have a rugged design.
  • Stronger display glass
    This smartwatch uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 display glass, while the average smartwatch uses mineral glass.
    Corning Gorilla Glass 3 vs mineral glass
  • 17.1% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.2/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.4 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 66% of models

    80%

    7.8

    Average grade

    20%

    9.5

    Popularity

    Grades by review (82)
    47 reviews + 35 videos, average 7.8/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.2 vs 7.0
  • Calorie tracking
    This smartwatch supports calorie tracking, the average smartwatch does not. 48.7% of smartwatches support calorie tracking.
  • Weight tracking
    This smartwatch supports weight tracking, the average smartwatch does not. 41.9% of smartwatches support weight tracking.
    Weight tracking may rely on manual app entry or smart-scale sync.
  • Water intake tracking
    This smartwatch tracks water intake, the average smartwatch does not. 44.1% of smartwatches track water intake.
    Water intake tracking may require manual logging in a companion app or widget.
  • Perspiration monitoring
    This smartwatch tracks perspiration, the average smartwatch does not. 15.1% of smartwatches track perspiration.
  • External heart rate monitor support
    This smartwatch supports external heart rate monitor compatibility, the average smartwatch does not. 46.6% of smartwatches support external heart rate monitor compatibility.
    Compatible through third-party apps/workarounds.
  • Supports wireless charging
    This smartwatch supports wireless charging, the average smartwatch does not. 23.4% of smartwatches support wireless charging.
  • NFC functionality
    This smartwatch supports NFC, the average smartwatch does not. 45.2% of smartwatches support NFC.
  • Supports Wi-Fi
    This smartwatch supports Wi-Fi, the average smartwatch does not. 43.5% of smartwatches support Wi-Fi.
  • Stronger display glass
    This smartwatch uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 display glass, while the average smartwatch uses mineral glass.
    Corning Gorilla Glass 3 vs mineral glass
  • Rugged construction
    This smartwatch has a rugged design, the average smartwatch does not. 41.2% of smartwatches have a rugged design.
  • Better case material
    This smartwatch uses aluminum, stainless steel for the case material, while the average smartwatch uses polycarbonate.
    aluminum, stainless steel vs polycarbonate
  • 98 ppi sharper screen
    This smartwatch has a sharper screen than the average smartwatch (424 ppi vs 326 ppi). The average smartwatch has a pixel density of 326 ppi.
    424 ppi vs 326 ppi
  • Emergency SOS
    This smartwatch includes Emergency SOS, the average smartwatch does not. 44.8% of smartwatches include Emergency SOS.
    SOS feature has implementation limits (phone/app/subscription/activity dependent).
  • More advanced operating system
    This smartwatch runs a more advanced operating system than the average smartwatch (Tizen vs Proprietary OS).
    Tizen vs Proprietary OS
  • No blood oxygen monitoring
    This smartwatch does not support blood oxygen monitoring, the average smartwatch does. 69.6% of smartwatches support blood oxygen monitoring.
  • No irregular heart rate alerts
    This smartwatch does not support irregular heart rate warnings, the average smartwatch does. 50.6% of smartwatches support irregular heart rate warnings.
  • No compass
    This smartwatch does not include a compass, the average smartwatch does. 56.7% of smartwatches include a compass.
  • No cycle tracking
    This smartwatch does not support menstrual cycle tracking, the average smartwatch does. 66.8% of smartwatches support menstrual cycle tracking.
  • 4.5 days shorter battery life
    This smartwatch runs for less time per charge than the average smartwatch (2.5 days vs 7 days). The average smartwatch runs for 7 days on a charge.
    Average of the reported 1-4 day typical-use range.
    2.5 days vs 7 days
  • 7 h shorter GPS battery life
    This smartwatch lasts less time with GPS on than the average smartwatch (14 h vs 21 h). The average smartwatch lasts 21 h with GPS on.
    14 h vs 21 h
  • 450 nits dimmer screen
    This smartwatch has a dimmer screen than the average smartwatch (300 nits vs 750 nits). The average smartwatch peaks at 750 nits.
    300 nits vs 750 nits
  • 0.2 inch smaller display
    This smartwatch has a smaller screen than the average smartwatch (1.2 inch vs 1.4 inch). The average smartwatch has a 1.4 inch screen.
    1.2 inch vs 1.4 inch
  • 13.3% lower sentiment score
    6.5 vs 7.5
  • No blood oxygen monitoring
    This smartwatch does not support blood oxygen monitoring, the average smartwatch does. 69.6% of smartwatches support blood oxygen monitoring.
  • No irregular heart rate alerts
    This smartwatch does not support irregular heart rate warnings, the average smartwatch does. 50.6% of smartwatches support irregular heart rate warnings.
  • No cycle tracking
    This smartwatch does not support menstrual cycle tracking, the average smartwatch does. 66.8% of smartwatches support menstrual cycle tracking.
  • 4 years older
    This smartwatch was released earlier than the average smartwatch (2017 vs 2021). The average smartwatch was released in 2021.
    October 2017
    2017 vs 2021
  • 51 fewer exercise types
    This smartwatch includes fewer exercise types than the average smartwatch (39 vs 90). The average smartwatch includes 90 exercise types.
    Reported as at least 39 exercise modes.
    39 vs 90
  • 4.5 days shorter battery life
    This smartwatch runs for less time per charge than the average smartwatch (2.5 days vs 7 days). The average smartwatch runs for 7 days on a charge.
    Average of the reported 1-4 day typical-use range.
    2.5 days vs 7 days
  • 7 h shorter GPS battery life
    This smartwatch lasts less time with GPS on than the average smartwatch (14 h vs 21 h). The average smartwatch lasts 21 h with GPS on.
    14 h vs 21 h
  • Basic battery type
    This smartwatch uses a Li-ion battery, while the average smartwatch uses Li-Po.
    Li-ion vs Li-Po
  • 5 h shorter training battery life
    This smartwatch lasts less time in training mode than the average smartwatch (15 h vs 20 h). The average smartwatch lasts 20 h in training mode.
    15 h vs 20 h
  • No compass
    This smartwatch does not include a compass, the average smartwatch does. 56.7% of smartwatches include a compass.
  • Less current Bluetooth version
    This smartwatch uses a less current Bluetooth version than the average smartwatch (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • 450 nits dimmer screen
    This smartwatch has a dimmer screen than the average smartwatch (300 nits vs 750 nits). The average smartwatch peaks at 750 nits.
    300 nits vs 750 nits
  • 0.2 inch smaller display
    This smartwatch has a smaller screen than the average smartwatch (1.2 inch vs 1.4 inch). The average smartwatch has a 1.4 inch screen.
    1.2 inch vs 1.4 inch
  • 5 g heavier
    This smartwatch is heavier than the average smartwatch (50 g vs 45 g). The average smartwatch weighs 45 g.
    50 g vs 45 g
  • 10 °C lower heat tolerance
    This smartwatch tolerates a lower temperature than the average smartwatch (35 °C vs 45 °C). The average smartwatch is rated up to 45 °C.
    35 °C vs 45 °C

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
FrancoTech
≈ estimated
11/07/2018
Hands-on review · a few days of daily use
Verdict
Samsung Gear Sport is a beautifully built sports watch that feels premium, with great features, and is clearly recommended.
9.0
Jabber Tech
≈ estimated
22/03/2018
Long-term test · about a month of daily use
Verdict
Samsung Gear Sport has excellent battery life and build quality, and is recommended over the Frontier, especially for swimmers and triathletes.
9.0
TechThoughts
≈ estimated
06/02/2018
Long-term test · one month of day and night wear
Verdict
Samsung Gear Sport is a great device overall, with only minor issues like battery life and a calorie counter glitch.
7.0
Izzy Nobre
≈ estimated
27/01/2018
Hands-on review · pairing and daily use
Verdict
Samsung Gear Sport looks premium and feels great, but it failed to pair with an iPhone, so it is not recommended for iPhone owners.
8.0
KikayRunner
≈ estimated
05/01/2018
Hands-on review · two weeks of running and swimming tests
Verdict
Samsung Gear Sport is a great all-in-one for casual fitness users, but it is too light for serious endurance athletes.
8.0
The Adventure Club UK
≈ estimated
03/01/2018
Hands-on review · fitness tests and iPhone compatibility
Verdict
Samsung Gear Sport is a great fitness smartwatch with Android, but iPhone use brings limited third-party apps and compatibility problems.
8.0
Tecnoblog
≈ estimated
27/12/2017
Hands-on review · several days of use and sport tests
Verdict
Samsung Gear Sport is a technically very good sports watch, but limited apps and a high price mean buyers should think carefully first.
8.0
AshooYashar TV
✓ explicit
02/12/2017
Hands-on review · pool test and Gear S3 comparison
Verdict
Samsung Gear Sport is a great all-round smartwatch with a beautiful display, though it lacks a speaker, MST payments and a good voice assistant.
8.0
DesFit
≈ estimated
20/11/2017
Hands-on review · fitness tracking and iPhone use
Verdict
Samsung Gear Sport is a strong fitness watch with a classic look, held back by software problems and a weak iOS app.
9.0
Kris Hay
≈ estimated
09/11/2017
Hands-on review · two weeks of hiking, fitness and app tests
Verdict
Samsung Gear Sport is a very good watch that shines for fitness, though it is heavy, lacks apps and has no speaker.
9.0
MrMobile [Michael Fisher]
≈ estimated
30/10/2017
Hands-on review · fitness, IconX earbuds and app tests
Verdict
Samsung Gear Sport is a good smartwatch worth considering, though it is pricey and its charger uses an older port.
7.0
PCMag
✓ explicit
30/10/2017
Hands-on review · fitness accuracy and navigation
Verdict
Samsung Gear Sport is a good general-purpose Android smartwatch, but fitness-focused buyers should look at dedicated trackers.
More graded video reviews (12)
creator’s own scoreestimated by us

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

7.0
wareable.com
≈ estimated
30/10/2017
Hands-on test · Fitness smartwatch
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a slim, swim-ready fitness watch with offline Spotify, but its running and swimming sensors struggled in testing.
6.5
theverge.com
✓ explicit
30/10/2017
Hands-on review · Fitness smartwatch
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a fine basic watch for notifications and step counting, but its thin app store and weak S Voice assistant hold it back.
6.0
cnet.com
≈ estimated
30/10/2017
Week-long test · Swim-ready fitness watch
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a swim-ready fitness watch with room for a little music, but setup and voice commands are frustrating.
7.0
wired.com
✓ explicit
31/10/2017
Hands-on review · Rotating-bezel fitness watch
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a fitness watch with the easiest-to-learn interface around, thanks to its rotating bezel, but its app choice is thin.
7.0
au.pcmag.com
✓ explicit
31/10/2017
Full review · Swim-friendly fitness watch
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a slim, swim-friendly watch with a good app choice and solid battery, but fitness tracking is only mixed.
6.0
Gearbrain
✓ explicit
15/11/2017
Review · Gym-focused smartwatch
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a fine fitness watch for gym-goers, but its thin app store and cheap-looking blue finish let it down.
9.6
techgearlab.com
✓ explicit
28/11/2017
Lab test · Sports smartwatch
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a sports-focused smartwatch with accurate step counts and multi-day battery life, but you still need your phone to make calls.
9.0
techaeris.com
≈ estimated
22/01/2018
Full review · Well-rounded fitness watch
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a well-built fitness watch that also suits daily wear, but you need Samsung Health to get the most from it.
8.0
vulcanpost.com
≈ estimated
29/01/2018
Hands-on review · Sports smartwatch
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a good smartphone companion for fitness fans, but its silicone strap gets hot and sweaty during workouts.
9.0
techthoughts.info
≈ estimated
07/02/2018
Month-long test · Guided fitness watch
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a comfortable fitness watch whose Samsung Health programs suit beginners, though its app store and voice assistant are weak.
8.0
arstechnica.com
≈ estimated
11/03/2018
Hands-on test · Fitness tracking
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport suits Samsung users who want built-in guided workouts, but its sleep numbers and Samsung Health app are confusing.
8.0
techadvisor.com
✓ explicit
22/11/2018
Hands-on test · Design and battery
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a light, good-looking sports watch that's waterproof to 50 meters, but its screen doesn't always wake when you raise your wrist.
A
androidcentral.com
30/10/2017
✓ explicit
8.0
Summary of the review
Samsung Gear Sport review: The company's best smartwatch ...
9
9to5google.com
18/12/2017
≈ estimated
9.0
Summary of the review
Review: The Samsung Gear Sport is probably the best ...
M
m.economictimes.com
27/12/2017
✓ explicit
8.0
Summary of the review
Samsung Gear Sport review: The smartwatch has an intuitive ...
M
mashable.com
30/10/2017
≈ estimated
9.0
Summary of the review
Samsung Gear Sport smartwatch review
6.0
expertreviews.co.uk
✓ explicit
08/06/2018
Hands-on review · Swim-tracking watch
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a waterproof fitness watch with a sharp display and offline Spotify, but weak city GPS and about two days of battery hold it back.
8.0
frandroid.com
✓ explicit
20/09/2023
Hands-on test · Activity tracking
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is an excellent activity tracker and the first smartwatch fit for swimmers, but the controls need two hands and the software still makes little sense.
7.0
tomsguide.fr
✓ explicit
28/11/2017
Hands-on test · Sport smartwatch
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a stylish fitness watch for casual runners and swimmers, but iPhone support is limited and there are few apps.
7.0
journaldugeek.com
✓ explicit
14/11/2017
Hands-on test · Fitness smartwatch
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Sport is a smaller take on the Gear S3 with good battery life, suited to casual exercisers rather than serious runners who want detailed data.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Samsung Gear Sport

  • Vibrant and sharp 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display with deep blacks.
  • Intuitive navigation using the physical rotating bezel.
  • Reliable water resistance up to 50m (5 ATM), suitable for swimming.
  • Support for offline Spotify playlists via Bluetooth headphones.
  • Compact and lightweight design compared to larger models like the Gear S3.
  • Decent battery life of roughly 2–3 days with normal usage.

What customers don't like about Samsung Gear Sport

  • Outdated Tizen operating system with limited third-party app selection compared to Wear OS or watchOS.
  • Inconsistent sports tracking, particularly for specific sports like soccer or complex swim metrics.
  • Slow wireless charging, often taking over 2 hours for a full charge.
  • Lack of a built-in loudspeaker, preventing users from taking calls directly on the watch.
  • Samsung Pay only supports NFC, missing the MST technology found in some other Gear models for older terminals.
  • Potential for the bezel to feel loose or imprecise after extended use.

Verdict

The Samsung Gear Sport is a fitness-oriented smartwatch featuring a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display (360x360 resolution) protected by Gorilla Glass 3 and a signature rotating bezel for navigation. It is powered by a 1.0 GHz dual-core processor, 768MB of RAM, and 4GB of internal storage, running on the Tizen OS. Key hardware includes built-in GPS, a heart rate monitor, NFC for Samsung Pay, and 5 ATM water resistance, making it suitable for swimming up to 50 meters. Main pros include its bright, vibrant display, intuitive bezel-based interface, offline Spotify support, and a compact, lightweight design that fits smaller wrists better than previous models. However, notable cons include a relatively limited third-party app ecosystem, the lack of a built-in speaker and microphone for taking calls directly, and NFC-only support for Samsung Pay, which lacks the MST technology found in some other Samsung wearables.

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