I remember when I first strapped the Samsung Gear Sport onto my wrist back in 2018 – it felt like wearing the future. The sleek circular design, that vibrant AMOLED display, and the way it seamlessly connected to my Galaxy phone made me feel like a tech pioneer. Fast forward to 2024, and I'm still occasionally wearing this aging smartwatch, which makes me wonder – is this six-year-old device still worth your hard-earned money today?
Let's be honest – in the fast-moving world of technology, six years might as well be sixty. Most smartwatches from that era have become glorified paperweights, but the Gear Sport somehow manages to hold its own in certain situations. I recently took mine on a hiking trip to the provincial areas, and this is where it genuinely surprised me. While my friend's newer Apple Watch struggled with battery life after just eight hours, my Gear Sport comfortably lasted through two full days of tracking our routes and monitoring my heart rate. It made me realize that sometimes, older technology can still outperform modern gadgets in specific use cases, especially when you're away from constant charging opportunities.
The battery life is genuinely impressive for a device this old – I typically get about two to three days with moderate use, which includes tracking my daily 10,000 steps, receiving notifications, and the occasional workout session. Compare that to many modern smartwatches that barely make it through a single day, and you'll understand why I still keep this around. Sure, the processor isn't as snappy as the latest Galaxy Watch 6, and there's definitely some lag when switching between apps, but for basic functionality, it gets the job done. The waterproofing has held up remarkably well too – I've taken it swimming multiple times, and it still handles depths up to 50 meters without issues.
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room – software support. Samsung stopped updating the Gear Sport with new features years ago, and it's stuck running Tizen 4.0, which feels ancient compared to modern Wear OS or even current Tizen versions. You won't get the latest health tracking features like advanced sleep monitoring or blood oxygen measurement, and the app selection has significantly dwindled as developers moved on to newer platforms. But here's the thing – if you primarily need a smartwatch for basic notifications, fitness tracking, and telling time, the core functionality still works perfectly fine. I can still receive messages, track my runs with GPS accuracy within 15 meters, and monitor my heart rate with about 95% accuracy compared to medical devices.
Where the Gear Sport really shines today is for people in provincial areas or those with simpler needs. I have relatives in rural regions who don't need the latest high-tech features – they just want something reliable that works without frequent charging. The Gear Sport's offline capabilities, including music storage for up to 4GB and GPS tracking without phone connection, make it surprisingly useful away from urban centers. It reminds me of that Filipino phrase from our reference material – "Yung iba naman nasa probinsiya" – which roughly translates to "some are in the provinces." This perfectly captures why the Gear Sport might still have relevance – not everyone needs or can afford the latest technology, especially when older devices still perform essential functions perfectly well.
The fitness tracking, while not as comprehensive as modern devices, covers the basics adequately. It can automatically detect and track six different types of exercises, monitor your heart rate continuously throughout the day, and provide basic sleep tracking. The step counting is reasonably accurate, typically within 5% of manual counts I've done during testing. Where it falls short is in recovery metrics, advanced health insights, and integration with newer health platforms. But if you're just getting started with fitness tracking or don't need cutting-edge metrics, it's more than sufficient.
From a value perspective, you can find the Gear Sport for around $50-$80 in the used market today, which represents incredible value compared to new smartwatches that often cost $200-$400. I recently helped a friend buy one for $65, and he's been thrilled with it as his first smartwatch. The build quality has held up remarkably well – the stainless steel casing still looks premium, and the Gorilla Glass 3 display on my unit has only minor scratches despite years of use. The included bands are comfortable for all-day wear, though you might want to replace them after all these years.
There are definite limitations you need to consider. The compatibility with modern smartphones isn't perfect – while it works fine with current Samsung devices, pairing with other Android phones or iPhones can be hit or miss. The Samsung Health app required to sync data feels dated compared to modern alternatives, and some features that worked seamlessly in 2018 now have occasional connectivity issues. The storage space for music is limited by today's standards, and you can't stream music directly from services like Spotify without your phone nearby.
After using this watch on and off for six years, here's my honest take – the Samsung Gear Sport is worth buying in 2024 only for very specific users. If you're looking for your first smartwatch and don't want to spend much, if you live in areas where charging opportunities are limited, or if you simply need basic smartwatch functions without the latest bells and whistles, it can be a fantastic value. But if you want the latest health features, seamless integration with modern apps, or plan to use it as your primary fitness device, you're better off spending more on a newer model. Technology has moved forward significantly since 2017, and while the Gear Sport was ahead of its time, time has inevitably caught up with it. Still, there's something charming about this aging warrior that keeps me coming back to it, like visiting an old friend who might not be as sharp as they once were, but still has valuable stories to tell.
