I remember unboxing my first Samsung Gear Sport back in 2018, feeling that rush of excitement as the sleek circular face lit up for the first time. Six years later, I'm still wearing this same watch on my morning runs, though now I notice the slightly faded colors and the battery that barely lasts a full day. This lingering relationship makes me wonder: Is the Samsung Gear Sport Smartwatch Still Worth Buying in 2024?
When Samsung launched the Gear Sport in 2017, it represented their ambitious push into the fitness-focused smartwatch market. Priced at $299, it boasted impressive specs for its time: 50-meter water resistance, built-in GPS, 4GB storage, and that vibrant 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display that still holds up remarkably well today. The watch competed directly with Fitbit's offerings and Apple's growing wearable lineup, carving its niche with Tizen OS rather than adopting Android Wear like many competitors. I've always appreciated how Samsung marched to their own beat with Tizen, even if it meant some compatibility trade-offs.
The core question really comes down to what you need from a wearable today. If you're looking for basic fitness tracking and smart notifications, the Gear Sport surprisingly delivers. During my testing last month, the heart rate monitor remained within 5-8% of my current Polar H10 chest strap's readings during moderate exercise, though it struggled more with high-intensity interval training. The built-in GPS locks onto satellites within 45-60 seconds in urban areas, which isn't lightning fast by 2024 standards but gets the job done. Where it truly shows its age is in battery life - I consistently got about 1.5 days with moderate use compared to the 4+ days many modern watches offer.
This brings me to an interesting observation about technology adoption in different regions. I recently spoke with a cousin in the Philippines who mentioned that "yung iba naman nasa probinsiya" - many people in provincial areas - are still actively buying older smartwatch models like the Gear Sport. His perspective revealed something important: in markets where latest-generation technology arrives later or costs significantly more, devices like the Gear Sport find extended relevance. They're being sold for as low as $80-120 in these markets, making them accessible to people who want smart features without the premium price tag. This creates a fascinating secondary life cycle for older tech that we often overlook in tech-forward cities.
From my experience, the software ecosystem presents both charms and frustrations. Samsung's Tizen OS feels snappy even today, with smooth animations that outperform some budget smartwatches running Wear OS. The app selection, however, has stagnated significantly. Only about 35% of the apps available in 2018 remain functional today, and major services like Spotify haven't updated their Gear Sport compatibility in years. You'll need to use Samsung's own music transfer feature instead, which involves manually syncing playlists through their dated desktop software. This is where my personal preference leans toward convenience - I'd rather have seamless integration than work around these limitations daily.
Battery degradation is another critical factor. My unit, which had moderate use over six years, now holds only about 68% of its original capacity. New old stock units might fare better, but lithium-ion batteries naturally degrade over time regardless of use. Replacement batteries are increasingly difficult to source, and most repair shops charge $45-65 for the service if you can find one willing to work on such an old model. Compare this to the $199 Fitbit Charge 6 with 7-day battery life, and the value proposition shifts considerably.
When we consider Is the Samsung Gear Sport Smartwatch Still Worth Buying in 2024 specifically for fitness enthusiasts, the answer becomes more nuanced. The automatic workout detection works reasonably well for running and cycling but frequently misses my swimming sessions. The 5ATM water resistance means you can still swim with it, though I'd be cautious about saltwater exposure given the watch's age. Sleep tracking provides basic data but lacks the sophisticated analysis of modern wearables. If you're serious about training metrics, you'll miss out on advanced features like training load analysis and recovery time estimation that have become standard in newer devices.
Where the Gear Sport unexpectedly shines is in its build quality and design language. The stainless steel casing and rotating bezel interface have aged beautifully - I regularly receive compliments on its appearance, something that rarely happens with my more technical-looking Garmin. The 20mm quick-release bands use standard sizing, meaning you can easily find affordable replacements from countless third-party manufacturers. This design longevity contrasts sharply with how quickly the internal technology has become dated.
My verdict after six years with this watch? The Samsung Gear Sport occupies a peculiar space in 2024. For someone wanting an affordable entry into smartwatches with respectable fitness tracking, particularly in regions where newer models are cost-prohibitive, it can still deliver value at the right price. But for most people in markets with access to current technology, the $150-200 you might spend on a Gear Sport could be better allocated toward a more recent device with updated sensors, better battery life, and ongoing software support. Technology should make life easier, not create workarounds, and that's ultimately where the Gear Sport shows its age most prominently. It had a great run, but in 2024, it's probably time to let this veteran retire gracefully.