There are so many reasons to love the new Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. The latest smartwatches from Samsung are not just beautiful and loaded with features, they’re breaking new grounds in terms of comfort and features. They are very lightweight and comfortable to wear. The new watches run on Wear OS which marks a return back to the platform after 8 years. A new 5nm Exynos W920 chip also powers the new Galaxy watches and is well equipped with 16GB storage capacity and the addition of a body composition measurement feature. Both Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic are available in two sizes: 40mm/44mm and 42mm/46mm respectively. And each of these sizes is available in a Bluetooth/WiFi and LTE model. In this post, we’re comparing Galaxy Watch 4 Bluetooth vs LTE model so you know the differences.
Although the Galaxy Watch 4 is available in two sizes; 44mm and 40mm, this comparison features the Bluetooth and LTE models of the 44mm size. Both sizes have the same features except for differences in sizes, prices, and battery life. You can read the differences between Galaxy Watch 4 (44mm) vs (40mm).
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Bluetooth vs LTE Specifications Comparison
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (44mm) | Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (44mm) (LTE) | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
ABOUT DEVICE | ||
| Device name | Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (44mm) | Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (44mm) (LTE) |
| Device type | Sport/Fitness smartwatch | Sport/Fitness/Standalone smartwatch |
| Predessesor | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 |
| Successor | Galaxy Watch 5 | Galaxy Watch 5 |
| Released date | August, 2021 | August, 2021 |
| Ideal for | Unisex | Unisex |
DISPLAY | ||
| Display type | Super AMOLED Full color | Super AMOLED Full color |
| Display size | 1.4 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Display resolution | 450 x 450 pixels | 450 x 450 pixels |
| Pixel density | 454 ppi | 454 ppi |
| Input type | Touchscreen, 2 physical buttons Digital rotating bezel | Touchscreen, 2 physical buttons Digital rotating bezel |
| Always-on | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable watch face | Yes | Yes |
BODY | ||
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Dimension | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8mm | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8mm |
| Weight | 30 grams (excluding straps) | 30 grams (excluding straps) |
| Casing material | Armor aluminum | Armor aluminum |
| Strap/band material | Fluoroelastomer Hybrid leather | Fluoroelastomer Hybrid leather |
| Bezel Material | Armor aluminum | Armor aluminum |
| Strap size | 20mm | 20mm |
| Interchangeable band | Yes, 20mm | Yes, 20mm |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla glass DX+ | Corning Gorilla glass DX+ |
| Water resistant/Protection | Yes, IP68, 5ATM MIL-STD-810G | Yes, IP68, 5ATM MIL-STD-810G |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Color(s) | Black Green Silver | Black Green Silver |
MEMORY | ||
| RAM | 1.5GB | 1.5GB |
| Internal storage | 16GB | 16GB |
| Memory card slot | No | No |
CONNECTIVITY | ||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.0 | Bluetooth v5.0 |
| Bluetooth calling | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Payment system | Samsung Pay Google Pay | Samsung Pay Google Pay |
| GPS | GLONASS/A-GPS/Beidou/Galileo | GLONASS/A-GPS/Beidou/Galileo |
CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY | ||
| Technology | No | GSM/HSPA/LTE |
| SIM | No | Yes, e-SIM |
| Band | No | GSM 850/900/1800 WCDMA B1/2/5 |
NOTIFICATIONS | ||
| Email alert | Yes | Yes |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Weather | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party apps | Yes | Yes |
| Text response | Yes | Yes |
FITNESS TRACKING | ||
| Sleep apnea | No | No |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Calories | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes |
| Stress | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 Max. | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Blood pressure | Yes | Yes |
| Menstrual cycle tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Swim tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Under-water heart rate tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Preloaded maps | Yes | Yes |
| On-screen workout modes | __ | __ |
| Triathlon mode | Yes | Yes |
| ECG Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Preloaded sport modes | Yes, 90 | Yes, 90 |
| Safety tracking | Yes | Yes |
MEDIA | ||
| Audio | mp3/mp4 | mp3/mp4 |
| Music streaming | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth music | Yes | Yes |
| Radio | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | No | No |
SENSORS | ||
PLATFORM | ||
| Operating system (OS) | Wear OS 3.5 | Wear OS 3.5 |
| Chipset | Exynos W920 | Exynos W920 |
| CPU | Dual core 1.18GHz | Dual core 1.18GHz |
| GPU | Mali -G68 MP2 | Mali -G68 MP2 |
BATTERY | ||
| Type of battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery |
| Battery capacity | 361mAh | 361mAh |
| Battery life | Mixed Usage:up to 2 days | Mixed Usage:up to 2 days |
| Charging type | Charging dock Wireless charging | Charging dock Wireless charging |
| Charging time | About 1-2 hours | About 1-2 hours |
| Battery saver mode | Yes | Yes |
| Solar power | No | No |
| Rapid charging | No | No |
CLOCK FEATURES | ||
| Time/Date | Yes | Yes |
| Stopwatch | Yes | Yes |
| Alarm | Yes | Yes |
OTHER FUNCTIONS | ||
| Control camera | Yes | Yes |
| Music control | Yes | Yes |
| Find phone | Yes | Yes |
MISC | ||
| Compatibility | Android 6.0+, RAM 1.5GB+ | Android 6.0+, RAM 1.5GB+ |
| Companion app | Samsung Wearable app | Samsung Wearable app |
| Voice command | Yes | Yes |
BOX CONTENTS | ||
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (44mm) | Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (44mm) (LTE) | |
| Straps | Straps | |
| Charger | Charger | |
| Quick start guide | Quick start guide | |
| NOTE: We can't guarantee that all the information on this table are 100% correct. Read full disclaimer. Please, report an error. | ||
| Official Site | Official Site | |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 – What’s New?
Galaxy Watch 4 comes with 16GB, BIA sensor and powered by a W920 chip
- Galaxy Watch Runs on Wear OS
- Galaxy Watch 4 is powered by a 5nm Exynos W920 Chip
- Galaxy Watch 4 Has a BIA Sensor That Monitors Body Composition
- Storage Capacity Has Been Boosted to 16GB
The new Samsung smartwatches run on Wear OS 3 out of the box marking a return to the platform that powered the Gear Live smartwatch. So, you’re getting access to more of your favorite apps which is something the Tizen platform lacks.
Another new feature is that the Galaxy Watch 4 and Classic are powered by a 5nm Exynos W920 which succeeds Exynos 9110 that powers the Galaxy Watch 3 down to Galaxy Watch. According to Samsung, the new chip accounts for a 20% increase in CPU performance and a 10x increase in GPU performance. So, you can expect a faster smartwatch.
There is also the new Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) Sensor that will allow you to measure your body composition. It will measure your skeletal muscle mass, body fat, body water, and Basal Metabolic Index. These are features that can help you know your body better and as such can also help you plan better workouts and diet.
Along these new health-tracking features are loads of other health tracking features like sleep tracking, heart rate tracking, ECG, blood pressure, and blood oxygen measurement.
The storage capacity has also been increased to 16GB. This is more storage capacity for storing and streaming your favorite tracks. Moreover, because of the move back to Wear OS, you’ll get access to popular apps like Spotify.
Beyond these features, the Galaxy Watch 4 features notifications management, non-contactless payment support for Samsung Pay and Google Pay.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Bluetooth vs LTE – What’s the Difference?
The difference between the two models come in price, eSIM and battery life
- Price
- Cellular Connectivity – The LTE Model is a Standalone Smartwatch
- Battery Life – The Bluetooth Model Has a Longer Battery Life
The first difference you’ll notice between the LTE and Bluetooth models is the price difference. The LTE model is priced higher than the Bluetooth model.
The 40mm size of the Bluetooth model costs $249.99, while the 44mm of the Bluetooth model costs $279.99. Similarly, the 40mm size of the LTE model costs $299.99, while the 44mm size of the LTE model costs $329.99. You also have to factor in the cost of subscription for cellular plans which is where the actual cost comes in.
The main difference between the LTE and Bluetooth models is the presence of eSIM in the LTE model that makes it a standalone smartwatch. As a result, it can make and receive calls independent of a smartphone. It can also receive notification messages and can install apps independent of a smartphone. The Bluetooth model also has these capabilities, but your phone must be nearby.
Although, both the Bluetooth and LTE have the same battery capacity, it’s expected that the Bluetooth model will have a longer battery life once LTE is switched-on on the LTE model. Otherwise, it’s the same battery life of up to 2 days with the 44mm size and about a day with the 40mm size.
You can expect to get more battery life when you utilize one of the battery saver modes. My tip on saving battery life on the Galaxy Watch 4 is to do the following:
- Reduce display brightness.
- Reduce the number of apps notifications.
- Turn off the always-on display.
- If you’re using the LTE model, turn off LTE when your phone is nearby.
- Turn off GPS when not in use.
Galaxy Watch 4 Supported Carriers – Before Buying The LTE Model Read This
Before you decide to buy the LTE model of the Galaxy Watch 4, you want to be sure about which model is supported in your region. There are four models globally:
- 44mm size: SM-875U, SM-875F, SM-875N and SM-895
- 40mm size: SM-865U, SM-865F, SM-865N & SM-885
The SM-875U and SM-865U are supported in the US with T-mobile, AT&T, US Cellular, and Verizon as supported carriers. Check all Galaxy Watch 4 LTE models and supported carriers. Also, ensure to call your service provider to confirm what plans are available for the Galaxy Watch 4 LTE.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Bluetooth or LTE Model – Which Should You Buy?
Obviously, the LTE model which is a standalone smartwatch is a more comprehensive smartwatch. Although, the Bluetooth model is a more popular choice because of its simplicity and lower cost. If you carry your phone most time, the Bluetooth model is definitely a better choice. After all, most people can’t do without their phones.
On the other hand, if you really need the standalone functionality of the LTE for whatsoever reason, then it’s no doubt a more complete smartwatch. However, you must consider that you will have to subscribe to data plans monthly which is where the actual cost comes in. This additional cost can be anywhere between $100-$120 yearly in the US depending on your carrier.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 LTE FAQs
- How Does the LTE Model Work?
- How to Activate LTE on Galaxy Watch 4
- Can I Use Galaxy Watch 4 LTE without Cellular Connectivity
The LTE model is a standalone smartwatch, it comes with an eSIM that enables cellular connectivity. An eSIM is an emerging technology that’s replacing physical SIM cards. This type of SIM is not removable. All you need to do is download an eSIM profile from a network provider to your device to enable LTE connectivity. The Galaxy Watch 4 LTE model works by allowing you to scan a QR code and download an eSIM profile in the Galaxy Wearable app to enable cellular connectivity for the Watch.
To activate LTE on the Galaxy Watch 4, you will need to obtain a QR code from your network provider. Then open the Galaxy Wearable app and go to settings to scan and download your eSIM profile to the watch. This will enable cellular connectivity.
Yes, you can use the LTE model without activating LTE. Then it becomes just like the Bluetooth model which requires your phone for LTE connectivity. You can always turn off LTE on the watch from the settings app on the device.
Hi! I’m Jude, the chief editor at Smartwatchseries.com
I’m a graduate of biochemistry, a 3D artist and a passionate fitness enthusiast. On here, I and other smartwatch fans work hard to help you find the right smartwatch for you with our guides, reviews, and comparisons.
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Is there a difference of material used in either, for eg – aluminum vs steel?
No. There is no difference in the material used. It’s the same material for both models.
It appears that the LTE version can’t tell time without an LTE connection.
That’s not true. The LTE model can work even without LTE activation. It can tell the time just like the Bluetooth model even when your phone is not nearby. Sorry for the late reply, I have been away for some time.
What is the range on the bluetooth? How far can my cell phone be for it to work?
Sorry for the late reply. I haven’t given this a try, however from my observation, the GW4 disconnects from my phone once I am 20-30meters away. I will try this out to be very sure.
Do both the Bluetooth and LTE versions support fall detection?
Yes, both models have fall detection. The Bluetooth model has a every feature present on the LTE model. The only difference is that the LTE model will allow make calls and receive messages without your phone being nearby.
The Bluetooth model requires your phone to be nearby before you can make calls and receive messages.
Do I want to let LTE set to auto,off, or on. Will mostly be connected by blue tooth but at the other end of work building husband’s watch disconnects from watch. Also how much will it affect the battery
Thanks!
I like to turn of LTE whenever my phone is nearby. And once I’m out without my phone, I turn it back on. This way I conserve battery life to a full day.
As per disconnecting from phone, its expected once you stay two far away from your phone.
I have 2 quesions
is it correct that the BT version is like LTE version if your phone is nearby
Can i play downloaded music on my watch BT version without my phone nearby?
Hi, sorry for the late reply. Yes, the Bluetooth does exactly everything the LTE model can do when your phone is nearby. The LTE model only gives you additional freedom from your phone. It allows you to make and receive calls, send and receive messages without your smartphone.
Yes, you can play music on the Bluetooth model without your phone. You can either transfer personal music from your phone to the watch or subscribe to YouTube Music premium or Spotify premium. These two services will allow you download music to the watch which you can listen to offline without a phone.
I own the Bluetooth model, and I subscribed to Spotify which allows me to download music to the watch.
To get the best music experience, just add a Bluetooth headphone and you are good to go.
HI:
I`m very new to smart watches and my wife just bought a Galaxy Watch4 with LTE. What are the steps to turning off the LTE ?
You can simply turn off LTE from the quick panel section. Just swipe down from anywhere on the watch, find the LTE icon and tap on it to turn it off. Sorry for the late reply.
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