when I got my GW5, I convinced myself it did so much more than a simple Garmin Solar with infinite battery life.
now that I have it tho, I got the LTE plan, all the latest updates.. and really only glance at it to check notifications, but then still need to check my phone to see it in full, and then charge it every day.
I don't feel like I'm taking advantage of all the features, I do sometimes try to use the remote camera view, but it's so buggy it takes 5-15 mins to get it to even display on watch.
what SMART features do you guys actually take advantage of? I'd like to learn how to get more out of this awesome watch!!
Videos
Dear Reddit Hivemind,
I've been feeling the need to detach from my phone lately. It's just too tempting to get caught up in mindless browsing, especially on platforms like YouTube. So, I've been looking into LTE smartwatches as a potential solution to minimize my reliance on a smartphone. In my research, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has really piqued my interest. However, before taking the plunge, I have a few questions I'd like to address.
My primary use for the smartwatch would revolve around Spotify, Google Maps, WhatsApp (simple notifications would do), and occasionally audiobooks through apps like Audible. The goal is to maintain these essential functionalities while detoxing from excessive phone usage.
Now, I've never owned a smartwatch before, so I hope you can help me out with some concerns:
Phone Reliance: When using an eSIM (LTE) with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, how dependent is it on a phone? Can the watch truly function as a standalone device? And specifically, if I were to pair it with my current Honor View 20 phone (which I'm planning to leave behind), are there any compatibility issues I should anticipate?
Spotify: Are there any limitations or potential issues I should be aware of when fully using spotify without a phone linked to it (but with an eSIM)?
Google Maps: Is it possible to use Google Maps on the smartwatch independently, without relying on a phone? Can I receive turn-by-turn navigation and view maps directly on the watch without downloading maps? Additionally, does it offer public transport suggestions, which is quite important for me?
Have any of you personally used the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro as a standalone device in this manner? I've come across videos and blog posts where people tried it but didn't enjoy the experience. However, it seems their expectations were focused on full phone functionality, whereas my goal is to rely less on those missed features and prioritize the essential apps I mentioned. I'd love to hear from those who have firsthand experience with this usage scenario.
In summary, I'm looking for insights into whether the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro can serve as a standalone device to meet my day-to-day needs, considering the apps I mentioned above.
If any of you have experience with the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro or can suggest alternative smartwatches that align with my requirements, your insights would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help!