I remember unboxing my Samsung Gear Sport back in 2018, feeling that particular thrill of snapping the magnetic clasp into place for the first time. Six years later, I still catch myself glancing at this durable companion on my wrist, though now with more nostalgic curiosity than cutting-edge excitement. When people ask me if this aging smartwatch remains relevant in 2024, my answer isn't straightforward—it's layered with technical observations, personal experiences, and some surprising discoveries about how technology ages in different environments.
The Gear Sport arrived during what I'd call Samsung's "confident experimentation" phase, sporting a 1.2-inch circular Super AMOLED display that still holds up remarkably well today. With its 360x360 resolution and always-on capability, the screen remains visibly crisp even beside newer budget watches. I've compared it side-by-side with recent models like the Galaxy Watch 4, and while the newer display technically wins on paper, the difference isn't as dramatic as you'd expect. Where it begins to show its age is in the bezel—the physical rotating bezel that made navigation so intuitive now feels slightly less responsive than the digital crowns and touch bezels of contemporary watches.
Battery life tells perhaps the most honest story about technological aging. Samsung originally claimed the 300mAh battery would deliver "up to 3 days" of use, but in my experience, that was optimistic even when new. Today, with normal usage including continuous heart rate monitoring, occasional GPS tracking, and about 90 minutes of screen-on time, I'm getting through a full day with about 15-20% remaining by bedtime. That's serviceable, but it means you're married to the charging dock every night. The magnetic charging puck remains reliable, though I've noticed it takes nearly two hours for a full charge now compared to the 90 minutes it required when new.
What continues to impress me is the Gear Sport's durability. I've worn this watch through everything from ocean swims to mountain hikes, and the 5ATM water resistance and military-grade certification aren't just marketing fluff. The aluminum casing on my unit shows some inevitable scratching along the edges, but the Gorilla Glass 3 protection has remarkably avoided significant scuffs. This robustness becomes particularly relevant when considering usage in varied environments. I recently received a message from a reader in the Philippines who mentioned "yung iba naman nasa probinsiya"—some are in the provinces—where reliable technology that withstands diverse conditions matters more than having the latest features. For users in rural or rugged environments, the Gear Sport's physical durability might outweigh its software limitations.
Speaking of software, this is where the Gear Sport faces its most significant challenges. It runs Tizen-based Wearable OS 4.0, which Samsung has largely abandoned in favor of Wear OS on newer models. While core functions work reliably, you won't find recent app updates or new applications being developed for this platform. I've counted approximately 87 apps still functional in the Galaxy Store specifically for Gear Sport, but many haven't been updated since 2021. Notifications work flawlessly, and basic health tracking remains accurate, but if you're looking for sophisticated sleep analysis or the latest streaming apps, you'll find the ecosystem increasingly limited.
The fitness tracking capabilities present an interesting paradox. The continuous heart rate monitoring remains within 3-5% accuracy compared to my chest strap monitor, and the built-in GPS locks position within about 15 seconds—slower than modern watches but perfectly functional. It automatically tracks over 39 activities, though the algorithm for detecting workouts has become less reliable over time. I've noticed it sometimes misses my brisk walks unless I manually start a workout, something that rarely happened during its first two years of use. The step count tends to be about 7% generous compared to more accurate pedometers, a variance that has remained consistent throughout my ownership.
Where the Gear Sport genuinely struggles in 2024 is in ecosystem integration. It pairs reliably enough with Samsung phones but exhibits occasional connectivity issues with other Android devices and limited functionality with iPhones. The Samsung Health app continues to support it, but features like the stress measurement and SpO2 monitoring that worked at launch have become less reliable with operating system updates on my phone. This creates a frustrating experience where hardware capability exists but software support diminishes.
Considering its current secondhand market price of approximately $60-85, the value proposition becomes intriguing. For that investment, you're getting a well-built smartwatch with respectable battery life, reliable basic tracking, and proven durability. However, you're also buying into an abandoned ecosystem with limited upgrade paths. I'd recommend it primarily for Samsung phone users who need a secondary fitness tracker or those in environments where device toughness matters more than cutting-edge features. For urban users wanting comprehensive smart features or serious athletes needing precise metrics, newer budget options like the Amazfit GTS 4 or even Samsung's own Galaxy Watch 4 at discounted prices offer better long-term value.
My relationship with this watch has evolved from daily driver to specialized tool—I now primarily use it for swimming and hiking where I prefer not to risk my primary smartwatch. There's something to be said for technology that continues to perform its core functions well years after its release, even as it falls behind in the feature race. The Gear Sport in 2024 is like a reliable older car—it may lack the latest infotainment system or driver assistance features, but it starts every morning and gets you where you need to go without fuss. For specific users and situations, that dependable simplicity might be exactly what's needed, even in our rapidly evolving technological landscape.
