The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 boasts a sleek design and powerful features, but its compatibility with iPhones remains a sticking point. While the Watch 7 delivers a significant upgrade over its predecessor, offering a new five-core Exynos W1000 chip, enhanced health sensors, and a more accurate GPS, it still falls short of being a fully compatible option for iPhone users.
Those familiar with Samsung smartwatches might recall the days when a Galaxy Watch app for iOS offered basic compatibility. However, this was far from the seamless integration iPhone users experience with the Apple Watch, and it was limited to basic functions like notifications and music control. As a result, Samsung discontinued this app after the 2020 Galaxy Watch 3, making the Galaxy Watch 7 strictly an Android-only platform.
While several manufacturers like Garmin strive for broader iOS compatibility, Samsung has largely abandoned this pursuit. This decision aligns with the Galaxy Watch’s evolution as an Android-centric device since 2021. As it stands, using any smartwatch other than an Apple Watch with an iPhone can be a frustrating experience, as Apple’s operating system doesn’t readily accommodate alternative wearables.
Even if Apple embraced other smartwatch platforms, the reality is that smartwatches function best as extensions of their respective smartphones. This inherent connection between operating systems means Wear OS will always perform better with Android devices and watchOS with iPhones.
For the best experience, using the Galaxy Watch 7 with a Samsung smartphone is recommended. Samsung’s control over the software on both sides ensures seamless integration, especially with the company’s new AI features. However, the underlying operating system is still Wear OS, meaning the Galaxy Watch 7 can function with most Android smartphones that meet specific requirements.
To use the Galaxy Watch 7 with an Android phone, it needs at least 1.5GB of memory, Android 11 or later, and Google Mobile Services (GMS). While the memory and Android version requirements are easily met, the GMS stipulation excludes Huawei phones. Additionally, the Samsung Health app is necessary to access health monitoring and coaching features. This app is preinstalled on Samsung smartphones but can be easily downloaded from the Play Store for other Android devices.
Samsung’s new Health features, Energy Score and Wellness Tips, are thankfully accessible on any modern Android phone running Android 10 or above with a recent Samsung Health update. However, Samsung-specific features like Double Pinch Gestures for controlling functions on the Watch 7 remain exclusive to Samsung phones.
While the Galaxy Watch 7 can function with most mainstream Android phones, some minor inconsistencies and quirks might arise, particularly when it comes to features deeply integrated with One UI 6. These inconsistencies might involve things like Do Not Disturb status syncing and dismissing phone alarms from the watch. Ultimately, the Galaxy Watch 7 operates best with a Samsung Galaxy phone, but at least users have the option of choosing another Android device if they prefer.
