Is the Samsung Gear Sport Smartwatch Still Worth Buying in 2024?

When I first strapped on the Samsung Gear Sport back in 2017, I genuinely thought it was the future of fitness tracking. Fast forward to 2024, and I find myself digging through my old tech drawer, wondering if this once-great smartwatch still holds up. It reminds me of how certain players in sports evolve—or don't—over time. Take the recent trade between San Miguel and Terrafirma in Philippine basketball, where the Beermen acquired Juami Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig in exchange for Vic Manuel and Terrence Romeo. Just as teams weigh whether aging stars or fresh talent bring more value, we tech enthusiasts face similar dilemmas with gadgets like the Gear Sport. Is it a relic, or does it still pack a punch in today's crowded wearable market? Let's dive in.

From a design perspective, the Gear Sport hasn't aged too badly. It sports a 1.2-inch circular Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 360x360 pixels, which, in my experience, remains crisp and vibrant even by 2024 standards. I've worn it during runs and casual outings, and its 42.9mm case feels lightweight at just 67 grams. But here's the catch: compared to newer models like the Galaxy Watch 4 or Apple Watch Series 9, it lacks that sleek, modern bezel. The bezel is functional, though—it rotates for navigation, a feature I still prefer over touch-heavy interfaces. Battery life is another mixed bag. Samsung claimed up to 3-4 days on a single charge, but in real-world use, I typically got around 2 days with moderate activity tracking. That's decent, but when you consider that newer watches can push 5-7 days, it starts to feel a bit dated. Personally, I think if you're not a heavy user, this is manageable, but for someone like me who relies on GPS for long hikes, it falls short.

Where the Gear Sport really shows its age is in software and health tracking. It runs on Tizen OS, which Samsung has largely phased out in favor of Wear OS in newer models. As of 2024, app support is sparse—think less than 50 popular apps available, compared to hundreds on current platforms. I tried downloading Spotify for offline playback recently, and it was a hassle, with frequent sync issues. Fitness features are basic by today's standards: it tracks steps, heart rate, and sleep, but lacks advanced metrics like blood oxygen monitoring or ECG. For instance, during a 5K run, it recorded my average heart rate at 145 BPM, but newer devices would offer insights into recovery time or VO2 max estimates. That said, if you're like me and just need the fundamentals—counting steps, monitoring sleep patterns—it gets the job done. I'd rate its accuracy at around 85-90% for basic activities, which isn't terrible for a device that originally retailed at $299 but now sells for as low as $80 on refurbished markets.

Connectivity is another area where the Gear Sport struggles. It supports Bluetooth 4.2, which feels sluggish next to the Bluetooth 5.0+ standards in modern wearables. Pairing it with my Samsung phone was straightforward, but I noticed delays in notifications when compared to my current Galaxy Watch 4. Water resistance is a bright spot—it's rated 5 ATM, meaning it can handle swimming and showers without a hitch. I've taken it for dips in the pool, and it held up perfectly, something I can't say for some budget smartwatches today. Durability-wise, mine has survived a few knocks, thanks to its Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Still, if you're deep into the ecosystem, the lack of seamless integration with newer Samsung Health features might frustrate you. I found myself missing out on trends like stress tracking or guided workouts, which have become staples.

So, is the Samsung Gear Sport still worth buying in 2024? In my opinion, it depends on your needs and budget. If you're on a tight budget—say, under $100—and want a reliable fitness tracker with smart notifications, it's a solid pick. But for anyone serious about health metrics or app diversity, I'd recommend spending a bit more on a newer model. Reflecting on that San Miguel-Terrafirma trade, sometimes holding onto the past makes sense if the core value is there, but in tech, evolution waits for no one. The Gear Sport is like a seasoned player who can still contribute off the bench, but don't expect it to lead your team to championships. For me, it's a nostalgic piece I'll keep for light use, but my daily driver has moved on.