Table of Contents
The Galaxy Watch 4 series comes in two models; the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic which succeeds the Galaxy Watch 3 and the Galaxy Watch 4 which succeeds the Galaxy Watch Active 2. I have used them all and I can only say it keeps getting better. The respective models come in two sizes; 44mm and 40mm for the Galaxy Watch 4 and 46mm and 42mm for the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Each of these sizes is available in Bluetooth and LTE models. As a result of the different sizes and models, consumers have to make double decisions with respect to size and model. The first thing you should know is that the LTE and Bluetooth models have the same design and features. The only difference between these two is that the LTE model is a standalone smartwatch and is priced higher than the Bluetooth model. So, in this guide, we’re comparing the differences between the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Bluetooth vs LTE model to help you decide which of these models is right for you.
Also note that the 42mm and 46mm sizes have the same features and design except that the 46mm is bigger, priced higher, and has a longer battery.
The newly released Galaxy Watch 5 Pro which succeeds the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is also available in LTE and Bluetooth models, you can check out the differences. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has a more durable sapphire glass screen and titanium case. It also has a 30% longer battery life than its predecessor.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Bluetooth vs LTE: Full Specifications Compared
| Product Info |
 Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (46mm) Full Specifications, Features, Price, Pros and Cons |
 Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (46mm) (LTE) Full Specifications, Features, Price, Pros and Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $379.99 | $429.99 |
| ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE |
| Device name | Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (46mm) | Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (46mm) (LTE) |
| Device type | Fitness/Classic smartwatch | Fitness/Classic/Standalone smartwatch |
| Gender | Men | Men |
| Release date | August, 2021 | August, 2021 |
| Predecessor | Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 |
| Successor | Galaxy Watch 5 Pro | Galaxy Watch 5 Pro |
| Versions | Bluetooth/WiFi only, LTE | Bluetooth/WiFi only, LTE |
| BODY | BODY | BODY |
| Dimension | 45.5 x 45.5 x 11.0 mm | 45.5 x 45.5 x 11.0 mm |
| Weight | 52g (excluding straps) | 52g (excluding straps) |
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Case material | Stainless steel 316L | Stainless steel 316L |
| Strap material | Fluoroelastomer | Fluoroelastomer |
| Bezel material | Stainless steel 316L | Stainless steel 316L |
| Strap size | 20 mm | 20 mm |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass DX | Corning Gorilla Glass DX |
| Water resistance | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
| Durability test | MIL-STD-810G | MIL-STD-810G |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Color | Black, Silver | Black, Silver |
| DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY |
| Display size | 1.4 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Display type | Super AMOLED, Full color | Super AMOLED, Full color |
| Display resolution | 450 x 450 | 450 x 450 |
| Pixel density | 454.5 PPI | 454.5 PPI |
| Always on | Yes | Yes |
| Custom watch face | Yes | Yes |
| Input type | 2 Physical buttons, Physical rotating bezel, Touchscreen | 2 Physical buttons, Physical rotating bezel, Touchscreen |
| CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.0 | Bluetooth v5.0 |
| Bluetooth calling | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | A-GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo | A-GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY |
| RAM | 1.5GB | 1.5GB |
| ROM | 16GB | 16GB |
| Memory card slot | No | No |
| CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY |
| Technology | None | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| SIM type | None | e-SIM |
| Band | No | — |
| NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
| Email alert | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party apps alert | Yes | Yes |
| MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA |
| Audio | mp3/mp4 | mp3/mp4 |
| Bluetooth music | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient light | Yes | Yes |
| Barometer | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
| HRM | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse oximeter (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Thermometer | No | No |
| Other sensors | BIA sensor | BIA sensor |
| ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Blood Pressure | Yes | Yes |
| Calories | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes |
| ECG tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | Yes | Yes |
| Stress | Yes | Yes |
| Incidental fall detection | Yes | Yes |
| Menstrual cycle | No | No |
| VO2 Max | Yes | Yes |
| Swim-tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Underwater heart rate tracking | — | — |
| On-screen workout | Yes | Yes |
| Sport modes | 90 | 90 |
| BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY |
| Battery type | Non-removable Li-ion battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery |
| Battery capacity | 361mAh | 361mAh |
| Battery life | ~2 days | ~2 days |
| Charging type | Charging dock, WPC based wireless charging | Charging dock, WPC based wireless charging |
| Charging time | 1-2 hours | 1-2 hours |
| Solar charging | No | No |
| PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM |
| Chipset | Exynos W920 | Exynos W920 |
| CPU | 1.18GHz Dual-core (Cortex-A55) | 1.18GHz Dual-core (Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Mali™-G68 MP2 | Mali™-G68 MP2 |
| Operating system | Wear OS 3.5 | Wear OS 3.5 |
| MISC | MISC | MISC |
| Companion app | Samsung Galaxy Wearable app | Samsung Galaxy Wearable app |
| Compatibility | Android 6.0+, RAM 1.5GB+ | Android 6.0+, RAM 1.5GB+ |
| Payment system | Google Pay, Samsung Pay | Google Pay, Samsung Pay |
| Interchangeable strap | 20mm, Yes | 20mm, Yes |
| Voice command | Google Assistant, Yes, Bixby | Google Assistant, Yes, Bixby |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Box content | Charger, Manual, Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, Straps | Charger, Manual, Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, Straps |
| Price | $379.99 | $429.99 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Bluetooth vs LTE – The Difference
| Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Bluetooth/WiFi | Galaxy Watch 4 Classic LTE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 46mm: $379.99 42mm: $349.99 | 46mm: $429.99 42mm: $399.99 |
| eSIM | No | Yes |
| Make and receive calls | Yes (phone must be nearby) | Yes (independent of phone) |
| Send and receive text messages | Yes (phone must be nearby) | Yes (independent of phone) |
| Install apps | Yes (phone must be nearby) | Yes (independent of phone) |
| Battery life | Up to 2 days | 1 Day+ with LTE enabled |
Meanwhile, the Bluetooth model can also make and receive calls, but it will require your phone to be nearby to perform these functions.
In other words, the LTE model is a more comprehensive smartwatch than the Bluetooth model.
The presence of a cellular network on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, will not only allow you to make and receive calls, but it will also give you access to the internet which is required for you to download watch faces, stream music, install apps, and access Google maps. The LTE model with cellular can perform all these functions independent of your smartphone, but the Bluetooth model will require your phone to perform these same functions.
Although, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic has wifi and Bluetooth as means of connecting to other devices. And with a working WiFi network connected, you can stream music, download apps, and download watch faces on the Bluetooth model independent of your phone.
Furthermore, if you decide to go for the LTE model of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, you’ll have to spend a little more money.
Check Supported Carriers Before Buying The LTE Model
- Before deciding to buy the LTE model of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, you want to be sure that you’re buying the right model. There are four models of the LTE model that serve different countries of the world. So, you can head over to the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic supported carriers list to identify which model is supported in your country and of course the supported network carriers in your country.
- You should know that the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic LTE has to be on the same network as your phone service provider. In this regard, you want to make a call to your current network service provider to be sure they support the LTE model of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic.
Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Bluetooth vs LTE – Similar Features
Beyond the presense of an eSIM in the LTE model of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, it has the same features as the Bluetooth model.
Both models have a stainless steel build that extends to the physical rotating bezel. The display on both models is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass DX, while the interchangeable straps are made of fluoroelastomer.
Super AMOLED powers the display of both models, and this is very colorful. I could easily see the screen clearly even on very sunny days. Meanwhile, you get a physical rotating bezel, two physical buttons and a touch-sensitive display as means of accessing and interacting with the watch.
In terms of storage, both the LTE and Bluetooth models are equipped with 16GB storage capacity. You can add your personal music or stream music with popular services such as Spotify and Youtube Music. Both models are equipped with a loudspeaker and a microphone that lets you make and receive calls from the watch (the Bluetooth model requires your phone to make calls).
Due to the presence of a microphone, you get access to two voice assistants; Bixby and Google Assistant. You also get access to Google Maps.
In the fitness department, both models are equipped with the same number of sensors that enable sleep tracking, heart rate tracking, steps and calorie counting, stress measurement, ECG and blood pressure measurement. I did an accuracy test of these features against other wearables which I revealed in the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic review.
Both the Bluetooth and LTE model will also allow you to receive and manage notifications. With both models, you can reply to SMS, Whatsapp, and Gmail notifications as well as notifications from other apps.
The battery capacity of both the LTE and Bluetooth models is also the same. Although with LTE enabled, the Bluetooth model has a slightly longer battery life. On average, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic has a battery life of up to 2 days with the 46mm unit and about a day battery life with the 42mm size.
In all, beyond the presence of an eSIM in the LTE model that enables cellular connectivity, both models have the same features.
Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Bluetooth vs LTE – Which Should You Buy?
The Bluetooth model of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is a more popular demand among consumers. It’s cheaper, yet has almost the same features as the LTE model. However, if you want the extra freedom that the LTE model offers, it’s no doubt a better choice. It’s a more comprehensive smartwatch, but will cost you more money both upfront and in recuring subscription for cellular connectivity on the watch.
The simple answer, if you want to stay connected at all times without having to carry your phone along, the LTE model is a great choice. Although, it will cost you more. You also have to factor in the cost of data connectivity. If you’re okay with these additional costs, then you can go for the LTE model. Be sure to check which model is supported in your country and the supported service provider. You should check with your service provider if your smartphone plan covers that of the watch.
On the other hand, Bluetooth/WiFi model is a popular choice among smartwatch fans. It has every feature present in the LTE model but will require your phone for functions that require cellular connectivity. Since last year, I have been using the Galaxy Watch 3 Bluetooth model, and I can say it has been an amazing smartwatch. I could make and receive calls but my phone must be nearby. Moreover, the Bluetooth model is cheaper.
FAQs
What is the difference between Samsung Watch 4 Classic Bluetooth and LTE?
The difference between the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Bluetooth and LTE is that the LTE model is equipped with an eSIM that enables cellular capabilities. As a result, the LTE model is a standalone smartwatch that can make and receive calls independent of a smartphone. Meanwhile, the Bluetooth model can also make and receive calls but requires your phone to be nearby.
Difference between Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
The Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic are basically the same smartwatches. The difference however is that the Galaxy Watch 4 has a sporty/geeky appearance while the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic has a classic appearance and looks like a traditional watch.
The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic has a physical rotating bezel while the Galaxy Watch 4 has a digital rotating bezel.
The available colors also differ, and the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is priced higher than the Galaxy Watch 4.
Does the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic LTE have Bluetooth?
Yes, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic LTE has Bluetooth. Both the LTE and Bluetooth models have WiFi and Bluetooth as means of connectivity with Bluetooth being the primary means of connection to your phone.
