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My phone is pinging relentlessly from where it's plugged in across the other side of the room. But I've got my Galaxy Watch 4 and I can check to see who it is, what app the notifications are from, and whether it's important enough to merit me standing up and walking the dozen or so steps to unplug my dying phone -- or just respond on my smartwatch (or swipe the notification away).
If you know someone who needs this assist in their lives, the holidays are almost upon us, and it's time to start thinking about what gifts to buy. It's not too early to make your shopping list, especially now that the Black Friday sales are in full swing, and one essential tech device that would make an excellent gift for just about anyone is a new smartwatch.
Apple Watch deals are few and far between, but our shopping experts have found some Black Friday treats to share.
One of the best ways to buy a thoughtful tech gift without spending too much money? Choose a previous version of a current device, especially if the earlier model offers everything they need. So if you're searching for a cool holiday gift, might I suggest my favorite smartwatch, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4?
Sure, it's not the latest model of the Samsung Watch -- that would be the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. But it still has all the main features, including ECG, blood pressure monitoring, sleep monitoring, Google integration for most things and Samsung Health -- and all at the palatable price of just $99 during Walmart's Black Friday sale, down $100 from the usual cost of $199 for the 40mm model.
I'm not a fitness fanatic, so I don't need all the latest tracking features or even the improved battery life and bigger screen size of the 40mm Watch 7, which has a list price of $300, but is going for just over $200 right now if you do want the upgrade. The Galaxy Watch 4 has the fitness tracking I need without being overly complex. (Though it has advanced workout tracking for six modes including running, rowing and swimming, if you like those auto-detected tracking features.)
For everyday use, I can check all my notifications and respond, take hands-free calls, track sleep and skip between songs when listening in Spotify. Oh, and check the time.
If you're looking for a wearable, it's the one I'd recommend checking out before looking into the latest version of the Galaxy Watch series. One caveat: Some people have complained that their battery is depleting quickly lately. Samsung has advice on how to run a diagnostic on your watch and remedy the issue.
Why the Galaxy Watch 4 makes a fun gift
The Galaxy Watch 4 isn't going to be a gift you give to the tech enthusiast in your family, or an Apple fan, but it's perfect for anyone who wants a smartwatch but doesn't want all the bells and whistles on offer -- or someone who doesn't know what they want in a smartwatch at all. And at this price, you wouldn't even worry too much if you handed one down to someone who might be a little rough on it.
Will the Galaxy Watch 4's price go lower for Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
This is currently the best price the Galaxy Watch 4 has ever been, so whether it gets cheaper at the end of the week is anyone's guess. I'll be keeping my eye on the Walmart page to see if there's another price drop.
For more, here are our other favorite smartwatches -- and if you're looking to gift someone a new phone too, CNET has rounded up the best deals on the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 deals. If you need a pair of Samsung's earbuds to go with the phone, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Wireless are currently at their best price yet.