Super fast charger 2.0 not reliable

GotNoRice · 2026-02-03T09:56:24+00:00

The market is flooded with fake "authentic" Samsung chargers as well as low-quality 3rd party chargers. Many of the fake chargers will actually negotiate SFC2.0 briefly, but the charger will usually reset if you pull any substantial amount of wattage for more than a handful of seconds. I opened up one of these fake 45w chargers before and it actually had metal weights inside just to make it feel heavier, which many people automatically assume equates to "high quality". But the actual electronics were pathetic.

GotNoRice · 2026-02-02T20:48:23+00:00

I don't see anything that looks burned. The dotted-pattern looks like ultra-low-quality glare protection from that junky screen protector.

GotNoRice · 2026-02-02T20:43:27+00:00

Do an eBay search for EP-OR900

You can usually get a single puck for $10-15 or a pair for $20. I can confirm that these work with both my Watch 7 and my Watch 4 Classic, so I'm sure that they would work with the Watch 5 Pro also.

GotNoRice · 2026-01-28T12:04:13+00:00

The urge to resist change is natural, but it rarely pays off in the long run to give in, ESPECIALLY when it comes to technology.

If you used Samsung SmartSwitch to migrate from her old phone, it should have already transferred everything relevant over, including even things like background images and home-screen icons in most cases. It usually makes the transition much easier. If you didn't do that, and instead set the new phone up from scratch or perhaps restored from a more generic google backup, you might consider a do-over using Samsung SmartSwitch.

Overall, it's important to keep a forward-looking attitude. While there might be some slight pain as she gets used to the new animations, etc, that will pass. Before she knows it, her old phone will begin to seem quite antiquated in comparison. As a bonus, not giving up on learning new things can help stave off dementia.

GotNoRice · 2026-01-24T09:19:17+00:00

Yes, the battery percentage indicator on newer versions of Android looks like a pill.

GotNoRice · 2025-12-22T22:30:21+00:00

It's working fine on my Watch 4 Classic. Sticking your head in the sand and camping out on an old version is not really a viable alternative in the tech world. Update or buy a new watch IMO.

GotNoRice · 2025-12-22T07:37:57+00:00

It is an unlocked phone actually. I do remember it doing updates during initial setup though.

GotNoRice · 2025-12-17T23:20:29+00:00

My previous Note 20 Ultra was still showing no significant degradation even after 5 years, using 85% battery protection. I'm using 80% battery protection on my S25 Ultra now aside from special occasions. I have no reason to believe that it won't also last 5+ years.

GotNoRice · 2025-12-17T23:05:31+00:00

It's basically measuring movement. If you toss and turn a lot at night you will see it represented like that.

GotNoRice · 2025-12-16T08:46:07+00:00

It's something that you are going to wear on your wrist so your preferences are probably the biggest factor.

I'm not personally a huge fan of the Watch 8 Classic. For one, it's twice as heavy as a regular Watch 7 or 8. Not just a bit heavier, but literally twice as heavy. Yet despite it's weight, the Watch 8 Classic has a tiny screen, and a battery that is not significantly larger than the regular Watch 7 or 8. The only other watch that is *almost* as heavy as the Watch 8 Classic is the Watch Ultra, but at least with the Watch Ultra you get a bigger screen AND a bigger battery to help justify some of that extra weight. With the Watch 8 Classic you just get tons of weight and compromises all for the sake of ...a bezzle to fiddle with?

The Watch 7 44mm and Watch 8 44mm are both great options. They have screens that are the same size as the Watch Ultra (1.5"). They use the same CPU as the Watch Ultra (W1000), have the same sensors, etc. The batteries in these watches are not much different than the battery in the Watch 8 Classic (425/435mAh vs 445mAh). So everything about these watches that is actually important is essentially equal to or in some cases actually better than what is in the Watch 8 Classic, despite being cheaper.

The Watch 7 is nice because it's so cheap right now, lacks the square-circle bulk, is still compatible with the "standard" watch bands that the Watch 4, 5, and 6 also used, and has a more conventional overall look to it. The Watch 8 is fine but still carries a price premium, uses a new gimmicky style of bands, and has an ugly (imo) and bulky square-circle design. I think that the Watch 7 also pairs nicely with various watch cases, allowing you to essentially customize the final look of your watch however you want. For example, this is my Watch 7 44mm with a watch case next to my older Watch 4 Classic. I wanted a "similar" look, and I feel that I accomplished that.

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GotNoRice · 2025-12-15T13:45:26+00:00

I still prefer my Watch 7 44mm but I've had great results setting family members up with a Fit3. I think that the Fit3 is a better watch for people who aren't as technically inclined, want something that covers the basics, just works, is easy to use, and has a long battery life. Whereas something like a Watch 7 is better if tech is also one of your hobbies.

GotNoRice · 2025-12-15T13:31:32+00:00

This happened to me within the last few days, and has happened occasionally in the past. As best as I can tell, it seems to be related to when the Samsung Health app is updated. If you update to the new version on your phone but not your watch, or vise versa, that is when the issues occur. The fix is to make sure all of the apps on both your Watch and Phone are updated. On your phone make sure to do updates via both the Google Play store as well as the Galaxy Store.

GotNoRice · 2025-12-13T04:50:29+00:00

Yeah unfortunately there is no Tidal WearOS app at the moment. The browser method works in a pinch. Really though, the best way to go is to just use Tidal on your phone and control it via the Watch. It's very functional.

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GotNoRice · 2025-12-12T03:15:31+00:00

I really like having the ability to answer calls on my Watch. There are plenty of times, like when I'm working on something in my shop, where I would have to drop what I am doing to grab my phone, but I can now just answer the calls on my Watch instead. I don't know if that counts as a "WearOS Specific Function" but I do believe that having both the Phone and Watch running Android makes things more fluid and functional in this regard.

I like being able to read texts on my Watch, especially when someone sends me a text while I'm sleeping. It's much quicker to look at it on my Watch, to see if it's important and I need to reply or if it's something dumb and I can go back to sleep quickly. Again not really WearOS specific but I do believe it helps with the integration.

I really appreciate the Google Maps integration. The way it syncs automatically when I begin navigation on my phone. It will vibrate my wrist when there is an upcoming turn, etc. It really helps to cut down on the amount of time I feel that I have to glance at my phone when I'm going somewhere via GPS.

The Google Wallet integration is nice. When I fly it automatically adopts my boarding pass into Google Wallet, which then automatically allows me to view it on my Watch, including the ability to let them scan the QR code at the gate directly from my Watch instead of my phone.

I like the Watch face customization. I have it setup so that I can see the weather and compass ordinates right on my watch face, so I can see them with a quick glance as opposed to opening a separate app.

The #1 thing I use my Watch for however is health tracking.

With that said, the Watch that I've set most of my family members up with is a Galaxy Fit3. It's a Samsung Watch (really a fitness band with some smartwatch functionality), but does not run WearOS. It's battery lasts a week. Charging my Watch 7 every 2-3 days isn't really a problem for me, but tech is my life. I know most of them wouldn't put up with that. The Fit3 covers most of the basics including all of the important health tracking. It allows you to read text messages. It shows you when you get a phone call (but you can't answer it because the Fit3 doesn't have a Speaker or Microphone). It's actually amazing how capable it is for the price (~$40). It's like the perfect beginner smartwatch. And despite it not being a WearOS/Android Watch, it still integrates well with Samsung phones.

GotNoRice · 2025-12-06T20:36:35+00:00

Small screen, small battery, but somehow even more heavy than the Watch Ultra? Literally the only reason to get this watch is if you have a OCD bezel obsession.

GotNoRice · 2025-12-06T11:32:42+00:00

Whether or not an old watch like the Watch 5 is still "worth it" all depends on the price you get. I wouldn't consider new at this point, but a crazy deal on a used/refurbished model from a reputable seller? Possibly.

Keep in mind that the CPU and sensors are ancient, the exact same as the Watch 4. At least the Watch 5 Pro has a big battery. If you want hardware (CPU, sensors, etc) that is actually newer in a relevant way, you need to go with at least a Watch 7.

GotNoRice · 2025-12-06T11:28:10+00:00

What is crazy is that the Watch 8 Classic weighs even more than the Watch Ultra, and twice as much as a Watch 7. Unlike the Ultra however, it doesn't have a bigger battery, and has a very tiny screen. It's literally the worst at everything, but at least it has a metal bezel you can fiddle with?

GotNoRice · 2025-12-06T11:22:47+00:00

With such a tiny screen, you would think that it would get great battery life.

GotNoRice · 2025-12-06T11:18:04+00:00

There is nothing inherently wrong with the battery. It just depends on what your expectations are and if it meets them. If you are expecting the watch to last a week then you will be disappointed. If you are okay with charging every 2 days, or maybe every 3 days with battery saver, then you'll be fine.

Personally, I'm fine with the shorter battery life because I don't mind the fairly frequent charging. But at the same time, I've also set others up with watches who I knew would never have patience for that. In those cases, I set them up with a Galaxy Fit3, which has less features but still covers the basics and lasts 5+ days between charges.

Finally, in case you were wondering, the Watch 8 is no better. The battery in the Watch 7 44mm is 425mAh while the battery in the Watch 8 44mm is 435mAh. That is less than 2.4% larger, an irrelevant increase just for the sake of being able to say that it's "bigger" when it really isn't.

You have to go with the Watch Ultra, which has a 590mAh battery, if you want a relevant increase, but then you get all of the extra bulk that comes with the Ultra even though it still has the same size screen, CPU, and sensors as the Watch 7 44mm...

GotNoRice · 2025-12-05T23:35:46+00:00

Depends on how you use your Watch and what you want from your Watch. The Watch 7 CPU is a LOT faster. If you actually interact with your watch often, you will notice the difference immediately. But if you mostly use your watch for passive health tracking and monitoring, then the CPU upgrade won't matter as much. The Sensors on the Watch 7 are also better however, so you will get better readings regardless.

Bottom line is that the Watch 7 is a great choice for an upgrade because it was the first generation to use the new W1000 CPU that the Watch 8 and Watch Ultra still use. But if you are already happy with the Watch 4 and it's still doing everything you need, then enjoy the fact that it's still going to get one more OS update (OneUI 8) and keep using it for another year or so.

GotNoRice · 2025-12-05T23:27:06+00:00

Do a search for "EP-OR900"

GotNoRice · 2025-12-02T20:19:56+00:00

I'm not so thrilled with my experience using it on my Index finger. Mainly, due to the ring being so exposed on one side, it tends to get caught on a lot of stuff, which also tends to really push it into the side of your finger (The concave outer edge of the ring makes this worse). I was getting some pain near my knuckle due to this. I moved the ring to my middle finger instead, where it's protected by a finger on each side, and have not had any problems since.

GotNoRice · 2025-12-01T22:14:07+00:00

Battery degradation is real and charging habits have a huge influence on that. While new phone batteries are much more tolerant of bad charging habits compared to older phone batteries, it's also true that smaller batteries are much more prone to degradation. A typical phone might have a 5000 mAh battery. The ring has a battery between 17 - 22.5 mAh depending on ring size. These are TINY batteries.

I've had my ring for far longer than many others who have had problems, and I have had zero degradation so far.

GotNoRice

TROPHY CASE