Some Galaxy Watch 7 users claim GPS accuracy is "horrible" after recent update

Galaxy Watch 7 owners are reporting significant GPS tracking problems following a recent software update. Users say their watches now provide wildly inaccurate location data during workouts, with some reporting distance measurements that are off by hundreds of meters, labeling it “horrible.”

The complaints started surfacing in late April on Samsung’s community forums and Reddit. Users describe GPS tracking that shows erratic zigzag patterns instead of straight lines, even when following simple routes. Some cyclists report their watches claiming they reached impossible speeds of 90 mph or more during regular rides.

One frustrated user posted about their regular 7.1 kilometer running route now consistently measuring 7.3 kilometers or more. They noted that before the update, their Galaxy Watch 7’s dual GPS system provided “clean and straight” tracking lines that followed sidewalks almost perfectly.

The issue appears to affect both distance calculations and route mapping. Multiple users report their watches adding significant phantom distance to familiar routes. One cyclist mentioned a 4-kilometer error on a 63-kilometer ride compared to their dedicated bike computer.

Another user shared an extreme example where their watch recorded several kilometers of movement while they were standing completely still. The GPS tracking showed wild jumps to locations they had never been.

The problems seem to affect various workout types including running, cycling, and hiking. Some users suspect Samsung adjusted GPS settings to improve battery life, inadvertently sacrificing accuracy in the process.

Samsung’s customer support responses have been mixed. Some users were told to factory reset their devices or send them in for warranty repair. Others were given explanations about regional GPS optimization that users found unconvincing.

The company briefly appeared to address the issue in May with a Samsung Health app update. In fact, the OP on Samsung’s community fourm initially reported the problem was fixed, but later confirmed the GPS issues had returned.

The Galaxy Watch 7 uses a dual-band GPS system that was marketed as providing improved accuracy compared to previous models. However, these recent reports suggest the software update may have compromised that enhanced performance.

For users who rely on accurate fitness tracking, the GPS problems have created serious concerns about data reliability. Some report considering switching to competing smartwatches from other manufacturers if Samsung doesn’t resolve the issue soon.

The problem doesn’t appear to affect all Galaxy Watch 7 units equally. Some users report minimal GPS issues, while others describe completely unusable tracking. So it’s unclear if Samsung will work to fix the problem anytime soon. That said, we’ll keep track of the situation and will update the article if there are any further developments.

In the meantime, feel free to share your experience with GPS on your Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 in the comments below.