Galaxy Watch 4/5/6 features which require a Samsung phone

The question “what features” will I lose if I use Galaxy Watch 4/5 with a non-Samsung phone is raised very often.

Alternatively, many people simply heard somewhere that “many” features of a galaxy watch require a Samsung phone.

Below is, as detailed, answer to this question, as I could get:

Camera Control

The Camera Control app on the watch works with flagship Samsung phones only. Formally, this limitation is not phone brand based as such.
Workaround: there are third party apps with similar functionality.

Synchronization of “do not disturb” and “bedtime”

Synchronization of “do not disturb” and “bedtime” between the watch and the phone.
Workaround: none, I’m aware of

ECG, Blood Pressure measurements and and Irregular HR monitoring

ECG, Blood Pressure measurements and and Irregular HR monitoring are done using the “Samsung Health Monitor” app (do not confuse it with the “Samsung health” app!). The app works with Samsung phones only. These features are also regulated by local authorities, so they could be not available for you even if you have a Samsung phone (for instance, BP is still not enabled in the US).
Workaround: there are instructions on the internet that explain how to install a modified Health Monitor app that works independently on a country and a phone model.

Connected device diagnostic

Connected device diagnostic — a feature introduced in 2023, it is exposed via “Samsung members” app. The app is available on Samsung phones only. As a result, this diagnostic (from touch screen to battery remaining capacity) is not available for a non-samsung-phone users.
Workaround: So far, no known workaround

Contact’s birthdays in calendar

Contact’s birthdays can be shown in the watch calendar app and tile when watch is paired with a Samsung phone.
Workaround: there are third party apps which can show birthdays on the watch (but not in the default calendar app).

AR Emoji watch face

AR emoji watchface has much more “functionality” when used with Samsung phones. This is based on Samsung AR emoji app to create emojis based on your real view.
Workaround: none

Reminders synchronization

Watch has a rather powerful app called reminders and which does exactly that — handles reminders. The app works well. But Samsung phones do have a phone version of the reminder app, and the apps keep data synchronized.
Workaround: none

Automation using Bixby routines

Samsung phones have a built-in automation tool called bixby routines. Using this tool one can configure a routing which to change watch watchfaces automatically based on different triggers (article “How to change watch face of galaxy watch by time, place, and whatever you want” explains how you can do this).
Workaround: none

Participating in new One UI version beta testing

Samsung usually releases new major One UI version Galaxy Watches together with a new watch model in August. Few months early a limited beta program for existing watch models begins. To participate in this beta program one need to have a Samsung phone with Samsung members app installed.
Workaround: none

All other watch features are phone-independent. And the watch has many of them. For example,

• my most important use cases — “How do I use my Galaxy Watch”.
• using galaxy watch for hiking — “A Long Hike with my Galaxy Watch”
• using galaxy watch for swimming — “Samsung Health: swimming statistic, calendar and your progress data”
• using galaxy watch in gym — “Galaxy Watch 4 for Weight Training”