The smartwatch market is booming, and two titans dominate: Apple and Samsung. The Apple Watch Series 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 represent the pinnacle of their respective ecosystems. But which one deserves a spot on your wrist?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Watch4 offers a more open platform with Wear OS and broader Android compatibility. However, the Apple Watch Series 7 boasts tighter integration with iOS, a more polished user experience, and generally superior app ecosystem. It depends on your phone!
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2021, August 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 15 | Available. Released 2021, August 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass DX+), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (1.75 x 1.70 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 37 g (41mm), 45.1 g (45mm) (1.31 oz) | 30.3 g (44mm), 25.9 g (40mm) (1.06 oz) |
| | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ |
| Resolution | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.9 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Apple S7 | Exynos W920 (5 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR | Mali-G68 |
| OS | watchOS 8.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1.5GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) | Li-Ion 361 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Black, Titanium | Black, Pink Gold, Silver, Green, Thom Browne Edition, Bespoke Edition, PXG Golf Edition |
| Models | A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,8, watch6,9 | SM-R860, SM-R870 |
| Price | About 830 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) | - |
Apple Watch Edition Series 7
- Seamless iOS integration
- Premium design and build quality
- Excellent app ecosystem
- Bright and clear display
- Fast charging (0-80% in 45 min)
- Limited Android compatibility
- Battery life could be better
- Expensive
Samsung Galaxy Watch4
- Wear OS offers more customization
- Broader Android compatibility
- Advanced health tracking features (BIA sensor)
- Good battery life
- Competitive price
- Performance can occasionally lag
- Samsung's One UI can feel cluttered
- Design less premium than Apple Watch
Display Comparison
Both watches feature vibrant, always-on displays. The Apple Watch 7 has a slightly larger display with thinner bezels, offering a more immersive experience. The Galaxy Watch4's Super AMOLED display is also excellent, with rich colors and deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Apple Watch Series 7 nor the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 have a built-in camera. This is a consistent design choice for both brands.
Performance
The Apple S7 chip in the Watch 7 is known for its smooth and responsive performance. The Exynos W920 in the Galaxy Watch4 is a significant upgrade over previous Samsung smartwatches, providing snappy performance, but Apple's optimization often gives it a slight edge.
Battery Life
The Apple Watch Series 7 typically offers around 18 hours of battery life with normal usage. The Galaxy Watch4, with its more efficient processor, can often achieve slightly better battery life, potentially stretching to 24-36 hours depending on usage and features enabled.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 7 is ideal for iPhone users seeking seamless integration, a premium design, and a robust app ecosystem. The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 is a great choice for Android users wanting a feature-rich smartwatch with Wear OS and advanced health tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which smartwatch is better for fitness tracking?
Both offer excellent fitness tracking. The Galaxy Watch4 has a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) sensor for body composition analysis, while the Apple Watch excels in workout detection and integration with Apple Fitness+.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 be used with an iPhone?
Yes, but functionality is limited. You'll miss out on features like seamless notifications and Apple Pay. It's best paired with an Android phone.
