The smartwatch market is booming, and two titans dominate: Apple and Samsung. The Apple Watch Series 7 Edition and the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro represent the pinnacle of their respective ecosystems. But which one deserves a spot on your wrist?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Watch5 Pro offers superior battery life and rugged durability, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts. The Apple Watch Series 7 Edition boasts a smoother user experience and tighter integration with the Apple ecosystem, making it ideal for iPhone users prioritizing seamless connectivity and a premium design.
| 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, 28 |
| 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 | 2022, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 15 | Available. Released 2022, August 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), titanium frame |
| Dimensions | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) | 45.4 x 45.4 x 10.5 mm (1.79 x 1.79 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 37 g (41mm), 45.1 g (45mm) (1.31 oz) | 46.5 g (1.66 oz) |
| | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | MIL-STD-810H 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 | Sapphire crystal |
| 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 | 5.2, 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, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (body temperature) |
| | 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 | 10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) | Li-Ion 590 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Black, Titanium | Black Titanium, Gray Titanium |
| Models | A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,8, watch6,9 | SM-R925F |
| 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
- Bright and vibrant display
- Intuitive watchOS interface
- Extensive app ecosystem
- Limited battery life
- Primarily for iOS users
- Higher price point
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
- Exceptional battery life
- Rugged and durable design
- Wear OS with Google apps
- Advanced health tracking features
- GPS accuracy
- Less polished user interface compared to watchOS
- Android-centric experience
- Design may be less appealing to some
Display Comparison
Both watches feature stunning OLED displays. The Apple Watch 7 has a slightly brighter display and thinner bezels, contributing to a more immersive experience. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro's display is also excellent, but the design prioritizes durability with a more prominent bezel.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera, a common omission in smartwatches.
Performance
The Apple S7 chip generally provides a snappier and more responsive user experience compared to the Exynos W920. While both are dual-core, Apple's optimization of hardware and software gives it an edge in fluidity. However, the Galaxy Watch5 Pro's 5nm process offers improved efficiency.
Battery Life
This is where the Galaxy Watch5 Pro truly shines. It offers significantly longer battery life (up to 80 hours) compared to the Apple Watch Series 7 (around 18 hours). The Watch5 Pro's larger battery capacity and power-efficient chipset contribute to this advantage.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 7 Edition is perfect for iPhone users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem who value a refined design, intuitive interface, and access to a vast app library. The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro is a great choice for Android users, especially those who enjoy outdoor activities and require extended battery life and a robust, durable build.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which smartwatch is better for fitness tracking?
Both offer comprehensive fitness tracking. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro excels with its GPS accuracy and battery life for extended workouts, while the Apple Watch benefits from Apple Fitness+ integration.
❓ Can I use the Galaxy Watch5 Pro with an iPhone?
Yes, but functionality is limited compared to using it with an Android phone. You'll miss out on some features and seamless integration.
