The smartwatch market is booming, and two titans dominate: Apple and Samsung. Choosing between the Apple Watch Series 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 can be tough. This comprehensive comparison breaks down every aspect to help you make the best decision for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Watch5 offers superior health tracking and a more open operating system (Wear OS). However, the Apple Watch Series 7 boasts tighter integration with the Apple ecosystem and a generally smoother user experience for iOS users. It's a close call, depending on your preferred platform.
| 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, stainless steel frame | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), 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 | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) | 33.5 g (44mm), 28.7 g (40mm) (1.02 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
Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
*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 (skin 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 410 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite, Gold, Silver | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold, Sapphire |
| Models | A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,8, watch6,9 | SM-R915F, SM-R905F |
| Price | About 310 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) | - |
Apple Watch Series 7
- Seamless iOS integration
- Smooth user experience
- Excellent app ecosystem
- Sleek design
- Always-on display
- Limited Android compatibility
- Shorter battery life
- Relatively expensive
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
- Advanced health tracking features (ECG, body composition)
- Wear OS flexibility
- Good battery life
- Faster charging
- Customizable watch faces
- Performance can be slightly less smooth than Apple Watch
- Integration with iOS is not as seamless
- Design may not appeal to all
Display Comparison
Both watches feature vibrant, always-on displays. The Apple Watch Series 7 has slightly thinner bezels, giving it a more modern look. The Galaxy Watch5's display is bright and readable even in direct sunlight, while the Apple Watch's display benefits from Apple's color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Apple Watch Series 7 nor the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 have a built-in camera. This is a consistent trend in smartwatches.
Performance
The Apple S7 chip in the Series 7 is known for its responsiveness and smooth performance within the Apple ecosystem. The Exynos W920 in the Galaxy Watch5 provides solid performance, especially with Wear OS 3. The Galaxy Watch5's Cortex-A55 CPU is a bit slower than the S7, but the difference is often negligible in everyday use.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch5 generally offers slightly better battery life than the Series 7, often lasting a full day with moderate use. The Series 7 requires charging every 18-24 hours. The Galaxy Watch5's 10W wireless charging is faster than the Series 7's charging speed (0-80% in 45 minutes).
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 7 is ideal for iPhone users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem who prioritize seamless integration and a polished user interface. The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 is a great choice for Android users seeking advanced health features, a customizable experience, and broader app compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which smartwatch is better for fitness tracking?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 generally offers more comprehensive fitness tracking features, including body composition analysis and advanced sleep tracking.
❓ Can I use the Apple Watch Series 7 with an Android phone?
No, the Apple Watch Series 7 is exclusively compatible with iPhones.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each watch?
The Apple Watch Series 7 takes approximately 75 minutes to fully charge. The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 takes around 80 minutes with its 10W wireless charger.
❓ Which watch has a better app store?
The Apple Watch Series 7 benefits from Apple's curated App Store, known for quality apps. The Galaxy Watch5, running Wear OS, has access to a broader range of apps, including those from Google.
