The smartwatch market is booming, and two titans dominate: Apple and Samsung. The Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum 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 8 Aluminum excels in seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, health tracking accuracy, and a more polished user experience for iOS users. It's a close call, depending on your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 07 | 2022, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 16 | Available. Released 2022, August 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum 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 | 32 g (41mm), 38.8 g (45mm) (1.13 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 | Ion-X strengthened 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 S8 | Exynos W920 (5 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR | Mali-G68 |
| OS | watchOS 9.0, 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 |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, 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, temperature (body) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (body temperature) |
| | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)
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 308 mAh | Li-Ion 590 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Red | Black Titanium, Gray Titanium |
| Models | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, A2770, A2771, watch6,14, watch6,15, watch6,16, watch6,17 | SM-R925F |
| Price | About 340 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) | - |
Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum
- Seamless iOS integration
- Excellent health tracking
- Bright and vibrant display
- Polished user interface (watchOS)
- App ecosystem
- Shorter battery life
- Limited Android compatibility
- Aluminum build can be prone to scratches
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
- Exceptional battery life
- Rugged and durable design (titanium)
- Wear OS offers broader app compatibility
- Advanced GPS features
- Improved sleep tracking
- Less polished user interface compared to watchOS
- Performance can occasionally lag
- Larger and bulkier design
Display Comparison
Both watches boast vibrant, high-resolution displays. The Apple Watch Series 8 has a slightly brighter display, while the Galaxy Watch5 Pro's larger screen offers more real estate for information. The Apple Watch's always-on display is refined, while the Galaxy Watch5 Pro's is functional.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera, a common omission in smartwatches.
Performance
The Apple S8 chip generally feels snappier and more responsive than the Exynos W920, particularly in navigating the interface. However, both watches handle everyday tasks and app usage with ease. The Apple Watch benefits from WatchOS's optimization.
Battery Life
This is where the Galaxy Watch5 Pro truly shines. Its larger battery provides significantly longer battery life – often exceeding 3 days – compared to the Apple Watch Series 8, which typically lasts around 18 hours.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum is ideal for iPhone users seeking a stylish, feature-rich smartwatch with excellent health tracking and a user-friendly interface. The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro is perfect for Android users, especially those who enjoy outdoor activities and prioritize long battery life and a durable design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which smartwatch is better for fitness tracking?
Both offer comprehensive fitness tracking, but the Apple Watch Series 8 is generally considered more accurate for heart rate monitoring, while the Galaxy Watch5 Pro excels in GPS tracking and outdoor activity modes.
❓ Can the Galaxy Watch5 Pro be used 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.
