The smartwatch market is booming, and two titans dominate: Apple and Samsung. The Apple Watch Series 8 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 excels in battery life and rugged durability, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts. The Apple Watch Series 8 shines with its seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem, advanced health features, and refined design. It's a close call, but the choice depends 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 | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel 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 | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 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 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 | Graphite, Silver, Gold | Black Titanium, Gray Titanium |
| Models | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 | SM-R925F |
| Price | About 330 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
- Seamless iOS integration
- Advanced health features (ECG, blood oxygen)
- Bright and accurate display
- Smooth performance
- Stylish design
- Shorter battery life
- Limited Android compatibility
- Relatively expensive
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
- Exceptional battery life
- Rugged titanium build
- Wear OS with One UI Watch
- Excellent fitness tracking
- Route tracking with GPS
- Less polished user experience compared to watchOS
- Android-centric
- Bulky design for some
Display Comparison
Both watches boast vibrant, high-resolution displays. The Apple Watch Series 8 features an Always-On Retina display, while the Galaxy Watch5 Pro has a bright Super AMOLED display protected by sapphire crystal. The Apple Watch's display is arguably more color-accurate, while the Galaxy Watch5 Pro's is slightly brighter outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Apple Watch Series 8 nor the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro have a built-in camera. This is a consistent feature across both brands.
Performance
The Apple S8 chip in the Series 8 is generally considered faster and more responsive for everyday tasks and app navigation. The Exynos W920 in the Watch5 Pro is capable, but the Apple ecosystem's optimization gives the Series 8 a slight edge in fluidity. Both handle fitness tracking and notifications with ease.
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 8 (around 18 hours). The Series 8's battery life is adequate for a full day, but the Watch5 Pro's extended endurance is a game-changer for multi-day adventures.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 8 is ideal for iPhone users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem who prioritize health tracking, a polished user experience, and a stylish design. The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro is perfect for Android users, especially those who enjoy outdoor activities and need exceptional battery life and a robust build.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which smartwatch is better for fitness tracking?
Both are excellent. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro excels with its route tracking and extended battery for longer workouts, while the Apple Watch Series 8 offers more advanced health metrics and integration with Apple Fitness+.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro be used with an iPhone?
Yes, but functionality is limited. You'll need the Galaxy Wearable app and some features will not work as seamlessly as with an Android phone. The Apple Watch Series 8 is exclusively for iPhones.
