The smartwatch market is booming, and two contenders consistently vie for the top spot: the Huawei Watch 4 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Watch5. Both offer a compelling blend of fitness tracking, smart features, and stylish design, but which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's break down the key differences.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 edges out the Huawei Watch 4 Pro thanks to its more mature ecosystem, wider app support, and generally smoother software experience. However, the Huawei Watch 4 Pro boasts a stunning design and impressive battery life, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing aesthetics and longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 10 | 2022, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 22 | Available. Released 2022, August 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic back, TC4 titanium frame | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 47.6 x 47.6 x 12.9 mm (1.87 x 1.87 x 0.51 in) | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (1.75 x 1.70 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 65 g (2.29 oz) | 33.5 g (44mm), 28.7 g (40mm) (1.02 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps | 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 | 466 x 466 pixels (~310 ppi density) | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.5 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | * the display resolution is unconfirmed
Always-on display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | - | Exynos W920 (5 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G68 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.0 | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1.5GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (market/region dependent) | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature) |
| | - | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | 10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion 410 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold, Sapphire |
| Models | MDS-AL00, MDS-AL10 | SM-R915F, SM-R905F |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Huawei Watch 4 Pro
- Stunning Design & Build Quality
- Exceptional Battery Life
- Bright and Clear Display
- Advanced Health Tracking Features (e.g., TruSeen 5.0)
- Limited App Ecosystem Compared to Samsung
- HarmonyOS can feel less intuitive to some
- Less seamless integration with iOS
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
- Seamless Android Integration
- Vast App Selection via Google Play Store
- Smooth Performance with Exynos W920
- BioActive Sensor for Comprehensive Health Tracking
- Shorter Battery Life
- Design is less distinctive than Huawei
- Can be pricier than Huawei
Display Comparison
Both watches feature vibrant AMOLED displays, but the Huawei Watch 4 Pro's display is slightly larger and brighter, offering better outdoor visibility. The Galaxy Watch5's display is excellent, but the Huawei's edge in brightness is noticeable.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5, powered by the Exynos W920, generally offers snappier performance and smoother navigation. While the Huawei Watch 4 Pro is capable, the Samsung's chipset provides a more responsive experience, especially when multitasking or using demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Huawei Watch 4 Pro shines in battery life, often lasting 7-10 days on a single charge with moderate use. The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 typically lasts 2-3 days, requiring more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Huawei Watch 4 Pro? Users who value premium design, long battery life, and are comfortable with a less extensive app ecosystem. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch5? Android users seeking seamless integration, a vast app selection, and a more polished overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei Watch 4 Pro compatible with iPhones?
While it offers some basic functionality with iOS, the experience is significantly better with Android due to limited app support and feature availability.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 require a Samsung phone?
No, it works with most Android phones, but integration is optimized for Samsung devices.
