The smartwatch market is booming, and two contenders are vying for your wrist: the Huawei Watch 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. Both offer a wealth of features, but cater to slightly different users. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 takes the crown for most users due to its broader compatibility, established ecosystem, and robust health tracking. However, the Huawei Watch 4 boasts a more powerful chipset and potentially longer battery life, making it a compelling option for HarmonyOS users and those prioritizing performance.
| 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, stainless steel frame | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 46.2 x 46.2 x 10.9 mm (1.82 x 1.82 x 0.43 in) | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (1.75 x 1.70 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 48 g (1.69 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 |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~310 ppi density) | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.5 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | * the display resolution is unconfirmed
Always-on display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Exynos W920 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 702 | 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, 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 530 mAh | Li-Ion 410 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold, Sapphire |
| Models | ARC-AL00 | SM-R915F, SM-R905F |
| Price | About 450 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Huawei Watch 4
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon W5 Gen 1)
- Potentially longer battery life
- Sleek design
- HarmonyOS integration
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Wear OS
- Less widespread compatibility (primarily HarmonyOS)
- May lack some advanced health features found on Galaxy Watch 5
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
- Seamless Android integration
- Extensive app ecosystem (Wear OS)
- Comprehensive health and fitness tracking
- Faster wireless charging (10W)
- Established brand reputation
- Less powerful chipset than Huawei Watch 4
- Battery life may be shorter
- Exynos W920 can sometimes exhibit performance hiccups
Display Comparison
Both watches feature vibrant AMOLED displays, but the Galaxy Watch 5 generally offers slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Huawei Watch 4's display is still excellent, but Samsung's implementation is arguably more refined. Resolution is comparable.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches.
Performance
The Huawei Watch 4's Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset (4nm) provides a noticeable performance edge over the Galaxy Watch 5's Exynos W920 (5nm). Expect smoother animations, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Huawei device. The Cortex-A53 vs A55 also contributes to this.
Battery Life
While both offer wireless charging, the Huawei Watch 4 *potentially* offers better battery life due to the more efficient chipset and optimized software. The Galaxy Watch 5's 10W wireless charging is faster, but the Huawei may last longer between charges.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Watch 4 is ideal for users deeply embedded in the Huawei/HarmonyOS ecosystem who value raw processing power and potentially longer battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is the better choice for Android users seeking seamless integration, a mature app ecosystem, and comprehensive health and fitness tracking features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei Watch 4 compatible with Android?
While it may connect via Bluetooth, the Huawei Watch 4's full functionality is best experienced with HarmonyOS devices. Android compatibility is limited.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 work with iOS?
The Galaxy Watch 5 offers limited iOS compatibility. You can pair it for notifications, but many features like health tracking and app access are exclusive to Android.
