The smartwatch market is booming, and two unique contenders are vying for your wrist: the Huawei Watch Buds, a truly innovative hybrid device, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic, a refined and feature-rich traditional smartwatch. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one deserves a spot on your wrist.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic offers a more robust smartwatch experience with its powerful processor, comprehensive health tracking, and Wear OS integration. However, the Huawei Watch Buds' unique earbud-in-watch design provides unparalleled convenience for audio lovers, making it a compelling alternative for a specific niche.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 09 | 2021, August 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 09 | Available. Released 2021, August 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, stainless steel frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass DX), stainless steel frame 316L or titanium frame |
| Dimensions | 47 x 47.5 x 15 mm (1.85 x 1.87 x 0.59 in) | 45.5 x 45.5 x 11 mm (1.79 x 1.79 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 66.5 g (2.36 oz) | 52 g (46mm), 46.5 g (42mm) (1.66 oz) |
| | Built-in wireless earbuds housed beneath the display; charging from the watch
Compatible with standard 22mm straps | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
Rotating bezel
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass DX |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.43 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | - | 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 | - | 16GB 1.5GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | - | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 410 mAh (watch) | Li-Ion 361 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Khaki | Black, Silver, Thom Browne Edition, Bespoke Edition |
| Models | - | SM-R880, SM-R890 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 90 EUR |
Huawei Watch Buds
- Unique earbud-in-watch design
- Excellent portability
- Convenient audio access
- Wireless charging
- Smaller, less vibrant display
- Shorter battery life
- Less powerful processor
- Limited app ecosystem
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic
- Powerful processor and smooth performance
- Comprehensive health tracking features (ECG, SpO2)
- Wear OS integration and app ecosystem
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Longer battery life
- Can be expensive
- Battery life still requires daily charging for heavy users
- Some features require a Samsung phone
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Watch4 Classic boasts a vibrant Super AMOLED display with excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The Watch Buds, while functional, have a smaller, less impressive display primarily used for notifications and basic controls. Samsung wins here for overall display quality and usability.
Camera Comparison
Neither device has a dedicated camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches, focusing instead on other features.
Performance
The Exynos W920 chipset in the Galaxy Watch4 Classic provides noticeably smoother performance and faster app loading times compared to the Watch Buds. Wear OS also contributes to a more responsive user experience. The Watch Buds' performance is adequate for basic smartwatch functions but struggles with demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch4 Classic typically offers 2-3 days of battery life with moderate usage, while the Watch Buds' battery life is shorter, likely around 1-2 days due to the integrated earbuds. Samsung edges out Huawei in battery endurance.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Watch Buds are ideal for users prioritizing portability and instant audio access, especially those who frequently travel or want a backup pair of earbuds. The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic is best suited for fitness enthusiasts and those seeking a full-featured smartwatch with a wide range of apps and seamless integration with Android devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can the Huawei Watch Buds be used as regular earbuds?
Yes, the earbuds can be detached and used independently as standard Bluetooth earbuds.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic compatible with iPhones?
While it pairs with iPhones, functionality is limited compared to Android devices. Many features, like ECG and blood pressure monitoring, are exclusive to Android.
