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 Watch5, a refined and feature-packed smartwatch. But which one offers the best experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 offers a more traditional and polished smartwatch experience with robust health tracking and a mature ecosystem. The Huawei Watch Buds are a bold experiment, offering earbuds convenience alongside smartwatch functionality, but with some compromises in software and overall refinement. For most, the Galaxy Watch5 is the safer, more complete choice.
| 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, 28 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 09 | 2022, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 09 | Available. Released 2022, August 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, stainless steel frame | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 47 x 47.5 x 15 mm (1.85 x 1.87 x 0.59 in) | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (1.75 x 1.70 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 66.5 g (2.36 oz) | 33.5 g (44mm), 28.7 g (40mm) (1.02 oz) |
| | Built-in wireless earbuds housed beneath the display; charging from the watch
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 (~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 | 5.2, 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, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature) |
| | - | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | 10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 410 mAh (watch) | Li-Ion 410 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Khaki | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold, Sapphire |
| Models | - | SM-R915F, SM-R905F |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Huawei Watch Buds
- Unique hybrid design (smartwatch + earbuds)
- Convenient on-the-go audio
- Wireless charging
- Stylish and eye-catching
- Smaller, less impressive display
- Shorter battery life
- Less mature software ecosystem
- Potentially less powerful processor
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
- Vibrant AMOLED display
- Smooth performance with Exynos W920
- Excellent health and fitness tracking
- Seamless Android integration
- Longer battery life
- Can be expensive
- Limited iOS compatibility
- Design is less unique
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 boasts a vibrant AMOLED display with excellent brightness and resolution, making it easy to read in all conditions. The Watch Buds have a smaller, less impressive display, prioritizing space for the earbuds. Samsung wins here.
Camera Comparison
Neither device has a dedicated camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches.
Performance
The Exynos W920 chipset in the Galaxy Watch5 provides smooth and responsive performance for apps and navigation. The Watch Buds' performance is adequate but can feel slightly less fluid, likely due to the dual-purpose design and potentially less powerful processor. Samsung takes the lead.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch5 offers a respectable battery life, typically lasting a day and a half with moderate use. The Watch Buds' battery life is shorter, impacted by the earbuds' charging requirements. Samsung has a slight advantage.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Watch Buds are ideal for those prioritizing on-the-go audio and a unique, conversation-starting design. The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 is perfect for fitness enthusiasts, Android users seeking seamless integration, and those wanting a reliable, feature-rich smartwatch with excellent health tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can the Huawei Watch Buds be used without the earbuds?
Yes, the Watch Buds can function as a regular smartwatch, though the battery life will be affected by the inactive earbuds.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 compatible with iOS?
While it pairs with iOS devices, the Galaxy Watch5 offers limited functionality compared to Android devices. Many features are exclusive to Android.
