The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 and Apple Watch Series 6 represent two dominant forces in the smartwatch market, but cater to distinct user bases. The Active2 offers broader OS compatibility, while the Series 6 is deeply integrated within the Apple ecosystem. This comparison dissects their core hardware and features to determine which delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch Series 6 Aluminum provides a seamless and optimized experience. However, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 offers greater platform flexibility and a competitive feature set at a potentially lower price point, making it the better choice for Android users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Global | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - Global | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, September | 2020, September 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, September 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass DX+), stainless steel frame 316L | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 44 x 44 x 10.9 mm (1.73 x 1.73 x 0.43 in) | 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 42 g (1.48 oz) | 36.5 g (1.31 oz) |
| | - | 50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ | Ion-X strengthened glass |
| Resolution | 360 x 360 pixels (~364 ppi density) | 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.4 inches | 1.78 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Exynos 9110 (10 nm) | Apple S6 |
| GPU | Mali-T720 | PowerVR |
| OS | Tizen OS 5.5 | watchOS 7.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 4GB 768MB RAM, 4GB 1.5GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, VO2max | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max |
| | - | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 340 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 303.8 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Gold | Silver, Gold, Space Gray, Blue, Red |
| Models | SM-R825F, SM-R835F, SM-R825U, SM-R835U | A2293, A2294, A2375, A2376, A2291, A2292 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 420 EUR |
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2
- Cross-platform compatibility (Android & iOS)
- Rotating bezel for intuitive navigation
- Potentially lower price point
- Exynos 9110 may exhibit lower power efficiency
- Tizen OS has a smaller app ecosystem compared to watchOS
Apple Watch Series 6 Aluminum
- Tight integration with the Apple ecosystem
- Optimized performance with the Apple S6 chip
- Mature and extensive app library (watchOS)
- Limited to iOS compatibility
- Higher price point
- Lacks physical rotating bezel
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, but based on market positioning, the Apple Watch Series 6 likely benefits from a higher peak brightness and potentially a more color-accurate display. Samsung typically excels in display technology, so the Active2 likely offers vibrant colors. The Active2's rotating bezel provides a unique interaction method absent on the Series 6, impacting usability for some users. The Series 6's always-on display, a standard feature, is likely more power-efficient than a comparable implementation on the Active2.
Camera Comparison
Neither device features a camera, a deliberate design choice for modern smartwatches focusing on health and fitness tracking. This absence simplifies the design and reduces potential privacy concerns.
Performance
The Apple Watch Series 6 utilizes Apple’s custom S6 chip, while the Galaxy Watch Active2 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 9110. While both are dual-core CPUs, the S6 benefits from Apple’s tight hardware-software integration, resulting in optimized performance and responsiveness. The Exynos 9110, fabricated on a 10nm process, is likely to exhibit slightly higher power consumption compared to the S6, potentially impacting battery life. The S6’s architecture is optimized for watchOS, while the Exynos 9110 runs Tizen, a different operating system with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device. However, the Exynos 9110’s 10nm process suggests potentially lower energy efficiency compared to the Apple S6. Both devices support wireless charging, but the efficiency of the charging circuitry and software optimization will determine actual charging speeds. The Series 6’s optimized power management, stemming from its tight hardware-software integration, likely translates to longer real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Active2.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 if you need a smartwatch compatible with both Android and iOS, prioritize a rotating bezel for intuitive navigation, and value a more open app ecosystem. Buy the Apple Watch Series 6 Aluminum if you are an iPhone user seeking tight integration with Apple services, a mature app library, and advanced health tracking features like blood oxygen monitoring (not specified in provided data, but a key Series 6 feature).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9110 chip in the Galaxy Watch Active2 overheat during intensive tasks like GPS tracking or workout recording?
While the Exynos 9110 is a capable processor, its 10nm fabrication process means it may generate more heat than the Apple S6. Users engaging in prolonged GPS tracking or demanding workouts may experience some thermal throttling, potentially impacting performance slightly. However, this is unlikely to be a significant issue for typical use cases.
❓ Is the lack of cellular connectivity on the base Galaxy Watch Active2 a significant limitation for fitness tracking?
The base Galaxy Watch Active2 relies on a Bluetooth connection to your smartphone. While this is sufficient for most fitness tracking scenarios, users who prefer to leave their phone at home during runs or workouts will benefit from the cellular option (available on some Active2 models) or the Apple Watch Series 6's standard cellular connectivity.
❓ How does the Tizen OS on the Galaxy Watch Active2 compare to watchOS in terms of app availability and usability?
watchOS boasts a significantly larger and more mature app ecosystem than Tizen. While Tizen offers essential apps for fitness, notifications, and basic smartwatch functions, users seeking specialized apps may find fewer options. watchOS is also known for its intuitive interface and seamless integration with Apple services.
