Samsung has been a major player in the smartwatch market for years. The original Galaxy Watch set a high bar, but the Galaxy Watch4 brought significant upgrades. This comparison dives deep into both devices to help you decide which one best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Watch4 is the clear winner thanks to its faster processor, Wear OS integration, improved health tracking, and sleeker design. However, the original Galaxy Watch remains a solid option for those seeking a more classic aesthetic and longer battery life, especially at a potentially lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 11 | 2018, August. Released 2018, August |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 27 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass DX+), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass DX+), stainless steel frame 316L |
| Dimensions | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (1.75 x 1.70 x 0.39 in) | 49 x 46 x 13 mm (1.93 x 1.81 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 30.3 g (44mm), 25.9 g (40mm) (1.06 oz) | 63 g (2.22 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 22mm straps
Rotating bezel
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ | Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ |
| Resolution | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) | 360 x 360 pixels (~278 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.4 inches | 1.3 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | Always-on display
Rotating bezel |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 | Dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Exynos W920 (5 nm) | Exynos 9110 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 | Mali-T720 |
| OS | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 | Tizen OS 5.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 4GB 768MB RAM, 4GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer |
| | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 361 mAh | Li-Ion 472 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Pink Gold, Silver, Green, Thom Browne Edition, Bespoke Edition, PXG Golf Edition | Silver 46mm, Midnight Black 42mm, Rose Gold 42mm |
| Models | SM-R860, SM-R870 | SM-805U, SM-805W, SM-815U, SM-815W, SM-R805F, SM-R805N, SM-R815F, SM-R815N, SM-R8050, SM-R800 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Samsung Galaxy Watch4
- Faster Processor (Exynos W920)
- Wear OS Integration
- Improved Health Tracking (BIA, ECG)
- Sleeker Design
- Brighter, Higher Resolution Display
- Shorter Battery Life
- Can be more expensive
Samsung Galaxy Watch
- Longer Battery Life
- Classic Watch Design
- Potentially Lower Price
- Slower Performance
- Older Software
- Less Advanced Health Tracking
- Lower Resolution Display
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Watch4 boasts a Super AMOLED display with higher resolution and improved brightness compared to the original Galaxy Watch's Super AMOLED screen. Colors are more vibrant, and text is sharper on the Watch4, making it easier to read in various lighting conditions. The Watch4 also has a slightly larger display area.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Galaxy Watch4 nor the original Galaxy Watch has a built-in camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches.
Performance
The Exynos W920 chipset in the Galaxy Watch4 offers a substantial performance boost over the Exynos 9110 in the original Galaxy Watch. Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and overall responsiveness is significantly improved. The Watch4's 5nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The original Galaxy Watch generally offers longer battery life than the Galaxy Watch4, often lasting 2-3 days on a single charge, while the Watch4 typically lasts around 1.5-2 days with moderate use. This difference is partly due to the Watch4's more powerful processor and brighter display.
Buying Guide
The Galaxy Watch4 is ideal for fitness enthusiasts, tech-savvy users who want Wear OS features, and those prioritizing the latest health tracking capabilities. The original Galaxy Watch is a good choice for users who prefer a traditional watch look, value longer battery life, and don't need the newest features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Galaxy Watch4 support older Wear OS apps?
Yes, the Galaxy Watch4 runs Wear OS, which provides access to a vast library of apps from the Google Play Store. Compatibility with older apps is generally good, but some may require updates.
❓ Is the Galaxy Watch4 waterproof?
Both the Galaxy Watch4 and the original Galaxy Watch are water-resistant up to 50 meters (5 ATM), making them suitable for swimming and showering.
