The smartwatch market is booming, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 and the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which wearable best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Watch4 boasts a more powerful processor and Wear OS integration, offering a richer app ecosystem and more advanced health tracking. The Xiaomi Watch S1 Active shines with its stylish design, longer battery life, and competitive price, making it a great value option for fitness enthusiasts.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | N/A |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | No |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 11 | 2022, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 27 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass DX+), aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (1.75 x 1.70 x 0.39 in) | 46.5 x 47.3 x 11 mm (1.83 x 1.86 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | No |
| Weight | 30.3 g (44mm), 25.9 g (40mm) (1.06 oz) | 36 (1.27 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 | Waterproof (5ATM) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ | - |
| Resolution | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.4 inches | 1.43 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 | - |
| Chipset | Exynos W920 (5 nm) | - |
| GPU | Mali-G68 | - |
| OS | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 | Proprietary OS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | Unspecified storage |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 361 mAh | Li-Po 470 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Pink Gold, Silver, Green, Thom Browne Edition, Bespoke Edition, PXG Golf Edition | Moon White, Space Black, Ocean Blue |
| Models | SM-R860, SM-R870 | - |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 80 EUR |
Samsung Galaxy Watch4
- Powerful Exynos W920 processor
- Wear OS integration & app ecosystem
- Advanced health tracking features (ECG, body composition)
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Shorter battery life
- Can be pricier than competitors
- Best experience with Android phones
Xiaomi Watch S1 Active
- Longer battery life (7-10 days)
- Stylish and lightweight design
- Competitive price
- Good fitness tracking capabilities
- Less powerful processor
- Proprietary OS (less app availability)
- Fewer advanced health features compared to Galaxy Watch4
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Watch4 typically features a Super AMOLED display known for its vibrant colors and crisp resolution. The Xiaomi Watch S1 Active usually has an AMOLED display as well, but may have slightly lower brightness or resolution. Both offer excellent visibility in most lighting conditions.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Galaxy Watch4 nor the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active have built-in cameras. This is a common limitation in smartwatches.
Performance
The Galaxy Watch4's Exynos W920 chipset (5nm) provides noticeably faster performance compared to the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active, which, while capable, doesn't have the same processing power. This translates to smoother navigation, quicker app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the Samsung device.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Watch S1 Active generally offers significantly longer battery life than the Galaxy Watch4, often lasting 7-10 days on a single charge compared to the Watch4's 2-4 days. This is a key advantage for users who don't want to charge their smartwatch every day.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 is ideal for Android users seeking a feature-rich smartwatch with seamless integration and a wide range of apps. The Xiaomi Watch S1 Active is a fantastic choice for those prioritizing battery life, a sleek design, and a more budget-friendly price point, particularly if you're focused on fitness tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy Watch4 compatible with iPhones?
While the Galaxy Watch4 can pair with iPhones, functionality is limited compared to Android devices. You'll miss out on features like ECG and body composition analysis.
❓ Which smartwatch is better for fitness tracking?
Both offer good fitness tracking, but the Galaxy Watch4 has more advanced sensors and features. The Xiaomi Watch S1 Active excels in battery life during extended workouts.
