The smartwatch market is booming, and two titans dominate: Samsung and Apple. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro and Apple Watch Series 8 represent the pinnacle of their respective ecosystems. But which one deserves a spot on your wrist?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers a more polished and seamless experience within the Apple ecosystem, boasting superior app integration and a refined user interface. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro excels in rugged durability, extended battery life, and advanced outdoor features, making it ideal for adventurers. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your smartphone preference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 10 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 26 | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), titanium frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 45.4 x 45.4 x 10.5 mm (1.79 x 1.79 x 0.41 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 46.5 g (1.66 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810H compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.4 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Exynos W920 (5 nm) | Apple S8 |
| GPU | Mali-G68 | PowerVR |
| OS | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (body temperature) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body) |
| | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)
Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wireless | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 590 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black Titanium, Gray Titanium | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | SM-R925F | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
- Exceptional battery life (3-4 days)
- Rugged titanium design and sapphire crystal
- Advanced outdoor features (route tracking, waypoint navigation)
- Wear OS with Google Play Store access
- Excellent health and fitness tracking
- Performance slightly behind Apple Watch
- Larger and bulkier design
- Wear OS can feel less polished than watchOS
Apple Watch Series 8
- Seamless integration with iPhone and Apple ecosystem
- Faster and smoother performance
- Extensive app ecosystem (watchOS App Store)
- Advanced health features (ECG, blood oxygen)
- Stylish and refined design
- Shorter battery life (18-36 hours)
- Limited compatibility with Android devices
- Can be expensive
Display Comparison
Both watches feature vibrant, high-resolution displays. The Apple Watch Series 8 has a slightly brighter display, making it easier to read in direct sunlight. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro's display is protected by a more robust sapphire crystal, offering enhanced scratch resistance.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera. This is a consistent design choice for both brands, prioritizing privacy and battery life.
Performance
The Apple S8 chip consistently delivers smoother and faster performance than the Exynos W920. App loading times are quicker, and animations are more fluid on the Apple Watch. While the Watch5 Pro is capable, the S8 holds a noticeable edge in responsiveness.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch5 Pro's standout feature is its exceptional battery life, often lasting 3-4 days on a single charge. The Apple Watch Series 8 typically lasts around 18-36 hours, depending on usage. This is a significant advantage for those who don't want to charge their watch daily.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro? Outdoor enthusiasts, Android users prioritizing battery life and durability, and those seeking advanced fitness tracking features. Who should buy the Apple Watch Series 8? iPhone users seeking seamless integration, a vast app ecosystem, and a stylish, feature-rich smartwatch experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy Watch5 Pro compatible with iPhones?
While the Galaxy Watch5 Pro can pair with iPhones, functionality is limited compared to pairing with an Android phone. You'll miss out on key features like notifications and advanced health tracking.
❓ Which watch has better health tracking features?
Both offer comprehensive health tracking. The Apple Watch Series 8 has ECG and blood oxygen monitoring, while the Galaxy Watch5 Pro excels in outdoor activity tracking and body composition analysis.
