The smartwatch market is booming, and two titans dominate: Samsung and Apple. Choosing between the Galaxy Watch5 and the Apple Watch Series 8 can be tough. This comprehensive comparison breaks down every aspect, from design and features to performance and battery life, to help you make the right decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers a more polished and integrated experience within the Apple ecosystem, boasting superior app support and health tracking. However, the Galaxy Watch5 provides greater compatibility with Android devices and a more customizable Wear OS experience. 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), aluminum frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (1.75 x 1.70 x 0.39 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 33.5 g (44mm), 28.7 g (40mm) (1.02 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
Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
*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 (skin 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 410 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold, Sapphire | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | SM-R915F, SM-R905F | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 170 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
- Wider compatibility (Android & iOS, though limited on iOS)
- Longer battery life (with optimization)
- Customizable watch faces and bands
- Rotating bezel (on some models) for easy navigation
- Advanced sleep tracking
- Performance slightly behind Apple Watch
- Wear OS can feel less polished than watchOS
- iOS integration is limited
- Charging speed slower than Apple Watch
Apple Watch Series 8
- Seamless integration with iPhone
- Vast app ecosystem
- Superior performance
- Advanced health features (ECG, blood oxygen)
- Faster charging
- Premium design and build quality
- Limited compatibility with Android
- Shorter battery life (typical use)
- Less customizable than Wear OS
- More expensive
Display Comparison
Both watches feature vibrant, always-on AMOLED displays. The Apple Watch Series 8 has slightly thinner bezels, giving it a more modern look. The Galaxy Watch5's display is generally brighter, making it easier to read in direct sunlight. Resolution is comparable.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera. This is a consistent design choice for both brands.
Performance
The Apple S8 chip consistently outperforms the Exynos W920 in benchmarks and real-world usage. Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and the overall responsiveness is noticeably better on the Apple Watch. Wear OS on the Galaxy Watch5 has improved, but still lags behind watchOS in fluidity.
Battery Life
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers roughly 18 hours of battery life with typical use, while the Galaxy Watch5 can achieve up to 40 hours with battery optimization enabled. However, the Galaxy Watch5's battery life can vary significantly depending on usage patterns and enabled features. The Apple Watch Series 8 charges significantly faster (0-80% in 45 minutes).
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch5? Android users seeking a feature-rich smartwatch with broad compatibility and customization options. Who should buy the Apple Watch Series 8? iPhone users prioritizing seamless integration, a vast app ecosystem, and advanced health features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can the Galaxy Watch5 be used with an iPhone?
Yes, but functionality is limited compared to using it with an Android phone. You'll miss out on features like ECG and notifications.
❓ Is the Apple Watch Series 8 worth the price?
If you're an iPhone user and value seamless integration, advanced health features, and a premium experience, then yes. Otherwise, the Galaxy Watch5 offers a compelling alternative at a potentially lower price point.
