The smartwatch market is booming, offering a plethora of options for fitness tracking, notifications, and more. Two popular contenders are the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 and the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Watch5 boasts a more powerful processor, richer features like ECG and body composition analysis, and tighter integration with the Samsung ecosystem. However, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active often offers a more competitive price and a sleek, sporty design. For feature-richness, Samsung wins; for budget-conscious buyers, Xiaomi is compelling.
| 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, 28 | N/A |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | No |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 10 | 2022, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 26 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), 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 | 33.5 g (44mm), 28.7 g (40mm) (1.02 oz) | 36 (1.27 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 | Waterproof (5ATM) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal | - |
| 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 | 5.2, 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, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature) | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wireless | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 410 mAh | Li-Po 470 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold, Sapphire | Moon White, Space Black, Ocean Blue |
| Models | SM-R915F, SM-R905F | - |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 80 EUR |
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
- Powerful Processor
- Advanced Health Tracking (ECG, Body Composition)
- Samsung Ecosystem Integration
- Wireless Charging
- Bright AMOLED Display
- Shorter Battery Life
- Higher Price
- Can be bulky for some
Xiaomi Watch S1 Active
- Longer Battery Life
- Competitive Price
- Stylish and Lightweight Design
- Intuitive Interface
- Good Fitness Tracking
- Less Powerful Processor
- Fewer Advanced Features
- Limited Ecosystem Integration
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Watch5 typically features a vibrant AMOLED display with excellent color accuracy and brightness, often with a higher resolution than the S1 Active. The S1 Active usually has a bright AMOLED display, but may lack the same level of customization and sharpness as the Watch5. Expect excellent visibility in sunlight on both.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Galaxy Watch5 nor the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active have built-in cameras. This is a common limitation in smartwatches.
Performance
The Galaxy Watch5's Exynos W920 chipset (5nm) provides noticeably smoother performance and faster app loading times compared to the S1 Active. While the S1 Active is generally responsive for everyday tasks, the Watch5 handles more demanding applications and multitasking with greater ease. The Watch5's dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 CPU gives it an edge.
Battery Life
Battery life is a key consideration. The Galaxy Watch5 typically offers around 1-2 days of battery life with moderate usage, while the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active can often stretch to 3-4 days, thanks to its larger battery capacity and potentially more efficient software. Wireless charging is a plus for the Watch5.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch5? Users deeply invested in the Samsung ecosystem, fitness enthusiasts seeking advanced health tracking, and those willing to pay a premium for top-tier features. Who should buy the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active? Budget-minded buyers, those prioritizing a stylish and lightweight design, and users who appreciate a clean and intuitive interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which smartwatch is better for fitness tracking?
The Galaxy Watch5 offers more advanced health tracking features like ECG and body composition analysis, making it a better choice for serious fitness enthusiasts. However, the S1 Active provides solid fitness tracking capabilities at a more affordable price.
❓ Is the Galaxy Watch5 compatible with iOS?
While the Galaxy Watch5 primarily integrates with Android devices, it offers limited compatibility with iOS. Functionality is significantly reduced compared to using it with an Android phone.
