Samsung has a long history in the smartwatch market, and these two devices represent different eras of their wearable technology. The Gear Sport was a solid offering in its time, while the Galaxy Watch5 boasts modern features and performance. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which smartwatch reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Watch5 is the clear winner. Its significantly faster processor, improved battery life, advanced health tracking, and modern design make it a superior choice. While the Gear Sport was a decent device in its day, it's simply outclassed by the Watch5's advancements.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, August. Released 2017, October | 2022, August 10 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, August 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 44.6 x 42.9 x 11.6 mm (1.76 x 1.69 x 0.46 in) | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (1.75 x 1.70 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 67g (w/ strap); 50g (w/о strap) (1.76 oz) | 33.5 g (44mm), 28.7 g (40mm) (1.02 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | 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 |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Sapphire crystal |
| Resolution | 360 x 360 pixels (~424 ppi density) | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.2 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | Always-on display
Rotating bezel | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Exynos 3250 Dual | Exynos W920 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Tizen OS 5.5 | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 4GB 768MB RAM | 16GB 1.5GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature) |
| | Bixby natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) | 10W wireless |
| Stand-by | Up to 48 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 410 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold, Sapphire |
| Models | SM-R600 | SM-R915F, SM-R905F |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Samsung Gear Sport
- Compact and lightweight design
- Wireless charging (Qi)
- Decent fitness tracking features for its time
- Affordable (used)
- Outdated processor and performance
- Limited app support
- Smaller, lower-resolution display
- Shorter battery life
- Older software
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
- Powerful Exynos W920 chipset
- Vibrant and durable Super AMOLED display
- Advanced health tracking (ECG, BIA, body composition)
- Longer battery life
- Fast wireless charging (10W)
- Modern design and software
- More expensive than older models
- Battery life could still be better for heavy users
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Watch5 features a vibrant Super AMOLED display with higher resolution and improved brightness compared to the Gear Sport's smaller, less impressive screen. The Watch5's display is also more durable with Gorilla Glass DX+. The Gear Sport's screen is adequate but noticeably less sharp and visually appealing.
Camera Comparison
Neither device has a built-in camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches.
Performance
The Exynos W920 in the Galaxy Watch5 provides a massive performance boost over the Gear Sport's Exynos 3250. Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and the overall user experience is significantly more responsive on the Watch5. The Watch5's Cortex-A55 cores are more efficient and powerful than the Gear Sport's Cortex-A7.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch5 offers significantly better battery life than the Gear Sport, thanks to its more efficient chipset and optimized software. While both offer wireless charging, the Watch5's 10W charging is faster than the Gear Sport's Qi charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Gear Sport? Primarily those seeking a very budget-friendly, older smartwatch for basic notifications and fitness tracking. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch5? Anyone looking for a feature-rich, high-performance smartwatch with advanced health monitoring, a modern design, and seamless integration with the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Gear Sport still worth buying?
Only if you're on a very tight budget and need a basic smartwatch for notifications and simple fitness tracking. Otherwise, the Galaxy Watch5 offers a much better experience.
❓ What are the key health features of the Galaxy Watch5?
The Galaxy Watch5 includes ECG (electrocardiogram), BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis) for body composition, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking, and advanced activity tracking.
