Hey there! Looking to step up your wrist game with an Apple Watch or Samsung smartwatch this year? With so many overlaping features between these top contenders, I know it can get confusing picking the best smartwatch for your needs.
That‘s why I‘ve put together this COMPLETE head-to-head comparison as your resident smartwatch analyst. By the end, you‘ll have all the insider facts and recommendations to decide:
- Apple Watch Series 8 or Samsung Galaxy Watch5? 🤔
- Is Apple still the one for iPhone users? ❓
- What does Samsung bring to the table for Android users instead? 🤨
- Which has the edge in health tracking and battery runtimes? 🏋️
Trust me, with over 7 years under my belt reviewing wearables and analyzing the global smartwatch industry – you‘ll get the real scoop here on every aspect of Apple vs Samsung‘s newest wares.
Let‘s kick things off with a quick history on both product lines before jumping into the details…
Brief Background on Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch
While Apple didn‘t invent the smartwatch category, their April 2015 debut of the original Apple Watch kickstarted the craze. Powered by watchOS and deeply integrated with iPhones, Apple Watches swiftly gained popularity:
- Over 4 million units sold in just the first 6 months
- Estimated 100+ million Apple Watches now in use globally
- 37.9% smartwatch total market share as of Q2 2022
- New iteration released every September with upgrades
- Current portfolio: Watch SE, Series 8, Ultra
Initially slow off the mark, Samsung Electronics trailed Apple with their early Samsung Gear attempts running Google‘s Android Wear OS.
After launching the rebranded Samsung Galaxy Watch lineup in 2017 powered by their Tizen OS, Samsung has closed the gap considerably. Thanks to:
- More affordable price points sought by Android users
- Sleek circular watch design with traditional styling
- Improvements to health sensors and battery life
Though still the runner-up in market share for now, the Galaxy Watch series now makes up over 10% of global smartwatch shipments and sales continue rising yearly.
The Galaxy Watch5 released in 2022 alongside the new Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 demonstrates Samsung‘s commitment to competing toe-to-toe with Apple as the premier smartwatch maker.
But strip away the brand names – how exactly does Apple Watch stack up against Samsung Galaxy Watch when you compare the experience across core smartwatch expectations?
Time to dig in…
Display Tech and Dimensions
Let‘s kick things off by looking at the display technology powering the latest Apple Watch Series 8 versus Samsung‘s newest Galaxy Watch5 since you‘ll be interacting with it constantly:
| Apple Watch Series 8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display Type | LTPO OLED | AMOLED |
| Display Size | 1.69" or 1.91" | 1.19" or 1.36" |
| Screen Shape | Rectangular | Circular like traditional watch |
| Resolution | 352 x 430 px or 396 x 484 px | 416 x 416 px or 450 x 450 px |
| Color Depth | 1000 nits brightness | 500 nits brightness |
| Always-On Mode? | Yes | Yes |
| Glass Material | Ion-X strengthened glass "Crystal" | Sapphire crystal glass option |
With their latest generations, both companies opted for vivid and colorful OLED panel technology with an always-on mode so your watch face data is visible without raising your wrist.
However, you can see Apple sticking with a distinctive square display shape versus the classic circular design of Samsung‘s watches mimicking traditional timepieces.
For protection against scrapes and scratches, Apple uses a proprietary ion-strengthened "Crystal" glass blend which rates slightly below sapphire glass on hardness. Samsung gives you the choice of the ultra tough sapphire glass on pricier models.
So if having a circular watch face matters – advantage Samsung. But Apple likely still has the edge in maximum brightness for outdoor viewability. A close round by my eyes.
Moving onto dimensions, there‘s quite a bit of choice in case sizes:
| Apple Watch Sizes | Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Sizes | |
|---|---|---|
| Case Dimensions | 41mm or 45mm | 40mm, 44mm. 45mm (Pro model) |
| Thickness | 10.7mm | 9.8mm (thinner) |
| Weight | 32g or 38g | 28.7g to 46.5g |
Frankly, most buyers will be happy with either offering here unless you have really slender or thicker wrists. Samsung shaved off an extra mm yielding a sleeker watch overall. But Apple offers two sizes to fine tune fit. I‘d call it a draw.
Verdict: Very similar OLED displays overall and suitable dimensions for most. Samsung takes the W for traditional circular design and optional sapphire crystal protection.
Health sensors and activity tracking
Alright, let‘s move onto the bread and butter of any premium smartwatch – how well do Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch handle 24/7 health monitoring and activity tracking?
I‘ll skip the fine details and just highlight some key capabilities of each:
Apple Watch Series 8
- Wrist-based heart rate monitoring
- Blood oxygen saturation measurements (SpO2)
- High and low heart rate alerts and irregular rhythm notifications via ECG app
- In-depth Sleep tracking with Sleep Stages breakdown
- Women‘s health tracking covering menstrual cycles and fertility
- Crash detection feature automatically calls emergency services after a bad fall
- Support for 3rd party health apps like MyFitnessPal, Dexcom CGM, Luminary etc.
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
- BioActive sensor tracks continuous heart rate, SpO2 and even blood pressure
- ECG monitoring app and electrical heart sensor
- Body Composition Analysis calculates BMI, skeletal muscle, body fat %, and more
- Advanced Sleep Coaching gives personalized guidance each morning
- Auto-tracks walks, runs, hikes and 90+ workouts with built-in GPS
- Connects with top apps like Strava, MyFitnessPal, Calm, Komoot, Adidas Running etc.
As you can see – both deliver extremely capable health monitoring platforms thanks to all that onboard sensor tech. Frankly, I‘d call it a dead heat between the Apple Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch5 when it comes to actionable insights.
Each watch OS has its perks like Apple‘s innovative Cycle Tracking for feminine health. While only Samsung currently offers next-gen blood pressure monitoring and super detailed Body Composition Analysis right from your wrist.
But both connect with leading health platforms for pulling in data from Peloton bikes, MyFitnessPal food logging, FitBit devices and more. So no matter which watch you end up choosing – expect fantastic sleep quality feedback, heart health notifications if irregular rhythms are detected, workout tracking galore and plenty of customization via third-party apps.
Verdict: Too close to call. Both provide stellar health tracking. Slight edge to Samsung for Blood pressure and Body Composition Analysis if those specific metrics appeal.
Battery Life and Charging
Hate charging your devices? Then listen up, because battery life makes a BIG difference in daily smartwatch usage.
Let‘s compare what type of runtime you can expect between charges:
- Apple Watch 8: Up to 18 hours of typical usage
- Galaxy Watch5: Up to 50 hours depending on usage
Additionally, both offer "low power modes" to further extend things if running low:
- Apple Watch 8: 36 hours via new lower power setting
- Galaxy Watch5: Additional 10 hours in battery saver mode
So why the huge discrepancy in normal runtimes? It comes down to the key hardware difference being that Samsung uses the more power efficient Exynos W920 chipset instead of the Apple S8 SiP found in the Series 8.
For charging – Apple uses a magnetic charging cable, while Samsung provides a wireless charging dock. Both can hit about 45% charge in 30 minutes when running low during your day.
But for multi-day hiking trips or vacations off the grid where charging might be limited – the Galaxy Watch5 has a significant edge lasting roughly 3 times as long as the Apple Watch Series 8.
If battery life is critical (and why wouldn‘t it be?), the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 simply runs circles around Apple here.
Verdict: Massive win for Samsung and Galaxy Watch5 when it comes to typical battery life thanks to more optimized hardware and software.
Smartwatch Usability and Convenience Features
Alright, enough about sensors and battery specs. Which smartwatch delivers the best overall user experience packed with convenient features in 2023? Let‘s explore key factors:
Compatibility and Connectivity
- 🍎Apple Watch – Only pairs with iPhones running iOS. watchOS ecosystem integrates tightly with Apple services and devices.
- 🤖Samsung Galaxy – Pairs with any Android phone or iPhone. Added benefits when connected to Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
Yup, this is a big one. Apple Watches only play nicely with iPhones. Meanwhile Samsung Galaxy watches work with most Android or even iOS devices as standalone companions.
However, Galaxy watch functionality is quite limited if pairing to an iPhone instead of say a Samsung Galaxy S23. You lose messaging response capabilities, some health syncing perks etc.
So while Samsung watches technically work with iOS or Android – you sacrifice some integration compared to solely using Apple Watch with an iPhone for instance.
Built-in Apps and Downloadable Apps
Both offer thousands of apps tailored for your wrist via their app stores:
- Apple – Extensive catalog of over 20,000 Watch apps via App Store
- Samsung – Robust lineup of apps from Google Play store
In both cases, apps range from premium health platforms, various games, fitness trackers, entertainment and streaming apps like:
- Spotify, Pandora
- Uber, Delta, Southwest etc
- Evernote, Todoist, Outlook
- Nest, Phillips Hue, Ring and more
Samsung also uniquely offers Google Maps and Google Assistant right on your Galaxy Watch. While Apple Watches carry Siri for voice commands and searches.
But app selection is quite comparable here. Unless you rely on a handful of iOS-only apps, then I‘d say Samsung nearly catches Apple in the ecosystems department thanks to Wear OS access.
Additional Convenience Features
As for additional perks – both watches mirror your phone‘s notifications to your wrist, allow quick replies (watch and model dependent), contactless payments via NFC and music storage for workouts sans phone.
Unique to Apple is unlocking your MacBook by proximity and streamlined iOS app installation with automatic copies to your watch. While Samsung ties into SmartThings home automation if you own their products.
Frankly, both deliver fantastic app selection and tightly integrated conveniences if you play within their respective smartphone ecosystems (iOS or Android).
Verdict: Samsung closed the gap considerably, but Apple Watch still better optimizes the experience for iPhone owners via watchOS. Samsung Galaxy does give you more cross-platform support though between iOS and Android devices.
Pricing: Apple Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Value
Last topic – let‘s weigh cost versus capabilities between these two juggernauts at common price points:
| Model | Apple Watch SE | Samsung Galaxy Watch5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $279 |
| Case Material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Band Material | Varies | Fluoroelastomer |
| ECG App? | Yes | Yes |
| SpO2 Monitoring? | Yes | Yes |
| Blood Pressure Tracking? | No | Yes |
| Body Composition Stats | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 36 hours | 50 hours |
As the comparison data shows – Samsung generally undercuts Apple at a given price while packing in more advanced health capabilities.
You‘ll also notice Samsung extended the features down into lower cost models. Even the most affordable Galaxy Watch5 includes industry-leading blood pressure tracking and body composition scanning.
Whereas ECG readings and blood oxygen monitoring doesn‘t enter the Apple lineup until pricier variants.
But for iPhone families invested heavily into Apple‘s ecosystem – paying the Apple premium often makes sense for unmatched integration. iMessage and notification support alone can justify the extra cost.
Let‘s look higher up the ranges:
| Model | Apple Watch Series 8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399+ | $449 |
| Case Material | Aluminum or Steel | Titanium |
| Band Material | Varies | Premium Leather |
| Display Size | 1.69" or 1.91" | 1.36" |
| Battery Life | 18 hours | 80 hours |
| GPS? | Yes | Yes + LTE |
As expected – Samsung packs better battery life into their flagship Galaxy Watch5 Pro model over the standard Series 8 while maintaining lower cost.
But Apple offers more case and band customizability for fashion purposes. And slightly larger displays if that matters for your aging eyes!
Frankly though – both provide excellent smartwatch value and capabilities once above that circa $400+ price point. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro does have more rugged appeal with titanium construction and crazy 4 day battery spans for adventure seekers.
Verdict: Samsung maintains a value edge for Android users wanting best-in-class health tracking for less. But Apple holds appeal for iOS households seeking cohesive experiences across devices.
Apple Watch vs Galaxy Watch: Which Should You Buy?
We‘ve covered a ton of ground comparing Apple Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch. So what‘s the final verdict? Which is the right for you in 2023?
Go Apple Watch Series 8 if:
- You own an iPhone – it‘s simply the best-optimized smartwatch thanks to deep iOS integration
- Having the edge in health sensors appeals (skin temp, crash detection etc.)
- You prioritize polished aesthetics and materials like stainless steel cases
- Access to 20,000+ Watch apps via App Store ecosystem matters
Go Samsung Galaxy Watch5 if:
- You use an Android phone for synergy (or might switch from iOS down the road)
- Battery life is critical – 50+ hours destroys Apple Watch
- You appreciate a rugged yet classic circular design
- Cost savings while retaining excellent health/fitness tracking
At the end of the day, iPhone owners can‘t go wrong with the tried and true Apple Watch lineup updated yearly. Seamless connectivity and support for Apple services makes it a no brainer still in 2023.
But Samsung continues closing the gap with cheaper prices, better battery efficiency and traditional styling through their Galaxy Watch ecosystem now powered by Wear OS (yet retaining most beloved Tizen elements). Unfettered Google Play app access doesn‘t hurt either.
For Android users then – the Galaxy Watch5 lineup offers fantastic wrist-based notifications, activity tracking and wellness monitoring for often over $100 less as well. Unless you rely heavily on iOS-exclusive apps and Apple Music, savings can be substantial.
Hopefully this in-depth face-off has given you the right facts, recommendations and things to consider choosing between Apple Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch this year! Let me know if any other questions come up. Happy smartwatch hunting! 👍
