Recently debuted, the Apple Watch Series 8 has created a buzz among smart device enthusiasts. While the world is celebrating the arrival of this feature-packed smartwatch, many of us are comparing it to its toughest competitor- the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. Both smartwatches are so similar in almost every aspect, it’s a head-to-head battle in the market.
Simply put, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is for Android users, and Apple Watch Series 8 is for iOS users. But if you do not have to choose between the two OS, the choice will come down to your preference on characteristics such as price, performance, features, UI, etc. Whereas Samsung Galaxy 5 comes with better sleep tracking, a BIA sensor, and longer battery life at a lower price, Apple Watch Series 8 offers a unique crash detection feature.
However, to better understand which one is a better fit for you, we have to dig deeper. Today, we will thoroughly compare Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Apple Watch Series 8 to help you pick the best one for yourself.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 VS Apple Watch Series 8
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Apple Watch Series 8 are functionally similar. Yet, some subtle differences in a few aspects, such as features and battery life, can affect many consumers’ buying decisions. Below, we will explore all the similarities and distinctions between these two smartwatches.Â
Release Date
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 was introduced on August 26, 2022, whereas Apple Watch Series 8 came to the market on September 16, 2022. Therefore Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is less than one month older than Apple Watch Series 8. With such close release dates, the intense competition between these smartwatches was inevitable.
Price
As of October 2022, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is available in a price range of $279.99 to $499.99. The prices vary based on the model, type of connectivity (Bluetooth/WiFi or Bluetooth/WiFi + 4G LTE), and case size (40mm or 44mm).
On the other hand, as expected, the Apple Watch Series 8 is more expensive. It is available in a price range of $399 to $799. Its price varies depending on what watch strap, case size (41mm or 45mm), and connectivity type (GPS or GPS + Cellular) you choose.Â
Design
Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and the Apple Watch Series 8 offer a rugged display capable of withstanding vigorous outdoor activities. Both are dust and waterproof, with IP68-certified protection. They also have swim proofing up to 5 ATM, which means they are capable of withstanding pressure 50 meters or 164 ft under water. Both are available in a range of stunning options for straps and feature two buttons on the side.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 has a sleek, round screen, which mimics a conventional watch. The always-on Super AMOLED display has a 396 x 396 resolution on the 40mm model and a 450 x 450 resolution on the 44mm model. Whereas the screen size is 1.2-inch on the 40mm model, it is 1.4-inch on the 44mm model. This sapphire crystal screen is water and scratch-resistant.
Apple Watch Series 8 has the company’s traditional rectangular screen with an always-on LTPO OLED display. The display size is 1.57-inch (352 x 430 resolution) on the 41mm model and 1.73-inch (396 x 484 resolution) on the 45mm model.Â
Performance
An Exynos W920 chipset powers each Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 device. It has 1.5GB RAM and 16 GB storage. Moreover, the chip features Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55, Bluetooth 5.2, and Mali-G68 GPU. The device’s operating system is Android Wear OS 3.5.Â
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 features a water and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal display. This screen is 60% tougher than previous Galaxy Watch displays. Moreover, whereas the standard Galaxy Watch 5 comes with an aluminum chassis, the Pro model comes with a titanium chassis, which is significantly stronger. The Pro model also offers better protection of display by slightly raising the bezel.
On the other hand, Apple Watch Series 8 is powered by the Apple S8 chipset. It comes with Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, PowerVR GPU, and a dual-core CPU. The watches feature 1 GB RAM and 32 GB storage, and they run on watchOS 9.0.Â
The Apple Watch Series 8 also comes with a strong sapphire crystal screen. This edge-to-edge screen is designed with a flat base and rugged geometry to enhance the device’s durability. It is resistant to cracking, dust, and water. Moreover, the watch comes in robust aluminum and stainless steel cases.   Â
Features
Both smartwatches are designed with a focus on active and health-conscious people. They have all the traditional features for workout and fitness tracking. Such features include monitoring heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, blood oxygen saturation, ECG, stress, sleep, hydration, menstrual cycle, movement, daily activities, calories burned, workout intensity, etc. They also have other features, including traditional digital clock features, call and text response, weather, calendar, camera remote control, music control and storage, NFC payment, app notifications, and the like.Â
However, the Apple Watch Series 8 is more popular for its Activity Rings method, which encourages an active lifestyle. It can recognize workouts such as running, Yoga, Tai Chi, and HIIT. Moreover, the smartwatch has a unique feature- car crash detection. It can detect when a user gets in a severe car crash and instantly notify your emergency contacts and connect you to emergency services. However, the sleep-tracking feature is not optimized to detect when the user is falling asleep and control your smart home accordingly.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 has a better sleep-tracking feature. It can prepare a month-long sleep plan for you to help you sleep better. While connected to a smart home system, it can dim the lights when it detects you are falling asleep. Moreover, it can track your blood pressure and features an advanced Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) sensor. This sensor detects the amount of your skeletal muscle, body fat percentage, and BMI. However, advanced features like importing GPX format workout routes and tracking back mapping are only available on the Pro models.Â
User Interface
As we have already mentioned, Apple Watch Series 8 is compatible with only iPhones with iOS 16 and up, whereas Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is compatible with any Android phone with at least 1.5 GB RAM and Android 8.0. However, to fully experience the Galaxy Watch 5, it is recommended to pair it with a Samsung Galaxy Phone.
On the Apple Watch Series 8, you can enjoy services such as Apple Health, Apple Pay, App Store, and voice support with Siri. In contrast, the Galaxy Watch features an OneUI interface. With it, you can use services such as Samsung Health, Bixby, Google Play Store, Samsung Pay, and Google Assistant for voice support.Â
Battery Life
Under normal usage, the Apple Watch Series 8 can last for upto 18 hours. But with the low power mode, you can extend the battery life upto 36 hours. The 41mm model comes with a 282 mAH battery, and the 45mm model comes with a 308 mAH battery. They also have a fast-charging capability.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 offers upto 50-hours of battery life after one charging session. The 40mm model comes with a 284 mAH battery, and the 44mm model comes with a 410 mAH battery. The Pro model features a whopping 590 mAH battery, offering 80 hours of battery life after a single charging session. The USB-C-based charger can juice the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 up by 45% in just about 30 minutes.  Â
Specifications
After all that discussion about Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Apple Watch Series 8, you may need to see a side-by-side comparison of their specifications before deciding on one. Let’s have a look.
|
Specifications |
Apple Watch Series 8 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 |
|
Display Size |
1.57 to 1.73 inches |
1.2 to 1.4 inches |
|
Resolution |
352 x 430 and 396 x 484 |
396 x 396 and 450 x 450 |
|
Display Type |
Retina LTPO OLED |
Super AMOLED |
|
System Chip |
Apple S8 |
Exynos W920 |
|
CPU |
Dual-core |
Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 |
|
GPU |
PowerVR |
Mali-G68 |
|
RAM |
1 GB |
1.5 GB |
|
Storage |
32 GB |
16 GB |
|
Operating System |
watchOS 9.0 |
Android Wear OS 3.5 |
|
Battery |
282mAh (41mm) and 308mAh (45mm) |
284mAh (40mm), 410mAh (44mm), and 590 mAH (Pro) |
|
Battery Life |
Upto 18 hours (36 hours with low power mode) |
Upto 50 hours (80 hours on Pro model) |
|
Fast charging |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Wireless Charging |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Resistance |
WR50 water resistance, IP6X dust resistance, and crack resistance |
5 ATM water resistance, IP68 dust resistance, and MIL-STS-816 standard certification |
|
SIM Type |
eSIM |
eSIM |
|
Connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi, NFC, 4G |
Bluetooth 5.2, WiFi, NFC, 4G |
|
Dimensions |
41mm: 41x35x10.7mm 45mm: 45x38x10.7mm |
40mm: 39x40x9.8mm 44mm: 43x44x9.8mm |
|
Weights |
41mm: 42.3g 45mm: 51.5g |
40mm: 28.7g 44mm: 33.5g |
Caption: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 VS Apple Watch Series 8
Which One Is Better Fit For You?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Apple Watch Series 8 are similar in most cases. Both are incredible smartphones and mark an achievement in developing wearable technology. When it comes to fitness and health tracking abilities, both devices offer an array of highly functional features and sensors to the users. Moreover, both devices have incorporated state-of-the-art technologies to enhance their durability.
However, the Galaxy Watch 5 comes with better sleep-tracking capability and an advanced BIA sensor. On the other hand, the Apple Series 8 offers the unique safety feature of crash detection. Regarding battery life, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 seems to win the race. Price-wise, The Apple Watch Series 8 is a bit more expensive than the Galaxy Watch 5.
Now, your decision comes down to what phone you have, the features you prefer, and the design that attracts and compliments you the most. If you want a holistic experience with the Apple ecosystem, Apple Watch Series 8 will be your best choice. But if you prioritize value for money, go for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5.
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