The new generation of “smart” watches from Samsung is here, just a few weeks before Apple unveils its commitment for the remainder of the year and much of 2023. The South Korean proposal comes in two formats, the most complete being the Galaxy Watch5 Pro, which is the one we are going to compare with the Apple Watch Series 7 to see what are its characteristics, prices and check the one that comes out better.
Features Apple Watch Series 7 and Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
specs | Apple Watch Series 7 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro |
---|---|---|
Dimensions and weight |
41 x 35 x 10.7mm and 32 grams (41mm); 45 x 38 x 10.7mm and 38.8 grams (45mm) |
45.4 x 45.4 x 10.5mm and 46.5 grams |
Screen |
1.69-inch (41mm) or 1.9-inch (45mm) Retina LTPO OLED with 430 x 352 pixels (41mm) or 484 x 396 pixels (45mm) resolution, AOD capability and Ion-X glass |
1.4-inch AMOLED with 450 x 450 pixel resolution, AOD function and sapphire glass |
Processor |
dual core apple s7 |
Exynos W920 Dual Core 1.18GHz |
RAM |
1GB |
1.5GB |
Internal storage |
32GB |
16 GB |
Operating system |
watchOS 8 (watchOS 9 starting in the fall) |
WearOS 3.5 with OneUI Watch 4.5 |
Drums |
284 mAh (41 mm) or 309 mAh (45 mm) and fast charge |
590 mAh and fast charge |
Compatibility |
iPhone 6s onwards with iOS 15 or later |
Android 8.0 or higher with 1.5GB RAM or higher |
connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC and LTE (optional) |
Bluetooth 5.2, dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC and LTE (optional) |
Geopositioning |
GPS, GNSS and BeiDou |
Integrated GPS chip, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo |
sensors |
Always on altimeter, blood oxygen sensor, EKG, 3rd generation heart rate, accelerometer, gyroscope and ambient light |
Samsung BioActive (Heart Rate, Heart Electrical Signal and Bio Electrical Impedance), Body Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyroscope, Magnetic and Light Sensor |
Endurance |
5 ATM, IP6X |
5 ATM, IP68 and military grade MIL-STD-810H |
Others |
UWB support, W3 chip, GymKit, fall detection, emergency call function |
Sleep analysis, SpO2 measurement, EKG, Blood pressure measurement, GPX rendering, turn-by-turn directions and Track Back |
Price |
From 429 euros |
From 469.90 euros |
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro, Smart Watch, Health Monitoring, Sports Tracking, Long Battery Life, Bluetooth, 45mm, Titanium Gray
Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS) – 41mm Midnight Aluminum Case – Midnight Sport Band – One Size
- Design: One of the factors that differentiates the Apple Watch from other smartwatches is its square design, since most manufacturers using the Wear OS operating system have opted for a more classic circular look. It’s a matter of taste, but the design of the Apple Watch can be more comfortable to consult information by not cutting off the text so abruptly at the edges when we are scrolling.
- Screen: The Apple Watch Series 7 comes in two sizes, while the Watch5 Pro is only available with one 1.4-inch AMOLED screen. The Series 7 can be chosen in either 41mm (1.69 inches) or 45mm (1.9 inches). If you have a thin wrist, the Watch5 Pro may be a bit exaggerated. The panel quality of both devices is very good and they have the AOD function for a more conventional experience.
- Processor, RAM and internal storage: The best of each house, the dual-core S7 in the Series 7 and the dual-core Exynos W920 in the Watch5 Pro to give them a good experience with the corresponding operating systems. The RAM memory in Samsung’s is somewhat higher, but it does not work more smoothly than Apple’s, and the 32 GB of the Series 7 are a clear advantage over the 16 GB of the Watch5 Pro if we are going to download a lot of music to listen to it. Without connection.
- Operating system: Apple has had the upper hand for generations in its watch software, but the Samsung-Google collaboration to propel WearOS is significantly improving this operating system, attracting developers so that there are important apps in the Play Store. Apple may continue to offer a better experience, but if they continue to improve WearOS, the two may be on par.
- Drums: With normal use of daily life and physical activity, the Apple Watch Series 7 can last about a day and a half (45 mm). The Watch5 Pro can boast of incorporating a generous 590 mAh batterywhich should mean more days of autonomy, but we have to wait for the performance and use tests.
- Compatibility: Apple has always been criticized for being very restrictive with the compatibility of its devices, and its watches only work with iPhone. The Watch5 Pro works with any Android 8.0 or higher smartphone with a minimum of 1.5GB RAM, but to get the most out of it, a Samsung Galaxy smartphone is required. It is more compatible, but it has its restrictions if you are not in the Samsung ecosystem.
- sensors: Samsung drew attention in the Watch4 with its BioActive sensor, capable of measuring electrical bioimpedance. However, the results weren’t entirely accurate, and neither were those from the heart rate sensor. It is not very clear if it is a problem with the sensors used or with the software, but what is certain is that the heart rate sensor of the Apple Watch has a reputation for working quite well. And the Apple watch is natively compatible with chest straps, something that in Wear OS depends on the developer of the app.
- Personalization: via the Play Store, the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro can install custom faces, developed by users through the official Samsung kit and make use of the complications. Apple doesn’t look like it’s going to launch a watch face store, and it’s something that has been requested for a long time, so you can only use the company’s official ones or download images from the Internet and use them as such, but with reduced functions .
- Price: The price between devices is quite similar, but the fact that the Apple Watch Series 7 has been on the market for a year means that it can be found with offers. The good thing about Samsung devices is that they tend to drop in price quickly and are often included in discount campaigns.
Apple Watch Series 7 or Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro, which one to buy?
Until the Galaxy Watch4, Samsung allowed its “smart” watches to be paired with the iPhone, although due to Apple restrictions not all features were available. But since the company has embraced Wear OS and collaborates with Google, its last two generations of smartwatches cannot be used with Apple’s smartphone. It’s the same thing Apple has been doing since the first Apple Watch: just iPhone.
So the decision to buy one or the other is quite simple. Do you have an iPhone? Apple Watch Series 7. Do you have a Samsung or other Android smartphone? Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro.
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro, Smart Watch, Health Monitoring, Sports Tracking, Long Battery Life, Bluetooth, 45mm, Titanium Gray
Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS) – 41mm Midnight Aluminum Case – Midnight Sport Band – One Size
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