Apple Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch: A Smartwatch Showdown

Smartwatches have become an essential tech accessory, offering fitness tracking, notifications, and health monitoring features. Apple and Samsung, two leading brands in this space, continue to push the boundaries with their latest smartwatch models—the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. Both devices cater to different user preferences, ecosystems, and design philosophies. In this review, we’ll compare them based on design, display, features, performance, battery life, and overall value.

Design and Display

The Apple Watch maintains its iconic square-shaped design with rounded edges and a digital crown for navigation. Its Retina LTPO OLED display offers sharp visuals, and the always-on feature ensures convenience. The materials range from aluminum to titanium, providing both lightweight and premium build options. Apple’s watchbands are interchangeable, allowing users to customize their style effortlessly.

On the other hand, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 sports a traditional round watch face, catering to those who prefer a classic wristwatch look. It features a Super AMOLED display with vibrant colors and deep blacks, ensuring excellent visibility in different lighting conditions. A standout feature is the rotating bezel, which enhances navigation and adds a tactile experience absent in Apple’s touch-focused interface.

Health and Fitness Features

Apple has consistently led the way in health tracking. The Series 10 offers an ECG app, blood oxygen monitoring, and even a temperature sensor for tracking ovulation cycles. It also introduces sleep apnea detection and crash detection, making it a valuable companion for health-conscious individuals. Its integration with Apple’s Health app allows seamless data tracking across devices.

Samsung is not far behind, with its Galaxy Watch 7 offering similar features, including ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and advanced sleep tracking. However, it distinguishes itself with a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) sensor that measures body fat percentage and muscle mass. This makes it an excellent choice for those deeply invested in fitness and body composition tracking.

Performance and Compatibility

The Apple Watch Series 10 runs on watchOS, delivering smooth performance and deep integration with iPhones. Its App Store offers a wide range of applications, enhancing its versatility. However, it remains exclusive to iOS users, limiting its appeal to those outside the Apple ecosystem.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 operates on Google’s Wear OS, making it compatible with Android devices while still offering excellent functionality with Samsung smartphones. It provides access to Google services like Maps, Assistant, and the Play Store, making it a flexible choice for Android users. Unfortunately, its iOS support is minimal, making it less attractive for iPhone owners.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life remains a challenge for smartwatches. The Apple Watch Series 10 lasts around 18 hours with normal use, extending up to 36 hours in low-power mode. It supports fast charging, reaching 80% in just 30 minutes.

Samsung offers better battery longevity, with the Galaxy Watch 7 lasting up to 40 hours with standard use. However, its charging speed is slower compared to Apple’s fast-charging capability.

Price and Value

Apple’s premium pricing starts at around $399, reflecting its high-end positioning. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 is more affordable, starting at approximately $299, offering a compelling alternative for budget-conscious users.

Final Verdict

For iPhone users, the Apple Watch remains the best choice due to its seamless ecosystem integration. Android users, however, will find the Galaxy Watch 7 to be the superior option, providing excellent features at a lower price. The decision ultimately depends on your smartphone preference and desired features.