Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
The Verdict
Both smartwatches compete at identical price points but take different philosophical approaches. Apple Watch SE delivers the seamless iOS integration ecosystem with watchOS 10 compatibility, GPS, NFC, and reliable 18-hour battery life, though it lacks advanced health sensors like ECG and SpO2 monitoring. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 counters with significantly superior health tracking capabilities,ECG, blood oxygen, skin temperature, and sleep analysis,plus a brighter Super AMOLED display with always-on functionality and impressive 40-hour rated battery life (realistically 24+ hours). The Galaxy Watch 5's Exynos W920 processor handles Wear OS 3.5 smoothly, while its dual-frequency GPS and sapphire crystal glass add durability advantages. For iPhone users prioritizing ecosystem cohesion and simplicity, the SE remains compelling. However, Galaxy Watch 5 offers substantially more health insights and longer battery endurance at the same price. Choose Samsung for feature richness and health monitoring; choose Apple for streamlined iOS experience.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) if…
- →Affordable entry into the Apple Watch ecosystem with core features
- →Same large display as Series 6 — no visible compromise
- →Fall detection and emergency SOS for safety
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 if…
- →Sapphire crystal display is 60% more durable than Watch 4
- →Comprehensive health suite: ECG, SpO2, skin temp, body composition
- →Dual-frequency GPS for accurate outdoor tracking
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple Watch SE (1st Gen)
Pros
- Affordable entry into the Apple Watch ecosystem with core features
- Same large display as Series 6 — no visible compromise
- Fall detection and emergency SOS for safety
- Compass and always-on altimeter for outdoor activities
- Family Setup enables use for kids without an iPhone
Cons
- No Always-On display — must raise wrist to see the time
- Older S5 chip — slower than the 2022 SE's S8
- No ECG, SpO2, or blood oxygen monitoring
- No fast charging — takes about 2.5 hours for full charge
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
Pros
- Sapphire crystal display is 60% more durable than Watch 4
- Comprehensive health suite: ECG, SpO2, skin temp, body composition
- Dual-frequency GPS for accurate outdoor tracking
- Faster charging — 30% improvement over Galaxy Watch 4
- MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability rating
Cons
- Removed the beloved rotating bezel — now touch-only
- Battery rarely hits the advertised 40 hours in real use
- Requires a Samsung phone for ECG and blood pressure features
- Wear OS 3 app selection still lags behind Apple watchOS
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) | Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 7 (upgradable to watchOS 10) | Wear OS 3.5 (One UI Watch 4.5) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 30.49 g (40mm) / 36.2 g (44mm) | 28.7 g (40mm) / 33.5 g (44mm) |
| Case material | Aluminum | Aluminum with Sapphire Crystal glass |
| Water resistance | WR50 (50m) | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 40 hrs (typical ~24 hrs) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 40mm / 44mm | 40mm / 44mm |
| Type | LTPO OLED Retina | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 324 x 394 / 368 x 448 | 396 x 396 / 450 x 450 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S5 SiP | Exynos W920 |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Apple products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5.