Apple Watch SE 2 (2023) vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 significantly outpaces Apple Watch SE 2 in health monitoring, offering ECG, SpO2, and skin temperature sensors versus SE 2's basic heart rate tracking. Battery life dramatically favors Samsung with 40 hours typical usage compared to Apple's 18-hour standard (though Low Power Mode extends it to 36). Display technology differs notably: Samsung's Super AMOLED with always-on capability provides superior brightness and clarity versus Apple's Retina OLED without always-on. Build quality leans Samsung with sapphire crystal and military-grade durability rating. Apple compensates with watchOS ecosystem integration, faster S8 SiP processor, and $30 lower price tag. Galaxy Watch 5's comprehensive health suite, superior battery endurance, and always-on display justify the modest premium. Choose Samsung for health tracking emphasis; pick Apple SE 2 if budget and ecosystem loyalty drive your decision.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch SE 2 (2023) if…
- →Best value Apple Watch — all core features at a significantly lower price
- →Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite
- →Lightweight recycled aluminum case is comfortable all day
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 2 (2023)
Pros
- Best value Apple Watch — all core features at a significantly lower price
- Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite
- Lightweight recycled aluminum case is comfortable all day
- Compatible with all Apple Watch bands
- Gets latest watchOS features including Siri and Maps
Cons
- No always-on display
- No ECG, SpO2, or skin temperature sensor
- Same battery life as pricier models — still needs daily charging
- S8 chip is not the latest — misses Double Tap gesture
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 2 (2023) | Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 10 | Wear OS 3.5 (One UI Watch 4.5) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 26.4 g | 28.7 g (40mm) / 33.5 g (44mm) |
| Case material | Recycled aluminum | Aluminum with Sapphire Crystal glass |
| Water resistance | WR50 | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hrs, up to 36 hrs Low Power Mode | Up to 40 hrs (typical ~24 hrs) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 44 mm | 40mm / 44mm |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 368 x 448 | 396 x 396 / 450 x 450 |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 1 GB | — |
| Chipset | Apple S8 SiP | Exynos W920 |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 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 2 (2023) or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5.