Apple Watch Series 7 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
The Verdict
Both smartwatches excel in health monitoring, but they target different priorities. Apple Watch Series 7 delivers superior display brightness with LTPO OLED technology and faster 33% USB-C charging, ideal for iOS users who value seamless ecosystem integration. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 counters with impressive 40-hour battery life (versus 18 hours), dual-frequency GPS precision, skin temperature monitoring, and $120 lower price point. Display quality favors Apple's Always-On Retina, while Samsung's Super AMOLED offers comparable vibrancy at smaller real estate. Battery longevity significantly advantages Galaxy Watch 5,real-world use rarely exceeds 24 hours despite claimed 40-hour potential, yet still doubles Apple's stamina. For iPhone users prioritizing premium integration and display, Series 7 justifies its premium. Android users seeking exceptional battery life and value should choose Galaxy Watch 5. The Galaxy Watch 5 represents better overall value with competitive features and substantially longer battery performance.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch Series 7 if…
- →Largest Apple Watch display at the time with 20% more screen area than Series 6
- →IP6X dust resistance added for the first time in Apple Watch
- →Fast charging reaches 80% in about 45 minutes
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 Series 7
Pros
- Largest Apple Watch display at the time with 20% more screen area than Series 6
- IP6X dust resistance added for the first time in Apple Watch
- Fast charging reaches 80% in about 45 minutes
- Full-QWERTY keyboard leverages the larger display
- Crack-resistant front crystal is more durable than predecessors
Cons
- S7 chip is essentially an S6 rebrand — minimal speed improvement
- 18-hour battery life hasn't improved in years
- No skin temperature sensor — added in Series 8
- Titanium option was very expensive at $799+
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 Series 7 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 8 (upgradable to watchOS 11+) | Wear OS 3.5 (One UI Watch 4.5) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 32 g (41mm Al) / 38.8 g (45mm Al) | 28.7 g (40mm) / 33.5 g (44mm) |
| Case material | Aluminum / Stainless Steel / Titanium | Aluminum with Sapphire Crystal glass |
| Water resistance | WR50 (50m), IP6X dust resistance | 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 | 41mm / 45mm | 40mm / 44mm |
| Type | LTPO OLED Always-On Retina | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 352 x 430 / 396 x 484 | 396 x 396 / 450 x 450 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S7 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 Series 7 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5.