Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch are smart watches that also represent the rivalry between Apple and Samsung. Increasingly sophisticated, smartwatches are today the two largest lines in the segment. Launched in 2015, the Apple series inaugurated a new stage in the technological development of wearables. At the time of launch, the model promised to free users from smartphone screens, featuring useful functions for sports practitioners, such as a heart sensor. In 2018, it was Samsung’s turn to launch its own, with an AMOLED screen and the possibility of making contactless payments.
Since then, the two brands have continued to evolve their lines and produce increasingly advanced smartwatches, such as the current Apple Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch 6. Below, find out more about the differences between the smartwatch lines.
Screen
The latest Apple Watch models do not have major differences in terms of display size. All the latest versions of Apple’s smartwatch come in 45mm (1.9 inch and 484 x 396 pixel resolution) and 41mm (1.69 inch and 352 x 430 pixel resolution) options. Both feature a screen with sapphire protection, which protects against scratches, and an OLED panel that promises to deliver more definition, contrast and colors.
The Apple Watch 9, the most current version of the device, however, marked a major advance for the line in relation to screen configurations. It has a display with 2,000 nits of maximum brightness, which is double what the Apple Watch 8 has and increases viewing in the sun. It is worth mentioning that both models stand out in this regard, as other smart watches typically have 500 nits.
Samsung watches work with 44mm cases (with 1.5 inches and a resolution of 480 × 480 pixels) or 40mm (with 1.3 inches and a maximum resolution of 432 × 432 pixels). Even with the difference in size, both versions offer the Super AMOLED screen, shared by the brand’s main cell phones, and sapphire protection. The most advanced model in the South Korean line, the Galaxy Watch 6, also offers a 2,000 nit maximum brightness display with the possibility of adjustment with the Always on Display setting.
Which one is the best?
A tie. Even though they have different sizes, both smartwatches have similar specifications.
Design and colors
Apple doesn’t usually change the design of its smartwatch. The rectangular shape with rounded corners has already become a trademark of the watch. The Apple Watch 9 can be purchased in a version made of aluminum or stainless steel. In the first model, the color options are: midnight, starlight, silver, pink and red. In the steel option, we have the colors graphite, silver and gold. This option stands out for its more discreet colors, while previous versions focus on more vibrant colors.
The Galaxy Watch 6, in turn, changed the design of previous versions. According to the company, the smartwatch is thinner than its predecessors and has a black border that is up to 30% smaller, creating more space for viewing messages on the display. The watch is made of aluminum with silicone straps, which can also be purchased separately, and is available in black, cream and silver.
Which one is the best?
A tie. The watches present different design proposals, that is, the topic ends up being decided on the reader’s personal taste.
Battery
The amount of mAh that the Apple Watch 9 has was not disclosed by the brand, but it remains similar to the previous ones. The company guarantees that it can last up to 18 hours of average daily use, a value that can be extended up to 36 hours if “Low Energy” mode is activated.
Samsung specifies the battery as one of the highlights of the Galaxy Watch 6. It has 425 mAh, in the 44 mm model, and 300 mAh, in the 40 mm version, and can remain on for up to 30 hours at a time. This time jumps to 40 hours if the Always On Display setting is not activated. Furthermore, the South Korean manufacturer claims that the smartwatch has a fast charging option in which eight minutes of charging represents another eight hours of use.
Which one is the best?
Galaxy Watch 6. The Samsung model has greater battery life, in addition to having good charging performance.
Performance and storage
The Apple Watch 9 was launched with the novelty of a processor made specifically for the company’s smart watches, the Apple S9 SiP, which has two cores with 5.6 billion transistors, 60% larger than what was present in the previous version. According to the manufacturer, it is faster than the Apple Watch 8 because it is capable of better energy regulation during activities. Furthermore, the new model has 64GB of storage and the old one has 32GB of internal memory and 1 GB of RAM.
The Galaxy Watch 6 also presents advances compared to the previous model and promises faster, more fluid and crash-free use. It has an Exynos W930 Dual-Core processor, with a speed of 1.4 GHz and 2 GB of RAM, in contrast to the configurations of the Galaxy Watch 5, composed of an Exynos W920 of 1.18 GHz and 1.5 GB of RAM. RAM. The new model also has 16 GB of storage.
Which one is the best?
Apple Watch 9. The Apple watch contains much greater internal storage than the Galaxy Watch 6, which even though it has higher RAM, the difference between the two in this regard is smaller.
Health and quality of life
Smartwatches are widely used by sports enthusiasts and both brands claim that their products offer tools to promote users’ health and quality of life. The Apple Watch 9, according to the company, can monitor heart rate, blood oxygen level and even track sleep stages and menstrual cycle. In addition, the device is also compatible with sports such as running, cycling, mountaineering, strength training, pilates and even meditation.
Samsung, on the other hand, claims that the Galaxy Watch 6 is capable of monitoring heart rate, temperature and sleep stages. The device also issues notifications in case of irregular heart rate and tips for improving sleep based on the number of hours slept.
Which one is the best?
Apple Watch 9. Apple’s smartwatch offers a greater range of sports monitoring. Despite the similarity between the two when it comes to health features, the above reason gives the Apple Watch the advantage.
Systems and resources
The operating system is another new feature of the latest version of Apple’s smartwatch. It features watchOS 10, an evolution of watchOS 9, which allows users to better control applications on the watch screen. , The Apple Watch 9 also has the Double Tap function, which allows you to answer calls by double-clicking on the display.
The Galaxy Watch 6 arrived on the market with the Wear OS 4 operating system, in the One UI 5 version, which should allow for more fluid and economical use of resources. Furthermore, the model allows you to download applications such as WhatsApp, Gmail and Google Calendar directly onto the watch. TechTudo tested the device’s integration with the Galaxy S23 Plus, and reported fast and intuitive performance.
Which one is the best?
A tie. Both watches feature qualified systems, having good connectivity with cell phones from each brand.
Price
The Apple Watch 9 is available in Apple stores, for purchase in person and online. The product was launched with a price about $500. The Galaxy Watch 6 was launched on the market for about $300.
Which one is the best?
Galaxy Watch 6. The Samsung model appears at an affordable price for the general public. Having a price less than half the value of the Apple Watch 9.
Conclusion
A tie. It is clear that the proposals for the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch lines are different. Even though they are the two largest lines of smartwatches in the wearable market, the choice of watch is much more about the consumer’s thinking than differences between the models. If you are looking for value for money, the Galaxy Watch 6 may be your favorite. Finally, anyone looking for a robust smartwatch with multi-tasking features, the best choice is the Apple Watch 9.
Ingrid Maldine is a business writer, editor and management consultant with extensive experience writing and consulting for both start-ups and long established companies. She has ten years management and leadership experience gained at BSkyB in London and Viva Travel Guides in Quito, Ecuador, giving her a depth of insight into innovation in international business. With an MBA from the University of Hull and many years of experience running her own business consultancy, Ingrid’s background allows her to connect with a diverse range of clients, including cutting edge technology and web-based start-ups but also multinationals in need of assistance. Ingrid has played a defining role in shaping organizational strategy for a wide range of different organizations, including for-profit, NGOs and charities. Ingrid has also served on the Board of Directors for the South American Explorers Club in Quito, Ecuador.
