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Smartwatch technology is evolving rapidly. New devices launch every other day as top tech giants compete to dominate the wearables space. Apple’s latest release is one of the high advanced smartwatches in the market. It features improved specifications and has become a favorite among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Galaxy Watch 5 is a model in Samsung’s 2022 Galaxy Watch lineup which features a similar design to the Galaxy 4 series but with a more durable build. In this guide, Galaxy Watch5 vs. Apple Watch Ultra go head-to-head. We’ll delve into their features, design, pricing, and software to help you pick the best watch for your needs.
Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: Side-by-Side Comparison
Galaxy Watch 5 | Apple Watch Ultra | |
---|---|---|
Release Date | August 26, 2022 | September 23, 2022 |
Manufacturer | Samsung Electronics | Apple |
Price | From $280 | From $799 |
Storage | 16GB | 32GB |
Weight | 28.7g (40mm) or 33.5g (44mm) | 61.3g |
Operating system | WearOS | Watch OS 9 |
Battery | 284mAh (40mm) or 410 mAh (44mm) | 542mAh |
Water resistance | 5ATM | 10 ATM |
Dimensions | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (44mm) or 40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8 mm (40mm) | 49 x 44 x 14.4mm |
Screen | 1.2in, 396×396 OLED / 1.4in, 450×450 AMOLED | 1.92 in, 502 x 410 Retina LTPO OLED |
Processor | Exynos W920 | Apple S8 |
Health sensors | Skin Temperature Sensor, Continuous SpO2, Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA), Electrical Heart Sensor (ECG), Optical Heart Rate | A pulse oximeter, heart rate monitor, gyroscope, thermometer, ECG, compass, barometer/altimeter, ambient light, Accelerometer |
Color options | Silver, Graphite, Pink Gold Sapphire | Midnight, Starlight, Green, Blue, Red |
- Advanced sleep tracker and coaching
- Curved Samsung BioActive Sensor
- Get body composition data on your wrist
- Auto workout tracking feature for 90 exercises
- Improved battery life for busy days
Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: Key Differences
Watch 5 and Apple Watch Ultra are flagship models with superior features to their predecessors. Both came out just a month apart and have received different reactions in the market, with some consumers opting for one over the other. If you are on the verge of buying one, these fundamental differences will help you make an informed decision.
Design and Display
Both watches have a sleek design and robust build but different approaches to shape. The Apple Watch Ultra is larger and heavier than the Galaxy Watch. Ultra maintains its square body, while the Galaxy sticks to its proprietary round shape. The sapphire crystal glass display that protects screens from falls and scratches is the same for both watches. The sapphire glass is rated to be 1.6x times stronger than the glass Samsung uses on the Watch 4 series making the Watch more sturdy than its predecessor.
Apple has added a new action button on the left side of the Apple Ultra for easy navigation, while the Galaxy 5 maintains two buttons and a digital touch bezel. Both watches are water resistant, with an Apple Ultra rating of up to 10 ATM, making them more suitable for water sports such as scuba diving, swimming, and snorkeling. Galaxy watch is rated at 5 ATM.
The Watch 5 comes in two sizes—a smaller size of 40mm and a larger size of 44 mm. The ultra Watch is only available in the 49mm casing. Both watches have a large selection of proprietary bands to choose from. Although Apple Watch Ultra is slightly larger than the other watches in the Apple lineup, it maintains the same band size as previous models.
Performance
Apple Ultra features watchOS 9, designed for fitness and health tracking. You will get access to downloadable apps from the App store, Siri, Apple Pay for contactless payments, and Apple Health. Galaxy Watch is powered by the latest wear OS 3.5, which delivers speedy and effective performance. Its slick OneUI interface gives you access to many downloadable apps in the Play Store and to Google voice assistant, Google pay, Samsung Health, Samsung Pay, and Bixby.
Galaxy 5 uses the Samsung 5nm Exynos W920 chip found in series 4, providing stable performance and power efficiency. Apple uses its new dual-core S8 system-in-chip for the Apple series 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra. It delivers faster speeds compared to the S7 chip on the previous generation.
Apple Watch Ultra has improved storage of 32GB compared to the 16 GB in previous models. More storage means you can run multiple tasks and apps simultaneously. Galaxy 5 has a storage of 16 GB, which is enough for a standard smartwatch.
Both watches have advanced health and fitness trackers to help monitor your workouts and fitness routines. They can monitor your sleep, heart rate, and body temperature. They also have GPS trackers that provide real-time location. Ultra watches improved water resistance is handy for water sporting and superior to the Galaxy Watch 5’s.
Battery life and charging
Both watches have amazing battery life. The Apple Ultra has a bigger battery than its predecessors. The 542mAh battery delivers up to 36 hours of battery life on a single charge. The new low-power mode can extend the battery life to 60 hours. The watch supports fast charging using the included Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable.
Galaxy Watch 5 base model delivers up to 50 hours on a single charge and supports fast charging through the USB-C charger. The advanced Galaxy 5 Pro has a larger battery of 590mAh, capable of 80 hours on a single charge.
Price
Watch Ultra costs more than twice the price of the Galaxy Watch. Its starting price is $799, while the base model of the Galaxy 5 starts at $280. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro model costs $450, with LTE versions costing $50 more.
Fitness and Sensors
These two watches have advanced fitness trackers and sensors for tracking crucial workout metrics. Sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, and altimeters are standard in both devices. An accelerometer detects a change in speed, a gyroscope measures velocity, and an altimeter measures changes in elevation. You will also get an ambient light sensor, a compass, and all the main GNSS tracking systems.
However, with Apple Watch Ultra, you get advanced features like dual-frequency GPS for more accurate tracking. The new watchOS 9 has better fitness tools and workout programs for guided exercise.
Although Samsung has a feature that guides you during workouts, it doesn’t relay feedback during workout activities, so you cannot gauge your progress. Galaxy Watch 5 lets you download offline GPX maps, which the Apple Watch Ultra can’t do. With the Apple Utra, you also get apps for scuba diving.
Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: 8 Must-Know Facts
- Apple Watch Ultra has advanced apps for scuba diving and free diving, something unavailable in Galaxy Watch 5.
- The dual-frequency GPS in Apple Watch Ultra allows for more accurate location tracking.
- Both watches are water resistant, with Galaxy Watch 5 rating 50 meters and Apple Watch Ultra 100 meters.
- Galaxy Watch 5 is only compatible with Android devices, while Apple Watch Ultra can only work with iPhone 6s or newer versions and isn’t compatible with iPad.
- Apple Watch is the only Smatwatch with the biggest and brightest display in the market.
- At $799, Apple Watch Ultra is more costly than the Galaxy Watch 5.
- Ultra watch maintains its square body, while the Galaxy sticks to its proprietary round shape.
- Galaxy 5 uses the Samsung 5nm Exynos W920 chip found in series 4, while Ultra uses a new dual-core S8 system-in-chip.
Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: Which One Should You Choose?
The Apple Watch Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 are pretty similar. Both are a step up from their predecessors, allowing you to track different metrics as you work out. They feature the latest processors and give you access to downloadable apps, contactless pay options, voice assistants, and robust fitness apps and features.
Although they differ in certain aspects, such as battery life, design, size, and brightness, both devices have something for you, depending on your needs. If you are an Android user, Samsung Galaxy 5 will be a worthy pick as it’s compatible with Android devices. On the hand, Apple Watch Ultra is an excellent companion for iOS keen on advanced fitness tracking. If you are on a tight budget, Galaxy Watch will offer you value plus standard smartwatch features. Apple Watch Ultra obviously costs more but has advanced features and performance.
- Advanced sleep tracker and coaching
- Curved Samsung BioActive Sensor
- Get body composition data on your wrist
- Auto workout tracking feature for 90 exercises
- Improved battery life for busy days