5 min read
Most Android users would agree that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is the top smartwatch operating Wear OS. It boasts an attractive screen, sophisticated software, and a modern, minimalist style. It comes with two network options—Wi-Fi and LTE—and has a respectable battery life.
However, how does it compare to the brand new Apple Watch Series 10, which has an equally stunning screen, quicker charging, a robust processor, and an incredible array of capabilities for monitoring both physical and mental health? Let’s explore.
Performance Metrics and Battery Longevity
Galaxy Watch 7 uses a five-core Exynos W1000. Powerful, responsive, and fast. Everything works better, and the W1000 makes the Watch 7 strong enough for Wear OS updates. The Watch Series 10’s dual-core S10 processor is fast and remarkable.
High-performance smartwatches like the Galaxy Watch 7 and Series 10 have poor battery life. The larger sizes have bigger batteries and provide more battery backup per charge. No matter the smartwatch, one charge provides a full day of backup. But don’t anticipate more, especially heavy users. Fast charging is supported by smartwatches. Getting a quick top-up won’t take long.
The Series 10 has a single-frequency GPS, however, the Watch 7 has dual-frequency. The Apple Watch outperforms the Samsung. Both watches have dual-band Wi-Fi 5, NFC, and Bluetooth 5.3.
Finally, the Apple Watch has 64GB storage against the Galaxy Watch 7’s 32GB.
All About Availability, Pricing, and Features
The base price of a 40mm Wi-Fi Galaxy Watch 7 is $300, a 44mm Wi-Fi model costs $329, and an additional $50 gets you the LTE version of every size.
Additional versions of the Series 10 are also available. Both the 42mm and 46mm Wi-Fi models are available, with the base cost $400 and the latter $430, respectively. An extra $100 is required for cellular connectivity. There are titanium Series 10s from Apple, however they are all Wi-Fi + cellular. The 42mm model costs $700 and the 46mm variant is $750.
You can get both smartwatches from most of the usual places, like Amazon and Best Buy. The cellular versions are also available for purchase via the three main carriers.
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 | Apple Watch Series 10 | |
| Case size | 40mm, 44mm | 42mm, 46mm |
| CPU | Samsung Exynos W1000 | Apple S10 SiP |
| Display | 1.3″ AMOLED (40 mm); 1.5″ AMOLED (44 mm) | 1.7-inch LTPO OLED (42mm); 1.92-inch LTPO OLED (46mm) |
| Battery | 300mAh (40 mm); 425mAh (44 mm) | 18-36 hours |
| Storage | 32GB | 64GB |
| Software | Wear OS 5 with One UI 6 Watch | watchOS 11 |
| Cellular connectivity | LTE (optional) | LTE (optional) |
| Health sensors | Optical bio-signal; electrical heart signal; bioelectrical impedance; skin temperature | Optical heart rate, SpO2 (disabled in the US), ECG, continuous EDA, skin temperature |
| Weight | 28.8g (40mm); 33.8g (44mm) | 30g (42mm, aluminum, Wi-Fi); 29.3g (42mm, aluminum, cellular); 36.4g (46mm, aluminum, Wi-Fi); 35.3g (46mm, aluminum, cellular); 34.4g (42mm, titanium); 41.7g (46mm, titanium) |
| Dimensions | 40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7mm (40mm); 44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7mm (44mm) | 42 x 36 x 9.7mm (42mm); 46 x 39 x 9.7mm (46mm) |
| Display resolution | 432 x 432 (40mm); 480 x 480 (44mm) | 374 x 446 (42mm); 416 x 496 (46mm) |
| Connectivity | NFC | NFC |
| Case Material | Aluminum | Aluminum or Titanium |
| Wi-Fi connectivity | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 4 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Colors | Green; Cream (40mm); Silver (44mm) | Aluminum: Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver; Titanium: Slate, Gold, Natural |
| Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| Always on display | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP6X |
| ATM Rating | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Mic | Yes | Yes |
Design and Display Highlights
The Galaxy Watch 7 and Series 10 look different. Unlike Samsung’s circular watch face, Apple’s is squircle-shaped. The Galaxy Watch 7 sports a digital bezel, two normal buttons on the right side of an aluminum shell, and two visible lugs for standard watch bands. With the Series 10, you receive an aluminum or titanium case, a spinning crown, recessed lugs with a proprietary connector, and a flush button.
Titanium is more robust than aluminum, yet the Watch 7 is comparable. Smartwatches are 5ATM water-resistant.
The Galaxy Watch 7 and Series 10 have always-on OLED displays with 2,000 nits, while the Series 10 employs an LTPO panel to control its refresh rate. The Series 10’s 1.77-inch or 1.96-inch display is larger than the Watch 7’s 1.3-inch and 1.5-inch.
Fitness Tracking & Software
The Galaxy Watch 7 and Series 10 use separate platforms, hence their software is different. Watch 7 has Wear OS 5 with One UI 6 Watch, Series 10 features watchOS 11. Both platforms have great apps, health and wellness features, and activity monitoring. As expected, smartwatches can play and store music, replicate smartphone notifications, and handle contactless payments.
Moreover, the Galaxy Watch 7 works only with Android, whereas the Series 10 only with iPhones. The Samsung wristwatch works best with Samsung smartphones, but most of its capabilities work with Android phones.
Samsung will update the Galaxy Watch 7 with four generations of One UI Watch and Wear OS. Apple usually supports its smartwatches for years, but it doesn’t say how many upgrades they’ll get. It should match or exceed the Galaxy Watch 7’s support duration.
These smartwatches track heart rate, ECG, sleep, and stress. Both include SpO2 sensors to track blood oxygen. In the US, only the Galaxy Watch 7 tracks blood oxygen levels. Legal issues forced Apple to discontinue that functionality. You may also track indoor and outdoor jogging, walking, cycling, swimming, and other workouts.
However, each watch has unique features. Samsung’s BIA sensor measures body composition. Body fat proportion, water content, and skeletal muscle mass are included. This is impossible for Series 10.
The Apple Watch has Crash Detection. It can identify traffic accidents and connect you to emergency services. The new Training Load function in watchOS 11 tracks how workout intensity and duration affect your body over time.
Which suits you?
These two have clear smartwatch shopping preferences. There are no easy ways to use an Apple Watch with Android, thus the Galaxy Watch 7 is a good choice for Android users. For most Android users, the Watch 7 is best. It performs well and tracks health and fitness. It enables contactless payments, has a good battery life, and gets four Wear OS updates.
