To
- Sporty, yet versatile design
- Stronger, scratch-resistant screen
- Added skin temperature sensor
To
- New Wear OS feels like Tizen, but with more apps
- First major smartwatch with body composition analysis
- Affordable
Against
- No skin temperature sensor
The differences between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and the Galaxy Watch 4 may matter more than ever before. With the competition in wearable computing only growing and getting better, the Galaxy Watch 5 looks set to go the distance.
For almost a year, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 was one of the best smartwatches and the overall best smartwatch for Android. Not only was it the first device to launch with the unified version of Wear OS that replaced Tizen, but it offered ample health upgrades and design options compared to previous Galaxy Watch models.
How does the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 improve? Or what are the biggest upgrades over the Galaxy Watch 4? And finally, how does the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro fit into all of this?Here’s everything you need to know about the Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Galaxy Watch 4, from the small changes in design and new features to battery upgrades and more.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Galaxy Watch 4 price and availability
The Galaxy Watch 4 started at $249 for 40mm Bluetooth. The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, with more premium materials, started at $349 for the 42mm Bluetooth model. Both versions also have LTE variants. Only the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic will remain for sale, for those who want a physical rotating bezel.
This year, Samsung’s prices increased. We’re not that surprised since the company hasn’t used uniform pricing for Galaxy Watches in the same way we’re pretty sure the upcoming Apple Watch Series 8 will have the same $399 starting price as the Apple Watch Series 7 and generations of Apple Watch models before that.
The price of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 starts at $279 for the 40mm Bluetooth model. The 40mm LTE model starts at $329. Pricing goes up to $299 and $349 for the 44mm configurations for Bluetooth and LTE, respectively. So you’re looking at a $30 price increase across the board for the standard Galaxy Watch 5.
Finally, Tte Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro costs $449 for Bluetooth and $499 for LTE. It comes in a single size of 45mm. Both the Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro will be available from August 26, 2022.
Take a look at our Samsung promo codes page for the latest offers and discounts.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Galaxy Watch 4 design
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 looked pretty much like all the best Samsung watches from the past. That said, we did see some modern improvements, including a slimmer build and more seamless transition from case to strap.
Of course, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 vs. Galaxy Watch 4 Classic design looks quite different. The standard model appears as a more sporty wearable, while the Classic model appears more like a traditional watch. It even retains the physical edge that was introduced on the original Samsung Galaxy Watch in 2018.
There is not much different in the Galaxy Watch 5 design, at least at a glance. Hidden upgrades like a more scratch-resistant sapphire crystal screen and redesigned bottom curvature are the only true changes. Otherwise, you’ll find a full-screen round screen (also no physical bezel, it has a digital bezel instead) with two side buttons for navigation.
The design differences between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro are more pronounced. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has a titanium body that creates a raised edge above the watch’s display, better protecting it from scratches or other elements you might encounter during outdoor sports.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Galaxy Watch 4 features
Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 4 experiences are powered by Wear OS. Not only has the Galaxy Watch added Google Assistant support, but with many of the popular Google services on board, the watch is quite capable on the go.
Most feature upgrades revolve around new health and fitness tracking technology. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 has a skin temperature reader, and while it won’t be functional at launch, it should contribute useful wellness insights in the near future. Samsung has proven ambitious with sensors, last year the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 debuted the body composition feature and updated the activity interface for a great Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 fitness test.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 also has an upgraded sleep coach. Depending on how well (or not) you catch zzzs, the sleep coach should provide practical advice and sleep plans to maximize your rest. It’s not quite the recovery tools we were hoping for this year, but sleep is nonetheless essential to overall health.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Galaxy Watch 4 battery life
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 battery life compared to Galaxy Watch 4 battery life introduces several upgrades. As a reminder, the Galaxy Watch 4 is rated for 40 hours of use, but we found we needed to charge it approximately every 24 hours with daily fitness and sleep tracking.
The Galaxy Watch 5 has a 15% larger battery than the Galaxy Watch 4 with up to 50 hours of battery life. That is approximately 10 hours more than before. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is rated for up to 80 hours, or double that of the Galaxy Watch 4. In tests, we found that the Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro last longer than the Galaxy Watch 4.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Galaxy Watch 4: Are the upgrades worth it?
The Galaxy Watch 5 might not look that different from the Galaxy Watch 4 (at least for the standard models), but a few improvements make it a better smartwatch overall. The battery life actually lasts longer, and when the skin temperature sensor is functional, the Galaxy Watch 5 will be a stronger fitness tracker. You can wait until that feature goes live to make your purchase, but that doesn’t make the Galaxy Watch 5 any less of a great value.
There is one exception: the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. If you like the physical rotating bezel, Samsung has kept the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic available for purchase.