Galaxy Watch 5 vs Apple Watch 9 – Which Should You Buy?

Choosing the right smartwatch depends on your lifestyle, priorities, and whether you use an iPhone or Android phone. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Galaxy Watch 5 cater to different types of users and offer unique features suited to each platform. The Series 9 brings a tightly integrated experience for iPhone users with advanced health tracking and smart assistant capabilities. The Galaxy Watch 5 delivers great value, reliable fitness tools, and smooth Android compatibility. This comparison will help you understand the differences so you can make a smart decision that fits your needs.

Side By Side Comparison

Detailed Feature Comparisons

Design and Construction
The Apple Watch Series 9 retains its familiar premium design with a sleek aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium case and a crack-resistant sapphire front on higher-end models. The Galaxy Watch 5 has a slightly sportier look with durable Armor Aluminum and an overall more rugged build, backed by MIL-STD-810H certification. Both offer interchangeable bands and excellent build quality, but Apple leans more toward elegance while Samsung emphasizes durability.

Display Quality
Apple’s display is brighter with up to 2000 nits, making it easier to view in direct sunlight. The Galaxy Watch 5 maxes out at 1000 nits but still performs well outdoors. Both have always-on capabilities and vibrant OLED panels, though Apple’s edge in brightness gives it a slight visibility advantage in tough lighting conditions.

Performance and Responsiveness
The Series 9 features the new S9 chip, which provides faster app launch times and smoother animations. Its on-device Siri processing is also more responsive. The Galaxy Watch 5’s Exynos W920 chip is capable but slightly slower in comparison during multitasking or navigating heavier apps. Apple also includes 64GB of storage versus 16GB on the Galaxy Watch 5.

Battery Life and Charging
The Galaxy Watch 5 wins in raw battery life with up to 40 hours per charge, while the Apple Watch Series 9 typically lasts around 18 hours. However, Apple’s fast charging is slightly quicker and allows a full day’s use with a short top-up. Galaxy Watch 5 still charges fast but not quite as efficiently.

Health and Fitness Tracking
Both watches offer heart rate tracking, ECG, and blood oxygen monitoring. The Series 9 adds wrist temperature sensing, while the Galaxy Watch 5 includes a bioelectrical impedance sensor for body composition. For general fitness, both track workouts, sleep, and daily activity rings, though Apple’s Fitness+ ecosystem is more tightly integrated for iPhone users.

Navigation and Sensors
Apple includes dual-frequency GPS for better precision during outdoor activities like hiking and running. Samsung uses standard GPS, which is accurate but less reliable in dense urban environments. Both support turn-by-turn navigation when paired with their respective phones.

Smart Features and Voice Assistants
The Series 9 improves Siri with offline processing for quicker responses. It also integrates deeply with Apple’s ecosystem for calls, messages, and automation. Galaxy Watch 5 supports both Google Assistant and Bixby, giving users more flexibility. However, Apple’s tight software and hardware integration still leads in reliability and ease of use.

Software Ecosystem and App Support
Apple’s watchOS continues to lead in polish, security, and third-party app support, especially for health and productivity. The Galaxy Watch 5, using Google’s Wear OS, is more open but can sometimes feel fragmented. Android users benefit from Google Maps, Google Wallet, and more customizable experiences, but overall smoothness favors Apple.

FAQ

Does the Apple Watch Series 9 work with Android phones?
No, the Apple Watch Series 9 is designed exclusively for iPhone users and cannot be paired or used with Android devices.

Can the Galaxy Watch 5 be used with an iPhone?
No, the Galaxy Watch 5 is not compatible with iPhones. It is optimized for Android devices, especially Samsung phones.

Which watch has better battery life?
The Galaxy Watch 5 offers better battery life, lasting up to 40 hours on a single charge, compared to the Apple Watch Series 9’s 18-hour average.

Which smartwatch is better for fitness tracking?
Both are strong in fitness tracking, but the Galaxy Watch 5 includes body composition analysis, while the Apple Watch Series 9 offers dual-frequency GPS and better workout app integration with iOS.

Is the Apple Watch Series 9 more powerful than the Galaxy Watch 5?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 9 uses the newer S9 chip and has more onboard storage, which results in smoother performance and faster app loading.

Do both watches support ECG and blood oxygen monitoring?
Yes, both smartwatches offer ECG and SpO2 monitoring. They provide similar levels of health tracking accuracy.

Which watch has better display visibility outdoors?
The Apple Watch Series 9 has a display brightness of up to 2000 nits, which makes it easier to see in bright sunlight compared to the Galaxy Watch 5’s 1000-nit screen.

Can I use Google Maps on both watches?
Google Maps is available on the Galaxy Watch 5 through Wear OS. Apple Watch Series 9 does not support Google Maps but offers Apple Maps with turn-by-turn navigation.

Are both watches water resistant?
Yes, the Galaxy Watch 5 has 5ATM water resistance and meets MIL-STD-810H standards. The Apple Watch Series 9 is rated WR50 and IP6X, making it safe for swimming and resistant to dust.

Which is better for iPhone users?
The Apple Watch Series 9 is the better choice for iPhone users due to seamless integration with iOS, Apple apps, and features like Siri and iMessage. The Galaxy Watch 5 does not support iPhone at all.