Buy a new smartwatch every year? This is not necessary, according to the comparison between the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 and the Galaxy Watch4. Small changes here and there – nice, no question. But these hardly warrant a change.
It looks completely different if you own a Galaxy Watch3 released in 2020 or a Galaxy Watch Active2 that is now three years old. One particularly big leap is swapping a Galaxy Watch Active for a new Watch5.
Top reason to switch: Wear OS
With the introduction of the Galaxy Watch4, Samsung has said goodbye to the in-house Tizen operating system, which is still used in the Galaxy Watch3, Active2 and Active. The latest version 5.5.0.2. appeared at the end of 2021, since then the operating system has not received an update for wearables.
That is not surprising, because the Koreans have been using Wear OS since the Watch4. Samsung, together with Google, adapted the Android-based operating system and the first result (Wear OS with Samsung’s OneUI interface) was convincing on a number of fronts. Wear OS provides, among other things, better, more intuitive operation and closer integration with Android smartphones.
In my opinion, the main reason to change the smartwatch: Wear OS has long offered a large, rich selection of apps – more than there was and is with Tizen. A selection of the most important programs can be found in the article: The best apps for Wear OS.
Ultimately, thanks to all kinds of handy and fun applications, you can get more out of a Galaxy Watch5 than with an old Watch3 or Active2 with Tizen. And: you are prepared for the future with an operating system that is likely to grow in importance in the coming years.
Fact: The old Smartwatch generations (Tizen) from Samsung will not receive an update to the new Wear OS operating system.
Galaxy Watch5 vs Galaxy Watch3
There are two years between the release of the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 and the Galaxy Watch3. Indeed, a lot has happened since then. But even the 2021 Watch4 already offered stronger hardware.
galaxy watch5 |
galaxy watch3  (Active 2 technically largely identical) |
| PROCESSOR: Exynos W920 (dual-core processor, 5nm production, 1.18 GHz) |
PROCESSOR: Exynos 9110 (dual-core processor, 10nm production, 1.15 GHz) |
| Display: 1.19 inch AMOLED display (396 x 396 pixels, sapphire crystal glass) (40 mm) 1.4 inch AMOLED display (450 x 450 pixels, sapphire crystal glass) (44 mm) |
Display: 1.2 inch AMOLED screen (360 x 360 pixels, Gorilla Glass DX) (41 mm) 1.4 inch AMOLED screen (360 x 360 pixels, Gorilla Glass DX) (45 mm) |
| Storage: 1.5GB RAM 16GB ROM |
Storage: 1GB RAM 4/8GB ROM |
| Battery Pack: 284mAh (40mm) 410mAh (44mm) |
Battery Pack: 247mAh (41mm) 340mAh (45mm) |
| Software: Wear OS 3 powered by Samsung with OneUI 4.5 |
Software: Tizen OS 5.5 |
| Bluetooth: Version 5.2 |
Bluetooth: Version 5.0 |
| Health features: Samsung BioActive sensor Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (Body Fat Percentage) Heart rate measurement (ECG) blood pressure measurement (HR) Pedometer & more than 90 exercises sleep analysis |
Health features: Heart rate measurement (ECG) blood pressure measurement (HR) Pedometer & more than 120 exercises sleep analysis |
Advantages of the Galaxy Watch5 over the Galaxy Watch3
While the processor used in the Galaxy Watch5 doesn’t promise quantum leaps in performance, it does have a clear advantage: it uses faster computing cores and a better graphics unit. However, the better manufacturing process, especially in relation to battery life, is more decisive: 5nm (Watch5) versus 10nm (Watch3) show that the newer smartwatch has a much more modern chip.
Other benefits include:
Display: Even on the smaller model of the Galaxy Watch5, the resolution of the circular display is higher than that of the Watch3. The differences are especially noticeable when comparing the 44mm version of the Watch5 and the 45mm version of the Watch3.
Storage: There is twice as much flash memory and 50 percent more RAM available.
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2 and dual-band Wi-Fi are included with the Watch5. The Watch3 “only” has Bluetooth 5.0 and does not use the 5GHz network for Wi-Fi.
Battery Pack: Regardless of whether the model is smaller or larger, the Galaxy Watch5 always has the larger battery. And: Thanks to the 10-watt fast charging function, the battery of the latest Samsung smartwatch is full faster.
Functions: Since the Galaxy Watch4, Samsung has combined all relevant health functions in the so-called BioActive Sensor. You will receive information about the body fat percentage and the resulting data, among other things.
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Disadvantage of the Galaxy Watch5: The design
No doubt about it, the Galaxy Watch3 is still a beautiful watch with a bezel and a style based on a classic wristwatch. The Galaxy Watch5, on the other hand, looks sporty and almost unobtrusive – perhaps apart from the clear bracelets that are available as an option.
An exception is the Watch5 Pro, which in turn is aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and is not necessarily reminiscent of a luxury chronometer.
In terms of hardware, however, it can be said that the Watch5 is superior to its predecessor in all relevant areas – also in terms of weight.
Galaxy Watch5 vs Galaxy Watch Active
The difference between the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 and the Galaxy Watch Active, which went on sale in April 2019, is even more apparent. This is because the display and battery of this smartwatch, which also looks sporty, are somewhat smaller. In a way, the Active exudes a sense of nostalgia, even though it’s “only” three and a half years old.
| Galaxy Watch5 (40mm) |
Galaxy Watch active |
|---|---|
| PROCESSOR: Exynos W920 (dual-core processor, 5nm production, 1.18 GHz) |
PROCESSOR: Exynos 9110 (dual-core processor, 10nm production, 1.15 GHz) |
| Display: 1.19 inch AMOLED display (396 x 396 pixels, sapphire crystal glass) (40 mm) |
Display: 1.1 inch AMOLED screen (360 x 360 pixels, Gorilla Glass 3) |
| Storage: 1.5GB RAM 16GB ROM |
Storage: 768MB RAM 4GB ROM |
| Battery Pack: 284mAh (40mm) |
Battery Pack: 230mAh |
| Software: Wear OS 3 powered by Samsung with OneUI 4.5 |
Software: Tizen OS 5.5 |
| Bluetooth: Version 5.2 |
Bluetooth: Version 4.2 |
| Health features: Samsung BioActive sensor Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (Body Fat Percentage) Heart rate measurement (ECG) blood pressure measurement (HR) Pedometer & more than 90 exercises sleep analysis |
Health features: Heart rate measurement (ECG) Pedometer & recognition of 6 different activities (walking, running, cycling, cross trainer, rowing machine, training) sleep analysis |
The Galaxy Watch Active has no health features other than a simple fitness bracelet. If you value blood pressure monitoring and want to collect detailed information about your body and your activities, the Watch5 shows you what’s possible today. And yes – that’s a big leap forward, even in a direct comparison.
Conclusion: it’s time for a change
If you are satisfied, you do not need to buy anything new. But in the case of the Samsung Galaxy Watch5, it pays to replace the smartwatch that is two, three or almost four years old with the current model. Especially if you still own a Galaxy Watch Active, switching to the Watch5 brings a lot of big and small improvements that you will soon appreciate and appreciate.
Speaking of which, “A new love is like a new life” – they say this applies to relationships. But this set also fits the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 if you previously had one of the older predecessors. The interaction of the Wear OS operating system and the BioActive sensor with its myriad health data has been a great pleasure – ever since the Watch4.
If you’re struggling with a new Galaxy Watch, the Watch5 is the right time to make the switch. You will receive a mature, powerful and chic product that will inspire you and make you quickly forget the old watch.
Pre-order Samsung Galaxy Watch5 (Pro) at Euronics
