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Apple Watch Series 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 vs Huawei Watch GT2 | Which one is the Best?

By TheJustRead


The Apple Watch Series 5 is in the market for almost 7 months now. This beautiful and elegant timepiece is one of the best gadgets that Apple has produced so far.

Yes, with upgraded hardware and new features introduced by Apple, the Apple watch series 5 is definitely worth it if you are using Series 3 or lower. Always-ON display and better performance on new watchOS is also worth mentioning here. 

I have been using Apple Watch from the time when the 1st Apple watch was introduced but I don’t upgrade regularly every year. The last one I had was Series 3 so Series 5 was definitely an upgrade and the difference in look and performance is remarkable. Let’s quickly check the features of the Apple Watch Series 5.

iPhone 11 and apple watch 5

How is it different from the Previous Series?

Apple has discontinued the Series 4 after the launch of Series 5 but continues to sell Series 3. If you own a Series 4, there is not much difference in design and performance but an upgrade in the technical aspect and introduction of new casings in Series 5 are worth exploring. As Series 4 is discontinued, so I will include Series 3 in comparison as well.

Always-ON display:  Series 5 has an Always ON display which was missing from Series 3 and 4. Always On Display is a nice feature to have as it doesn’t require you to move your wrist up to see the display. The watch face gets dim when the watch is not active and it conserves battery usage as well. Apple claims that it gives the same 18 hrs of battery life with this new feature. Also worth noting, that the displays on Series 4 and 5 are 30 percent larger than Series 3.

Both series 4 and series 5 use special kind of OLED display, a low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) display. It is a special kind of backplane technology designed for OLED screens and developed by Apple. Series 3 has Second-generation Retina OLED without LTPO

apple watch always on
Apple Watch Series 5-Always On
New Casing Materials: Series 5 comes in more casing material options such as Classic stainless steel case in gold, silver and space black, while the aluminium case in silver, gold and space gray which is now made for the first time from 100 percent recycled 7000 series aluminium. White ceramic case is now available and also a Titanium case, one in a matte natural color and one in DLC space black. Series 4 had limited options that are aluminium and stainless steel. The Ceramic casings were available in Apple Watch Series 3 but Apple discontinued them in Series 4.

Built-in Compass: Apple has introduced a built-in compass and Compass Application in Series 5. This feature was not available in any previous Series of Apple Watch. You can also add a compass to certain watch faces.

More Internal Storage: The Apple Watch Series 5 comes with 32GB of internal storage capacity which is twice what is available in Series 3 and 4.

Also Read: Comparison of iPhone 11 Pro Max And Samsung S20 Ultra 5G

You can check an in-depth comparison between Apple Watch Series 3, 4 and 5 below (Source: https://www.gsmarena.com)

 


Apple Watch Series 5
apple-watch-series-4
Apple Watch Series 4
apple-watch-series3
Apple Watch Series 3
NETWORKTechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
GSM / HSPA / LTE
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G NetworkHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 / 800 - Europe, Australia
HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 800 - USA, LATAM, Canada
HSDPA 2100 - China
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 / 800 - Europe, Australia (A1891)
HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 800 - USA, LATAM, Canada (A1861)
HSDPA 2100 - China (A1892)
4G NetworkLTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 18(800), 19(800), 20(800), 25(1900), 26(850), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500), 66(1700/2100) - Global
LTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 12(700), 13(700), 17(700), 18(800), 19(800), 25(1900), 26(850), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500), 66(1700/2100) - USA, LATAM, Canada
LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 18(800), 19(800), 20(800), 26(850) - Europe, Australia
LTE band 2(1900), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 12(700), 13(700), 17(700), 18(800), 19(800), 25(1900), 26(850), 41(2500) - USA, LATAM, Canada
LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500) - China
LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 18(800), 19(800), 20(800), 26(850) - Europe, Australia (A1891)
LTE band 2(1900), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 12(700), 13(700), 17(700), 18(800), 19(800), 25(1900), 26(850), 41(2500) - USA, LATAM, Canada (A1861)
LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500) - China (A1892)
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
BODYDimensions44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.42 in)44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.42 in)42.5 x 36.4 x 11.4 mm (1.67 x 1.43 x 0.45 in)
Weight
47.8 g (1.69 oz)48 g (1.69 oz)52.8 g (1.87 oz)
BuildGlass front (Sapphire crystal), ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frameGlass front (Sapphire crystal), ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frameGlass front (Sapphire crystal), ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame
SIMeSIMeSIMeSIM
Water Resistant50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models)
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models)
50m water resistant
DISPLAYTypeLTPO OLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colorsLTPO OLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colorsOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size1.78 inches, 10.0 cm2 (~60.0% screen-to-body ratio)1.78 inches, 10.0 cm2 (~60.0% screen-to-body ratio)1.65 inches, 8.6 cm2 (~55.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density)448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density)390 x 312 pixels (~303 ppi density)
ProtectionSapphire crystal glassSapphire crystal glassSapphire crystal glass
3D Touch display
1000 nits max brightness (advertised)
Always-on display
3D Touch display
1000 nits max brightness (advertised)
3D Touch display
1000 nits max brightness (advertised)
PLATFORMChipsetApple S5Apple S4Apple S3
CPU64-bit dual-core processor; W3 wireless chip64-bit dual-core processor; W3 wireless chipS3 with dual-core processor; W2 wireless chip
GPUPowerVR
PowerVR
PowerVR
MEMORYInternal32GB16GB16GB
COMMSWLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE4.2, A2DP, LE
GPSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASS
NFCYesYesYes
FEATURESSensorsAccelerometer, gyro, heart rate (2nd gen), barometer, compassAccelerometer, gyro, heart rate (2nd gen), barometerAccelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer
Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
BATTERYStand-byUp to 18 h (mixed usage)Up to 18 h (mixed usage)Up to 18 h (mixed usage)

 

What’s new in watchOS 6

Apple started to rollout watchOS 6 in September 2019. Here are some of the new features available after updating your watch to watchOS 6.


Source: www.apple.com

Apple watch screen

App Store on Apple Watch: With watchOS 6 you can browse and download watch apps directly on your wrist with the App Store app on your Apple Watch

Listen to audiobooks: Audiobooks are now available on Apple Watch, and they’re easy to enjoy when you’re on the go. The next five hours of the audiobook you’re currently reading is synced to Apple Watch so it’s ready to play, even when you’ve left your iPhone behind.

Check your activity progress over time: Apple Watch is great for snapshot activity tracking, but WatchOS 6 makes it even better, offering access to all the other data your Watch captures without you perhaps realising. The new software introduces a new Trends feature that shows whether a metric is heading up or down, from VO2 Max to walking pace. Trends compares your latest 90-day averages to longer-term performances over a year to see how you’re doing. If you’re slacking, you’ll get coaching suggestions to get you back on track.

Apple watch screen noise

Hearing health: The Noise app measures the ambient sounds in your environment and can display a notification when sound levels may affect your hearing

More watch faces: Perhaps one of the more unsurprising new features, WatchOS 6 brings several new watch faces. There are several options, from fashionable to practical, such as one similar to Infographics but with a solid colour in the middle. New complications also offer instant access to more apps and features with a tap, such as decibel labels, signal strength and weather information. In terms of time, you can set a chime to ring in a new hour or hold two fingers on your watch face to hear the time out loud.

Making calculations: With the new Calculator app, add, subtract, multiply, and divide right on Apple Watch.

Voice Memos: Turn your Apple Watch into a wrist-worn audio recorder that you can use to capture personal notes

Apple watch Series 5cycle tracking

Cycle Tracking: Use the Cycle Tracking app to log daily information about your menstrual cycle.

Redesigned Reminders: Add new reminders, get proactive suggestions based on tasks you routinely perform and view shared lists, subtasks, and attachments

Animoji and Memoji support: You can now add Animoji and Memoji stickers to messages sent from your Apple Watch

The latest version watchOS6.2.1 is recently released that included bug fixes and performance improvements

Comparison with Other Smart Watches

The comparison of Apple Watch with other Android Smartwatches seem unjust, mainly because of different iOS and compatibility.

The Apple watch can work only with iPhone so all comes down to user preference of phone and OS

Just for the sake of information, I am including a comparison with the Best Smartwatches from Samsung and Huawei. Both Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 and Huawei Watch GT2 were released around the same time as Series 5. The latest version of Huawei Watch GT2e is expected to release later this month.

apple-watch-series-5
Apple Watch Series5
samsung galaxy watch active2
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2
Huawei Watch GT2
Huawei Watch GT2
NETWORKTechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTENo cellular connectivity
BODYDimensions44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.42 in)44 x 44 x 10.9 mm (1.73 x 1.73 x 0.43 in)45.9 x 45.9 x 10.7 mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.42 in)
Weight47.8 g (1.69 oz)42 g (1.48 oz)41 g (1.45 oz)
BuildGlass front (Sapphire crystal), ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass DX+), stainless steel frame 316LGlass front, ceramic back, stainless steel frame
SIMeSIMeSIMNo
DISPLAYTypeLTPO OLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colorsSuper AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colorsOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size1.78 inches, 10.0 cm2 (~60.0% screen-to-body ratio)1.4 inches, 6.3 cm2 (~32.7% screen-to-body ratio)1.39 inches, 12.5 cm2 (~59.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density)360 x 360 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~364 ppi density)454 x 454 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~326 ppi density)
ProtectionSapphire crystal glassCorning Gorilla Glass DX+
3D Touch display
1000 nits max brightness (advertised)
Always-on display
Always-on display
MEMORYInternal32GB4GB4GB
SOUNDLoudspeakerYesYesNo
COMMSWLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nNo
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, LE, EDR
GPSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSSYes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSYes, with GLONASS, GALILEO
NFCYesYesYes (In China Only)
FEATURESSensorsAccelerometer, gyro, heart rate (2nd gen), barometer, compass
Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer
Natural language commands and dictation
Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass

Conclusion

If you are upgrading from Series 3 or older, then you need to consider upgrading to Series 5 as there is a noticeable difference in design and features. Also, 40mm and 44mm case sizes were only introduced in Series 4 and 5.

If you are currently using Series 4, the always-on display feature in Series 5 will significantly change how you use the Apple Watch. The introduction of ceramic or titanium materials in Apple Watch Series 5 also gives a different feel to the watch.

So yes, it is worth upgrading to Apple Watch Series 5. What is your decision? Are you going for an upgrade? Leave a Comment below 🙂


Sources:
www.macworld.com
www.pocket-lint.com
www.gsmarena.com
www.digitaltrends.com
www.businessinsider.com
www.9to5mac.com
www.apple.com

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