In the span of a month, Apple and Samsung have both refreshed their smartwatch lineups. We compare the Apple Watch Series 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 to help you decide which one is worth your money.
Hot on the heels of last month’s Samsung Galaxy Watch4 release, Apple just unveiled its latest wearable, the Apple Watch Series 7. For many, this begs the question: Which smartwatch is best? We won’t have a definitive answer until we get our hands on the Series 7, which is slated for release at some point this fall. But in the meantime, we can compare Apple and Samsung’s current smartwatch lineups based on specs and features. Models and Similarities Let’s start with your options. Both Apple and Samsung offer two strong models to accommodate different budgets. On Samsung’s side, you have the $349.99 Galaxy Watch4 Classic and the $249.99 Galaxy Watch4. On Apple’s end, there’s the $399 Series 7 and the year-old $279 Watch SE. Apple didn’t announce a new lower-cost model this year, but the SE remains in its lineup as a more wallet-friendly alternative to the Series 7. For a detailed comparison of Apple’s current smartwatch lineup, head here. Apple Watch Series 7 Debates about squares and circles aside, all of the aforementioned Apple and Samsung watches are well designed, with robust fitness tracking features, calling and texting capabilities, mobile payments, music and smart home controls, and a large selection of third-party apps. They all feature colorful touch screens, fast processors that allow for smooth scrolling, and are pretty evenly matched when it comes to battery life. In our testing, the Watch4 lasted almost 24 hours with the always-on display enabled. The Apple Watch Series 6 similarly lasted around 25.5 hours in testing with the always-on display enabled; we expect similar results from the Series 7, since Apple says its latest wearable offers the same battery life as its predecessor. Now let’s dig into how Apple and Samsung’s latest smartwatches differ to help you decide which is best for you. Consider Your Phone The biggest factor to consider when choosing between the Series 6 and the Galaxy Watch4 is your phone. Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Apple Watches are only compatible with iOS, Apple’s smartwatch operating system. And while older Galaxy Watch models, such as the Watch3, supported iOS, the latest ones only work with Android.
