The smartwatch market has seen a drop in sales in recent years, as Apple continues to dominates the industry and there is not a specific competing product from big names out there. However, things are going to change this year, as Samsung just unveiled the new Galaxy Watch Active 2.
The Galaxy Watch Active 2 joins Samsung’s lineup of Active smartwatches that was first released earlier this year. The release of the Active 2 puts the pressure on Apple Watch Series 4. With that in mind, we are going to put the two smartwatches in a head-to-head comparison to see how the Active 2 stacks up to Apple’s number one wearable.
Pricing
The Samsung Galaxy Active will be available at the end of September. The Bluetooth-enabled models will hit stores worldwide on September 27th starting at $279, while the LTE version will be available at carriers worldwide, with prices starting at AU$749.
There is no word yet about the pricing tiers for the LTE models in the US and the UK. However, we expect that the base price starts at $510, which is more expensive than the Apple Watch 4’s $499 price tag.
However, the stainless steel Apple Watch 4 now costs up to $700 in the US. To be honest, Id like to go for the Aluminum version rather than the stainless steel version. In reality, there are tons of cheaper band options to customize your Watch without upgrading to the Stainless Steel model.
Design and Display
The Samsung Galaxy Active 2 will be available in both LTE and Bluetooth versions. The Bluetooth model is made of aluminium, which offers a premium look and a comfortable wearing experience. In reality, the LTE model we use for this review is stainless steel, which is pretty cool. The Active 2 will come in a bunch of different colors, including black, silver, and gold. Of course, there are also a number of different strap options to pick from.
The Apple Watch 4 is now available in three aluminum finishes, including gold, silver, and space gray. Meanwhile, there are also three color options for the stainless steel model – gold, silver, and space black. The best part is that the Series 4 bands will work with all Apple Watch predecessors out there.
In terms of the display, the Active 2 retains the LED display from the first model. The screen is super bright, making it easy to see indoors and outdoors. Meanwhile, the screen on the Apple Watch 4 is 30% larger than Series 3, allowing you to see more in apps like Calendar, Reminders, and Maps.
To be honest, I am so impressed with the Apple Watch 4’s display. Every detail on that screen is big and easier to interact with. Plus, a bigger screen means bigger more watch faces. In reality, Apple created a new watch face for Series 4 that lets you use up to 8 complications.
To be honest, I love the fact that I can customize my Watch face with the things I really care about. For instance, I can add my loved ones to the Apple Watch’s face and quickly connect with them with a simple tap.
In short, both models offer beautiful and bright displays, but if you are in the market for a bigger-screened smartwatch, Series 4 is a better option.
Fitness and Features
Both Apple Watch and Active 2 are fitness smartwatches, allowing you to track your daily workouts. Samsung says that the Active 2 now includes the ability to record your electrocardiogram (ECG), but the feature will not be ready until later this year.
This is the same case for the Apple Watch 4 last year when it launched to the public. In July 2019, Apple finally released the ECG app for its 4th generation Apple Watch via a software update.
Basically, the ECG app on Series 4 uses the Digital Crown and sensors on the bottom of the watch to monitor your heartbeat and detect potential issues. For now, it remains unclear how the ECG app on the Active 2 works, but that’s basically the same technology we have already seen on Series 4.
One of the biggest additions to the Active 2 lies in its rotating bezels. Basically, it’s not a physical rotating thing like on some of the Galaxy Watch models we have seen in recent years. It’s a touch-sensitive strip that you can run your finger across to navigate screens and menus.
In reality, the Apple Watch has a similar system, but it is a physical rotating thing. To be honest, both models offer smooth and fast scrolling, but I love how rotating bezels on the Active work as they are something creative.
Both smartwatches have LTE support, which is ideal for those who want to leave their phone at home. Plus, they both have a hear-rate sensor that allows you to keep track of your heart rhythm.
Both Apple Watch 4 and Active 2 offer amazing features that meet your fitness needs. However, if you heavily rely on Apple’s ecosystem, then the Apple Watch 4 is a solid option.
AI Support
Both Galaxy Active 2 and Apple Watch 4 support personal assistants. With the Apple Watch 4, you get Siri support, while the Active 2 uses Bixby to perform tasks and delivers answers to your questions.
In reality, Apple has its upper hand in terms of AI support, as Siri is now smarter and better. Meanwhile, Bixby is improving every year and Samsung still has a lot of work to put Bixby in line with Apple Siri and Amazon Alexa.
Wrapping Up
The Samsung Galaxy Active 2 is a better option for those who have used a Galaxy Watch before. Indeed, the Active 2 still has the same kind of user interface and app menus. However, if you now use some of the Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, or Mac, then the Apple Watch 4 is a better choice.
Also read: Apple Watch Series 4 and Series 3: Which one is right for you?
So, which one is right for you? Let us know in the comments below.
