| Apple Watch SE | Samsung Galaxy Watch | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $249★ | $349 |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 26g★ | 29g |
| Water resistance | 50m | 5ATM |
| Battery | 18h | 1.5 days★ |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ✅★ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ✅ | ✅ |
| Platform | iOS only | Android only |
| Tier | Smartwatch | Smartwatch |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Sep 19, 2025 | Jul 25, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | good★ | bad |
| Deals advice | neutral | good★ |
| Next model | Apple Watch SE 4 (Expected fall 2027) | Galaxy Watch 9 (Expected summer 2026) |
Access the entire watchOS app ecosystem, Apple Pay, Siri, and Family Setup — for $150 less than the Series 11.
Emergency SOS, fall detection, and Crash Detection give real safety value even without premium health sensors.
Available in Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and (PRODUCT)RED with a wide range of Apple Watch-compatible bands.
ECG, blood pressure, body composition, SpO2, and advanced sleep coaching — all processed on-device with Galaxy AI.
Answer calls, control SmartThings, and use Galaxy AI features seamlessly across Galaxy phones and tablets.
Access Google Play, Google Maps, Google Wallet, and Samsung's polished One UI Watch 7 interface.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$249 vs $349 over 3 years · no required subscription.
1.5 days vs 18h battery.
10 sensors.
26g · no required subscription.
iPhone users who want Apple Watch's core experience — activity tracking, notifications, crash detection, and Apple Pay — at a lower price point. Ideal for kids, teens, or anyone upgrading from a much older watch without needing the advanced health sensors.
Full details →Android users — especially those in the Samsung ecosystem — who want a premium smartwatch with comprehensive health tracking, Wear OS flexibility, and strong software support. The Ultra suits outdoor-active users who need longer battery life.
Full details →