| Samsung Galaxy Watch | Garmin vivosmart 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $349 | $149★ |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 29g | 25g★ |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Battery | 1.5 days | 7 days★ |
| Always-on display | ✅★ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅★ | ❌ |
| Cellular | ✅★ | ❌ |
| Platform | Android only | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Smartwatch | Fitness Tracker |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Jul 25, 2025 | Apr 26, 2022 |
| Cycle advice | bad | bad |
| Deals advice | good | great★ |
| Next model | Galaxy Watch 9 (Expected summer 2026) | Garmin vivosmart 6 (Expected 2026) |
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.
Body Battery energy monitoring — the feature Garmin is known for — in a wristband that's thinner than most fitness trackers.
Continuous heart rate variability monitoring and all-day stress tracking give a more complete picture of recovery and readiness than step counts alone.
All data syncs to Garmin Connect, compatible with thousands of third-party apps, coaches, and integrations across the Garmin platform.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$349 vs $359 over 3 years · no required subscription.
7 days vs 1.5 days battery.
10 sensors.
25g · no required subscription.
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 →Garmin users and health-focused individuals who want Body Battery, HRV, and advanced sleep analytics in a slim, discreet wristband rather than a sports watch. Compatible with both iPhone and Android via Garmin Connect.
Full details →