Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs. Apple Watch Series 8: A Detailed Comparison

Top Compras Updated: January 4, 2025

SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 6

6.8/10
SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 6
$169
Larger display with thinner bezels
Durable design with sapphire crystal display and stainless steel casing
Improved GPS lock time and track run workout mode
vs

Apple Watch Series 8

7.5/10
Apple Watch Series 8
$399.99
Fast charging
Always-on display
Advanced fitness tracking

Quick Overview

A detailed comparison between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and the Apple Watch Series 8, covering design, features, performance, user experience, pros, and cons.
## Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs Apple Watch Series 8: Detailed Comparison

It’s hard to choose between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and the Apple Watch Series 8. Both devices are great smartwatches, but they fulfill different needs and preferences. Let’s take a look at a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 boasts a larger display with thin bezels and a wider screen area. The sapphire crystal and stainless steel case make the watch quite durable. The design of the watch is modern, elegant and comfortable to wear while sleeping. The mechanism for easy strap changing is a nice touch, and switching between cell phones is convenient without having to restart the watch.

The Apple Watch Series 8, on the other hand, features a rugged design that is resistant to cracks, dust, and water. The display is always on, which is convenient for quick viewing. The design is similar to Series 7, with clean lines and minimalism. The fit is comfortable, but the aluminum screen is a bit prone to scratches.

Performance and Features

The Galaxy Watch 6 features improved GPS lock time and a treadmill workout mode, and the seamless integration with Google Assistant was a breakthrough, providing fast and reliable voice control. However, heart rate tracking can be inconsistent, especially during interval training, and GPS accuracy can be problematic in harsh conditions. Battery life is also limited, and performance can be poor when rotating tiles. Some features are only available for Samsung phones and some countries, which is a drawback for some users. The inability to reprogram the bottom button on Google Wallet and limited button customization during a workout are also notable drawbacks.

Apple Watch Series 8 offers fast charging and advanced customizable workout and heart rate zones for advanced fitness tracking. The watch also offers health monitoring features such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and temperature; seamless integration with the iPhone is a big plus for Apple users. However, the temperature sensor data may not be immediately available or useful for all users. Battery life is short - about one day with normal use - and the digital crown can sometimes malfunction, causing the volume to change unintentionally. Some features, such as blood oxygen level monitoring and vehicle collision detection, may not be available to all users.

User Experience

Using the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is intuitive thanks to easy navigation and responsive Wear OS 4; integration with Google Assistant is excellent, and the display is bright and clear even in direct sunlight. However, erratic heart rate tracking and GPS issues can be frustrating, especially for serious athletes. Battery life is also a concern, as the battery drains quickly when exercising with GPS and listening to music.

Apple Watch Series 8 delivers a smooth and seamless user experience, especially for iPhone users. Integration with Apple Fitness+ is a major advantage, and the app ecosystem is very advanced. The always-on display is convenient, and fast charging is a plus. However, the limited battery life and scratchable screen are drawbacks. The temperature sensor, while innovative, may not be useful for everyone.

Pros and Cons

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Pros:

  • Large display: Increases screen area and is easy to read.
  • Durable construction: Sapphire glass display and stainless steel case provide scratch and shock resistance.
  • Improved GPS lock time: Faster GPS lock time and jogging workout mode.
  • Google Assistant integration: Fast and reliable voice control.
  • Comfortable fit: Comfortable fit even while sleeping.

Disadvantages of Samsung Galaxy Watch 6:

  • Inconsistent heart rate tracking: especially during interval training.
  • GPS accuracy issues: cutting corners, wobbly and shifting tracks.
  • Limited battery life: GPS run time is about 5 hours and the battery drains badly overnight.
  • Rotating tiles reduces performance.
  • Limited functionality: Some features are only available on Samsung phones and in some countries.

Advantages of Apple Watch Series 8:

  • Fast charging: Fast power on.
  • Always on display: Provides easy access to information.
  • Advanced fitness tracking: Customizable workout and heart rate zones.
  • Comprehensive health monitoring: Measures heart rate, blood oxygen and temperature.
  • Seamless iPhone integration: Notifications, calls, and Apple Pay support.

Cons of Apple Watch Series 8:

  • Long battery life: Requires daily charging.
  • Scratched screen: Aluminum screen scratches easily.
  • Temperature sensor: Data may not be available and may not be useful for all users.
  • Digital crown: May malfunction and cause unintentional volume changes.

Final Thoughts

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Apple Watch Series 8 are great smartwatches, but they accomplish different tasks: The Galaxy Watch 6 is a stylish, feature-rich Android smartwatch. It’s a great choice for users who want a stylish, feature-rich smartwatch with convenient Google Assistant integration. However, erratic heart rate tracking and GPS issues can be a cause for concern for serious athletes. On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a great choice for iPhone users who want a seamless experience with advanced fitness and health tracking features. However, you should consider the downsides: limited battery life and a screen prone to scratches. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Specification

FeatureSAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 6Apple Watch Series 8

SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 6

Pros

  • Larger display with thinner bezels, providing more screen real estate for better visibility.
  • Durable design with sapphire crystal display and stainless steel casing, offering scratch and impact resistance.
  • Improved GPS lock time and the inclusion of a track run workout mode.
  • Seamless integration with Google Assistant, offering fast and reliable voice control.
  • Comfortable to wear, even during sleep, despite its larger size.
  • Easy strap changing mechanism and the ability to switch between phones without resetting the watch.

Cons

  • Inconsistent heart rate tracking, especially during interval workouts.
  • GPS accuracy issues, including corner cutting, wobbling, and offset tracks.
  • Limited battery life, with only about 5 hours of GPS usage and high overnight battery drain.
  • Laggy performance when rotating through tiles.
  • Some features, such as ECG, irregular heart rate notifications, and blood pressure monitoring, are exclusive to Samsung phones and specific countries.
  • Inability to reprogram the bottom button to Google Wallet, and limited button customization during workouts.

Apple Watch Series 8

Pros

  • Fast charging allows for quick power-ups, convenient for daily use.
  • Always-on display provides easy access to information without raising the wrist.
  • Advanced fitness tracking with customizable workouts and heart rate zones.
  • Comprehensive health monitoring, including heart rate, blood oxygen, and temperature sensing.
  • Seamless integration with iPhone for notifications, calls, and Apple Pay.
  • Durable design with crack resistance, dust tightness, and water resistance.

Cons

  • Temperature sensor data may not be readily accessible or useful for all users.
  • Battery life is limited to about a day with normal use, requiring daily charging.
  • The aluminum screen scratches easily, requiring a screen protector or careful handling.
  • The device is an iterative update, with few new features compared to the Series 7.
  • Digital crown can misfire, causing unintended volume changes.
  • Some features like blood oxygen monitoring and car crash detection may not be used by all users.

Quick Verdict

SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 6

Read Full Review

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is a solid smartwatch with a great display and Google Assistant integration, but it has some limitations in heart rate tracking and GPS accuracy.

7.5/10
Features
6/10
Performance
7/10
Value
8/10
Quality
6.8/10
Overall

Apple Watch Series 8

Read Full Review

The Apple Watch Series 8 is a great choice for iPhone users with seamless integration and advanced health features, but it has limitations in battery life and screen durability.

8/10
Features
8.5/10
Performance
7/10
Value
7/10
Quality
7.5/10
Overall

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to Buy

SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 6

$169
6.8/10

Apple Watch Series 8

$399.99
7.5/10