Smartwatch Samsung Galaxy Watch Vs Active

Samsung has been releasing new smartwatches thick and fast over the past twelvemonth, and this means that picking betwixt the company's range is now an increasingly challenging proposition.

At the peak of the tree is the Samsung Galaxy Watch, the flagship device that released tardily in 2018. This has now been joined by the Samsung Galaxy Scout Active 2 – replacing the first generation model, which simply launched a few months ago.

Essential reading: Which Samsung smartwatch is best?

Below, we'll be comparing the ii smartwatches in all the fundamental areas to assistance you make up one's mind which is best for you lot. You lot tin check out our snapshot comparison below or read on for a more in-depth look at how the two Samsung watches measure up.

	Samsung Galaxy Sentinel	Samsung Galaxy Lookout man Active 2
Size options	42mm and 46mm	40mm and 44mm
Waterproofing	5ATM (up to 50 metres depth)	5ATM (up to l metres depth)
Screen	1.ii-inch/i.iii-inch 360 x 360 AMOLED	ane.2-inch/1.4-inch 360 x 360 AMOLED, always on
Band sizes	20mm (42mm)/22mm (46mm), interchangeable	20mm interchangeable
Rotating bezel	Physical bezel	Touch on sensitive bezel
Heart charge per unit monitor	Optical sensor	Optical sensor and ECG
Born GPS	Yes	Yes
Samsung Pay	Yes	Yep
LTE/4G	Yes (46mm only)	Yes (both sizes)
Battery	Upwardly to 4 days (42mm)/Up to 7 days (46mm)	Upwardly to 4 days (40mm)/Up to 2 days (44mm)
Compatibility	iOS nine.0+ and Android 5.0+	iOS 9.0+ and Android v.0+

Samsung Galaxy Lookout v Milky way Sentry Active 2: Blueprint

As the names suggest, there's a clear difference between these two smartwatches – the Galaxy Watch is pegged as more of a lifestyle smartwatch, whereas the Watch Active two is more of a fitness-kickoff smartwatch. Allow's compare the design options.

Size

Users tin pick between quite a few different designs with these two devices. The regular Milky way Scout is available in 42mm and 46mm, with blackness and gold finishes available for the smaller version and a silver model only available for the bigger of the 2. At that place'southward no existent differences in terms of software, whichever yous determine to choose, merely know that y'all tin only get LTE/4G on the 46mm, silver version.

Related: All-time Samsung Galaxy Watch faces

Every bit for the Watch Active 2, this also comes in ii different sizes – 40mm and 44mm. And there are two styles you lot tin can option betwixt: a lightweight, aluminium torso with a silicon ring, or the stainless steel, which comes with a leather band. Both styles, no thing which size you plump for, are available in black, silver and gold.

Bottom line: We recommend trying out both variations of whichever model you adopt the look of. The 46mm Galaxy Watch is a behemoth on pretty much every wrist – some volition like that, merely nosotros suspect nearly will enjoy the less daunting measurements of the Lookout Active 2.

Weight

If y'all want a lightweight smartwatch, there's no dubiety that your best pick is the Galaxy Watch Active ii.

The smaller, 40mm model weighs merely 26g. Compared to the stainless steel Galaxy Watch, which weighs 49g for the 42mm model and 63g for the 46mm model, information technology's a big point of comparing in these watches. Particularly for those who will do ofttimes, the Scout Active 2 will likely be a more comfortable fit. Even the 44mm, stainless steel model of the sporty smartwatch weighs less (45g) than the smaller Galaxy Watch.

Display

Every bit we've touched upon, model sizes do vary quite considerably in both of these smartwatches. And while that also means the brandish size itself will also change, the same specs are available beyond the Galaxy Watch and Sentinel Active ii lines.

Whichever you decide is the all-time fit for your wrist, y'all'll become a Super AMOLED screen with 360 ten 360 pixel resolution, and all give the choice to remain on at all times.

Rotating bezel

Despite being dropped for the first generation, Samsung's signature rotating bezel makes an appearance on the Watch Agile ii. This lets users quickly and easily rotate their way through the smartwatch interface, just like with the Galaxy Scout, though it works slightly differently.

Read next: Best Samsung Galaxy Picket bands

Instead of acting every bit a carve up module on the outer edge of the screen, the Sentry Active two instead has this functionality built into a touch bezel. You might prefer the physical feedback of the Galaxy Watch over this new bezel, only at least Samsung has brought information technology to the Agile in some form.

Waterproof rating

Both sets of smartwatches come packing both a 5ATM water rating and IP68 tag. This essentially means that both Samsung smartwatches can withstand water pressure (up to a depth of fifty metres) and exist completely gratis from water and dust damage.

Samsung Galaxy Watch five Galaxy Watch Active two: Features

Similar design, the nature of these two smartwatches inevitably ways there are dissimilar strengths and weaknesses to each. All the same, since both run Tizen Os, and come from the same manufacturer, at that place'southward not an overwhelming amount of departure.

Lifestyle features

Fitness is a focus for these Samsung smartwatches – especially for the Active 2, but there's also a raft of more than traditional smartwatch features on both models.

The pair, naturally, will work with either iOS or Android devices, while you can also access Samsung Pay, notifications, storage for music and a full app store, harbouring the likes of Uber and Spotify. Samsung's own voice banana, Bixby, also makes an advent on both models, but, to be honest, it'due south notwithstanding lacking.

Read this: How to set upward Samsung Pay on Galaxy Lookout man

Naturally, notifications for texts, emails, calls and 3rd-party apps can all be received through the spotter and controlled through the companion app. And though this is naturally easier on a bigger screen (of which the Galaxy Sentry can offer the biggest), the Watch Active 2 does, rather strangely, seem to be pushing some more integrated social features. Users, for example, volition savor a richer Twitter feel, too equally beingness able to watch YouTube videos from the wrist.

LTE/4G support

Support for standalone connectivity works similarly on both these Samsung smartwatches. Essentially, the top-end models take the choice to have LTE included – and then that'southward the 46mm Galaxy Watch and stainless steel variants of the Spotter Active 2. For the other models, connexion volition be limited to Bluetooth.

Fitness and wellness modes

Both the Galaxy Watch and Watch Agile 2 are designed for fitness, though information technology's the latter that has the edge, in terms of exercise modes and dedicated features. While the regular Galaxy Watch offers 21 modes for outdoor practice and the gym, the new Active can monitor you during 39 dissimilar types of workout, with seven, including running, walking, cycling and pond, all tracked automatically.

It likewise has an updated Running Motorbus from the outset generation, letting you lot keep runway of your running pace in real time.

Run to the beat out: Use Spotify on your Samsung watch

For both devices, you lot'll go round-the-clock stress tracking through Samsung Health, while sleep will also be logged in the portal. If you wanted guided meditation, that's bachelor on both, too.

Sensors

Interestingly, at that place'south also a fair bit of difference between these ii smartwatches in the sensors department. Both feature an accelerometer, gyro, barometer and GPS, though the centre rate sensor on the Sentinel Agile 2 appears far superior.

Not but has Samsung improved the pattern – it at present includes eight LEDs, allowing it to take readings more regularly and accurately – but it also becomes the commencement Samsung sentry to offering support for electrocardiogram readings. This feature isn't alive at launch, but Samsung indicates news on its rollout will be coming soon.

Bombardment life

This area, as ever, is dependent on how y'all use the smartwatch. However, the raw numbers advise the Galaxy Watch is the preferable option for those prioritising bombardment life.

For the Watch Active 2, the 44mm model features a 340mAh battery, while the 40mm edition shrinks that down to a 247mAh unit. By comparison, the 42mm Galaxy Watch manages a 270mAh bombardment, and the mammoth 46mm model manages to fit in a 472mAh battery. At least on paper, the bigger the device, the longer it should last.

Try these: All-time Samsung Galaxy Lookout apps

Samsung suggests the 46mm Galaxy Watch tin can eke out around a calendar week of life, while the bigger Watch Agile 2 should manage effectually 4 days. Equally we say, this will take a dip on the smaller models, and using features like LTE/4G will see juice drain considerably.

Samsung Galaxy Lookout v Galaxy Sentry Active 2: Cost

Unlike the first generation, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Agile two is priced much closer to the Galaxy Watch. The 40mm version of the device volition set you back $279.99, ascension to $299.99 for the 44mm model. There are no details however regarding the LTE edition, though the company suggests it volition be available through all major carriers in the United states of america, or Britain pricing.

Meanwhile, the 42mm Galaxy Watch comes in at $329.99, jumping up to $349.99 for the 46mm version.

Samsung Galaxy Watch v Galaxy Watch Active two: Which is best?

If you're looking to purchase either the Galaxy Sentry or Milky way Watch Active 2, it's important to know that you can't really go incorrect – on newspaper, at to the lowest degree.

We're currently going through the process of reviewing the Agile 2, and tin can't therefore give a total judgement either way, though the refined design and new features practise suggest it could rival the older Galaxy Watch for the crown of all-time Samsung smartwatch.

As with the old generation, those who prioritise a lightweight, sporty build and more than detailed health tracking will be better served with the Lookout man Active two. Those, notwithstanding, who want a more traditional smartwatch wait and experience, with the potential for bigger battery life, may want to take a better look at the Galaxy Watch.