In this article, we will explore the features, functionalities, and pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 compared to the Galaxy Watch Active 2 helping you decide what is the best Samsung Watch.
To start off, the Galaxy Watch 4 is the most recent addition to the Samsung Watch line and as a result, will have the latest sensors and hardware but potentially carry a higher price tag compared to the Galaxy Watch Active 2 and also the Galaxy Watch 3. Choosing the best Samsung Watch depends on your needs and budget.
| Product | Supplier | |
| Galaxy Watch 4 | Amazon | View offer |
| Galaxy Watch 4 | eBay | View offer |
| Watch 4 Classic | eBay | View offer |
| Galaxy Watch 4 | Target | View offer |
Table of Contents
The Difference in Functionality
Both watches are very good health and fitness trackers. With its new OS, the Samsung Galaxy 4 offers greater ease of use and more Google Apps and features which make it a better choice. Both watches offer the Samsung running coach to help optimize your workout. The BioActive sensor on the Galaxy Watch 4 offers more advanced and more accurate tracking for sleep, sports activity, body composition (e.g fat percentage), and blood oxygen so you get more data inputs and more insights into your exercise and activity.
Date Announced and Released
Galaxy Watch Active 2 launch was officially announced on 5 August 2019 and released in September 2019, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 launch was announced on 11 August 2021 and released on 27 August 2021.
Dimensions
Both watches come with attractive 1.2-inch or 1.4-inch Super AMOLED Displays. Watch 4 comes with dimensions of 44.4×43.3×9.8mm (1.75×1.70×0.39in) and weighs around 30.3g (44mm) and 25.9g (40mm), while the Active 2 watch has dimensions of 44×44 x10.9mm (1.73×1.7×0.43in) and weighs around 42g (1.48oz).
Build
The Galaxy Watch 4 has an aluminum frame, while Active Watch 2 presents a steel frame or an aluminum frame option. The steel frame has greater durability because of its strength. Durability is an essential factor for a smartwatch, as it is intended for use by the consumer for long periods of time.
Display
Each watch is available in 40mm and 44mm cases and has a high-capacity rotating bezel along the edge of the display. Both watches have Gorilla glass DX+ protection. However, both differ in pixel density. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 screen has a higher resolution of 396×396 (40mm) and 450×450 (44mm). This is much higher than the Galaxy Watch Active 2, which has a resolution of just 360×360 for both available sizes. That is why things look sharper on the Galaxy Watch 4 screen. Both watches have the “always-on display” time-display option, which means consumers don’t have to tap the screen or click a button every time to check the time.
Water Resistance
Both watches have an IP68 rating. This means that they are water-resistant even at a depth of 50m. Water resistance up to 50m enables a device to withstand a quick swimming session, a short shower, or a walk on a rainy day.
Colors
Galaxy Watch 4 is available in various color options like black, pink gold, silver, and green, and the Active 2 comes in gold, silver, black, pink gold, aqua black, and cloud silver.
Operating System Differences
Galaxy Watch 4 has bid farewell to Tizen OS and comes equipped with the latest Wear OS 3 software. The new operating system will enable the smartwatch to use applications from Google Play. Galaxy Watch 4 has access to the ecosystem of Wear OS apps, while the Galaxy Watch Active 2 has access to limited Tizen applications. The Galaxy Watch 4 is relatively new and therefore its compatibility with iPhones is somewhat limited at this time.
CPU Specs
Galaxy Watch 4 comes with a dual-core 1.18GHz Cortex-A55 CPU, while Active 2 has a dual-core 1.15GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. Watch 4 has the latest CPU, so its on-paper performance might seem better. For real-life usage, consumers have reported that both watches work smoothly.
Memory Size
Both watches are equipped with 1.5GB RAM. This is believed to be quite good for the smooth functioning of a smartwatch.
Internal Storage Memory
The storage space of the Galaxy Watch 4 has been elevated to 16GB. The storage is 4GB in Galaxy Active 2. There is no memory card slot option available in both watches.
Processor
The new Galaxy Watch 4 has an Exynos W920 processor. It’s the first 5nm processor used in a Galaxy watch. It beats the Galaxy Watch Active 2’s dual-core Exynos 9110. The better speed of the Galaxy Watch 4 is not a surprise because the latest processor is undoubtedly a faster one.
Sensors
Both Galaxy watches have sensors that can record vitals, but the Samsung Galaxy 4 has 3-in-1 BioActive advanced sensors. The BioActive chip has three sensors that can measure optical heart rate and electrical heart rate. It can also perform bioelectrical impedance analysis. Also, both watches have inbuilt GPS. This helps users keep track of routes and save the routes they will need in the future.
Battery
Both watches support Qi wireless charging. Galaxy Watch 4 has (40 mm) 247 mAh and (44 mm) 361 mAh, non-removable battery while Active 2 has 40mm:247mAh and 44mm:340mAh non-removable battery. Galaxy 4 has a maximum 40-hr battery life. By comparison, Active 2 has a maximum battery life of two days.
So Which is the Best Samsung Watch
Whether it’s Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 or the Galaxy Active 2, both have pros and cons, and users can choose according to their needs and preferences. Both models offer 1.5GB of RAM. The Galaxy 4 offers significantly more storage memory. Both watches have IP68 water-resistance ratings. There is also Wi-Fi connectivity and optional LTE connectivity in both watches.
The most significant upgrade is the operating system. Galaxy Watch 4 runs on Wear OS 3 software and offers a. Additionally, the Galaxy Watch 4 comes with an improved 3-in-1 BioActive sensor. Moreover, Galaxy Watch 4 has the latest and greatest CPU. These specifications and other features, usability, and consumer preferences make them both viable options for different reasons.
While your looking at new watches, have you seen the new Fitbit Charge 5?
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Last Updated on December 30, 2021
Emma brings over a decade of freelance copy and content writing experience and is our Editor, Social Media Manager, and regular contributor. Specializing in long-form content such as blogs, articles, lead magnets, and white papers, Emma also provides businesses with email marketing, website copy, and landing pages.