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Galaxy Watch 5 vs Galaxy Watch 4: Which Should You Buy?

The Galaxy Watch 5 is a refined evolution of the Galaxy Watch 4, offering sapphire crystal durability, better battery life, and a new temperature sensor. Both run the same Exynos W920 processor and have identical performance.


Key Differences

The Watch 5's improvements focus on durability, battery, and health features.

FeatureGalaxy Watch 4Galaxy Watch 5Winner
Display ProtectionGorilla Glass DX+Sapphire CrystalWatch 5
40mm Battery250mAh284mAh (+13%)Watch 5
44mm Battery361mAh410mAh (+13%)Watch 5
Temperature SensorNoYesWatch 5
Bluetooth5.05.2Watch 5
Weight (40mm)25.9g28.7gWatch 4
ProcessorExynos W920Exynos W920Tie
SoftwareOne UI Watch 5+One UI Watch 5+Tie

What Watch 5 Does Better

Meaningful improvements over the Watch 4.

  • Sapphire Crystal: Hardness 9 on Mohs scale vs 6-7 for Gorilla Glass. Won't scratch from keys, coins, or sand—display stays pristine for years.
  • Battery Life: 13% larger capacity provides 4-6 additional hours. The 44mm model reliably lasts 2+ days.
  • Temperature Sensor: Tracks skin temperature during sleep for enhanced sleep insights and recovery monitoring.
  • Bluetooth 5.2: Better range (40m vs 30m), fewer disconnections, improved power efficiency.

What's Identical

Both watches share these specifications.

  • Exynos W920 processor (5nm, dual-core)
  • 1.5GB RAM, 16GB storage
  • Display sizes and resolutions
  • 5ATM + IP68 water resistance
  • ECG, blood pressure, body composition
  • GPS, Wi-Fi, NFC (Samsung Pay)
  • Same software after updates

Price Guidance

Value depends on price difference.

Price DifferenceRecommendation
Under $50Buy Watch 5
$50-75Watch 5 if durability/battery matters
Over $100Watch 4 is excellent value

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy Watch 5 if:

  • Price difference is under $75
  • You want maximum scratch resistance
  • Battery life is a priority
  • You plan to keep the watch 2+ years

Buy Watch 4 if:

  • You can save $100+ over Watch 5
  • You'll use a screen protector anyway
  • Current battery life is acceptable
  • Budget is the primary concern

See Also: What's New in Galaxy Watch 5|What Improvements Over Watch 4