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.
| Feature | Galaxy Watch 4 | Galaxy Watch 5 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Protection | Gorilla Glass DX+ | Sapphire Crystal | Watch 5 |
| 40mm Battery | 250mAh | 284mAh (+13%) | Watch 5 |
| 44mm Battery | 361mAh | 410mAh (+13%) | Watch 5 |
| Temperature Sensor | No | Yes | Watch 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Watch 5 |
| Weight (40mm) | 25.9g | 28.7g | Watch 4 |
| Processor | Exynos W920 | Exynos W920 | Tie |
| Software | One 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 W920processor (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 Difference | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Buy Watch 5 |
| $50-75 | Watch 5 if durability/battery matters |
| Over $100 | Watch 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
The Bottom Line
The Watch 5 is worth a moderate premium ($50-75) for its sapphire display and larger battery. At larger price gaps ($100+), the Watch 4 delivers nearly the same experience at significant savings.
See Also: What's New in Galaxy Watch 5|What Improvements Over Watch 4