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What Improvements Does Galaxy Watch 5 Have Over Watch 4?

The Galaxy Watch 5 brings meaningful refinements to the Galaxy Watch 4 platform, focusing on durability, battery life, and health tracking while maintaining the same core performance.


Major Improvements

Five key upgrades distinguish the Watch 5 from its predecessor.

1. Sapphire Crystal Display

  • Mohs hardness 9 (vs 6-7 for Gorilla Glass DX+)
  • Extremely scratch-resistant—won't scratch from keys, coins, or sand
  • Display stays pristine for years vs visible scratches after 6-12 months on Watch 4

2. 13% Larger Battery

  • 40mm: 250mAh → 284mAh
  • 44mm: 361mAh → 410mAh
  • Provides 4-6 additional hours of use
  • More reliably lasts 2+ days

3. Temperature Sensor

  • New infrared skin temperature sensor
  • Tracks temperature during sleep
  • Enhanced sleep insights and recovery monitoring
  • Not available on Watch 4

4. Bluetooth 5.2

  • Improved from Bluetooth 5.0
  • Better range (40m vs 30m)
  • Fewer disconnections
  • Lower power consumption

5. Enhanced Sleep Coaching

  • Temperature-informed sleep analysis
  • More detailed recommendations
  • Better sleep stage detection

Other Improvements

Additional refinements round out the upgrade.

  • Faster charging: 0-100% in ~80 minutes (vs ~90 on Watch 4)
  • Improved BioActive sensor: Better accuracy for heart rate, ECG, SpO2
  • Newer software at launch: One UI Watch 4.5

What Stayed the Same

These specifications are identical.

  • Exynos W920 processor (same performance)
  • 1.5GB RAM, 16GB storage
  • Display sizes, resolutions, technology
  • 5ATM + IP68 water resistance
  • GPS, Wi-Fi, NFC
  • Case dimensions
  • 20mm band compatibility

Trade-offs

The Watch 5 is slightly heavier due to sapphire crystal and larger battery.

  • 40mm: 25.9g → 28.7g (+2.8g)
  • 44mm: 30.3g → 33.5g (+3.2g)

The weight difference is barely noticeable and worthwhile for the improved durability and battery life.


Should You Upgrade from Watch 4?

Worth upgrading if:

  • Your display is scratched
  • Battery life doesn't meet your needs
  • You want temperature-based sleep insights

Not worth upgrading if:

  • Your Watch 4 is in good condition
  • Current battery life is acceptable
  • You're waiting for Watch 6 or later

The Watch 5 is a refined evolution rather than a revolution. Existing Watch 4 owners can wait unless they have a specific need the Watch 5 addresses.


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