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 W920processor (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.
Best Analogy
The Galaxy Watch 5 is like an "S" model iPhone upgrade—same core platform with meaningful refinements. Worth paying extra when buying new, but not a must-upgrade for existing owners.
See Also: Galaxy Watch 5 vs Galaxy Watch 4|What's New in Galaxy Watch 5