Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 955: Which is the Best Smartwatch? (2023)

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  • Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 955: Which is the Best Smartwatch? (1)

    Those:best buy

    Watch Samsung Galaxy 5 Pro

    Professional laptop from Samsung

    A battery giant

    400 $450 $Save $50

    The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro improves on the regular versions of the wearable with a larger screen, longer battery life, and adventure features. As a result, it's Samsung's most expensive wearable to date.

    Advantages

    • three days battery
    • Premium looks and design
    • Runs Wear OS which means lots of apps

    In contrast

    • No ANT+ connection
    • Questionable GPS tracking
    • For larger wrists only.

    Starting at $210 at Samsung $400 at Amazon $400 and best buy

  • Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 955: Which is the Best Smartwatch? (2)

    Fonts: Garmin

    Garmin Forerunner 955

    choice of agent

    An athlete's best friend.

    The Forerunner 955 is Garmin's top-of-the-line sports watch. What the smartwatch lacks in flexibility, it makes up for with fitness features that athletes will love.

    Advantages

    • battery life for weeks
    • Brilliant guide to health and fitness
    • Excellent exercise tracking, expandable via ANT+

    In contrast

    • utility design
    • Garmin OS is not very flexible
    • Restricted apps via Garmin IQ

    $491 at Amazon $500 and Best Buy

ANDROIDPOLIC-VIDEO DES TAGES

With the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Samsung has gone to great lengths to make one of theThe best Android smartwatchesfor types of outdoor activities. And while it's certainly a tough sell for those with small wrists, others will appreciate the chunky design and longer battery life.

These improvements appear to put the Galaxy Watch in competition with Garmin's rugged and sporty offerings. And starting at $499, the Garmin Forerunner 955 is the most obvious competitor to theWatch Samsung Galaxy 5 Pro, which starts at $449. So which one is right for you? See how the two compare in several key areas.

Watch Samsung Galaxy 5 Pro

Garmin Forerunner 955

Dimensions

45,4 x 45,4 x 10,5 mm

46,5 x 46,5 x 14,4 mm

Weight

46g

52g

Show

1,4 Zoll Super AMOLED, 450 x 450 Pixel

1,3-Zoll-transflektives MIP-LCD, 260 x 260 Pixel

connectivity

NFC, GPS, LTE, Bluetooth 5.2, WLAN

NFC, GPS, GLONASS, Bluetooth, ANT+, WLAN

Save on computer

16 Gigabyte

32GB

Battery life

3.3 diameter (590mAh)

Up to 15 days or 20 days with the solar version (345 mAh)

Waterproof

5 ATMs

5 ATMs

working system

Use OS 3.5 powered by Samsung (One UI Watch 4.5)

Garmin operating system

health sensors

Heart rate, ECG, SpO2, bioelectrical impedance, skin temperature

Heart rate, SpO2, thermometer

Preis

449 $ (nur Bluetooth) / 499 $ (LTE)

$499 / $599 (with solar charging)

price and availability

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 955: Which is the Best Smartwatch? (3)

The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the priciest wearable in Samsung's collection, costing $449 if you're happy with Bluetooth connectivity, or $499 if you want LTE -- handy if you're working without your phone would like. The Garmin Forerunner 955 starts at $499 and doesn't have an LTE option at the time of writing.

But it has its own high-end version: the Forerunner 955 Solar. As its name suggests, it has the ability to charge its internal battery using the sun's rays (although it's not intended to replace a regular charger). It costs an additional $100 to $599.

Project

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 955: Which is the Best Smartwatch? (4)

Fonts: Garmin

While the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and Garmin Forerunner 955 look very different, they do have one thing in common: their weight. It's also not a watch for slim wrists, measuring 45.4mm or 46.5mm wide and weighing 46g or 52g respectively.

But that's where the similarities end, and in terms of sheer style it's a clear win for Samsung. As for smartwatches, it draws everyone's attention with a clean circular design punctuated by two buttons on the right side. The 1.4-inch AMOLED screen is bright and vibrant with a 450 x 450 resolution that ensures everything looks incredibly sharp considering the relatively small screen size. The only real downside is that Samsung has decided to remove the rotating bezel from theGalaxy Watch 4 Classic. Too bad, because it was very satisfying to use and a good alternative to the clumsy press-down on a fiddly touchscreen.

The Garmin Forerunner 955, on the other hand, has a more purposeful design. Although it has a touchscreen, navigation is primarily done using the five buttons that surround the screen. This screen is a 1.3-inch, 260 x 260 pixel transflective MIP LCD, perfectly usable but not quite as eye-catching as Samsung's offering.

It's also worth noting that Samsung designed the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro for Android only, while the Forerunner 255 works with either iOS or Android. Additionally, some features like ECG and blood pressure measurement require a Samsung smartphone, which seems needlessly cumbersome.

Software

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 955: Which is the Best Smartwatch? (5)

This is where the biggest difference between the two watches lies. Roughly speaking, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is a sports watch, while the Forerunner 955 is a sports watch that is all about intelligence. It's a little more complicated, but it's a good way to prioritize what's important to you.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro runs Google's Wear OS, which means you have a wide range of apps and customization options. It also means a host of built-in Google services, including Maps, Gmail and Google Assistant. You can also use it to use Google Pay or Samsung Pay for contactless payments on your wrist. The Forerunner 955 can also make contactless payments, but only through Garmin Pay, which is supported by fewer banks, especially outside the US.

The Forerunner 955's software is significantly less flexible and, as you'd expect, focuses on health and fitness. You can change the watch face and add additional apps through the Garmin IQ Store, but there aren't a huge number available and it doesn't look like that's changing any time soon. You receive notifications but cannot respond to them on the watch.

However, the Garmin Connect app is one of the best, with ridiculous amounts of training data to analyze. In comparison, Samsung Health is a lot simpler and still doesn't have a web version, meaning you have to do all the scans on your phone.

health and beauty

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 955: Which is the Best Smartwatch? (6)

Fonts: Garmin

What the Garmin Forerunner 955 lacks in style and flexible software, it more than makes up for in sports tracking that is second to none. Not only can GPS track everything from pickleball to bouldering, it connects quickly and is incredibly reliable. Not for sale on GPS? The watch also supports GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDuo and QZSS so you can lock anywhere.

But that's only a small part of the Forerunner 955's commitment to health and fitness, with all manner of features including reports that tell you exercise intensity based on sleep and energy levels. There's also Stamina (which tells you how much energy you have left during a given workout), PacePro (which adjusts your pace based on your altitude), and a Run widget that counts down to a scheduled run using your predicted effort, based on your training and body measurements. It even tells you the expected weather on the big day.

Finally, and most importantly for serious athletes, the Garmin Forerunner 955 supports ANT+, a wireless protocol used in many fitness accessories such as pedometers and chest straps. In other words, the Forerunner 955 makes it easy for anyone who wants to get even more data.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 955: Which is the Best Smartwatch? (7)

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, on the other hand (or on the wrist), is not ANT+ compatible and is aimed more at adventurers than at athletes. While it records over 90 types of exercise, it feels more like an afterthought and the GPS readings are questionable at times.

However, Samsung's 3-in-1 BioActive sensor, which combines heart rate, SpO2, body composition and temperature, has its appeal for more general wellbeing insights. You can even use the watch to take an EKG or take your blood pressure, although the latter needs to be calibrated via a special bracelet and both require a Samsung phone.

Samsung has introduced GPX mapping for the Pro model, but this only works for cycling and hiking so far.

Battery life

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 955: Which is the Best Smartwatch? (8)

Ever since the switch from Tizen OS to Wear OS, battery life has been something of an Achilles' heel for Samsung smartwatches. But the company corrected that with the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, outfitting it with a whopping 590mAh cell. This gives you up to 80 hours of use, or 20 if you have the GPS on all the time.

It's decent time for a Wear OS smartwatch, but the Forerunner 955 easily tops it with battery life that's measured in days rather than hours. You can expect up to 15 days in smartwatch mode or 42 hours of GPS activity.

Those numbers increase to an average of 20 and 49 hours if you opt for solar mode (assuming reasonable exposure to 50,000 lux of light).

Which one is right for you?

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 955: Which is the Best Smartwatch? (9)

While the Garmin Forerunner 955 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro appear to be fairly similar products in terms of price and bold branding, they actually target different markets. One is a smartwatch that works like a sports watch while the other is a sports watch with some smart features. Committed athletes will love how seriously the Garmin Forerunner 955 takes fitness tracking, both on the watch and in the Garmin Connect app. But it looks plain and isn't very flexible when it comes to portable devices. It offers basic notifications and a limited app store beyond its sporty core.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, on the other hand, is a wonderful smartwatch, but a little underwhelming as a fitness tracker in terms of both accuracy and analytics. But it looks stylish whether you're on the go or in the office, and it offers plenty of customization options for those who want to immerse themselves in Wear OS.

Both are expensive, of course, and you may decide that the cheaper products from either company are better for you. The basicWatch Samsung Galaxy 5starts at $280 while theGarmin Forerunner 255it costs $349. Both are fairly well-rounded wearables, and you might decide to save a few bucks and go for one of them.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 955: Which is the Best Smartwatch? (10)

Those:best buy

Watch Samsung Galaxy 5 Pro

400 $450 $Save $50

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro improves on the regular versions of the wearable with a larger screen, longer battery life, and adventure features. As a result, it's Samsung's most expensive wearable to date.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 955: Which is the Best Smartwatch? (11)

Fonts: Garmin

Garmin Forerunner 955

The Forerunner 955 is Garmin's top-of-the-line sports watch. What the smartwatch lacks in flexibility, it makes up for with fitness features that athletes will love.

FAQs

Is Garmin watch better than Samsung watch? ›

Garmin smartwatch pros

Garmin smartwatches also have a sturdier build than Samsung smartwatches, and although they're heavier, they're much more durable and resistant to scratches and dings.

Is watch 5 Pro worth it? ›

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is easily the best wearable for Android smartphone owners. A couple of software features round out the "Pro" moniker such as the ability to import GPX files for hiking and biking while also having your return routes automatically mapped out for when you forget to do it yourself.

Is Galaxy Watch 5 worth it? ›

Key improvements like the sapphire crystal glass and faster charging, as well as the promise for an even better health monitoring in the near future thanks to the skin temperature sensor (which is still not functioning as of late December 2022), definitely position the Galaxy Watch 5 is a good smartwatch.

Does Garmin work well with Samsung? ›

Stay connected. Compatible with either your Apple® or Android™ smartphone, you get a lot when you sync up with a Garmin smartwatch.

Which type of smart watch is best? ›

10 Best Smartwatches In India
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  • Noise Pulse 2.
Dec 21, 2022

Can the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro make calls? ›

Keep in mind you cannot make or answer calls directly on your watch unless it has a built-in mic and speaker like the Galaxy Watch Active2, Galaxy Watch3, Galaxy Watch4 series, Galaxy Watch5 series, and Gear S3. The Galaxy Fit and Fit2 can only reject calls.

Does the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro have a camera? ›

As per the official changelog, the new Camera Controller feature allows you to use the familiar pinch-to-zoom gesture to adjust the camera zoom level on your Galaxy Watch 5.

How long does Galaxy Watch 5 Pro last? ›

Battery life will vary depending on usage, of course, but Samsung officially claims the Watch 5 Pro will last 80 hours per charge, or 20 hours with GPS enabled.

Does the Samsung Watch 5 have a camera? ›

Samsung starts rolling out new camera control update for Galaxy Watch 5. When you open the Camera Controller on your smartwatch, users will be able to see a preview of the camera from their smartwatch and even tap the shutter button.

How far can Galaxy Watch 5 be from phone? ›

Bluetooth has a range of approximately 30 feet.

What is the difference between Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro? ›

Watch 5 Pro: Which should you buy? For the additional $170 that you pay for the Watch 5 Pro over the regular model, you get more durable build quality, a bigger screen, and significantly longer battery life. Unless these improvements are really important, buying the regular Watch 5 makes more sense.

Can you text from Garmin watch? ›

“For the active lifestyle customer, multi-tasking is crucial, and now Garmin customers have the ability to answer a call or send a text without digging through their pocket or bag.”

Why use a Garmin over a phone? ›

Cost effective

If your data isn't unlimited, using your smartphone to navigate a road trip can be a costly mistake. On the other hand, with the one-time purchase of a GPS device, all your navigational needs will be met. Garmin navigators also include map updates with no extra hidden fees.

Is Garmin smart watch worth it? ›

Like all types of fitness trackers, Garmin sports watches give its users unique insights about themselves that could aid in their fitness journey. Known for its history of quality devices, Garmin is a tried-and-tested sports watch brand of choice for many people.

Which is the No 1 smartwatch brand in world? ›

Best Overall - Apple Watch Series 7

With an IP6X dust-resistant feature, retina display, and swim-proof design, the Apple Watch Series 7 is the best smartwatch on this list.

What is the #1 smartwatch in the world? ›

But there can only be one 'best smartwatch' and right now I think the best smartwatch in the world right now is the Apple Watch Series 7. Of all the smartwatches available, the Apple Watch has the most developed platform. It's also the most attractive, and, arguably, more technologically advanced than its competitors.

Which Android watch is best? ›

Best Smartwatch with Android (Feb 2023)
  • Huawei Watch GT 2e.
  • Garmin Vivomove 3.
  • Noise NoiseFit Fusion.
  • Garmin Vivomove 3S.
  • Fossil Q Marshall.
  • Intex iRist.
  • Samsung Galaxy Gear.
  • Huawei Watch 2 4G.

What is the most reliable watch brand? ›

The World's Best Watch Brands, Explained
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  • Cartier.
Oct 19, 2022

Can you text on Galaxy Watch 5 Pro? ›

It is not available on non-Samsung phones or iOS devices. Sending some texts using the Messages app on your Galaxy Watch5 series is easy! A Bluetooth watch must be connected to your phone, but you can send messages anywhere there's coverage with an LTE watch. On your watch, navigate to and tap Messages.

Does Galaxy Watch 5 Pro have GPS? ›

SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 5 Pro 45mm Bluetooth Smartwatch w/ Body, Health, Fitness and Sleep Tracker, Improved Battery, Sapphire Crystal Glass, GPS Route Tracking, Titanium Frame, US Version, Black. Amazon's Choice highlights highly rated, well-priced products available to ship immediately.

Can I leave my phone at home and use my Galaxy Watch 5? ›

Users can leave their phone at home and still stream music, take calls or messages, or get notifications while out and about.

Does Galaxy Watch 5 Pro measure blood pressure? ›

Galaxy Watch 5 series has the technology to be able to measure the wearer's blood pressure. Using a function called pulse wave analysis which powers the heart rate sensor, Galaxy Watch 5 series is not only able to track your heart rate but your blood pressure, too.

Is Galaxy Watch 5 Pro good for running? ›

However, there are two crucial catches, the first of which is GPX on the Watch 5 Pro only works for hiking and cycling at this time. It won't work for walking, running, mountain biking, and other route-based physical activity until or unless Samsung updates the watch to broaden support.

Is Galaxy Watch 5 Pro waterproof? ›

The Galaxy Fit, Galaxy Fit2, Gear S3, Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch3, Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy Watch Active2, Galaxy Watch4, Galaxy Watch4 Classic, Galaxy Watch5, and Galaxy Watch Pro can stay under 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

How accurate is Samsung Watch 5 Pro? ›

The track recording is very accurate, as Samsung's smartwatch proves in a comparison ride on the bike with the Garmin Venu 2. The route length is very similar, and the representation on the map is even more accurate than on the Garmin watch in most cases. Google Maps is also installed on the watch.

Is Galaxy Watch 5 Pro too big? ›

If you've got teeny bird wrists like me, it's going to be too big no matter what. But if your wrists are more medium-sized or you dig an oversized look, the Pro might appeal to you. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is bulky, but it's smaller than most fitness watches.

When did Galaxy Watch 5 Pro come out? ›

The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 and Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro were released on the 10th August 2022.

Can you take pictures with a Galaxy Watch? ›

On your watch, navigate to the Camera Controller app. The Camera will automatically launch on your connected phone. Take photos and videos: Point the phone's camera to the desired location, and then tap Capture on the watch.

Can I shower with my Galaxy Watch 5? ›

Swim-proof and ready for anything, your watch will work in the pool, the rain, and even in the shower. If you want to prevent accidental touches while you're splashing around, turn on Water lock mode. On the watch, swipe down to open the Quick settings panel, and then tap the Water lock mode icon.

Does Samsung watch 5 have GPS? ›

If you have a Galaxy Watch4 or Galaxy Watch5, it has the Google Wear OS which means it will come with Google Maps! You can use the app to navigate and keep track of your location the way you would on a phone, just on a smaller screen.

Can you use Galaxy Watch 5 without phone? ›

Note: The Galaxy Fit, Fit2, Galaxy Watch4 series, and Galaxy Watch5 series cannot be used without a phone.

Do I need a mobile plan for my Galaxy Watch? ›

Yes. Our Samsung Galaxy Watches are ready to be activated at the time of purchase by adding a compatible service plan. Whether you're activating it on its own or pair it with another smartphone via Number Share - Mobile, you can set it up anytime.

Which feature of Gen 5 smartwatch is best? ›

The Gen 5 features fitness and heart rate tracking, along with Google's Wear OS platform for seamless syncing with your Android phone. If you really aren't a fan of the Gen 5 for some reason or want a more modern version of Wear OS, your only option right now is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.

Is Garmin a good brand for smart watch? ›

Our expert reviewers rate Garmin devices very highly, with many models sitting in our best fitness tracker and best running watch lists. We even use the Fenix 7 as the benchmark when testing the accuracy of other trackers, as we feel it's one of the most reliable wearables on the market.

Is Garmin worth buying? ›

Like all types of fitness trackers, Garmin sports watches give its users unique insights about themselves that could aid in their fitness journey. Known for its history of quality devices, Garmin is a tried-and-tested sports watch brand of choice for many people.

Are Garmin watches good quality? ›

In the world of fitness trackers and health wearables, Garmin watches have a reputation as being among the most reliable, high-quality watches on the market. While other smartwatches have added fitness tracking features, Garmin is a highly-accurate fitness tracker first, with some models adding smartwatch features.

What is special about Garmin watches? ›

Garmin produces activity trackers and sports watches, aimed at activities such as running, watersports, golf, cycling and swimming with sensors such as heart rate and gps. Some recent models add Bluetooth music playback and pulse-oximetry. The Vivofit and Vivosmart ranges are activity trackers.

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