Apple and Samsung offer smartwatches that pair seamlessly with your iPhone or Android. The latest models, the Apple Watch Series 11 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, are both great tools for tracking fitness, sleep, and other health metrics while keeping you connected to your messages, calls, and various notifications when you’re not looking at your phone. More than smartphones, smartwatches need a long-lasting battery that will keep your device running throughout the day and (if you want it to monitor your sleep) overnight. A smart watch must therefore have at least 24 hours of battery life.
While choosing between these smartwatches largely depends on the ecosystem you’re already in, given that Apple and Samsung’s wearables aren’t compatible with each other’s smartphones, it’s worth comparing them based on battery life. Based on the device specifications listed by each company, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 should win with up to 30 hours of use compared to the Apple Watch Series 11’s 24 hours of normal use (up to 38 hours in low power mode). In practice, however, the Apple Watch usually comes out on top.
Comparing the two devices, PCMag found that the Galaxy Watch missed its stated battery life of 26 hours, while the Apple Watch far exceeded its expected results, remaining powered for 43 hours. A CNET test found that both lasted around 30 hours, with the Apple Watch ranging from 27 to 32 hours, meaning it lasts longer than expected and, often, longer than the Galaxy Watch. That said, if battery life is your main concern, you should look into other smartwatches.
Other smartwatches last longer than Apple or Samsung watches
First of all, if you want a wearable device focused on fitness and health tracking, opt for a fitness band over a smartwatch. Not only are they more specialized, but it’s best to measure their battery life in days, not hours. Some wearable gadgets with unusually long battery life can even last a month on a single charge, making smartwatches from Apple and Samsung less impressive.
If you’re looking for a long-lasting device with more robust features, there are plenty of smartwatches with better battery life than the Apple Watch Series 11, including high-end Ultra models from Apple and Samsung devices. You may also want to consider Garmin smartwatches, as they are designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts and can stay powered for weeks. The company even offers solar-powered models like the Garmin Instinct 3, which can get enough power from three hours of bright, direct light to last an entire day, meaning it technically has unlimited battery life.
For most, though, sticking with a smartwatch made by Apple, Samsung, or Google, designed to communicate seamlessly with your smartphones, is the best option. Fortunately, if you’re worried that your smartwatch battery is draining too quickly, there are simple ways to increase the battery life of your Samsung Galaxy Watch and maximize the health and life of your Apple Watch battery.
