Apple Watch Series 11 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: Which is the better smartwatch?

The Apple Watch Series 11 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 are two of the best smartwatches in the ₹50,000 price range. They are quite popular in the Indian market, but fans are divided on which is better.

The Apple Watch Series 11 was launched only recently, so it features newer specs. It also has better synergy with other Apple products than the Samsung option. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is already known to provide a great smartwatch experience.

Can the new Apple Watch 11 beat the already established Samsung Galaxy 8? That's exactly the question I plan to answer in this article, using a detailed comparison.

Apple Watch Series 11 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: Detailed comparison

The Apple Watch 11 features many health sensors (Image via Apple)

Specifications

Here are the specs of the Apple Watch Series 11 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8:

Specifications	Apple Watch Series 11	Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
Display	1.96-inch Retina LTPO OLED screen	1.47-inch Super AMOLED screen
Chipset	Apple S10	Samsung Exynos W1000
Operating system	watchOS 11	Wear OS 6
Size	42mm, 46mm	40mm, 44mm, 46mm
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, and GPS	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, and GPS
Battery and charging	308mAh battery with wireless charging	325mAh battery with wireless charging

Design, build quality, and display

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 has a tough build quality (Image via Samsung)

The Apple Watch Series 11's build quality has improved significantly over its predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 10. In fact, it might just be one of the most comfortable smartwatches ever, thanks to its super-light build and design. The Apple Watch 11 is available in both aluminum and titanium variants.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, on the other hand, is only available in an aluminum build. It looks and feels just as premium as the aluminum variant of the Apple Watch Series 11, but it slightly pales in comparison to the latter's titanium version. The Apple smartwatch's strap also looks and feels a bit more premium. Overall, the Apple option wins in terms of design and build quality.

When it comes to the display, the Apple Watch knocks the Samsung one out of the park. It packs a large display with a much wider field of view. Furthermore, its screen is protected by Sapphire Crystal Glass. So, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8's display can get a bit brighter, the Apple option wins overall in the display category.

Performance, features, and health tracking

The app launch speeds, UI navigation, animations, and more felt a bit smoother on the Apple Watch Series 11 compared to the Samsung smartwatch. The Apple S10 chip played a big part in that. However, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 with its Exynos W1000 isn't slow either, and you will only notice the difference if you compare the two offerings side by side. The Apple Watch wins here.

When it comes to health tracking, it's a mixed bag. The Apple Watch 11 delivers slightly more accurate heart rate tracking and SpO2, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is better for tracking sleep apnea, temperature, and GPS when running. It's a tie in health tracking.

Moreover, the Apple Watch Series 11 has seamless integration with other Apple products and provides a better ecosystem experience than the Samsung offering.

Battery life

Apple Watch 11 battery can last longer while providing many health tracking features (Image via Apple)

Battery life is another area where the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 wins. Whether it's ideal, medium, or heavy usage, the Samsung smartwatch lasts longer. However, the Apple Watch charges much faster. So, overall, the two watches are tied in terms of battery life.

Pricing

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 costs ₹36,999 for the 44mm LTE model. On the other hand, the Apple Watch 11 starts at ₹46,900, which is not the LTE model. Therefore, the Samsung watch is much more affordable.

Which is the better smartwatch?

The Apple Watch Series 11 is the better smartwatch overall. It has a larger display and wins in terms of build quality, health tracking, performance, and even battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 only comes out on top in sleep tracking, GPS location tracking, and charging. However, it wins in price and value. So, choose one based on your requirements and budget.

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Edited by Niladri Roy