Galaxy Watch 7 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5: Which has better value for $299?
By Naila Syifa
Updated July 2024
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Garmin Vivoactive 5 are two lifestyle smartwatches designed for active users who want a combination of fitness tracking and smart features. They are found at similar pricing, making it a tough choice between the two.
So let's compare both models across a few key comparison aspects and determine which one offers better value for money.
Key Takeaways
Compared to Garmin Vivoactive 5, the Galaxy Watch 7 offers more robust health and smartwatch features, from ECG, BIA, on-wrist calling & texting, on-wrist music, a camera control, and Galaxy AI features. Meanwhile, the Vivoactive 5 has superior battery life, more inclusive fitness tracking for wheelchair users, on-screen workout animations, and Garmin Coach.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Smart & Robust Smartwatch
✓ Galaxy AI
✓ ECG, BIA, Skin Temperature
✓ On-Wrist Calling, Texting, and Music
✓ Camera Control
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Essential & Inclusive Smartwatch
✓ Body Battery Energy Monitoring
✓ On-Screen Workout Animations
✓ Garmin Coach
✓ Wheelchair Mode
#1 Price
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 starts at US$299 for the 40mm model without LTE connectivity. The price can be higher for the larger 44mm size or the LTE variant, with the most expensive configuration costing US$379.
Meanwhile, Garmin Vivoactive 5 is only available in one size, 42mm, and is priced at US$299. There are colors to choose from, but each variant costs the same $299 price point.
In this article, we'll focus on comparing the base model of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Garmin Vivoactive 5 which both retail for $299. However, we'll also note what you can get if you opt for the higher-priced configurations.
#2 Design & Display
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 boasts a Super AMOLED display with a scratch-resistant Sapphire Crystal Glass display, offering a vibrant, responsive, and durable screen experience. The 40mm size has a 432 x 432 px resolution, while the 44mm model has a 480 x 480 px resolution.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 has a lower display resolution of 390 x 390 pixels on its 1.2-inch AMOLED display. It features the scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens and an anodized aluminum bezel which provides a premium look.
While both watches have a 5 ATM water rating that supports swimming and showering, the Galaxy Watch 7 also has passed MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability standards, further reducing doubt about its durability.
#3 Health & Fitness Features
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Basic health tracking features like heart rate, SpO2, and sleep monitoring are available on both watches. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is more comprehensive, adding skin temperature, ECG, and Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications (IHRN), which the Garmin Vivoactive 5 lacks.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 also supports the Sleep Apnea feature, which detects signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea. However, this feature is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) software-only, mobile medical application instead of being integrated directly into the watch hardware.
In this Galaxy Watch 7, Samsung introduced a new Galaxy AI-powered Energy Score, which is comparable to the well-known Garmin's Body Battery Energy Monitoring feature. Both display users' current energy levels to help guide their activity and recovery, but the Vivoactive 5 offers more comprehensive hour-to-hour dynamics while the Galaxy Watch 7 provides a more simplified, daily energy score.
Garmin Vivoactive 5
While the Vivoactive 5 has around 50 built-in sports apps, the Galaxy Watch 7 can track more than 100 workouts. Some specific sports like mountain biking and surfing are found in the Galaxy Watch 7, but not in the Vivoactive 5. However, Garmin Vivoactive 5 supports workouts for wheelchair users and track pushes, making it a more inclusive smartwatch for everyone.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 also stands out with its on-screen workout muscle maps feature, which shows which muscle groups are being used during certain exercises like cardio, HIIT, pilates, and strength.
Garmin Coach is another well-regarded feature in the Vivoactive 5, which provides customized training plans and guidance for 5K, 10K, and half-marathon. It is a great tool for beginner and intermediate runners looking to improve their performance.
One feature that gives the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 an advantage over the Vivoactive 5 is the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), which measures body composition like body fat percentage, body water content, and skeletal muscle mass. This provides a more comprehensive view of the user's overall health and fitness, helping them plan their fitness and weight management goals more effectively.
#4 Smartwatch Features
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Both smartwatches support on-watch notifications, but there are some differences in terms of texting and calling features. Garmin Vivoactive 5 has no built-in speaker or microphone, so it cannot be used for making or receiving phone calls directly on the watch. Replying to text with an on-watch keyboard is supported only on Android, and this feature, as well as getting notifications, is only possible when the watch is connected to a nearby phone.
Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is equipped with a built-in speaker and microphone, so it supports all calling, texting, and receiving notifications directly from the watch's face. The $299 base model requires a connected nearby phone for these features, but the more expensive LTE variant can make and receive calls independently without a phone.
The Galaxy AI on the Galaxy Watch 7 also offers the Suggested Replies feature, which provides contextual responses to incoming messages. This makes it easier to quickly respond to messages right from the watch.
Two other features that the Galaxy Watch 7 has the advantage over the Vivoactive 5 are the ability to control and play on-wrist music as well as a camera control for a compatible smartphone. Garmin Vivoactive 5 doesn't support on-wrist music playback. It only allows you to control music playback on a connected smartphone. It also doesn't have a camera control feature.
#5 Battery & Charging
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Garmin Vivoactive 5 claims to last for up to 5 days with the always-on display, 11 days on smartwatch mode, and 21 days on battery saver smartwatch mode.
It has a longer battery life compared to the Galaxy Watch 7, which claims to last for up to 60 hours in normal use with the always-on display, 48 hours in exercise power-saving mode with GPS on, and 100 hours in power-saving mode.
However, the Galaxy Watch 7 offers a more convenient wireless charging method compared to the Garmin Vivoactive 5 which uses the more traditional USB-C charging cable.
#6 Compatibility
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is only compatible with Android phones, while Garmin Vivoactive 5 is compatible with both iOS and Android phones, giving it the advantage in terms of compatibility across a broader range of smartphone platforms.
It is also noteworthy that while the Galaxy Watch 7 is compatible with Android phones, some features require certain Samsung Galaxy phones, which restricts non-Samsung Android phone users from fully utilizing all the capabilities of the Galaxy Watch 7.
For example, the Energy Score is a Galaxy AI-powered wellness feature available in the Samsung Health app. However, it can only be accessed on Galaxy phones that support Galaxy AI, such as the Galaxy S and Z series. Users of other Galaxy devices and non-Samsung Android phones will not be able to utilize this feature even if they have the Galaxy Watch 7.
Galaxy Watch 7 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5
Final Thoughts
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Garmin Vivoactive 5 offer a range of impressive features, making it a tough choice between the two. However, when it comes to overall value for money, the Galaxy Watch 7 may have a slight edge for the general consumers.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 offers many features that the Vivoactive 5 doesn't come with, including an ECG, Sleep Apnea, BIA, built-in speaker and microphone, on-wrist music, a camera control, and Galaxy AI features. However, it only supports Android phones with many of its advanced features only accessible on selected Galaxy phones, so it may not offer the best value for non-Samsung Android or iOS users.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 has a more versatile compatibility with both iOS and Android phones, as well as more inclusive fitness tracking features for wheelchair users. It also stands out with its comprehensive Garmin Coach training plans and on-screen muscle maps, making it a great option for beginner and intermediate fitness enthusiasts looking for detailed workout guidance and insights.
If you like to read more on smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
Galaxy Watch 7 vs Garmin Venu 3
Galaxy Watch 7 vs Garmin Fenix 7
Galaxy Watch 7 vs Garmin Forerunner 265
Galaxy Watch 7 vs Fitbit Sense 2
Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Garmin Fenix 7
Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Garmin Epix 2
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