Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Rivals in the Style and Stamina Face-off
By Elisabeth Christ
Published June 2024
In the dynamic world of wearable technology, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and the Samsung Watch 6 stand out as top contenders, each offering a unique blend of features and style. Although the much-anticipated solo buds have yet to be released, fitness enthusiasts and tech lovers can still enjoy a robust comparison between these two powerhouses. With both watches promising to enhance your health and fitness journey, let’s dive into the specifics and see which one might be your next best companion.
Key Takeaways
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Samsung Watch 6 cater to different needs with their distinctive features and price points. The Vivoactive 5, priced around $300, boasts a lightweight design with a 1.2-inch AMOLED display, 390 x 390-pixel resolution, and up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. Its advanced health metrics include VO2 max and stress tracking, alongside built-in GPS and over 30 preloaded sports apps. The Samsung Watch 6, starting at the same price points, features a refined design with a Super AMOLED display available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, offering a resolution of 450 x 450 pixels for the larger model. It integrates the Exynos W930 processor, providing robust performance, and supports ECG monitoring, blood oxygen level tracking, and enhanced sleep tracking. Its fast-charging battery lasts up to 40 hours, ensuring continuous use.
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Better Choice for Battery Life
✓ 1.2-inch AMOLED display with 390 x 390-pixel resolution
✓ Advanced sleep tracking with detailed insights
✓ More than 30 preloaded indoor and outdoor sports apps
✓ Up to 21 days of battery life
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Better Choice for Advanced Health Features
✓ Up to 40 hours of battery life
✓ Exynos W930 chipset
✓ 3-in-1 Biosensor for comprehensive health tracking
✓ FDA-approved irregular heart rhythm monitoring
#1 How much they cost?
Garmin Vivoactive 5
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is positioned in the mid-range segment of fitness smartwatches, typically retailing around $300. This price point makes it an appealing option for fitness enthusiasts who want a comprehensive set of features without breaking the bank. The Vivoactive 5 offers a robust array of functionalities, including advanced health metrics, fitness tracking modes, and smart features, making it a cost-effective choice for those looking to enhance their workout routines and overall health management.
On the other hand, the Samsung Watch 6, with its premium design and extensive feature set, comes at a higher price point. The starting price for the Galaxy Watch 6 is approximately $300 for the 40m with prices increasing for models with larger displays. Samsung’s pricing strategy positions the Watch 6 as a high-end smartwatch that not only competes on features but also on its luxurious design and seamless integration with the Samsung ecosystem, catering to users who seek both style and substance in their wearable tech.
#2 The Design
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 boasts a sleek, sporty design tailored for fitness enthusiasts. It features a 1.2-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 390 x 390 pixels, ensuring clear and vibrant visuals. The watch is lightweight, comfortable, and suitable for all-day wear, with interchangeable bands that allow users to customize their look. The durable build and high-quality display make the Vivoactive 5 both functional and aesthetically pleasing, ideal for users who want a watch that can handle intense workouts and daily activities with ease.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, however, exudes a more premium feel with its refined design. It features a Super AMOLED display available in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm, offering resolutions of 450 x 450 pixels for the larger model with both screen’s ability to reach 2,000 nits of peak brightness. The always-on display provides crisp and vibrant visuals, making it easy to view notifications and health metrics at a glance. The Watch 6 is crafted from premium materials, including aluminum and stainless steel, and offers a wide range of customizable bands. This combination of high-end materials and sleek design ensures that the Watch 6 stands out as a versatile accessory that can transition seamlessly from workouts to formal occasions.
#3 Health and Sleep Tracking
Garmin Vivoactive 5
As we all knew already, most of Garmin’s watches are designed for fitness enthusiats. For the Vivoactive 5, it’s no different as it excels in health and sleep tracking, offering a comprehensive suite of features designed to monitor various aspects of well-being. It includes advanced sleep tracking with detailed insights into light, deep, and REM sleep stages, helping users understand their sleep patterns and make adjustments for better rest. The Vivoactive 5 also has a wrist-based pulse oximeter that measures blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) by shining light into the skin and measuring how much is absorbed, continuous heart rate monitoring, and stress tracking. Furthermore, the Garmin Connect app enhances these features by providing in-depth analysis and trends over time, allowing users to make informed decisions about their health.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
As for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, the device also offers robust health tracking capabilities, with heart rate, body composition and skin temperature sensors. It features such as ECG monitoring, blood oxygen level tracking, and irregular heart rhythm notifications. The sleep tracking on the Watch 6 has been significantly improved, providing detailed insights into sleep stages, sleep score, and personalized recommendations to improve sleep quality. The seamless integration with the Samsung Health app allows users to access their health data across all Samsung devices, making it easy to monitor and analyze their overall health.
#4 Fitness Modes
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Moving on to the fitness features, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is packed with a wide range of fitness modes, catering to various activities such as running, cycling, swimming, and yoga. It includes built-in GPS, providing accurate tracking of outdoor activities without the need for a connected smartphone. The watch also offers customized workout plans and adaptive training guides, making it an excellent companion for both casual fitness enthusiasts and serious athletes. With over 30 preloaded sports apps, the Vivoactive 5 ensures that users have access to the specific metrics they need for their preferred activities.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 offers a similarly extensive array of fitness modes, supported by advanced sensors and tracking capabilities. It includes built-in GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou, ensuring precise tracking of outdoor workouts. The watch features numerous workout types, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT), functional strength training, and even pilates. The integration with the Samsung Health app provides personalized fitness recommendations and detailed workout analysis, helping users achieve their fitness goals with comprehensive support and motivation.
#5 Performances
Garmin Vivoactive 5
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is powered by an efficient processor that ensures smooth performance for all its features. It supports advanced metrics like VO2 max, fitness age, and stress tracking, making it a powerful tool for athletes looking to optimize their performance. The watch also offers smart notifications, music storage, and contactless payments via Garmin Pay, enhancing its functionality beyond fitness tracking. The combination of robust hardware and versatile software ensures that the Vivoactive 5 can handle both everyday use and intense training sessions with ease.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is equipped with the latest Exynos W930 processor, delivering faster performance and improved battery efficiency compared to its predecessors. The watch supports advanced health features, seamless integration with Android devices, and a wide range of apps available on the Galaxy Store. It also includes enhanced Bixby voice capabilities, making it easier to interact with the device through voice commands. The high-performance hardware, coupled with the extensive ecosystem of apps and services, makes the Samsung Watch 6 a powerhouse in the smartwatch market, capable of handling a variety of tasks with speed and efficiency.
#6 Battery Life
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
One of the standout features of the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is its impressive battery life. It can last up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, 8 hours in GPS mode with music, and an impressive 21 hours in battery saver mode. This extended battery life makes it ideal for users who engage in long outdoor activities or those who prefer not to charge their device frequently. The watch's efficient power management ensures that users can rely on it for all-day tracking and notifications without worrying about running out of battery.
In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 offers up to 40 hours of battery life on a single charge without AOD, which is typically sufficient for a full day and night of use. With the always-on display and various health monitoring features active, users may need to charge the watch more frequently. However, the fast-charging capabilities of the Watch 6 ensure that it can be quickly recharged, providing about 10 hours of use with just a 30-minute charge. This makes it convenient for users who have a busy lifestyle and need their watch to be ready to go at a moment's notice, ensuring they stay connected and on track with their health and fitness goals.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Final Thoughts
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Samsung Watch 6
Choosing between the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and the Samsung Watch 6 depends largely on what you prioritize in a smartwatch. The Vivoactive 5 excels with its extensive battery life, comprehensive health and fitness tracking, and a more accessible price point, making it an excellent choice for dedicated fitness enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Samsung Watch 6 offers a premium design, advanced health features, and seamless integration with the Samsung ecosystem, appealing to users who value style and technology equally. Both watches deliver impressive performance, ensuring that no matter which you choose, you’re making a smart investment in your health and wellness journey.
If you like to read more about Smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
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