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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple Watch Series 11 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Choosing between Apple Watch Series 11 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 can be tricky. Both are excellent, but they serve different priorities. This guide highlights what matters for US shoppers.
Ratings: 4.7★ vs 4.5★
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Apple Watch Series 11
★4.7
(1,649)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26 or later
Operating System:watchOS 26
Case Size:42mm (42mm H x 36mm W x 9.7mm D) or 46mm (46mm H x 39mm W x 9.7mm D)
Case Material:Aluminum (Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray, Jet Black) or Titanium (Slate, Gold, Natural)
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
★4.5
(6,385)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features
Operating System:Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch)
Case Size:44mm (44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm) or 40mm (40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7 mm)
Case Material:Armor Aluminum 2 case; Sapphire Crystal glass
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Comparison: Apple Watch Series 11 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Apple Watch Series 11
★4.7(1,649)Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
★4.5(6,385)Amazon
| Criterion | Apple Watch Series 11 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(1,649)Amazon | ★4.5(6,385)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26 or later | Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features |
Operating System | watchOS 26 | Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch) |
Case Size | 42mm (42mm H x 36mm W x 9.7mm D) or 46mm (46mm H x 39mm W x 9.7mm D) | 44mm (44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm) or 40mm (40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7 mm) |
Case Material | Aluminum (Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray, Jet Black) or Titanium (Slate, Gold, Natural) | Armor Aluminum 2 case; Sapphire Crystal glass |
Display Type | Always-On Retina LTPO3 wide-angle OLED; Ion-X front glass with 2x scratch resistance (Aluminum) or Sapphire crystal (Titanium) | Super AMOLED; Always-On Display; Peak brightness 2000 nits |
Display Size | 989 sq mm (42mm) or 1220 sq mm (46mm) | 1.5 in (44mm) / 1.3 in (40mm) |
Resolution | 374 x 446 pixels (42mm) or 416 x 496 pixels (46mm) (326 ppi) | 480 x 480 pixels (44mm); 432 x 432 pixels (40mm) |
Always On Display | Yes (Up to 2000 nits peak, 1 nit minimum) | Yes |
Water Resistance | Water resistance 50 m (swimproof) | 5 ATM + IP68 (water resistant up to 50 meters for 10 min) |
Durability | IP6X dust resistance; 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass (Aluminum models); Sapphire crystal (Titanium models) | MIL-STD-810H certified; Dust tight (IP68) |
GPS | L1 GPS, GNSS, Galileo, and BeiDou | Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); Glonass; Beidou; Galileo |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip; Apple Pay; 5G (RedCap) and LTE on Cellular models | LTE (optional); Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC |
NFC Payments | Apple Pay | Samsung Wallet / Google Wallet |
Sensors | Electrical heart sensor (ECG); 3rd-generation optical heart sensor; Temperature sensor; Compass; Always-on altimeter; High-g accelerometer; High dynamic range gyroscope; Ambient light sensor; Depth gauge (to 6m); Water temperature sensor | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light sensor |
Health Features | Sleep Apnea notifications; Hypertension notifications; Vitals app; ECG app; High/low heart rate notifications; Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates | Energy Score; Sleep Apnea detection (FDA authorized); AGEs Index; Body Composition (BIA); ECG; Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification; Cycle Tracking with skin temperature; Sleep coaching |
Workout Modes | Custom workouts; Multisport; Race Route; Running; Cycling; Hiking; Swimming (Pool & Open Water); Snorkeling (to 6m); Tides app | Advanced Run Coaching; Race (compete against past results); Track Back; Custom Interval Training; Swimming (Pool & Open Water); Cycling; Hiking; Circuit Training; and 100+ others via Samsung Health |
Storage | 64GB | 32GB |
Speaker Mic | Speaker (media playback supported); Microphone with Voice Isolation | Speaker; Microphone |
Calls | Yes (via Wi-Fi/iPhone or 5G/LTE on Cellular models) | Yes (LTE standalone or via paired phone) |
Battery | Up to 24 hours (normal use); Up to 38 hours (Low Power Mode) | 425 mAh (44mm) / 300 mAh (40mm); Up to 40 hours (AOD off); Up to 30 hours (AOD on) |
Charging | Fast charge capable (0-80% in approx. 30 minutes) | Fast Wireless Charging (WPC Inductive); 0-45% in approx. 30 mins |
Weight | 42mm: 30.3 g (Alu GPS), 29.7 g (Alu Cell), 34.6 g (Ti); 46mm: 37.8 g (Alu GPS), 36.9 g (Alu Cell), 43.1 g (Ti) | 33.8 g (44mm) / 28.8 g (40mm) (Body only) |
Band Sizes | Fits 130–200mm wrists (42mm) or 140–245mm wrists (46mm) | Fits 20mm standard bands (One Click system) |
Extras | S10 SiP (64-bit dual-core); 4-core Neural Engine; Double tap gesture; Precision Finding for iPhone; On-device Siri | Exynos W1000 (3nm) Processor; Galaxy AI features (Smart Reply, Voice-to-Text summaries); Double Pinch gesture |
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Apple Watch Series 11
Rating:★4.7(1,649)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26 or later
Operating System:watchOS 26
Case Size:42mm (42mm H x 36mm W x 9.7mm D) or 46mm (46mm H x 39mm W x 9.7mm D)
Case Material:Aluminum (Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray, Jet Black) or Titanium (Slate, Gold, Natural)
Display Type:Always-On Retina LTPO3 wide-angle OLED; Ion-X front glass with 2x scratch resistance (Aluminum) or Sapphire crystal (Titanium)
Display Size:989 sq mm (42mm) or 1220 sq mm (46mm)
Resolution:374 x 446 pixels (42mm) or 416 x 496 pixels (46mm) (326 ppi)
Always On Display:Yes (Up to 2000 nits peak, 1 nit minimum)
Water Resistance:Water resistance 50 m (swimproof)
Durability:IP6X dust resistance; 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass (Aluminum models); Sapphire crystal (Titanium models)
GPS:L1 GPS, GNSS, Galileo, and BeiDou
Connectivity:Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip; Apple Pay; 5G (RedCap) and LTE on Cellular models
NFC Payments:Apple Pay
Sensors:Electrical heart sensor (ECG); 3rd-generation optical heart sensor; Temperature sensor; Compass; Always-on altimeter; High-g accelerometer; High dynamic range gyroscope; Ambient light sensor; Depth gauge (to 6m); Water temperature sensor
Health Features:Sleep Apnea notifications; Hypertension notifications; Vitals app; ECG app; High/low heart rate notifications; Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
Workout Modes:Custom workouts; Multisport; Race Route; Running; Cycling; Hiking; Swimming (Pool & Open Water); Snorkeling (to 6m); Tides app
Storage:64GB
Speaker Mic:Speaker (media playback supported); Microphone with Voice Isolation
Calls:Yes (via Wi-Fi/iPhone or 5G/LTE on Cellular models)
Battery:Up to 24 hours (normal use); Up to 38 hours (Low Power Mode)
Charging:Fast charge capable (0-80% in approx. 30 minutes)
Weight:42mm: 30.3 g (Alu GPS), 29.7 g (Alu Cell), 34.6 g (Ti); 46mm: 37.8 g (Alu GPS), 36.9 g (Alu Cell), 43.1 g (Ti)
Band Sizes:Fits 130–200mm wrists (42mm) or 140–245mm wrists (46mm)
Extras:S10 SiP (64-bit dual-core); 4-core Neural Engine; Double tap gesture; Precision Finding for iPhone; On-device Siri
✓ Pros:
- • Battery life increased to 24 hours (up from 18h on Series 10)
- • Aluminum models feature 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass
- • First non-Ultra Apple Watch to support 5G (RedCap) connectivity
- • Includes sleep apnea and hypertension notification features
✗ Cons:
- • Uses the same S10 chip as the previous generation (no speed gain)
- • Design and dimensions are identical to Series 10
- • Requires iOS 26, limiting compatibility with older iPhones
- • 5G support limited to Cellular models
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Rating:★4.5(6,385)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features
Operating System:Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch)
Case Size:44mm (44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm) or 40mm (40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7 mm)
Case Material:Armor Aluminum 2 case; Sapphire Crystal glass
Display Type:Super AMOLED; Always-On Display; Peak brightness 2000 nits
Display Size:1.5 in (44mm) / 1.3 in (40mm)
Resolution:480 x 480 pixels (44mm); 432 x 432 pixels (40mm)
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:5 ATM + IP68 (water resistant up to 50 meters for 10 min)
Durability:MIL-STD-810H certified; Dust tight (IP68)
GPS:Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); Glonass; Beidou; Galileo
Connectivity:LTE (optional); Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
NFC Payments:Samsung Wallet / Google Wallet
Sensors:Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light sensor
Health Features:Energy Score; Sleep Apnea detection (FDA authorized); AGEs Index; Body Composition (BIA); ECG; Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification; Cycle Tracking with skin temperature; Sleep coaching
Workout Modes:Advanced Run Coaching; Race (compete against past results); Track Back; Custom Interval Training; Swimming (Pool & Open Water); Cycling; Hiking; Circuit Training; and 100+ others via Samsung Health
Storage:32GB
Speaker Mic:Speaker; Microphone
Calls:Yes (LTE standalone or via paired phone)
Battery:425 mAh (44mm) / 300 mAh (40mm); Up to 40 hours (AOD off); Up to 30 hours (AOD on)
Charging:Fast Wireless Charging (WPC Inductive); 0-45% in approx. 30 mins
Weight:33.8 g (44mm) / 28.8 g (40mm) (Body only)
Band Sizes:Fits 20mm standard bands (One Click system)
Extras:Exynos W1000 (3nm) Processor; Galaxy AI features (Smart Reply, Voice-to-Text summaries); Double Pinch gesture
✓ Pros:
- • Significantly faster performance with new 3nm Exynos W1000 chip
- • Dual-frequency GPS improves tracking accuracy in cities
- • New health metrics: Sleep Apnea, AGEs Index, and Energy Score
- • Double the storage (32GB) compared to Watch 6
- • Lightweight and comfortable Armor Aluminum design
✗ Cons:
- • Battery life remains roughly 1 day with heavy use (requires daily charging)
- • Advanced health features (ECG, Apnea) strictly require Samsung phones
- • Charging speed is decent but slower than some competitors
- • Design is virtually identical to the previous generation
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Which one is better?
Overall, Apple Watch Series 11 delivers better satisfaction. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is still a quality option with specific strengths worth considering.
Who should buy each?
Apple Watch Series 11 excels at: Battery life increased to 24 hours (up from 18h on Series 10), Aluminum models feature 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass
Watch for: Uses the same S10 chip as the previous generation (no speed gain)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 excels at: Significantly faster performance with new 3nm Exynos W1000 chip, Dual-frequency GPS improves tracking accuracy in cities
Watch for: Battery life remains roughly 1 day with heavy use (requires daily charging)
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple Watch Series 11 excels if you value battery life increased to 24 hours (up from 18h on series 10). Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is better if you prioritize significantly faster performance with new 3nm exynos w1000 chip. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
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