Skip to main content

SmartWatch 2 vs. Galaxy Gear: Who’s watch wins your wrist?

sony smartwatch 2 vs galaxy gear watchbanner
Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s still early in the race to build the ultimate wearable mobile companion for your smartphone, but it appears the smart watch trend is one that isn’t fading away (yet). The technology is still developing, but the two early leaders in the game (outside of the Pebble) are Samsung and it’s Galaxy Gear and Sony with it’s Smartwatch 2. Which device will look best and provide you with a reason to spend a couple hundred dollars on a device that requires you to own an expensive smartphone just to use it? We take a look at both of  the offerings from these tech giants to see which smart watch would be a smart buy for you.

 

Samsung Galaxy Gear

GalaxyGear
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sony Smartwatch 2

SonySmartwatch2
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Size 36.8 x 56.6 x 11.1 (mm) 41.1 x 41.6 x 8.9 (mm)
Weight 74g 48g (silicon strap)/123g (metal)
Screen 1.63-inch Super AMOLED 1.6-inch LCD
Resolution 320 x 320 pixels 176 × 220 pixels
OS Android Android
Storage 4GB N/A
Watch Colors 6 1
Processor 800MHz Exynos processor 180MHz ARM Cortex-M4 processor
RAM 1GB N/A
Connectivity Galaxy Note 3, Note 10.1 Android 4.0+
Camera 1.9MP None
Bluetooth Version 4.0 + BLE Version 3.0
Battery 25 hours (315mAh) About 3 days
Charger Micro USB Micro USB
Marketplace Galaxy Gear Manager Sony Smart Connect
Compatibility Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014) Any Android 4.0+ device
Price $300 $200+
Availability AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile Sony
DT Review 2.5 out of 5 3 out of 5
Recommended Videos

Processor and Memory

Looking at the internals of these devices, the Galaxy Gear trumps the SmartWatch 2 in pretty much every category. It has a faster, more powerful processor to handle a heavier work load and power a bigger, more demanding screen. Sony has not disclosed the amount of memory or storage in its SmartWatch 2, but we know what the Galaxy Gear is equipped with: 1GB of RAM and 4GB of storage, capable of housing and running many apps. Despite not detailing the RAM or internal storage on its phone, Sony does have plenty of apps to choose from and install on its marketplace. So we guess you just keep installing them until you run out of space?

Style

If you’re a person who likes a lot of choice when it comes to your accessories, the Galaxy Gear is the better option for you. While the Sony SmartWatch 2 comes with two different styles of bands, both are pretty much the same shade of black. The Galaxy Gear lets you get a little more creative with the colors, offering six choices. That said, the SmartWatch 2’s band is interchangeable, so you can get a different look, even if it stays the same color. The Galaxy Gear, because it comes with a camera built into it, doesn’t allow you to swap out bands for a new style.

Functionality

One of the most limiting parts of the Galaxy Gear is the fact that it only connects with a couple devices (right now, only the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition). Samsung says that other Samsung phones will be compatible, but they are not as of this writing. Still, though it can only connect to one phone, its functionality with the Note 3 exceeds what the SmartWatch 2 is capable of doing with any Android 4.0+ phone. The SmartWatch cannot answer phone calls or take photos, both of which the Galaxy Gear can do. That said, the Smartwatch 2 does have some advantages. Notifications are handled better on Sony’s watch than Galaxy Gear and it has more apps to choose from.

The Winner: Smartwatch 2

The Smartwatch 2 is less capable than the Galaxy Gear, but it does the basics better and it’s battery lasts about 3 days on standard usage, instead of 1-2. It is also able to connect with considerably more phones since it’s not limited to the latest Samsung phones. But again, it cannot make and receive calls or take pictures, so you’re missing out on the coolest parts of the Galaxy Gear. The SmartWatch 2 is lower powered and better at the basics, while the Galaxy Gear is pricier and more ambitious. Did we mention that it’s $100 cheaper? 

You’ll likely make your decision here depending on the type of phone you have and what you’re looking to do with your watch. Honestly though, we are still waiting for the smartwatch that’s a ‘must-have’ item. Neither of these devices inspire us.

AJ Dellinger
AJ Dellinger is a freelance reporter from Madison, Wisconsin with an affinity for all things tech. He has been published by…
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Galaxy Watch 6: Should you upgrade?
Three Galaxy Watch 7 smartwatches next to each other.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 might have been revealed in the shadow of the larger Galaxy Watch Ultra, but it's still a smartwatch you can't afford to ignore. It's packed with top specs, a gorgeous display, and all the fitness, health, and wellness tracking you could possibly need. The design is sleek and svelte, and while there's no Classic variant this year, the Watch 7 is still one of the best-looking smartwatches you can buy.

But a lot of those compliments also apply to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, last year's Samsung smartwatch of note. At first glance, there's not a huge amount to separate the two watches. The display and specs are similar, and even the features on offer are identical. Are there big differences, and should you upgrade? We found out.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Galaxy Watch 6: specs

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Ring vs. Oura Ring: Which smart ring is better for you?
A person wearing the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the Oura Ring.

Competition in the smart ring market is heating up, and Oura's long period of dominance is finally being challenged. Samsung, one of the world's biggest companies, has stepped up to the plate with the Samsung Galaxy Ring -- its own stab at wearable tech that slips onto a finger.

The Galaxy Ring is smaller and lighter than the Oura Ring, but does it have the features to compete? Does the Galaxy Ring's higher price mean it's not worth buying? Or does the Oura Ring's insistence on a subscription mean it's hard-pressed to hold up to Samsung's onslaught?

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Galaxy Watch 7: closer than you think
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Galaxy Watch 7.

The all-new Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is now available. Samsung's advanced smartwatch bears a striking resemblance to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and shares many features with the recently unveiled Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. But despite their similarities, these two Samsung wearables have a few differences. This article compares the Galaxy Watch Ultra with the Galaxy Watch 7 to help you make an informed decision about which one to purchase.
Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Galaxy Watch 7: specs

Galaxy Watch Ultra
Galaxy Watch 7

Read more