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Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 1 vs 2 – What’s New?

samsung galaxy watch active 1 vs 2
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Samsung Galaxy Watch Active vs Galaxy watch active 2 – Samsung apparently wasn’t done with Galaxy Watch Active that was released barely 6 months ago. It now has a successor in the Galaxy watch active 2 – An attractive and charming timepiece that fits for any occasion. Although, the many accolades already showered on the Galaxy watch Active 2 doesn’t go without mentioning the guys in the inner department.

The Galaxy watch active 2 has LTE capabilities unlike its predecessor. Other new features are, improved fitness tracking, more apps like Youtube and other apps for access to social engagement, more customization and has ECG sensor that can help you detect atrial fibrillation. Head-to-head, we’re comparing the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 1 vs 2 specs and features so you know the differences.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active vs Galaxy watch active 2 Specifications Compared

Samsung Galaxy Watch ActiveSamsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm)
samsung galaxy watch active comparisonsamsung galaxy watch active 2

ABOUT DEVICE

Device nameSamsung Galaxy Watch ActiveSamsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm)
(Bluetooth)
Device typeClassic/Fitness smartwatchClassic/Fitness smartwatch
Predessesor__Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
SuccessorSamsung Galaxy Watch Active 2--
Released dateMarch, 2019September, 2019
Ideal forWomen (Also a great choice for men)Unisex

DISPLAY

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Full color
Super AMOLED
Full color
Display size1.1 inch1.4 inches (44mm)
Display resolution360 x 360 pixels360 x 360 pixels
Pixel density463 ppi--
Input typeTouchscreen,
2 physical buttons
Touchscreen,
2 physical buttons
Digital rotating bezel
Always-onYesYes
Customizable watch faceYesYes

BODY

ShapeCircularCircular
Dimension39.5 x 39.5 x 10.5 mm44 x 44 x 10.9mm (44mm)
Weight23 grams (without straps)30 grams
(aluminum, without straps)
Casing materialStainless steel/glass reinforced with polycarbonateAluminum
Strap/band materialSilicone (leather straps also available)Fluoroelastomer
(Aluminum)
Bezel MaterialCeramicsAluminum
Strap size20mm20mm
Interchangeable band Yes, 20mmYes, 20mm
Screen protectionCorning Gorilla glass 4Corning Gorilla glass DX+
Water resistant/ProtectionYes, IP68, 5ATM
MIL-STD-810G
Yes, IP68, 5ATM
MIL-STD-810G
Swim-proofYes, recommendedYes, recommended
Color(s)Black, silver, rose-gold and greenCloud-silver
Aqua-black
Pink-gold
(aluminum)

MEMORY

RAM0.75GB0.75GB Non-LTE
Internal storage4GB4GB
Memory card slotNoNo

CONNECTIVITY

BluetoothBluetooth smart v4.2 LEBluetooth smart v5.0 LE
Bluetooth callingYesYes
Wi-FiYesYes
NFCYesYes
Payment systemSamsung paySamsung pay
GPSGPS/Glonass/Beidou/GalileoGPS/Glonass/Beidou/Galileo

CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY

TechnologyNoNo
SIMNoNo
BandNoNo

NOTIFICATIONS

Email alertYesYes
SMS alertYesYes
Calls alertYesYes
Event reminderYesYes
WeatherYesYes
Third-party appsYesYes
Text responseYesYes

FITNESS TRACKING

Sleep apneaNoNo
Sleep trackingYesYes
StepsYesYes
Floors climbedYesYes
Heart rate monitoringYesYes
CaloriesYesYes
DistanceYesYes
StressYesYes
VO2 Max.YesYes
Blood oxygenNoNo
Blood pressureNoYes
Menstrual cycle trackingNoNo
Swim trackingYesYes
Under-water heart rate trackingNoNo
Preloaded mapsNoYes
On-screen workout modesNoNo
Triathlon modeYesYes
ECG TrackingNoYes, (Not Approved)
Preloaded sport modesYesYes
Safety trackingNoYes

MEDIA

Audiomp3/mp4mp3/mp4
Music streamingYesYes
Bluetooth musicYesYes
RadioNoNo
LoudspeakerYesYes
MicrophoneYesYes
CameraNoNo

SENSORS

PLATFORM

Operating system (OS)Tizen OS 4.0Tizen OS 4.0
ChipsetExynos 9110Exynos 9110
CPUDual core 1.15GHzDual core 1.15GHz
GPU----

BATTERY

Type of batteryNon-removable Li-ion batteryNon-removable Li-ion battery
Battery capacity 230mAh340mAh
Battery lifeStandby :5 days+,
Mixed usage: 2 days+
Standby :5 days+,
Mixed usage: 2 days+
Charging typeWPC based wireless chargingWPC based wireless charging
Charging timeAbout 1-2 hoursAbout 1-2 hours
Battery saver modeYesYes
Solar powerNoNo
Rapid charging__

CLOCK FEATURES

Time/DateYesYes
StopwatchYesYes
AlarmYesYes

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Control cameraYesYes
Music controlYesYes
Find phoneYesYes

MISC

Compatibility Android 5.0+ & RAM 1.5GB+
iPhone 5+ and iOS 9.0+
Android 5.0+ & RAM 1.5GB+
iPhone 5+ and iOS 9.0+
Companion appSamsung Gear appSamsung Gear app
Voice commandYesYes

BOX CONTENTS

Samsung Galaxy Watch ActiveSamsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Small and large strapsSmall and large straps
Wireless chargerWireless charger
Quick start guideQuick start guide
NOTE: We can't guarantee that all the information on this table are 100% correct. Read full disclaimer. Please, report an error.
Official Site

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 1 vs Galaxy Watch Active 2 – What’s the Difference?

The main difference between the Galaxy Watch Active 2 and its predecessor comes with the presence of LTE, digital bezel, ECG tracking – all now available on the Active 2 which is lacking on the Active.

  • Design
  • The appearance of the Galaxy watch active 2 is much similar to its predecessor. Except that the Active is slightly smaller than the 40mm version of the Active 2, its slightly slimmer, and weighs a bit less than its successor. Although, the difference in sizes between the 40mm Active 2 and its predecessor is quite insignificant.

    The 44mm version of the Active 2 with 1.4 inches display will allow you to see more at a glance than you would on the Active.

    However, one of the main features introduced on the new Active 2 is the reintroduction of the much loved rotating bezel found on some Samsung smartwatches. But this time instead of the physical bezel, it’s a digital touch-sensitive bezel that makes navigation quite a bliss on the new sets of Galaxy Watch Active 2.

    Also, customizing and defining your style is now easier as you can now customize your Galaxy Watch Active 2 watch face to your outfit with the My Style1 color extraction algorithm which is available in the Galaxy Wearable app. You simply take a photo of your outfit, choose from five different color patterns, and your watch face changes in seconds. This feature is however only available on Samsung and Android devices.

  • Media
  • The Galaxy Watch Active 2 comes with new social media features that include the introduction of apps like social media viewers that allow you like a post, share, and engage. There’s also Youtube which allows you watch video clips right on the Active 2.

  • Fitness Tracking
  • While the Galaxy Watch Active is actually a comprehensive fitness tracker with 39 sport modes preloaded, the new Galaxy Watch Active 2 is however more equipped than its predecessor to track your active life.

    It has almost the same sensors as the Active, except that the Heart rate sensor is now more advanced and smarter to give rapid and more accurate readings. Out of the 39 preloaded sport modes on the Active 2, it can auto-detect and track 7 of these activities, unlike its predecessor which can auto-track less than that.

    ECG sensor has also been incorporated on the Active 2 – it’s the first in the rich collection of Samsung smartwatches to have this feature. Perhaps a more worthy competitor against the Apple Watch 4 which also has ECG tracking. With ECG you can detect atrial fibrillation – a form of irregular heart rhythm which can be fatal if left undetected and treated.

    The Active 2 has 7 running programs that allow you to track your running pace in real-time – A nice deal for pro runners.

  • Cellular Connectivity
  • The Galaxy Watch Active 2 now has cellular connectivity unlike its predecessor. So, with the Active 2 you can now make and receive calls on the go allowing you to stay connected to all that matters to you with internet connection.

    LTE editions are only available in stainless steel version (44mm and 40mm), and Samsung had stated it’ll be available at AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon starting September 27, 2019.

  • Battery Life
  • Battery life hasn’t changed that much. Although you should expect the LTE edition of the Active 2 to have a shorter battery life than the non-LTE edition. Otherwise, the slight difference in battery capacity doesn’t warrant significant difference in the battery life of these two. Both the Galaxy active 1 and 2 will last just about 2-4 days on regular usage.

Which is Better?

The Galaxy watch active 2 has more features than its predecessor. The stainless steel model of both the 44mm and 40mm versions come with LTE capabilities which makes these two standalone smartwatches and off course more comprehensive.

The aluminum model of both the 44mm and 40mm comes with ECG and overall improved fitness tracking features as well as more access to social media which also makes these two better choices than the Galaxy watch active.

Although, the new Galaxy watch active 2 is quite more expensive than its predecessor. So, if you’re low on budget, the Galaxy watch active is still a fantastic choice, in fact one of the best currently on the market especially now that its been updated with most of the features found in the Active 2

Our Pick

The new Samsung galaxy watch active 2 comes with improved fitness tracking features including ECG tracking that can help you detect atrial fibrillation, gives you more access to social media, LTE capabilities that let stay connected anywhere (stainless steel edition) and is easier now to access with the reintroduction of digital rotating bezel even while being a very attractive and stylish device. The Galaxy watch active 2 is our preferred choice.