Reaching maturity, next model expected soon
Best for: Android users — especially those in the Samsung ecosystem — who want a premium smartwatch with comprehensive health tracking, Wear OS flexibility, and strong software support. The Ultra suits outdoor-active users who need longer battery life.
Full details →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Trail runners, ultramarathon athletes, and multisport competitors who want full maps and long GPS battery without paying $900 for the Vertix. A strong alternative to Garmin Forerunner 965 for users who prioritise battery over display quality.
Full details →| Samsung Galaxy Watch | COROS Apex | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Smartwatch | Sports GPS |
| Platform | Android only | iOS & Android |
| Battery | 1.5 days | 45 days |
| Always-on display | ✅ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ✅ | ❌ |
| Health sensors | ecg, blood pressure, spo2, skin temp, hrv, body comp | hr, spo2, hrv, training load, skin temp |
| Released | Jul 25, 2025 | Sep 14, 2022 |
| Cycle length | 366 days | 1047 days |
| Cycle advice | neutral | bad |
| Deals advice | neutral | good |
| Next model | Galaxy Watch 9 (Expected summer 2026) | — |
ECG, blood pressure, body composition, SpO2, and advanced sleep coaching — all processed on-device with Galaxy AI.
Answer calls, control SmartThings, and use Galaxy AI features seamlessly across Galaxy phones and tablets.
Access Google Play, Google Maps, Google Wallet, and Samsung's polished One UI Watch 7 interface.
Enough for 3-day mountain stages without charging — a critical advantage for ultra-distance racing.
Breadcrumb + full TopoActive-style maps for turn-by-turn navigation on trails, mountains, and roads.
Lightweight yet scratch-resistant materials that hold up better than most competitor watches at this price.