If you are shopping for a mainstream smartwatch in 2026, there are really two names at the top of the list: the Apple Watch Series 12, launched in September, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9, launched in the summer. Both cost around $400, both track your health in detail, and both look great on the wrist.
But as TechRepublic put it, at this price ecosystem fit matters more than chasing a small spec advantage. Let’s look at what each watch does best.
The first thing to know: your phone decides
Before anything else, check which phone you use. The Apple Watch only works with an iPhone. Samsung clearly states that the Galaxy Watch 9 does not work with iOS. So if you have an iPhone, the Galaxy Watch is not an option, and if you use Android, the Apple Watch is not either.
If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, the Galaxy Watch 9 gets the most features, because some health tools need a Samsung phone and the Samsung Health Monitor app.
Specs at a glance
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 12 | Galaxy Watch 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Sizes | 42mm and 46mm | 40mm and 44mm |
| Weight (aluminium) | About 31.5g to 32.2g | 31.5g (40mm), 34g (44mm) |
| Chip | Apple S11 | Snapdragon Wear Elite |
| Battery | Up to 24 hours, up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode | 390mAh (40mm), 445mAh (44mm), up to 30 hours with always on display |
| Software | watchOS 27 | Wear OS 7 with One UI 9 Watch |
| GPS | Built in GNSS | Dual band GNSS |
| Storage and RAM | Not specified by Apple | 32GB storage, 2GB RAM |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone only | Android only |
| Starting price (US) | $399 | About $379.99 |
Design
The Series 12 keeps Apple’s familiar rounded square design and comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes, in aluminium or titanium. The aluminium models weigh only about 31.5g to 32.2g. It is slim and comfortable to wear all day and night.
The Galaxy Watch 9 sticks with a classic round watch face, which many people prefer for a more traditional look. The 40mm version is 8.6mm thick and weighs 31.5g, and it comes in Graphite and Cream colors. Reviewers often describe it as feeling sturdy and premium.
This one comes down to taste. Do you prefer a square screen that shows more text, or a round face that looks like a regular watch?
Health and fitness tracking
Both watches cover the basics extremely well: heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen, skin temperature, heart rate variability, sleep tracking, step counting and dozens of workout types.
Apple’s big upgrade this year is a redesigned Health Sensing System and new Readiness features, shared with the Apple Watch Ultra 4. It also keeps hypertension notifications, first introduced last year, which can warn you about signs of high blood pressure over time. Apple’s Activity rings and Fitness app also remain some of the most motivating tools for everyday fitness.
Samsung takes a slightly different approach. According to Digit, the Galaxy Watch 9 stands out with blood pressure monitoring and body composition analysis, which estimates things like body fat and muscle mass. It also has dual band GPS for more accurate running routes in cities, and a galvanic skin response sensor for stress tracking. Just remember that some of these features require a Samsung phone and, in the case of blood pressure, calibration with a regular cuff.
Winner: Galaxy Watch 9 for the number of health tools, Apple Watch for its polished fitness experience.
Battery life
Apple rates the Series 12 for up to 24 hours of normal use, so you will be charging it every day, usually overnight or in the morning. Apple’s fast charging helps you top it up quickly.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 9 has batteries of 390mAh in the 40mm model and 445mAh in the 44mm model. Several comparisons, including from Polish retailer Komputronik, note that the Galaxy Watch 9 lasts longer on a charge than the Apple Watch, especially if you turn off the always on display.
Winner: Galaxy Watch 9.
Smart features and apps
watchOS 27 remains the gold standard for smartwatch software. Notifications, Apple Pay, Siri, third party apps, Find My and iPhone integration all work smoothly. If you use an iPhone, nothing else comes close.
Wear OS 7 with One UI 9 Watch gives the Galaxy Watch 9 access to Google apps like Maps, Wallet and Gemini, plus Samsung’s own Health and SmartThings controls. The app library has improved a lot in the last few years and works especially well with Samsung phones.
Winner: Tie, each is the best for its own phone platform.
Price
The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399. The Galaxy Watch 9 starts at around $379.99 from Samsung, making it slightly cheaper. Both get frequent discounts, and Samsung often bundles its watches with phone deals.
Which should you buy?
Buy the Apple Watch Series 12 if you have an iPhone. It is the best smartwatch for iPhone users, with great health features, the best apps and the new hypertension alerts.
Buy the Galaxy Watch 9 if you have an Android phone, especially a Samsung Galaxy. It offers more health metrics like body composition, longer battery life, dual band GPS and a classic round design.
If you are not tied to either phone yet, the deciding factors are battery life and design: Samsung lasts longer and looks more like a traditional watch, while Apple offers the smoother software experience.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Galaxy Watch 9 work with iPhone?
No. Samsung states that the Galaxy Watch 9 does not work with iOS.
Which smartwatch has better battery life?
The Galaxy Watch 9 generally lasts longer than the Apple Watch Series 12, which is rated for up to 24 hours.
Can the Apple Watch Series 12 measure blood pressure?
It supports hypertension notifications that look for signs of high blood pressure over time. It does not give you a cuff style reading. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 9 offers blood pressure monitoring after calibration with a cuff.
How much do they cost?
The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399 and the Galaxy Watch 9 starts at about $379.99.
