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Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Garmin Vivoactive 4 – Which is Better?

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In this comparison chart, we compare the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Garmin Vivoactive 4 specs and features – Which is Better? These two are some of the very best smartwatches right now on the market, while the Active 2 that succeeds the Active comes in a stylish design with cellular connectivity and ECG tracking featured, the Vivoactive 4 succeeds the Vivoactive 3, and comes with onscreen animated workouts, better design, longer battery life with swimming wrist-based heart rate tracking, incidental fall detection and Pulse Ox. all present.

We compare the specs and features of these two, so you know the differences and which is right choice for you.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Garmin Vivoactive 4 Specifications Compared

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm)Garmin Venu
samsung galaxy watch active 2garmin venu specs

ABOUT DEVICE

Device nameSamsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm)
(Bluetooth)
Garmin Venu
Device typeClassic/Fitness smartwatchSport/Fitness smartwatch
PredessesorSamsung Galaxy Watch ActiveGarmin Vivoactive 3 Music
Successor--Garmin Venu 2
Released dateSeptember, 2019September, 2019
Ideal forUnisexUnisex

DISPLAY

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Full color
AMOLED
Display size1.4 inches (44mm)1.2 inch
Display resolution360 x 360 pixels390 x 390 pixels
Pixel density----
Input typeTouchscreen,
2 physical buttons
Digital rotating bezel
Touchscreen plus 2 physical button
Always-onYesYes
Customizable watch faceYesYes

BODY

ShapeCircularCircular
Dimension44 x 44 x 10.9mm (44mm)43.2 x 43.2 x 12.4 mm
Weight30 grams
(aluminum, without straps)
46.3 grams
Casing materialAluminumFiber-reinforced polymer with polymer rear cover
Strap/band materialFluoroelastomer
(Aluminum)
Silicone
Bezel MaterialAluminumStainless steel
Strap size20mm20mm
Interchangeable band Yes, 20mmYes, 20mm
Screen protectionCorning Gorilla glass DX+Corning Gorilla glass 3
Water resistant/ProtectionYes, IP68, 5ATM
MIL-STD-810G
Yes, 5ATM
Swim-proofYes, recommendedYes, recommended
Color(s)Cloud-silver
Aqua-black
Pink-gold
(aluminum)
Gold/black
Rose gold/tan
Silver/dark gray
Black/black

MEMORY

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

CONNECTIVITY

BluetoothBluetooth smart v5.0 LEBluetooth smart v4.2 LE, ANT+
Bluetooth callingYesNo
Wi-FiYesYes
NFCYesYes
Payment systemSamsung payGarmin pay
GPSGPS/Glonass/Beidou/GalileoGPS/GLONASS/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 oxygenNoYes
Blood pressureYesNo
Menstrual cycle trackingNoYes
Swim trackingYesYes
Under-water heart rate trackingNoYes
Preloaded mapsYesNo
On-screen workout modesNoYes
Triathlon modeYesYes
ECG TrackingYes, (Not Approved)No
Preloaded sport modesYesYes
Safety trackingYesYes

MEDIA

Audiomp3/mp4mp3/mp4
Music streamingYesYes
Bluetooth musicYesYes
RadioNoNo
LoudspeakerYesNo
MicrophoneYesNo
CameraNoNo

SENSORS

PLATFORM

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

BATTERY

Type of batteryNon-removable Li-ion batteryNon-removable Li-ion battery
Battery capacity 340mAh--
Battery lifeStandby :5 days+,
Mixed usage: 2 days+
Smartwatch mode: Up to 5 days

GPS mode with music: Up to 6 hours
Charging typeWPC based wireless chargingUSB charging cable
Charging timeAbout 1-2 hoursAbout 1-2 hours
Battery saver modeYesYes
Solar powerNoNo
Rapid charging_No

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 and iOS
Check if your device is compatible
Companion appSamsung Gear appGarmin connect IQ
Voice commandYesNo

BOX CONTENTS

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2Garmin Venu
Small and large strapsStraps
Wireless chargerUSB charging cable
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
Official Site

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Garmin Vivoactive 4 Features Compared

  • Design

  • Each of these two watches has got a remarkable design that leaves a decent appearance, but mere looking at the duo, it’s quite obvious the Active 2 has got a more sophisticated design than the Vivoactive 4. The 10.9mm Active 2 is slimmer than the 12.4mm Vivoactive 4 which makes it sleeker, it also has a bigger display which allows you see more at a glance compared to the 1.2 inch Vivoactive 4.

    Moreover, the Active 2 which is available in aluminum and stainless steel case material looks more stylish and classier than the Vivoactive 4 reinforced-fiber case, but the latter weighs slightly less than the Active 2 which makes it more comfortable wear all day long.

    Beyond that, the AMOLED powered display of the Active 2 offers a more intriguing and interactive display than the MIP transflective LCD display of Vivoactive 4. Although, it’s easier to read the display of the Vivoactive 4 outdoors than you would with the Active 2.

    Samsung reintroduced the rotating bezel after leaving it out with the Active, but this time a digital rotating bezel in addition to the touchscreen support and two buttons which no doubt makes the Active 2 very easy to navigate.

  • Media

  • The Active 2 features loudspeaker and microphone which isn’t present on the Vivoactive 4. This enables you play your media files anywhere with the loudspeaker which also adds more productivity to Bixby voice assistant, while the microphone enables voice command features and also supports the cellular connectivity features of the Active 2.

  • Cellular Connectivity

  • The Active 2 (stainless steel version) feature cellular functions that allow you make and receive calls directly from this watch which makes it a standalone smartwatch. This feature isn’t present on the Vivoactive 4. And that makes the Active 2 a more comprehensive smartwatch.

  • Fitness Tracking

  • Each of these two is fitness focused which is line with the respective manufactures intent, any of these watches will track your complete sleep cycle, heart rate, calories, steps, distance, stress management with preloaded sport modes, and in addition to the inbuilt GPS that enables outdoor activity tracking.

    The Active feature 39 preloaded sport modes and is able to auto-track 7, it also features ECG tracking – a feature that can help you detect irregular heart rhythms.

    However, the Vivoactive 4 is a quite more comprehensive activity tracker than the Active 2 as it features animated onscreen workout that coach you through your favorite moves (saves you money on subscription). In addition, for women, it allows you to log your menstrual cycle.

    Hydration tracking that tracks your water intake also features, as well as incidental fall detection that discreetly calls preset emergency contact when a fall has occurred (watch must be connected to the phone), respiration tracking that gauge how well you’re breathing. It also supports wrist-based heart rate tracking while swimming (a great choice for Pro swimmers) and features Pulse Ox. sensor that enables blood oxygen tracking which comes helpful in giving more detailed sleep tracking data and also beneficial for climbers.

  • Battery Life

While the Active should last an average of about 2 days or more with regular usage, the Vivoactive 4 has been tested to last 8 days on mixed usage which makes it a better choice if you’re into extreme workout activities.

So Which is Better?

No doubt, each of these two is an outstanding smartwatch going by design, fitness tracking features, other features and long battery life. However, the Active 2 being a standalone smartwatch and having a more remarkable design is a more comprehensive smartwatch that should increase productivity significantly.

On the other hand, the Vivoactive 4 with more fitness tracking features and a longer battery life is a better choice if you’re serious about taking your fitness goals to a whole new level. It has the features of a true comprehensive activity tracker that makes it an ideal choice for Pros, and from users experience, it’s a more accurate tracker than the Active 2.

Our Pick

I go with the Active 2 – it’s a more comprehensive smartwatch with a classier and sleeker design while also having a quite impressive battery life. It’s our preferred choice.

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