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Head-to-head · Best Smartwatches

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 vs Xiaomi Watch 5

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.2 vs 4.1). The gap is mostly about Outdoor adventurers seeking long battery life — read the strengths below before deciding.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Smartwatches
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
7 sources1 derived$699.99as of Aug 22

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 offers a significant upgrade in battery life and processing power, making it a compelling choice for users seeking a rugged, feature-rich smartwatch. Its 800 mAh battery delivers up to 50 hours of use with always-on display, while the Snapdragon Wear Elite processor enhances AI interactions like hands-free Gemini. However, its premium price point and some missing features like dive mode and trail map search at launch may deter some buyers. The watch is best suited for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals who value durability and long battery life over everyday convenience.

Strengths
  • — 50-hour battery life with always-on display enabled
  • — Fast Snapdragon Wear Elite processor improves AI features like hands-free Gemini
  • — Durable titanium design with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Watch-outs
  • — Expensive at $700 ($50 more than previous gen)
  • — Trail map search not functional at launch
  • — Dive mode unavailable at launch
$699.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Xiaomi Watch 5
Ranked #8 in Best Smartwatches
Xiaomi Watch 5
8 sources2 derived

The Xiaomi Watch 5 stands out as one of the best Wear OS smartwatches available, thanks to its integration of Wear OS 6 and a significant battery upgrade with silicon-carbon technology that delivers up to four days of usage. Reviewers praised its 1.54-inch AMOLED display and smart features like YouTube Music and remote camera control. However, some noted the lack of wireless charging and that the build quality, while solid, doesn't quite match premium offerings. This makes it ideal for users seeking long battery life and Android smartwatch functionality, though those prioritizing premium feel may want to consider alternatives.

Strengths
  • — Features Wear OS 6 integration which improves software experience
  • — Includes silicon-carbon battery technology delivering up to 4 days of battery life
  • — Has a 1.54-inch AMOLED display with 2.6 mm thickness
Watch-outs
  • — Charger is not wireless and uses a proprietary two-pin charging port
  • — The design is somewhat plain and lacks standout style.
Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 stands out with its 50-hour battery life and titanium design, but unlike the Apple Watch Series 11, it lacks 5G support and doesn't offer the same level of integration with iOS ecosystems. While the Garmin Venu 4 provides more advanced fitness metrics, the Ultra 2's Snapdragon Wear Elite processor gives it an edge in AI features like hands-free Gemini. However, its high price point and missing dive mode at launch make it less appealing compared to the OnePlus Watch 3, which offers five-day battery life at a more competitive price.

Xiaomi Watch 5

The Xiaomi Watch 5 offers four days of battery life and Wear OS 6 integration, which is more than the OnePlus Watch 3 and Apple Watch Series 11, but it lacks the advanced health tracking features of the Garmin Venu 4 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. While it provides smart features like YouTube Music and Spotify, it doesn't match the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2's durability or the Apple Watch SE 3's speaker capabilities. The Google Pixel Watch 4 offers more battery life but lacks the Android smartwatch functionality.

Specs side-by-side

SpecSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2Xiaomi Watch 5
Battery800 mAh930 mAh
Display TypeSuper AMOLEDAMOLED touchscreen
ConnectivityLTE; eSIM; Wi-Fi 4; BT 6.0; NFCBluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, NFC, dual-band L1+L5 GNSS
Water ResistanceIP68/IP69K; 100m/10ATM; 40m swimproof/diving5ATM rating (50m depth)
OSAndroid Wear OS 7, One UI Watch 9Wear OS 6
CompatibilityAndroid phones onlyAndroid 6.0+
MaterialTitanium caseSapphire crystal glass, stainless steel frame (316L)
Dimensions41.7mm x 45.7mm, 46mm x 49mm47 x 47 x 12.3 mm
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