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The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the successor to the Galaxy Watch Active, and it comes with new features that make it a better smartwatch than its predecessor. It comes in two sizes and features ECG and blood pressure measurements as well as equipped with a speaker. Beyond this, both the Active 2 and Active spot the same design, appearance, and activity tracking features. In this post, we are comparing the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active vs Galaxy Watch Active 2 to determine the differences that differentiate these two.
Note that unlike the Active, the Active 2 comes in two sizes; 40mm and 44mm, and each of these sizes is available in Bluetooth and LTE models. The Active is only available in 40mm size and there’s no LTE version. In this comparison, we’re comparing the 40mm Active 2 against Galaxy Watch Active.
The LTE and Bluetooth models are the same in every aspect except that the LTE version comes with an eSIM that enables cellular connectivity. As a result, it can make and receive calls without your phone. The Bluetooth model can also make and receive calls but requires your phone to be nearby.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active vs Active 2 Specifications Compared
| Product Info |
 Samsung Galaxy Watch Active Full Specifications, Features and Price |
 Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (40mm) Bluetooth Full Specifications and Features |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.99 | $259.99 |
| ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE |
| Device name | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (40mm) |
| Device type | Fitness/Classic smartwatch | Fitness/Classic smartwatch |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Release date | March, 2019 | September, 2019 |
| Predecessor | — | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active |
| Successor | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 | Galaxy Watch 4 |
| Versions | — | Bluetooth only, LTE |
| BODY | BODY | BODY |
| Dimension | 39.5 x 39.5 x 10.5 mm | 40 x 40 x 10.9mm |
| Weight | 25 grams (excluding straps) | 26 grams (aluminum), 37 grams (stainless steel) |
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Case material | Aluminum | Aluminum, Stainless steel |
| Strap material | Leather, Silicone | Fluoroelastomer (Aluminum), Leather (stainless steel) |
| Bezel material | Bezeless | Bezeless, Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ |
| Strap size | 20 mm | 20 mm |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla glass DX+ |
| Water resistance | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
| Durability test | MIL-STD-810G | MIL-STD-810G |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Color | Black, Green, Rose-gold, Silver | Aqua-black, Black, Cloud-silver, Gold, Pink-gold, Silver |
| DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY |
| Display size | 1.1 inches | 1.2 inches |
| Display type | Super AMOLED, Full color | Super AMOLED, Full color |
| Display resolution | 360 x 360 pixel | 360 x 360 pixel |
| Pixel density | — | — |
| Always on | Yes | Yes |
| Custom watch face | Yes | Yes |
| Input type | 2 Physical buttons, Touchscreen | 2 Physical buttons, Digital rotating bezel, Touchscreen |
| CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY |
| Bluetooth | Yes, Bluetooth v4.2 LE | Bluetooth v5.0 |
| Bluetooth calling | No | Yes |
| GPS | Galileo, Yes, GPS/GLONASS/BEIDOU | Yes, GPS/GLONASS/BEIDOU |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY |
| RAM | 0.75GB | 0.75GB |
| ROM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Memory card slot | No | No |
| CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY |
| Technology | None | None |
| SIM type | None | None |
| Band | — | — |
| NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
| Email alert | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party apps alert | Yes | Yes |
| MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA |
| Audio | mp3/mp4 | mp3/mp4 |
| Bluetooth music | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient light | Yes | Yes |
| Barometer | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | — | — |
| ECG | No | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
| HRM | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse oximeter (SpO2) | No | No |
| Thermometer | No | No |
| Other sensors | — | — |
| ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING |
| Blood oxygen | No | No |
| Blood Pressure | Yes | Yes |
| Calories | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes |
| ECG tracking | No | Yes |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | Yes | Yes |
| Stress | Yes | Yes |
| Incidental fall detection | No | Yes |
| Menstrual cycle | No | Yes |
| VO2 Max | Yes | Yes |
| Swim-tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Underwater heart rate tracking | No | No |
| On-screen workout | No | No |
| Sport modes | 39 | 39 |
| BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY |
| Battery type | Non-removable Li-ion battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery |
| Battery capacity | 230mAh | 247mAh |
| Battery life | Regular: 2 days, Standby :5 days+ | Regular: 2 days, Standby :5 days+ |
| Charging type | WPC based wireless charging | WPC based wireless charging |
| Charging time | 1-2 hours | 1-2 hours |
| Solar charging | No | No |
| PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM |
| Chipset | Exynos 9110 | Exynos 9110 |
| CPU | Dual core 1.15GHz | Dual core 1.15GHz |
| GPU | — | — |
| Operating system | Tizen 5.5 | Tizen 5.5 |
| MISC | MISC | MISC |
| Companion app | Samsung Gear app, Samsung Health App | Samsung Gear app |
| 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+ |
| Payment system | Samsung Pay | Samsung Pay |
| Interchangeable strap | Yes | Yes |
| Voice command | Yes, Bixby | Yes, Bixby |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Box content | Charger, Manual, Samsung Galaxy Watch Active, Straps | Charger, Manual, Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (40mm), Straps |
| Price | $269.99 | $259.99 |
What’s The Difference?
The Galaxy Watch Active 2 just like its predecessor, has an aluminum frame paired with silicone straps. Although, the LTE version of the Active 2 has a stainless steel 316L frame paired with leather straps. It’s the same super AMOLED display on both smartwatches. In the fitness tracking section, both watches will track all the way you move like your steps, sleep, heart rate, and stress. You get 39 preloaded sports modes on both watches. Furthermore, there is a 4GB storage capacity on both watches that allows for onboard music storage, and each of these two also has the ability to reply to notifications.
The battery life of the Active and Active 2 is almost the same. I get about 2 days with the 44mm Active 2 which is very similar to what you get with the Active.
Now let’s talk about the differences between the Galaxy Watch Active and Active 2
- Active 2 is available in two sizes and versions
- Active 2 has a bigger display size
- Active is more compact and slimmer
- Galaxy Watch Active lacks a speaker
- Active 2 Features ECG and Blood pressure measurements
While there is only a 40mm unit of the Active, you have the option o choose between the 40mm and 44mm Active 2. You also get the option to choose between the Bluetooth and LTE versions.
The 40mm Active 2 has a 1.2 inches display size which is bigger than the 1.1 inches display of the Active. The 44mm has a 1.4 inches display size.
Although the Active 2 is one of the slimmest and most compact smartwatches, the Active is slightly more compact and slimmer. It also weighs a little less.
While the Active 2 has both a microphone and speaker, the Active has only a microphone. This means that while you can receive calls on the watch, you can’t make calls directly from the watch as it will go through your phone. Meanwhile, the Active 2 allows you to make and receive calls directly from the watch. This also means that you must connect a Bluetooth headphone to listen to music with the Active.
The Galaxy Watch Active 2 being a more comprehensive fitness tracker features ECG and blood pressure measurements which are not available in the Active.
Which is Better?
Although each of these two is a fantastic choice for tracking your active life, the Active 2 has a more sophisticated design with a wider display that let you see more at a glance, while being a more comprehensive fitness tracker with the presence of ECG and blood pressure measurements.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch Active is a cheaper alternative.