Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs Apple Watch Series 12: Price, features and everything compared
Follow UsSamsung Galaxy Watch 9 starts at Rs 37,999, while Apple Watch Series 12 starts at Rs 56,900.
Samsung offers blood pressure monitoring and body composition analysis, while Apple focuses on heart health, sleep and recovery features.
Galaxy Watch 9 supports compatible Android phones, while Apple Watch Series 12 requires an iPhone.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Apple Watch Series 12 are among the premium smartwatches that are available in the global markets. Both of them offer advanced health monitoring, sleep analysis, workout tracking and smart features, but their differences become more apparent when you look at their prices, smartphone compatibility and features available in India.
SurveySamsung’s Galaxy Watch 9 starts at Rs 37,999, while the Apple Watch Series 12 starts at Rs 56,900. That is a difference of nearly Rs 19,000 at the entry level. Apple also offers premium titanium and ceramic versions for buyers willing to spend considerably more. So, which one should you buy? Here is how the two smartwatches compare for buyers in India.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs Apple Watch Series 12: Price in India
Starting off with one of the most important aspects- price in India. Samsung has four primary configurations, while Apple’s pricing varies by case size, connectivity and material.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9
40mm Bluetooth: Rs 37,999
40mm LTE: Rs 41,999
44mm Bluetooth: Rs 40,999
44mm LTE: Rs 44,999
Apple Watch Series 12
42mm aluminium GPS: Rs 56,900
42mm aluminium GPS + Cellular: Rs 68,900
46mm aluminium GPS: Rs 62,900
46mm aluminium GPS + Cellular: Rs 74,900
Titanium models: Starting at Rs 99,900
Ceramic models: Starting at Rs 1,24,900
The price difference is substantial- buyers who choose Samsung’s entry-level model can save almost Rs 19,000 compared with the basic Apple Watch Series 12. The gap widens when you compare Samsung’s LTE model with Apple’s cellular version.
However, you may find bank offers, exchange bonuses, retailer discounts or price drops once you do research. But relying only on launch pricing is not reliable, because the prices often fluctuate.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs Apple Watch Series 12: Design and display
After price, the most obvious difference is the display shape. Samsung uses a circular screen, while Apple retains its rectangular design with rounded corners. The Galaxy Watch 9 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes. The Apple Watch Series 12 offers 42mm and 46mm options, giving buyers a slightly different fit and display area to consider.
Samsung uses an aluminium case with sapphire crystal protection across its listed configurations. Apple’s aluminium models use Ceramic Shield 2, while its titanium and ceramic versions feature sapphire crystal (and are priced higher).
Coming to display, Samsung offers a Super AMOLED panel that offers up to 3,000 nits, while Apple’s LTPO OLED display reaches 2,000 nits. Apple, meanwhile, supports a refresh rate as low as 1Hz, helping its always-on display manage power consumption. Its Digital Crown also provides a physical scrolling control with haptic feedback.
Samsung uses a touch-sensitive bezel around the display to navigate menus and lists. Both approaches work, but the preference largely comes down to whether you favour a physical control or touch-based navigation.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs Apple Watch Series 12: Performance, storage and software
The Galaxy Watch 9 runs Wear OS 7 with Samsung’s One UI 9 Watch interface, while the Apple Watch Series 12 runs watchOS 27. Samsung’s listed hardware includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite processor and 32GB of storage. Apple uses its S11 chip with a 64-bit dual-core processor, a four-core Neural Engine and 64GB of storage.
The additional storage on Apple’s watch offers more room for compatible apps, downloaded media and offline content. Samsung’s 32GB should still be sufficient for typical smartwatch use, including installing apps and storing music.
Their software ecosystems are more important than these numbers alone suggest. Samsung benefits from Wear OS and Google’s services, including Google Maps and supported wallet features. Apple offers tighter integration with the iPhone, Apple Health and its wider ecosystem.
Both platforms also use AI to make interactions and health insights more useful. However, the availability of individual AI features can depend on the paired phone, software version, language and region.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs Apple Watch Series 12 Health tracking:
Health monitoring is a major reason to consider either smartwatch, but the two take different approaches.
The Galaxy Watch 9 combines heart-rate monitoring, ECG, blood oxygen measurements, sleep tracking and activity data with Samsung’s BioActive sensor system. It also offers two features that stand out in this comparison: blood pressure monitoring and body composition analysis.
Samsung’s Body Composition Analysis uses bioelectrical impedance analysis, or BIA, to estimate metrics such as skeletal muscle, body fat and body water. These estimates can help users follow trends, although results can vary with hydration and other factors.
The Apple Watch Series 12 focuses on heart health, sleep and recovery. Its updated sensing system collects heart rate and heart-rate variability data more frequently, supporting Apple’s Readiness experience and the Vitals app.
Both watches offer ECG and sleep apnoea notifications, subject to feature availability and the manufacturer’s requirements. These tools can flag potential concerns, but they do not independently diagnose medical conditions.
One important consideration for Indian buyers is regional availability. A health feature advertised internationally may not necessarily be enabled in India. Check the manufacturer’s current India-specific feature list before buying, particularly for features involving medical monitoring or notifications.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs Apple Watch Series 12 battery life and charging
Battery life remains a practical consideration because neither watch is designed to go for weeks between charges. Samsung rates the Galaxy Watch 9 for up to 30 hours with its always-on display enabled. Apple rates the Series 12 for up to 24 hours under normal use and up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. Do note that the actual battery life will vary with workout tracking, GPS, cellular use, screen settings and notifications.
Apple has an advantage when it comes to fast charging. The company says the Series 12 can charge from zero to 80% in around 30 minutes, with a 15-minute charge providing up to 12 hours of use under its stated conditions.
Samsung takes longer to charge fully, but compatible Galaxy phones can offer Wireless PowerShare, allowing users to charge supported accessories from the phone. Compatibility and charging efficiency depend on the devices involved.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs Apple Watch Series 12 LTE connectivity
Both watches are available in cellular configurations, allowing users to make calls and access supported connected features without keeping their phone nearby.
In India, Jio and Airtel offer smartwatch connectivity options for supported devices and plans. However, activation requirements can vary by operator, watch model and account type. Check the carrier’s current terms before paying extra for LTE.
The Apple Watch Series 12 Cellular requires an iPhone for setup and does not support Android phones. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 9 works with compatible Android smartphones, but some health features may require a Samsung Galaxy phone and Samsung’s own health-monitoring software.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs Apple Watch Series 12 Fitness and safety features
Both watches support a broad selection of workout modes, GPS-based activity tracking and sleep monitoring. Their water resistance ratings also make them suitable for swimming under the manufacturers’ stated conditions.
The Apple Watch Series 12 adds a depth gauge rated to six metres and a water-temperature sensor, giving it extra functionality for snorkelling and shallow-water activities. These features do not make it a substitute for dedicated diving equipment.
For navigation, both platforms offer mapping tools, although the experience differs. Apple provides offline mapping features and Precision Finding for compatible devices, while Samsung benefits from Google Maps and Wear OS navigation tools.
Both watches also offer fall detection and other safety features. However, their usefulness depends on settings, connectivity, location and regional support.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs Apple Watch Series 12: Which should you buy?
The choice largely comes down to your smartphone and the features you value. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 costs less and offers body composition analysis, blood pressure monitoring and Google’s Wear OS ecosystem. It is worth considering if you use an Android phone, particularly a Samsung Galaxy device, and want more flexibility in health tracking.
The Apple Watch Series 12 costs more but offers a larger storage capacity, faster charging, higher-frequency heart-health measurements and close integration with the iPhone. Its titanium and ceramic options also appeal to buyers who want a more premium finish.
