The Galaxy Active wasn’t a successor to the Galaxy Watch, but it came in a very compact design with some very nice features. 6 months later, Samsung released the Galaxy Watch Active 2 which was equipped with a handful of features that its predecessor lacked such as rotating bezel, wider display, more durable, and enhanced activity tracking. Active 2 has of recent been cleared in South Korea for ECG and blood pressure monitoring. Meanwhile, the Active 2 comes in two sizes, 44mm and 40mm, and both are available in LTE and Stainless steel material. In this post, I compare the Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch Active to identify the differences between these two smartwatches.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch Active – Specs Comparison

	Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm) (LTE)	Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
ABOUT DEVICE
Device name	Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm) (LTE)	Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
Device type	Classic/Fitness/Standalone smartwatch	Classic/Fitness smartwatch
Predecessor	Samsung Galaxy Watch Active	N/A
Successor	N/A	Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Date Released	September, 2019	March, 2018
Gender	Unisex	Women (Also a great choice for men)
WHERE TO BUY	BUY AT AMAZON	BUY AT AMAZON
DISPLAY
Display size	1.4 inches (44mm)	1.1 inch
Display type	Super AMOLED Full color	Super AMOLED Full color
Display resolution	360 x 360 pixels	360 x 360 pixels
Pixel density	--	463 ppi
Display always-on	Yes	Yes
Input type	Touchscreen, 2 physical buttons Digital rotating bezel	Touchscreen, 2 physical buttons
BODY
Shape	Circular	Circular
Casing material	Stainless steel	Stainless steel/glass reinforced with polycarbonate
Strap material	Leather	Silicone (leather straps also available)
Bezel Material	Glass	Ceramics
Weight	42 grams (Stainless steel, without straps)	23 grams (without straps)
Color(s)	Sliver, black, gold (stainless steel)	Black, silver, rose-gold and green
Dimension	44 x 44 x 10.9mm (44mm)	39.5 x 39.5 x 10.5 mm
Strap size	20mm	20mm
Screen protection	Corning Gorilla glass DX+	Corning Gorilla glass 4
Durability test	MIL-STD-810G
Waterproof rating	Yes, IP68, 5ATM MIL-STD-810G	Yes, IP68, 5ATM MIL-STD-810G
CLOCK FEATURES
Time/Date	Yes	Yes
Alarm	Yes	Yes
Stopwatch	Yes	Yes
MEMORY
RAM	1.5GB LTE	0.75GB
Internal storage	4GB	4GB
Memory card slot	No	No
MEDIA
Audio	mp3/mp4	mp3/mp4
Microphone	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	No
Camera	No	No
Music streaming	Yes	Yes
CONNECTIVITY
Bluetooth	Bluetooth smart v5.0 LE	Bluetooth smart v4.2 LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth calling	Yes	Yes
NOTIFICATIONS
Calls alert	Yes	Yes
SMS alert	Yes	Yes
Email alert	Yes	Yes
Reminder	Yes	Yes
CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY
Network Technology	GSM/HSPA/LTE	No
SIM	Yes, e-SIM	No
FITNESS TRACKING
Steps	Yes	Yes
Distance	Yes	Yes
Calories	Yes	Yes
Floors climbed	Yes	Yes
Sleep tracking	Yes	Yes
Heart rate monitoring	Yes	Yes
VO2 Max.	Yes	Yes
Stress	Yes	Yes
Swim tracking	Yes	Yes
Menstrual cycle tracking	No	No
Blood pressure	Yes	No
ECG Tracking	Yes	No
Blood oxygen	No	No
Preloaded sport modes	Yes	Yes
PLATFORM
Operating system	Tizen OS 4.0	Tizen OS 4.0
CPU	Dual core 1.15GHz	Dual core 1.15GHz
GPU	--	--
Chipset	Exynos 9110	Exynos 9110
SENSORS
GPS	GPS/Glonass/Beidou/Galileo	GPS/Glonass/Beidou/Galileo
Accelerometer	Yes	Yes
Gyroscope	Yes	Yes
Heart rate sensor	Yes	Yes
Barometer	Yes	Yes
Compass	No	No
Pulse Ox.	No	No
Altimeter	--	--
ECG	Yes	No
Thermometer	No	No
Ambient light	Yes	Yes
OTHER FUNCTIONS
Interchangeable straps	Yes, 20mm	Yes, 20mm
Custom watch face	Yes	Yes
Voice Assistant	Yes	Yes
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
Companion app	Samsung Gear app	Samsung Gear app
BATTERY
Battery type	Non-removable Li-ion battery	Non-removable Li-ion battery
Battery capacity	340mAh	230mAh
Est. battery life	Standby :5 days+, Mixed usage: 2 days+	Standby :5 days+, Mixed usage: 2 days+
Charging mode	WPC based wireless charging	WPC based wireless charging
Charging duration	About 1-2 hours	About 1-2 hours
BOX CONTENTS
	Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2	Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
	Small and large straps	Small and large straps
	Wireless charger	Wireless charger
	Quick start guide	Quick start guide

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch Active – Differences

From the specs above, Active 2 is clearly a better smartwatch. It has a slightly larger display that allows you to see more at a glance. Moreover, the new MyStle app allows you to easily customize the watch face to what you’re wearing. While not forgetting the digital rotating bezel which was omitted in the Galaxy Watch Active, but now present on the Active 2. Samsung however, updated the Active with the digital rotating bezel. You can watch it in the video below.

Furthermore, while the Active has a case made of aluminum, the Active 2 is available in stainless steel and aluminum with the later representing the non-LTE model and the former is the LTE model. However, the Active is a more compact device than Active 2 which results in it’s lower weight, but in all, each of these two is a very lightweight smartwatch.

Going by the fitness tracking features, both the Active and Active 2 are well equipped to track your active life comprehensively. However, while each of these two is able to track your steps, sleep, distance, floors climbed, routes, heart rate, and calories, the Active 2 is a more holistic fitness tracker than the Active. Active 2 has an enhanced heart rate tracker which contains 8-LED compared to 4-LED on the Active. And like mentioned earlier, the Active 2 has been cleared in South Korea for ECG tracking and blood pressure monitoring joining the likes of Apple Watch 5 which also has the ECG tracking feature. Moreover, Active 2 has a better 32G accelerometer compared to 16G of the Active, this can ensure more accurate tracking and responsiveness to workouts.

The Stainless steel model of the Active 2 has LTE support which makes it a standalone smartwatch that allows you to make and receive calls without needing your phone. This feature might not be so enticing, but for individuals who need it, its a great addition that can help stay connected without having to carry your phone along.

The battery life of these two is about average when compared to all other smartwatches on the market. The Active has been tested to go about 2 days or more with light usage, while Active 2 with its bigger battery life, but bigger display will last about the same time as the Samsung Active watch.

Conclusion

Clearly, Active 2 is a better smartwatch than the Active. It looks more beautiful no doubt, and with the addition of digital rotating bezel, its easier to navigate. Active 2 is also a better activity tracker than the Active with enhanced sensors and more fitness features, and the LTE model is a comprehensive smartwatch.

If you already own the Active, an upgrade isn’t all that necessary. However, if you intend to buy a new smartwatch from Samsung, the Active 2 is your best bet.