Samsung Active vs Active 2 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 & Samsung Galaxy Watch Active share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 rather than the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active.

Why Do I Recommend The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2?

  • The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 has a digital touch bezel for faster and more intuitive menu navigation during workouts and daily use, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active has no bezel-based navigation.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 includes ECG hardware for on-demand heart rhythm monitoring and deeper cardiovascular insights, whereas the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active comes with standard optical heart rate tracking only.
  • It supports fall detection for automatically alerting emergency contacts during hard falls, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active supports no fall detection capability.
  • The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 comes with a built-in speaker for taking calls and hearing audible alerts directly from the wrist, whereas the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active comes with no speaker.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 features multiple case sizes for better wrist fit and improved battery options, compared to the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active features a single 40 mm case size.
  • It has Bluetooth 5.0 for more stable connections and improved power efficiency with paired devices, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active uses Bluetooth 4.2.
  • The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 includes gesture controls for hands-free interaction when scrolling notifications or dismissing alerts, whereas the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active includes no gesture-based controls.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 comes with higher RAM capacity for smoother multitasking and standalone performance, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active comes with lower RAM.

Maybe the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy Watch Active2Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
Gesture controlsYesNo
Bluetooth version5.04.2
RAM (LTE)1.5 GB768 MB
Touch bezelYesNo
Bezel navigationDigital bezel UINone
Display size (small)1.2 in1.1 in
Display size (large)1.4 inN/A
Battery (small)247 mAh230 mAh
Battery (large)340 mAhN/A
SpeakerYesNo
ECGYesNo
Fall detectionYesNo
Strap options at launchSport band, Leather bandSport band
Case sizes40mm, 44mm40mm
Case material optionsAluminum, Stainless steelAluminum
PriceCheck Samsung Active2 PriceCheck Samsung Active Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Operating system: Both smartwatches run on Samsung’s Tizen OS, providing a smooth interface optimized for round displays. This shared platform ensures consistent navigation, app behavior, and system stability across both models.
  • Display technology: Each model uses a Super AMOLED display, delivering deep blacks and vibrant colors. This matters for outdoor visibility and for preserving battery life when using dark watch faces.
  • Touchscreen: Both devices rely on full touchscreen input for navigation and interaction. This allows users to swipe, tap, and scroll through menus without relying on physical buttons.
  • Always-On Display support: Both watches support an always-on display mode that keeps essential information visible at all times. This is useful for quickly checking the time or stats without waking the screen fully.
  • Processor: The Exynos 9110 chipset powers both models, resulting in similar baseline performance. This ensures comparable responsiveness in menus, fitness tracking, and everyday smartwatch tasks.
  • Internal storage: Each watch includes 4 GB of internal storage for apps, watch faces, and music. This shared capacity allows offline music playback and app installation without a phone connection.
  • Optical heart rate sensor: Both watches include an optical heart rate sensor for continuous and on-demand heart monitoring. This feature is essential for fitness tracking, workouts, and general health awareness.
  • Accelerometer: The accelerometer is present in both models to track movement and activity intensity. It plays a key role in step counting, workout detection, and daily activity goals.
  • Gyroscope: Both watches include a gyroscope to detect orientation and rotational movement. This improves accuracy for fitness activities and gesture-based interactions.
  • Ambient light sensor: An ambient light sensor is used in both devices to adjust screen brightness automatically. This helps maintain readability while conserving battery life in different lighting conditions.
  • GPS: Built-in GPS is available on both models for route tracking during outdoor workouts. This allows accurate distance and pace tracking without needing to carry a phone.
  • NFC: Both watches include NFC hardware for contactless payments and supported services. This enables quick transactions directly from the wrist.
  • Samsung Pay: Samsung Pay is supported on both models using NFC. This allows users to make secure payments without a wallet or smartphone.
  • Water resistance: Both watches are rated at 5 ATM for water resistance. This makes them suitable for swimming and general water exposure during workouts or daily use.
  • Dust resistance: IP68 certification is shared by both models, providing protection against dust and dirt. This improves durability for everyday wear and outdoor activities.
  • Wireless charging: Both devices support Qi wireless charging. This allows convenient charging without plugging in cables directly to the watch.
  • Music playback (offline): Each watch supports offline music storage and playback. Users can listen to music with Bluetooth headphones without needing a phone nearby.
  • Smartphone notifications: Both models mirror notifications from a connected smartphone. This keeps users informed of calls, messages, and app alerts directly on the wrist.

Common Features

FeatureSamsung Galaxy Watch Active2Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
Operating systemTizen OSTizen OS
Display technologySuper AMOLEDSuper AMOLED
TouchscreenYesYes
Always-On Display supportYesYes
ProcessorExynos 9110Exynos 9110
Internal storage4 GB4 GB
Optical heart rate sensorYesYes
AccelerometerYesYes
GyroscopeYesYes
Ambient light sensorYesYes
GPSYesYes
NFCYesYes
Samsung PayYesYes
Water resistance5 ATM5 ATM
Dust resistanceIP68IP68
Wireless chargingQi wirelessQi wireless
Music playback (offline)YesYes
Smartphone notificationsYesYes
Price Check Samsung Active2 Price
Check Samsung Active Price

FAQ

Do both Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Active use the same operating system?
Yes, both models run on Samsung’s Tizen OS, which provides a similar interface, app ecosystem, and overall user experience across both watches.

Are the displays the same on both watches?
Both watches use Super AMOLED displays, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 has larger display options and slimmer bezels, making the screen appear more immersive compared to the original Active.

Can both watches track workouts and daily fitness activities?
Yes, both Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Active support automatic and manual workout tracking, step counting, calories burned, and general activity monitoring.

Do both models support heart rate monitoring?
Yes, both watches include optical heart rate sensors for continuous and on-demand heart rate tracking during workouts and daily use.

Does Samsung Galaxy Watch Active support ECG like Active2?
No, ECG functionality is exclusive to Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2, while Samsung Galaxy Watch Active does not have the necessary hardware to support ECG measurements.

Are both watches suitable for swimming?
Yes, both models have a 5 ATM water resistance rating, making them suitable for swimming and water-based activities.

Do both watches have built-in GPS?
Yes, both Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Active include built-in GPS, allowing outdoor activity tracking without needing a smartphone.

Can I make contactless payments with both watches?
Yes, both models support NFC-based Samsung Pay, enabling contactless payments directly from the watch.

Do both watches support wireless charging?
Yes, both devices support Qi wireless charging, allowing them to be charged using compatible wireless charging pads.

Is music storage available on both watches?
Yes, both watches offer internal storage that can be used to store music for offline playback with Bluetooth headphones.

Do both models support LTE connectivity?
Yes, LTE variants are available for both Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Active, allowing calls and data usage without a paired smartphone.

Are notifications handled the same way on both watches?
Yes, both watches can receive and display smartphone notifications such as calls, messages, and app alerts when paired with a compatible phone.

Which watch has better battery life?
Battery life varies by size and usage, but Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 generally has better endurance in larger size variants due to higher battery capacity compared to the single-size Galaxy Watch Active.

Is Samsung Galaxy Watch Active still a good choice today?
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is still a capable fitness-focused smartwatch for basic needs, but Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 is the better option for users who want more advanced health features, interaction options, and long-term usability.