Samsung - Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) vs Garmin - vívoactive 5
Between the Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) and vívoactive 5, the Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) comes out ahead in peak brightness and display size, while the vívoactive 5 wins on battery life and weight. Overall, the Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) scores 43.8 and the vívoactive 5 scores 53.3 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The vívoactive 5 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 9.5 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. The biggest gaps in its favor are peak brightness, display size, ecg, among others.
Pick the vívoactive 5 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are battery life, weight.
Both ship with comparable spo2, water resistance, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the vívoactive 5 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Samsung - Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) wins
- ▲Peak brightness — 200.00% more. 3000 nits vs 1000 nits.
- ▲Display size — 9.17% more. 1.31 " vs 1.2 ".
- ▲Has ECG.
- ▲Has Cellular.
Why Garmin - vívoactive 5 wins
- ▲Battery life — 780.00% more. 264 h vs 30 h.
- ▲Weight — 2.80 g less. 26 vs 28.8.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) | Garmin - vívoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size | 40 mm | 42 mmlead |
| Weight | 28.8 g | 26 glead |
| Case material | aluminum | polymer |
| Water resistanceⓘ | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Display
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) | Garmin - vívoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 1.31 "lead | 1.2 " |
| Always-on display | true | true |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 3000 nitslead | 1000 nits |
Health & Fitness
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) | Garmin - vívoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| ECG | truelead | false |
| SpO2 | true | true |
| Temperature sensor | truelead | false |
| Sleep tracking | true | true |
| Blood pressure | truelead | false |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) | Garmin - vívoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 30 h | 264 hlead |
| GPS | true | true |
| Cellular | truelead | false |
| NFC | true | true |
| OS | WearOS | Garmin OSlead |
Frequently asked
Which has longer battery life, Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) or vívoactive 5?+
vívoactive 5 lasts 264h vs 30h.
Do Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) or vívoactive 5 support ECG?+
Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) supports ECG; vívoactive 5 does not.
Which has cellular, Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) or vívoactive 5?+
Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) offers a cellular variant; vívoactive 5 is Wi-Fi only.
Spec-level deep dives
More from the same brands
vsMars is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.