Apple Watch Series 12 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch9
Your phone decides: Apple Watch needs an iPhone, and the Galaxy Watch9 needs Android. Both are thin flagships, and neither lasts much more than a day.
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Quick answer
Get the Apple Watch Series 12 if you have an iPhone: it adds hypertension and sleep apnea notifications and 5G on cellular models. Get the Galaxy Watch9 if you use Android, especially a Samsung phone: it’s 8.6mm thin, runs Gemini, and the 40mm Bluetooth model is $379.99, $20 less than the Series 12.
Last updated Prices checked Nov 2026
Check Apple Watch Series 12 price (opens in a new tab)Check Samsung Galaxy Watch9 price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| Apple Watch Series 12 | Samsung Galaxy Watch9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $399 | $379.99 (40mm); about $410 (44mm); LTE +$50 |
| Phone | iPhone only | Android only |
| Sizes | 42mm, 46mm | 40mm, 44mm |
| Chip | Apple S-series | Snapdragon Wear Elite |
| Battery | 24h rated (38h Low Power) | 390mAh (40mm): a little over 24h in GSMArena’s test |
For other options, see best smartwatches.
Apple Watch Series 12 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch9: side-by-side
| Apple Watch Series 12 | Galaxy Watch9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $399 | $379.99 (40mm); about $410 (44mm); LTE +$50 |
| Phone | iPhone only | Android only |
| Sizes | 42mm, 46mm | 40mm, 44mm |
| Chip | Apple S-series | Snapdragon Wear Elite |
| Battery | 24h rated (38h Low Power) | 390mAh (40mm): a little over 24h in GSMArena’s test |
| Assistant | Siri | Gemini |
| Cellular | 5G on cellular models | LTE adds about $50 (GSMArena) |
How much do they cost?
Apple Watch Series 12 plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Starting configs | $399 (42mm) / $449 (46mm); cellular $499 / $549 | By size and connectivity |
Samsung Galaxy Watch9 plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 40mm Bluetooth | $379.99 | Samsung |
| 40mm LTE | $429.99 | Samsung |
| 44mm | About $410 (LTE about $460) | GSMArena |
What are the pros and cons?
Apple Watch Series 12: pros
- Hypertension and sleep apnea notifications
- Thinnest Apple Watch
- 5G cellular option
Apple Watch Series 12: cons
- Needs an iPhone
- Battery barely improved (Wareable)
Samsung Galaxy Watch9: pros
- 8.6mm thin
- Gemini built in
- Cheaper starting price
Samsung Galaxy Watch9: cons
- Needs Android
- About a day of battery (GSMArena)
Which should you choose: Apple Watch Series 12 or Samsung Galaxy Watch9?
This choice is made by your phone. Both are top smartwatches for their platforms with similar day-or-so battery life.
Choose Apple Watch Series 12 if…
- You have an iPhone
- You want Apple’s health notifications
Choose Samsung Galaxy Watch9 if…
- You have an Android phone
- You use Gemini or a Galaxy phone
Battery life
Apple rates the Series 12 at 24 hours, or 38 in Low Power Mode, and Wareable[4] got about 30–35 hours in typical use. GSMArena’s[5][6] 40mm Galaxy Watch9 lasted a little over 24 hours with a three-hour GPS hike, and less than a day with always-on display. If battery matters most, the Pixel Watch 5 (30–40 hours) or a Garmin lasts longer.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Galaxy Watch9 work with an iPhone?
Does the Apple Watch Series 12 work with Android?
Which is cheaper?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Nov 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Apple Store: Buy Apple Watch Series 12 (per-size prices) (apple.com)
- Apple Watch Series 12 (apple.com)
- Samsung Galaxy Watch9 (samsung.com)
- Wareable: Apple Watch Series 12 review (wareable.com)
- GSMArena: Galaxy Watch9 review (verdict) (gsmarena.com)
- GSMArena: Galaxy Watch9 battery life (gsmarena.com)
Related
Best Samsung Galaxy Watch to Buy in 2026
The Galaxy Watch9 (from $379.99) is the best Galaxy Watch for most Android users. Get the Watch8 Classic for a rotating bezel, the Ultra2 for the biggest battery and dive features, or a discounted Watch7 to save money.
best ofWhich Apple Watch Should You Buy in 2026?
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