Galaxy Watch 7 or Apple Watch 10? For heart rate?
If heart rate tracking is your main priority, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the stronger choice for most iPhone users, thanks to its third-generation optical heart sensor and electrical heart sensor. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is also a capable fitness tracker and offers useful health-monitoring tools for Android users. Neither watch is perfect, and fit, movement, and workout type can affect readings.
Heart Rate Accuracy: Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch Series 10
Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Apple Watch Series 10 measure your heart rate throughout the day and during workouts. They use optical sensors that detect changes in blood flow at your wrist. The Apple Watch Series 10 also has an electrical heart sensor that can take a more detailed spot measurement and record an electrocardiogram (ECG).
In a real-world comparison published by Tom’s Guide in April 2025, the two watches produced similar heart rate results during a walking workout. The Apple Watch recorded an average of 118 beats per minute (bpm), while the Galaxy Watch 7 recorded 122 bpm. Their maximum readings were also close, at 142 bpm and 144 bpm, respectively. This single test does not prove that one watch is always more accurate, but it shows that both can provide useful fitness data.
How the Heart Rate Sensors Compare
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Electrical heart sensor | ECG functionality | ECG functionality |
| Continuous heart rate tracking | Yes | Yes |
| High and low heart rate alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Irregular rhythm notifications | Availability depends on supported features and region | Yes, subject to eligibility and regional availability |
| Smartphone compatibility | Android; some features require a Samsung Galaxy phone | iPhone only |
| Best fit for | Android users who want health and fitness tracking | iPhone users who want heart rate tracking and integrated health features |
| Available |  | |
The Apple Watch Series 10 has a third-generation optical heart sensor, along with electrodes built into the watch. The Galaxy Watch 7 uses Samsung’s BioActive Sensor, which supports heart rate monitoring and other health measurements.
Neither sensor guarantees an exact reading every time. A watch that fits poorly, a workout with rapid arm movements, sweat, or changes in skin contact can affect the results.
Which Watch Is Better During Exercise?
Your choice may depend on the type of exercise you do. A watch can perform well during a steady walk but produce less consistent readings during intervals, weightlifting, or activities with frequent wrist movements.
For Walking and Everyday Activity
Both watches are good options for checking your resting heart rate, following daily trends, and recording walking workouts. The Tom’s Guide comparison found that their average and maximum heart rate readings were close during a walk.
For example, if you take a 30-minute walk every morning, either watch can help you see how your heart rate changes with your pace. Looking at trends over several weeks is usually more useful than judging the device by one reading.
For Running and High-Intensity Workouts
The Apple Watch Series 10 is a strong option for runners who already use an iPhone. Its optical sensor and workout tools make it useful for tracking heart rate during training.
The Galaxy Watch 7 is also suitable for running and general fitness. However, neither watch should be assumed to match a chest strap perfectly during every sprint or rapid change in intensity.
If precise workout heart rate is essential to your training, compare your watch against a compatible chest-strap monitor during the activities you do most often.
For Resting Heart Rate and Overnight Trends
Both watches can collect heart rate data outside workouts. This can help you notice changes in your usual patterns over time.
For example, if your resting heart rate is consistently different from your normal range, you may want to consider recent exercise, sleep, stress, hydration, or illness. A single unusual reading does not establish the cause, and a smartwatch cannot diagnose a medical condition.
Apple Watch Series 10 Has an Advantage for ECG Readings
Heart rate tracking and ECG recording are related but different functions. Optical monitoring estimates how fast your heart beats, while an ECG records electrical signals from the heart.
The Apple Watch Series 10 includes an ECG app that can record a single-lead ECG. This can provide additional information about heart rhythm, although it is not a replacement for a medical-grade ECG or a doctor’s assessment.
The Galaxy Watch 7 also supports ECG recording through Samsung Health Monitor in supported markets and with compatible Samsung phones. Feature availability and eligibility requirements can vary.
If you want to take occasional ECG readings, check that the feature is supported with your phone and in your region before buying either watch. An ECG feature does not mean the watch can detect every heart problem.
Which Watch Should You Buy for Heart Rate Tracking?
The best choice depends on your phone, your workout routine, and which health features you plan to use.
- Choose the Apple Watch Series 10 if you use an iPhone and want heart rate tracking, ECG recordings, and integration with Apple’s Health app.
- Choose the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 if you use an Android phone and want daily heart rate monitoring, workout tracking, and Samsung’s broader health-tracking features.
- Consider a chest strap if you need more consistent heart rate measurements for structured training, especially during intervals or rapid changes in intensity.
One important limitation: the Apple Watch Series 10 does not work with Android phones, and the Galaxy Watch 7’s full feature set is not available on every Android phone. Your existing smartphone should be the first factor in your decision.
How to Get More Reliable Heart Rate Readings
Whichever watch you choose, wearing it correctly can improve the quality of your readings.
- Wear the watch snugly, without making the band uncomfortably tight.
- Position it slightly above your wrist bone during workouts.
- Keep the sensor area clean and in contact with your skin.
- Allow the watch to settle before starting a workout.
- Keep the watch software updated.
- Compare readings over several sessions instead of relying on one unusual result.
If a reading seems unexpected, repeat the measurement while resting and check how you feel. Do not rely on a smartwatch reading alone if you have symptoms such as chest pain, fainting, or severe shortness of breath; seek appropriate medical care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Apple Watch Series 10 for heart rate tracking. Learn how their accuracy, ECG features, and workout monitoring compare to help you choose the right smartwatch for your needs.
Is the Galaxy Watch 7 or Apple Watch Series 10 more accurate for heart rate?
Both can provide useful heart rate readings, and one walking comparison found only a small difference between their average readings. That result does not establish a universal winner because accuracy varies with activity, fit, and individual users.
Can the Galaxy Watch 7 and Apple Watch Series 10 detect heart problems?
Both offer health-monitoring features, including ECG functionality in supported circumstances, but neither watch can diagnose every heart condition. Treat alerts or unusual readings as a reason to seek appropriate medical advice, not as a definitive diagnosis.
Which watch is better for heart rate tracking during workouts?
The Apple Watch Series 10 is a strong choice for iPhone users, while the Galaxy Watch 7 is a practical option for Android users. For workouts involving rapid changes in intensity, compare the watch’s readings with a compatible chest strap if measurement consistency is especially important.
Conclusion
For most iPhone owners, the Apple Watch Series 10 is my pick because it combines capable heart rate tracking with an electrical heart sensor and Apple’s health features. Android users should choose the Galaxy Watch 7 rather than switching phone ecosystems just for heart rate monitoring. My practical tip: prioritize a secure fit and compare readings during your usual workouts before deciding which watch works better for you.
