Is The Galaxy Watch 5 Really Worth The Upgrade From The Active 2

If you're still relying on your Galaxy Watch Active 2, released in 2020, you might be wondering whether it's time to make the leap to the Galaxy Watch 5. After all, Samsung has made significant strides in smartwatch technology over the past few years. The Galaxy Watch 5 launched with promises of better sensors, improved durability, longer battery efficiency, and more accurate health tracking. But does it deliver enough meaningful improvements to justify the cost for someone already invested in the Active 2?

The answer depends on what you value most: raw functionality, fitness tracking precision, or long-term device longevity. For some users, the Active 2 remains a capable daily companion. For others—especially those focused on health metrics or modern wearables integration—the Watch 5 offers compelling upgrades that may well be worth the investment.

Key Hardware Upgrades: From Aluminum to Titanium

The most immediate difference between the Galaxy Watch Active 2 and the Watch 5 lies in build quality and materials. The Active 2 uses an aluminum case and glass front, which is lightweight but prone to scratches over time. In contrast, the Watch 5 comes in both aluminum and titanium variants (depending on model), featuring Gorilla Glass DX+ and IP68 water resistance matched with military-grade durability standards.

Beyond aesthetics, the structural changes matter. The Watch 5 introduces a sapphire crystal lens option on higher-end models, significantly improving scratch resistance. More importantly, it uses Samsung’s BioActive Sensor—a single unified sensor that combines three technologies (ECG, heart rate, and bioelectrical impedance analysis) into one component. This allows for more consistent readings compared to the older multi-sensor setup on the Active 2.

Tip: If you frequently engage in outdoor workouts or live in humid climates, the Watch 5’s enhanced durability and improved moisture resistance offer tangible long-term benefits.

Health & Fitness Tracking: A Major Step Forward

Samsung has heavily emphasized health monitoring in recent Wear OS iterations. The Galaxy Watch 5 supports advanced metrics such as body composition measurement (via BIA), skin temperature sensing, sleep staging with snore detection, and continuous blood oxygen monitoring—all features absent or underdeveloped in the Active 2.

• Body Composition: Measures skeletal muscle, body fat, and water percentage using electrical impedance through the wrist. While not medical-grade, it provides trend data useful for fitness enthusiasts.
• Skin Temperature Monitoring: Tracks subtle changes overnight, potentially signaling illness onset or hormonal shifts.
• Improved Sleep Analysis: Uses motion, heart rate variability, and now snoring detection via phone microphone integration to deliver deeper insights than the Active 2’s basic sleep tracker.

“Wearables are evolving from step counters to proactive health tools. The Galaxy Watch 5 represents a shift toward preventive wellness.” — Dr. Lena Patel, Digital Health Researcher at Stanford Medicine

For users managing weight, training for endurance events, or monitoring chronic conditions like hypertension, these features add measurable value. However, casual users who only track steps and heart rate may find them excessive.

Performance and Software Experience

Under the hood, the transition from the Active 2 to the Watch 5 marks a generational leap. The Active 2 runs on Samsung’s proprietary Tizen OS with limited app support and slower processing (Exynos 9110). The Watch 5, however, operates on Wear OS powered by Samsung, offering access to Google services like Maps, Wallet, and Assistant, along with faster response times thanks to the Exynos W920 dual-core processor.

This means smoother animations, quicker app launches, and better compatibility with non-Samsung phones. Notifications feel more reliable, third-party apps like Strava and Spotify perform better, and voice commands via Google Assistant are far more functional than Bixby ever was on the Active 2.

Feature	Galaxy Watch Active 2	Galaxy Watch 5
Operating System	Tizen OS	Wear OS with Samsung Integration
Processor	Exynos 9110	Exynos W920
RAM / Storage	768MB / 4GB	1.5GB / 16GB
Battery Life (Advertised)	Up to 7 days	Up to 3–5 days (Bluetooth), up to 2 days (LTE)
Charging Speed	Standard wireless	Faster charging (0–47% in 30 mins)

Note: Despite hardware improvements, the Watch 5’s battery life is slightly shorter due to increased background sensor usage and a brighter display. Still, fast charging helps mitigate downtime.

Real-World Example: An Athlete’s Perspective

Consider Mark, a triathlete who used his Galaxy Watch Active 2 for three years primarily for GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring during runs. While generally satisfied, he noticed inconsistencies in recovery time estimates and lacked insight into hydration or muscle mass trends.

After upgrading to the Watch 5, he began using the body composition feature weekly. Over six weeks, he observed a steady increase in skeletal muscle mass correlated with strength training adjustments. He also appreciated the skin temperature baseline alerts, which flagged a potential overtraining phase before symptoms appeared.

Though the core functions—GPS, HR monitoring—remained similar, the depth of actionable data made the upgrade worthwhile for his performance goals.

When the Upgrade Makes Sense: A Practical Checklist

Before deciding, ask yourself the following. Check off each item that applies:

• ☐ I want more accurate sleep and stress tracking
• ☐ I use my watch for serious fitness training or coaching
• ☐ I rely on Google apps (Maps, Wallet, Assistant) on my wrist
• ☐ My current watch shows signs of wear (scratches, lag, degraded battery)
• ☐ I value newer materials (titanium, sapphire glass) for durability
• ☐ I’m interested in long-term health trend analysis beyond step counting

If four or more apply, the Galaxy Watch 5 likely offers meaningful returns. If fewer, sticking with the Active 2—or considering a refurbished Watch 4—is financially prudent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Galaxy Watch 5 sync seamlessly with older Samsung phones?

Yes. The Watch 5 works best with Samsung devices running Android 10 and One UI 4.1 or higher. Most Galaxy S9 and later models are compatible. Older devices may miss certain features like ECG or blood pressure monitoring due to regulatory requirements.

Does the Active 2 still receive software updates?

No. Samsung ended major OS updates for the Active 2 in 2022. It receives occasional security patches, but no new features or Wear OS migration. This limits future app compatibility and security resilience.

Is the price difference justified?

The Galaxy Watch 5 starts around $279, while the Active 2 can be found secondhand for under $100. The $180+ gap buys modern software, better sensors, and two additional years of guaranteed updates. For tech-forward users, yes—it’s justified. For minimalists, probably not.

Final Verdict: To Upgrade or Not?

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 was a standout in its era—lightweight, responsive, and packed with essential features. But technology moves quickly. By 2024 standards, it lacks the sensor sophistication, ecosystem integration, and update longevity expected of premium smartwatches.

The Galaxy Watch 5 isn’t just an incremental refresh; it’s part of a new generation built for holistic health awareness and seamless digital living. If you’re ready to leverage deeper biometrics, enjoy faster performance, and benefit from ongoing software support, then yes—the upgrade is absolutely worth it.

However, if your needs are basic—tracking steps, receiving calls, checking weather—and your Active 2 still performs reliably, there’s no urgent need to replace it. Consider waiting for the Watch 6 or Watch 7 unless specific new features align with your lifestyle.

🚀 Ready to take control of your health and connectivity? Evaluate your current usage, test the Watch 5 in-store if possible, and make a decision based on real needs—not just shiny new features.