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As wearable technology advances, fitness enthusiasts and swimmers are keen to find the best smartwatch to support their water-based activities. The Galaxy Watch 2026 and the Apple Watch are two leading contenders, each offering unique features tailored for water fitness. This article compares their swimming capabilities and water fitness features to help you decide which smartwatch suits your needs best.
Design and Water Resistance
The Galaxy Watch 2026 features a durable, water-resistant design with an IP68 rating and a 5 ATM water resistance standard, making it suitable for swimming up to 50 meters deep. Its robust build ensures it withstands prolonged exposure to water, whether in the pool or open water.
The Apple Watch Series 9 offers a water resistance rating of 50 meters under ISO standard 22810:2010. Its sleek design combines style with water durability, making it a popular choice for swimmers and water sports enthusiasts.
Swimming Tracking Features
The Galaxy Watch 2026 provides advanced swimming metrics, including lap count, stroke recognition, distance, calories burned, and SWOLF score, which measures swimming efficiency. It supports automatic detection of swim styles like freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
The Apple Watch Series 9 offers comprehensive swim tracking features, including automatic stroke detection, lap counting, distance, calories, and pace. It also supports multiple swim styles and provides detailed workout summaries in the Fitness app.
Water Fitness and Additional Features
The Galaxy Watch 2026 integrates water-specific fitness programs, with guided workouts and real-time feedback. Its water lock feature disables touchscreen inputs during swimming to prevent accidental touches and automatically unlocks once the water activity ends.
The Apple Watch Series 9 includes water-based fitness options through the Fitness+ platform, offering guided swimming workouts and training plans. Its water lock feature also ensures screen protection during water activities, with an easy-to-use eject water feature afterward.
Battery Life and Usability in Water
The Galaxy Watch 2026 boasts a longer battery life, enabling extended swimming sessions without frequent recharging. Its water lock mode is intuitive, with simple controls for activating and deactivating during water activities.
The Apple Watch Series 9 offers reliable water mode controls, though its battery life may require more frequent charging during intensive water workouts. Its water lock feature is activated easily via the control center, ensuring seamless use in water.
Conclusion: Which Is Better for Water Fitness?
Both the Galaxy Watch 2026 and the Apple Watch Series 9 deliver impressive water fitness features, making them excellent choices for swimmers. The Galaxy Watch 2026 stands out with its longer battery life and detailed swimming metrics, ideal for serious water athletes. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch offers a sleek design, seamless integration with iOS devices, and comprehensive swim tracking through its Fitness+ platform.
Ultimately, the best smartwatch for swimming depends on your device ecosystem and specific water fitness needs. Both watches provide robust water resistance, accurate tracking, and water-specific features to support your aquatic workouts.