Compared a 12-mile bike ride using the Apple Watch 10 against the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, and it's apparent which smartwatch emerged victorious.
Apple Watch Series 10 Edges Out Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 in Mixed Environment Bike Rides
In a head-to-head comparison, the Apple Watch Series 10 has shown slightly better accuracy for tracking bike rides in mixed urban and forested areas compared to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8.
During a 12-mile bike ride test, the Apple Watch Series 10 recorded a distance of 11.66 miles, which is marginally closer to Strava's 11.79 miles than the Galaxy Watch 8's 11.73 miles. This indicates better distance tracking accuracy for the Apple Watch.
Moreover, the elevation gain data showed the Apple Watch Series 10 at 735 feet, compared to 639 feet from the Galaxy Watch 8. This suggests more precise elevation measurement by the Apple Watch, as it was closer to the Strava value of 665 feet.
Heart rate tracking accuracy was very close, with a small edge to the Apple Watch Series 10. The Apple Watch showed a correlation value of .9923 compared to .99 for the Galaxy Watch 8, and also had less lag in detecting heart rate changes.
Despite the Galaxy Watch 8 featuring a multi-band GPS antenna, which theoretically should improve accuracy, previous tests showed Apple’s software and hardware optimizations let the Series 10 outperform the Galaxy Watch 8 in mixed environments on both step and biking tests.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, however, provided more accurate workout tracking data during this test, with a faster average moving speed of 12.3 mph compared to the Apple Watch Series 10's 11.3 mph. The Galaxy Watch 8 also recorded the fastest speed of 23.8 mph, while the Apple Watch Series 10 maxed out at 20.5 mph.
It's worth noting that the Apple Watch Series 10 is thinner, lighter, and has a larger display than its previous models. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, on the other hand, has a larger, heavier case and a cushion "squirle" design, which some users might find more comfortable for workouts such as cycling.
Both smartwatches are top-tier when it comes to fitness tracking, with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 showing more accuracy in this test. However, for accurate bike ride tracking in mixed environments, the Apple Watch Series 10 currently edges out the Galaxy Watch 8 in practical accuracy and responsiveness.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is available for $399 on Amazon, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic retails for $499 at Best Buy.
[1]: Source for heart rate tracking data [2]: Source for distance and elevation data [3]: Source for previous tests showing Apple’s software and hardware optimizations outperforming Samsung in mixed environments [4]: Source for design and comfort comparison
- In a world where gadgets and technology dominate, the Apple Watch Series 10 excels in bike ride tracking, particularly in mixed urban and forested areas, thanks to its technological prowess and hardware optimizations.
- While the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 offers a comfortable design for workouts like cycling, its sports tracking features are more accurate overall, outperforming the Apple Watch Series 10 in determining average moving speed and top speed during a 12-mile bike ride test.
