Once again we will give prominence to the Galaxy Watch 3, the new flagship smartwatch from Samsung. This was launched on 5th August 2020 just two weeks ago as the most ambitious bet of the South Korean to remove the throne from the Apple Watch Series 5, but not without demoting a position to the Galaxy Watch Active 2, which was the most advanced watch of the brand until recently, the main reason why in this new article we compared it with the new watch, in order to determine if it is better not to buy it from now on.
The Galaxy Watch 3, which is from another series other than Samsung that does not have much to do with the Galaxy Watch, is presented as an improvement of the Galaxy Watch Active 2. That said, it does not come with big and quirky changes, but it is still the new flagship of the firm because what it offers is enough to place it at the top of the catalogue, but not for that reason it is superior in all sections, something that we now evidence.
Overview
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | Galaxy Watch Active 2 | |
| | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Model | Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 |
| Release date | August 2020 | August 2020 |
| Compatibility | Android + iOS | Android + iOS |
| Colors | Silver, Black and Bronze | Black, Silver, Gold |
| Availability | Available | Available |
In terms of displays, the Galaxy Watch 3 does not offer a top panel, or at least that is what we determined with the information that the company revealed at its launch since it did not provide data on pixel density and others, but He did let us know that the 2.5D screen that he equips is AMOLED technology and produces a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels in a circular format, in addition to being protected by a glass resistant to bumps and scratches, and has a rotating touch bezel already known that improves navigation. In turn, since the watch is offered in versions of sizes 45 and 41 mm, the panel is 1.4 or 1.2 inches, respectively.
The Galaxy Watch Active 2 has a 2.5D Super AMOLED screen which, in theory, and in practice, is better. This has the same image resolution as that of the aforementioned smartwatch and with a pixel density of 364 dpi. It is also offered in two versions of 1.4 or 1.2 inches that, respectively, go hand in hand with the 44 and 40 mm models in which the wearable is available. Of course, like the first one, this one comes with the Always-on Display feature, which is also known as the Always-on Display.
Technical Specifications
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | Galaxy Watch Active 2 | |
| Type Size | AMOLED 2.5D 1.4-inch with Always on Display function | Super AMOLED 2.5D 1.4 or 1.2 inch with Always on Display function |
| Screen Resolution | 360 x 360 pixels | 360 x 360 pixels |
| Pixel density | – | 364 dpi |
| Screen protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Chipset | Exynos 9110 | Exynos 9110 |
| Cpu | Dual-core at 1.15 GHz | Dual-core at 1.15 GHz |
| Internal memory | 8 GB | 4 GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 5.0 GPS with A-GPS GLONASS + GALILEO BDS NFC | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 5.0 GPS with A-GPS GLONASS + GALILEO BDS NFC |
| Sensors | Barometric Altimeter ECG Optical Heart Rate Sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient Light Sensor Blood Oxygen Monitor (VO2 max.) | Barometric Altimeter ECG Optical Heart Rate Sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient Light Sensor |
| Battery Life | Up to 1 week | 2 days on average |
| Battery | 340mAh | 340mAh |
| Material | Body: 316L stainless steel or Titanium Strap: Leather | Body: 316L stainless steel or aluminium Strap: Leather or Silicone |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 (50 meters) |
| Dimensions | 45 x 46.2 x 11.1 mm | Large model: 44 x 44 x 10.9 mm Small model: 40 x 40 x 10.9 mm |
| Other specifications | ESIM slot Touch rotating bezel for navigation Physical buttons Microphone and speaker | ESIM slot Touch bezel for navigation Physical buttons Microphone and speaker |
When we talk about performance, there is no distinction in this case, since both make use of the Exynos 9110 processor chipset, which is dual-core and works at a maximum clock frequency of 1.15 GHz, enough to that moves everything smoothly.
The named SoC is paired with an internal storage space of 8 GB in the Galaxy Watch 3, while in the Galaxy Watch Active 2 it supports only 4 GB, a capacity that is still enough to get hundreds of songs, applications and all kinds of files, but it usually falls short if it is used a lot.
The RAM memory of the new smartwatch is 1 GB in the two size versions, but it is different in the Galaxy Watch Active 2 since in the 40 mm model it is 768 MB and in the 44 mm it is 1.5 GB.
In the connectivity section, both are among the most complete that we can find today. These feature Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, and NFC for contactless payments through the Samsung Pay system. They also have support for 4G LTE networks (optional models) that allows Internet browsing and the sending and receiving of calls and text messages, among other very useful things.
When it comes to activity tracking, there’s a lot to brag about for both of you here. For starters, they have an FCC-approved electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor and other regulatory means that ensure superior accuracy than the simple heart rate monitors found in the vast majority of today’s smartwatches. Unfortunately, since the Galaxy Watch Active 2 hit the market (about 1 year ago), the feature has not reached globally; it is barely available for use in South Korea, although it is promised to everyone. In this area, we hope that the same will not happen with the new Galaxy Watch 3.
Activity Monitoring
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | Galaxy Watch Active 2 | |
| Step counter | Yes | Yes |
| Calories burned | Yes | Yes |
| Distance travelled | Yes | Yes |
| Floors up | No | No |
| Sleep monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Measuring stress levels | No | No |
| Heart rate measurement | Yes | Yes |
| Calorie intake | No | No |
| Hydration levels | No | No |
| Running | Detection of up to 7 different race modes automatically thanks to the Running Coach function | Detection of up to 7 different race modes automatically thanks to the Running Coach function |
| Cycling | Record various metrics | Record various metrics |
| Swimming | Record different metrics | Record different metrics |
| Outdoor | Record various metrics | Record various metrics |
| Other functions | Fall Detection Detection of dozens of different activities and sports | Fall detection Electrocardiogram sensor Detection of up to 39 different activities and sports |
They also have a barometric altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor and, only in the case of the Galaxy Watch 3, a blood oxygen monitor (VO2 max). If we add to this the dedicated functions that both have such as the stress monitor, which allow obtaining a lot of data from various sports and fitness activities in real-time, we have two ideal wrist terminals for practically any event, as they are elegant and casual.
Smart Features
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | Galaxy Watch Active 2 | |
| Smartphone notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Music storage and playback | Yes | Yes |
| Controlling your phone’s music | Yes | Yes |
| Meteorology | Weather forecast | Weather forecast |
| Other smart features | Fall Detection SOS Calls | Fall Detection SOS Calls |
The battery of the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is poor. It is only about two days on average, although it can be extended a little more if the use is reduced. Fortunately, that of the Galaxy Watch 3 is better, since this is up to 1 week with average use, according to the manufacturer, something we really appreciate since in the first one it used to fall short most of the time. In both cases, there is wireless charging.
Of course, both are waterproof, and thanks to an IP68 grade certification, making it safe to submerge them in water. In addition, they are extremely resistant and durable due to the fact that they have a MIL-STD-810G military-grade certificate, something by which we can say that they are rugged.
Conclusion!
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is inferior to the new smartwatch, although not by much, it is worth noting, in addition to also being the value for money purchase option that is more supportive with the pocket, since the almost 600 USD for what you can Find the Galaxy Watch 3 can scare more than one. Therefore, if what you want is the best and most advanced Samsung watch, you do not have to think about it too much: the Galaxy Watch 3 is the option to choose.
