Samsung’s new Galaxy Watch 3 takes on the Apple Watch Series 5 with, among other things, new fitness tools and a fall detection feature like the one offered by the firm’s Apple watch. But the performance of these functions is very different on the two rivals, and there are quite a few criteria to consider when choosing one or the other. We have tested the Galaxy Watch 3, in the meantime, here’s a comparison Galaxy Watch 3 vs Apple Watch Series 5 based on their technical specifications.
What you will learn
- Galaxy Watch 3 vs Apple Watch Series 5
- Galaxy Watch 3 is compatible with more devices
- Galaxy Watch 3 looks more like an analog watch
- The most advanced Galaxy Watch3 for sleep tracking
- Similar fitness functions
- The health functions of the Apple Watch are more extensive
- Autonomy remains to be determined
- Price: Apple Watch is more expensive
Galaxy Watch 3 vs Apple Watch Series 5
| Apple Watch Series 5 | Galaxy Watch 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Package |
Square |
Round |
| Package size | 40mm, 44mm | 41mm, 45mm |
| Dimensions | 40mm: 40x34x10.74mm, 44mm: 44x38x10.74mm | 41mm: 41×42.5×11.3mm, 45mm: 45×46.2×11.1mm |
| Weight | 40mm: 30.8gr, 44mm: 36.5gr (aluminum) | 41mm: 49.2gr, 45mm: 53.8gr, titanium: 43gr |
| Finish | Aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic titanium | Stainless steel, titanium |
| Screen size / resolution | Oled Retina 1.5 and 1.7 inches 368×448 pixels | Super Amoled 1.2 in and 1.4 inches 360×360 pixels |
| Permanent screen | Yes | Yes |
| Colors | Silver, space gray, gold, white (ceramic only) | Silver, bronze, black (45mm only) |
| Interchangeable bracelets | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | Integrated | integrated |
| Activity detection | Yes (8 activities) | Yes (7 activities) |
| Compass | Yes | No |
| Altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Waterproof | Yes up to 50m | Yes up to 50m |
| Phone calls | Yes | Yes |
| Notifications | Text responses | Text responses |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| Assistant voa | Siri | bixby |
| Music | internal storage, playback from smartphone and streaming (4G model) | internal storage, playback from smartphone and streaming (4G model) |
| Mobile payment | Apple Pay | Samsung Pay (NFC) |
| Sleep tracking | No (available with WatchOS 7) | yes |
| Period tracking | Yes | No |
|
Special functions
|
ECG and heart rate notifications, sound level alerts | Running guide and VO2 max |
| Emergency functions | SOS, international emergency call, fall detection | fall detection |
| Compatibility | iOS/iPhone | Android and iOS |
| OS | WatchOS 6 | Tizen OS 5.5 |
| Processor | S5 chip processor with 64-bit dual-core processor + Apple W3 | Exynos 1.15GHz wireless chip |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi and 4G option,Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi and 4G option,Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Storage | 32Go | 8Go (1Go Ram) |
|
Charge
|
Magnetic Apple cable and USB connector |
Qi wireless charger and travel adapter |
| Autonomy
|
One day (18 hours) |
2 days (according to Samsung) |
| Price |
40mm: $449, € 549 (4G) 44mm: $479, € 579 (4G) |
41mm: $ 429, € 479 (4G) 45mm: $459, 509 (4G) |
Galaxy Watch 3 is compatible with more devices
The most important thing to consider if you have to choose between these two watches is whether it is compatible with your smartphone. The Galaxy Watch 3 is powered by Samsung’s Tizen operating system, which is optimized for Galaxy smartphones, but also works with most Android and Apple devices. Apple Watch runs on WatchOS and is only compatible with an iPhone.
Galaxy Watch 3 looks more like an analog watch
The biggest design difference between watches is the shape of the case: the Galaxy Watch is round, the Apple Watch is square. The choice in this area is a matter of taste, but there’s no denying that the Galaxy Watch 3 looks more like a regular analog watch. It is made of stainless steel and has a rotating bezel that allows you to control the interface without dirtying the screen. The basic Apple Watch is made of aluminum and uses the digital crown on the side to control the interface. There is also a stainless steel version, but it costs 400 euros more.
At Samsung as at Apple, you have the choice between two case sizes: 41 mm or 45 mm for the Galaxy Watch 3 and 40 mm or 44 mm for the Apple Watch. The advantage of the Apple Watch is that the display area is a few millimeters larger.
Both models have an always-on display and customizable dials. But the Watch 3 offers more options, including the ability to customize it to suit your outfit. Apple watch faces will be a bit more customizable with the WatchOS 7 update arriving this fall.
The most advanced Galaxy Watch3 for sleep tracking
Apple Watch (Series 3 and later) will get native sleep tracking with the WatchOS 7 update this fall. But for now, this is only possible through third-party apps. Samsung has further improved sleep tracking on the Galaxy Watch 3 with a focus on quantity and quality. The watch will analyze the four stages of sleep to provide advice on how to improve overnight. On the Apple Watch side, native sleep monitoring will mainly focus on setting up a better bedtime routine and the duration of sleep.
Similar fitness functions
The Galaxy Watch 3 and Apple Watch Series 5 have all the basics when it comes to fitness tracking: continuous heart rate monitoring, built-in GPS, water resistance up to 50 meters, and over 30 different exercises in their tracks. catalogs. The Series 5 is equipped with a compass which is not the case with the Galaxy Watch 3.
The Samsung watch can stream a workout video from the Galaxy Health app. The Apple Watch doesn’t offer it natively, but there are third-party apps that can do something similar.
Both smartwatches have specific tools for runners. The Apple Watch allows you to set rhythm alerts, but for more detailed information you have to use a third-party app. Galaxy Watch 3 debuts a new running guide that provides real-time form and pace feedback, as well as post-workout analysis, but we haven’t tested this feature yet and it will not be active at launch. Both watches can measure maximum VO2 (maximum oxygen uptake) values to determine your fitness level.
The health functions of the Apple Watch are more extensive
Both smartwatches have a built-in electrocardiogram (ECG) that lets you know if the heartbeat indicates atrial fibrillation, but for now this feature is only available in France on the Apple Watch. Samsung has just announced that it has received FDA clearance in the United States to introduce ECG mode across the Atlantic, but has not given any guidance on this for Europe.
Apple Watch has audio health notifications that let you know when the ambient noise volume (or headphone level from WatchOS 7) is too high and could potentially cause hearing loss. It also offers monitoring of women’s health.
Autonomy remains to be determined
Apple Watch lasts a full day and almost two if you turn off the always-on screen feature. Samsung says the Galaxy Watch 3 can last for about two days under “normal” use, but that’s something we’ll check out for ourselves.
Price: Apple Watch is more expensive
The Galaxy Watch 3 Bluetooth costs 20 euros less than the basic Apple Watch ($429 versus $449 ). The difference in favor of the Watch 3 is even greater for the 4G version: $479 compared to $549.
