The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is a smartwatch that strikes the perfect balance between performance, style, and functionality. Whether you are a fitness enthusiast, a busy professional, or someone looking for a stylish yet practical device, the Galaxy Watch 3 offers a blend of cutting-edge technology and timeless design. Released in August 2020, it quickly became one of the most popular wearables on the market, due to its unique combination of features, seamless user experience, and premium build quality. But in 2025, where does the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 stand when compared to newer models, and why should it still be your choice?
We’ll also compare it with other models in the smartwatch industry, helping you make an informed decision based on your specific needs and preferences. For those in Australia, we’ll highlight why buying through Wise Market Australia could be your best option.
Design and Build Quality: A Blend of Classic and Modern
One of the most striking features of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is its design. Unlike many other smartwatches on the market that focus on modern, digital aesthetics, the Galaxy Watch 3 embraces a more traditional watch look while incorporating the latest wearable technology.
Circular AMOLED Display
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 comes with a beautiful circular Super AMOLED display, which is designed to mimic the appearance of a classic wristwatch. The 360 x 360 pixel resolution offers sharp, vibrant visuals, making it easy to read notifications, messages, and stats on the go. Whether you're in bright sunlight or low light, the display remains clear and legible due to its high brightness levels.
Rotating Bezel: A Unique Touch
What really sets the Galaxy Watch 3 apart from its competitors is the inclusion of the rotating bezel. This tactile bezel offers an intuitive way to navigate the watch’s interface. Rather than relying on a touchscreen alone, users can scroll through apps, messages, and widgets with a satisfying turn of the bezel. It’s a small touch, but it significantly improves the user experience, especially when you’re trying to make a selection without smudging the screen.
Premium Materials and Durability
The Galaxy Watch 3 features a stainless steel frame, giving it a premium feel that complements its high-end design. The watch is available in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm, catering to different wrist sizes and preferences. Corning Gorilla Glass DX is used to protect the display, making it resistant to scratches and minor impacts.
Additionally, the Galaxy Watch 3 is MIL-STD-810G certified, meaning it has passed military-grade testing for durability. Whether you’re hiking, swimming, or going about your daily tasks, this watch is built to withstand the rigors of an active lifestyle. With 5 ATM water resistance, it’s safe to wear in the shower or while swimming at depths of up to 50 meters.
Performance and Hardware: Power Under the Hood
At the heart of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 lies a powerful dual-core Exynos 9110 processor, paired with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. This combination of components ensures smooth performance, whether you’re tracking a workout, browsing through apps, or taking calls directly from your wrist.
Battery Life
Battery life is always a crucial factor when choosing a smartwatch. The Galaxy Watch 3 comes equipped with a 340mAh battery, which, depending on usage, provides up to 2 days of use on a single charge. For lighter users who don’t rely heavily on fitness tracking or always-on displays, it’s possible to stretch the battery life even further.
It’s important to note that battery life may vary based on the number of apps running, screen brightness, and whether LTE connectivity is active. Charging the Galaxy Watch 3 is a breeze, as it uses a wireless charging pad that allows the watch to charge from 0 to 100% in about 1.5 hours.
Connectivity: Versatile Options
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring a stable connection with your smartphone. It also supports Wi-Fi, which is ideal for using the watch without a paired phone nearby. If you prefer to leave your phone behind, the LTE version of the Galaxy Watch 3 lets you make calls, send texts, and access apps independently, making it a true standalone device.
Comparison with Other Models
Now, let’s compare the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 to other popular smartwatches on the market in 2025 to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
The Galaxy Watch 4 is the direct successor to the Galaxy Watch 3 and features several improvements, including a more powerful Exynos W920 processor and a new BioActive sensor that provides advanced health metrics such as body composition measurement. Additionally, the Galaxy Watch 4 runs on Google's Wear OS, which opens up a broader range of third-party apps compared to Tizen OS.
However, one downside of the Galaxy Watch 4 is that it is only compatible with Android phones, limiting its appeal to iPhone users. Additionally, the Galaxy Watch 4 has a more modern design, which may not appeal to users who prefer the classic look of the Galaxy Watch 3.
Apple Watch Series 6
For iPhone users, the Apple Watch Series 6 is an alternative to the Galaxy Watch 3. The Apple Watch offers similar health features, including ECG monitoring and blood oxygen tracking, and it integrates seamlessly with the iOS ecosystem. However, it lacks the rotating bezel and physical design elements that make the Galaxy Watch 3 stand out. Moreover, the Apple Watch is typically more expensive than the Galaxy Watch 3, which could make it less attractive to those on a budget.
Fitbit Sense
The Fitbit Sense focuses on health and wellness, offering features like stress management tools, skin temperature tracking, and ECG monitoring. Its emphasis on health makes it a strong contender for users prioritizing wellness over other smartwatch functionalities. However, it lacks some of the advanced features and app ecosystem found in other smartwatches.
Health and Fitness Features: A Smartwatch for a Healthier Life
When it comes to health and fitness tracking, the Galaxy Watch 3 excels in a wide range of categories, making it a versatile companion for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and even those looking to monitor their overall well-being.
ECG Monitoring
One of the standout features of the Galaxy Watch 3 is its ECG (electrocardiogram) sensor, which enables users to monitor their heart’s electrical activity. This can be an invaluable tool for detecting irregularities such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), which could potentially lead to serious health issues if left undiagnosed. The Galaxy Watch 3 provides a quick and easy way to take an ECG reading, offering peace of mind and potentially saving lives.
Blood Oxygen (SpO2) Monitoring
Another critical health feature is the ability to measure blood oxygen levels (SpO2). This is important for tracking how well your body is absorbing oxygen and can be a useful metric for athletes during high-intensity workouts or for individuals living with respiratory conditions. The Galaxy Watch 3 offers accurate SpO2 monitoring that can help keep track of your health trends over time.
Sleep Tracking
The Galaxy Watch 3 also comes with an advanced sleep-tracking feature, which monitors the various stages of your sleep, including deep sleep, light sleep, and REM sleep. This feature is great for those who want to improve their sleep quality by understanding their sleeping patterns and making adjustments based on the data provided.
Activity Tracking and Workout Detection
With over 40 different workout modes, the Galaxy Watch 3 is designed to track a wide variety of physical activities, from running and cycling to swimming and yoga. Its automatic workout detection feature can detect when you begin exercising and will start tracking your session without you having to manually initiate it. This makes it easy for users to stay on top of their fitness goals, even during spontaneous workouts.
Software and Compatibility: A Seamless Experience
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 runs on Samsung's Tizen OS, which is known for its smooth user interface and seamless integration with Samsung smartphones. Tizen OS provides a sleek and intuitive experience, offering easy access to apps, widgets, and notifications.
App Store and Customization
One of the benefits of Tizen OS is the Galaxy Store, where you can find a wide range of apps designed specifically for Samsung smartwatches. Whether you’re looking for fitness apps, productivity tools, or entertainment options, the Galaxy Watch 3 has you covered. Additionally, users can customize the watch face, adjust settings, and even download third-party apps to tailor the watch to their needs.
Compatibility with Android and iOS
Unlike some of its competitors, the Galaxy Watch 3 is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, making it a versatile option for a wide audience. However, to get the most out of the watch, users with Samsung Galaxy phones can take advantage of additional features such as Samsung Health, Samsung Pay, and Bixby voice assistant.
Why Choose Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Balanced Feature Set
The Galaxy Watch 3 offers a well-rounded feature set that caters to a wide range of users. Its combination of health tracking, performance, and design makes it a versatile choice for both Android and iOS users.
Classic Design
The traditional watch design, complete with a rotating bezel, appeals to users who prefer a more classic aesthetic in their wearable devices.
Broad Compatibility
Unlike newer models that are limited to Android devices, the Galaxy Watch 3's compatibility with both Android and iOS ensures a broader user base can enjoy its features.
Value Proposition
Given that newer models may come at a premium price, the Galaxy Watch 3 offers a compelling value proposition, delivering a rich set of features at a more accessible price point.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 stands as a testament to Samsung's commitment to innovation and quality in the wearable technology space. While newer models offer advanced features, the Galaxy Watch 3 continues to provide a balanced mix of performance, style, and functionality, making it a worthwhile consideration for users seeking a reliable and stylish smartwatch.
