Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3 Compared

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The Galaxy Watch Active 2 which succeeds the Galaxy Watch Active is a beauty to behold. It’s very compact, lightweight, and equipped with lots of interesting features. It has a lot in common with the older Galaxy Watch which succeeds the Gear S3 series. In this post, we’re comparing the differences between the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3 to find out what has changed over the years.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3
Galaxy Watch has a longer battery life

One thing you should know is that, unlike the newer Galaxy Watch 4 series, the Active 2, Galaxy Watch and Gear S3 series which consist of the Frontier and Classic all run on the Tizen 5.5 operating system.

Also note that the Active 2 is available in 40mm and 44mm, while the Galaxy Watch is available in 42mm and 46mm. Meanwhile, the Gear S3 Frontier and Classic have just only one size.

Furthermore, all four watches are available in both Bluetooth and LTE models. The difference between the LTE and Bluetooth models is that the LTE model comes with an eSIM that enables cellular connectivity and thus, makes it a standalone smartwatch that can make and receive calls independent of a smartphone. The Bluetooth model requires your phone to be nearby to make and receive calls.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3 Frontier Specifications Compared

 
 
Product Info
Samsung smartwatches

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm) (LTE) Full Specifications and Features

Samsung Galaxy Watch (46mm) Full Specifications, Features and Price

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier full specifications

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier Full Specifications, Features and Price

Price $68.72 $53.97 $59.98
ABOUT DEVICE ABOUT DEVICE ABOUT DEVICE ABOUT DEVICE
Device name (LTE), Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm) Samsung Galaxy Watch (46mm) (Discontinued), Samsung Gear S3 Frontier
Device type Standalone/Fitness smartwatch Fitness/Classic smartwatch Fitness/Sport smartwatch
Gender Unisex Men Men, Unisex
Release date September, 2019 August, 2018 November, 2016
Predecessor Samsung Galaxy Watch Active Samsung Gear S3 Samsung Gear S2
Successor Galaxy Watch 4 Galaxy Watch 3 Samsung Galaxy Watch
Versions Bluetooth only, LTE Bluetooth, LTE Bluetooth, LTE
BODY BODY BODY BODY
Dimension 44 x 44 x 10.9 mm 46 x 49 x 13 mm 46 x 49 x 12.9 mm
Weight 30 grams (aluminum), 42 grams (stainless steel) 63 grams (excluding straps) 63 grams
Shape Circular Circular Circular
Case material Stainless steel 316L Stainless steel 316L Stainless steel 316L
Strap material Leather (stainless steel) Silicone Silicone
Bezel material Bezeless, Stainless steel 316L Stainless steel 316L Stainless steel 316L
Strap size 20 mm 22 mm 22 mm
Interchangeable strap Yes Yes Yes
Screen protection Corning Gorilla glass DX+ Corning Gorilla glass DX+ Corning Gorilla Glass SR+
Water resistance Yes, 5ATM Yes, 5ATM Yes, 5ATM
Durability test MIL-STD-810G MIL-STD-810G MIL-STD-810G
Swim-proof Yes, recommended Yes, recommended Yes, recommended
Color Aqua-black, Black, Cloud-silver, Gold, Pink-gold, Silver Black, Silver Black, Silver
DISPLAY DISPLAY DISPLAY DISPLAY
Display size 1.4 inches 1.3 inches 1.3 inches
Display type Super AMOLED, Full color Super AMOLED, Full color Super AMOLED, Full color
Display resolution 360 x 360 pixel 360 x 360 pixel 360 x 360 pixel
Pixel density 391.63 PPI 278ppi
Always on Yes Yes Yes
Custom watch face Yes Yes Yes
Input type 2 Physical buttons, Digital rotating bezel, Touchscreen 2 Physical buttons, Physical rotating bezel, Touchscreen 2 Physical buttons, Physical rotating bezel, Touchscreen
CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY
Bluetooth Bluetooth v5.0 Yes, Bluetooth v4.2 LE Yes, Bluetooth v4.2 LE
Bluetooth calling Yes Yes Yes
GPS Yes, GPS/GLONASS/BEIDOU Galileo, Yes, GPS/GLONASS/BEIDOU A-GPS, GLONASS, GPS
NFC Yes Yes Yes
Wi-Fi Yes Yes Yes
MEMORY MEMORY MEMORY MEMORY
RAM 1.5GB 0.75GB 0.75GB
ROM 4GB 4GB 4GB
Memory card slot No No No
CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY
Technology GSM / HSPA / LTE None None
SIM type Nano-SIM None None
Band No
NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFICATIONS
SMS alert Yes Yes Yes
Calls alert Yes Yes Yes
Email alert Yes Yes Yes
Event reminder Yes Yes Yes
Third-party apps alert Yes Yes Yes
Reply to Notifications - - -
MEDIA MEDIA MEDIA MEDIA
Audio mp3/mp4 mp3/mp4 mp3/mp4
Bluetooth music Yes Yes Yes
Loudspeaker Yes Yes Yes
Microphone Yes Yes Yes
Camera No No No
Radio No No No
SENSORS SENSORS SENSORS SENSORS
Sensor(s)
ACTIVITY TRACKING ACTIVITY TRACKING ACTIVITY TRACKING ACTIVITY TRACKING
Blood oxygen No No No
Blood Pressure Yes No No
Calories Yes Yes Yes
Distance Yes Yes Yes
ECG tracking Yes No No
Heart rate monitoring Yes Yes Yes
Sleep tracking Yes Yes Yes
Steps Yes Yes Yes
Floors climbed Yes Yes Yes
Stress Yes Yes Yes
Fall detection Yes Yes Yes
Menstrual cycle Yes Yes Yes
VO2 Max Yes Yes Yes
Swim-tracking Yes Yes Yes
Underwater heart rate tracking No No No
On-screen workout No No No
Sport modes 39 39 39
BATTERY BATTERY BATTERY BATTERY
Battery type Non-removable Li-ion battery Non-removable Li-ion battery Non-removable Li-ion battery
Battery capacity 340mAh 472mAh 380mAh
Battery life Regular: 2 days, Standby :5 days+ Regular: 4 days, Standby:10 days+ Regular usage: 3 days+, Standby:10 days+
Charging type WPC based wireless charging WPC based wireless charging WPC based wireless charging
Charging time 1-2 hours 1-2 hours 1-2 hours
Solar charging No No No
PLATFORM PLATFORM PLATFORM PLATFORM
Chipset Exynos 9110 Exynos 9110 Exynos 7270
CPU Dual core 1.15GHz Dual core 1.15GHz Dual core 1.0GHz
GPU
Operating system Tizen 5.5 Tizen 5.5 Tizen 5.5
MISC MISC MISC MISC
Companion app Samsung Gear app Samsung Gear app, Samsung Health App Samsung Gear app, Samsung Health App
Compatibility Android 5.0+ & RAM 1.5GB+, iPhone 5+ and iOS 9.0+ Android 5.0+ & RAM 1.5GB+, iPhone 5+ and iOS 9.0+ Android 5.0+ & RAM 1.5GB+, iPhone 5+ and iOS 9.0+
Payment system Samsung Pay Samsung Pay Samsung Pay
Voice command Yes, Bixby Yes, Bixby Yes, Bixby
Find my phone Yes Yes Yes
Box content Charger, Manual, Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm), Straps Charger, Manual, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Straps Charger, Manual, Samsung Gear S3 Frontier

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3: What’s The Difference?

There are lots of similarities across all three watches, and this includes the same display type, same fitness tracking features, ability to reply to notifications, 4GB storage capacity and the presence of a microphone and speaker in all.

The only difference between the Galaxy Watch and Gear S3 series is that the former has slightly longer battery life.

Meanwhile, the Active 2 with the shortest battery life is more compact and weighs less than the Galaxy Watch and Gear S3 series. The Active 2 also features blood pressure and ECG measurements which are not present in the other two. Thus, it’s a more comprehensive activity tracker.

Furthermore, the Active 2 has a digital rotating bezel against the physical rotating bezel of the Galaxy Watch and Gear S3 series. I prefer the physical rotating bezel, it actually makes navigation easier, unlike the digital rotating bezel which is kinda obstructive.

Which is Better?

All three watches from Samsung are fantastic choices for keeping a tab on your active life. The design of each of these three is also great, but the Active 2 has the most compact design and is a more comprehensive activity tracker with ECG and blood pressure measurements featured.

Samsung Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3 Frontier vs Classic

The Samsung Galaxy watch succeeds the Gear S3 series which consists of the Frontier and Classic. All three watches come in a stylish and elegant design, while also being comprehensive smartwatches with the LTE models having standalone capabilities. Each of these three is also loaded with lots of features and is also fitness-focused. We compare the Samsung Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3 Frontier vs Classic specs and features, so you know the differences.

Samsung Gear S3 Classic

Samsung Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3 Frontier vs Classic Specifications Compared

 
 
Product Info

Samsung Galaxy Watch (46mm) Full Specifications, Features and Price

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier full specifications

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier Full Specifications, Features and Price

Samsung Gear S3 Classic Full Specifications

Samsung Gear S3 Classic Full Specifications, Features and Price

Price $53.97 $59.98 $54.97
ABOUT DEVICE ABOUT DEVICE ABOUT DEVICE ABOUT DEVICE
Device name Samsung Galaxy Watch (46mm) (Discontinued), Samsung Gear S3 Frontier (Discontinued), Samsung Gear S3 Classic
Device type Fitness/Classic smartwatch Fitness/Sport smartwatch Fitness/Classic smartwatch
Gender Men Men, Unisex Unisex
Release date August, 2018 November, 2016 November, 2016
Predecessor Samsung Gear S3 Samsung Gear S2 Samsung Gear S2
Successor Galaxy Watch 3 Samsung Galaxy Watch Samsung Galaxy Watch
Versions Bluetooth, LTE Bluetooth, LTE Bluetooth, LTE
BODY BODY BODY BODY
Dimension 46 x 49 x 13 mm 46 x 49 x 12.9 mm 46 x 49 x 12.9 mm
Weight 63 grams (excluding straps) 63 grams 59 grams
Shape Circular Circular Circular
Case material Stainless steel 316L Stainless steel 316L Stainless steel 316L
Strap material Silicone Silicone Leather
Bezel material Stainless steel 316L Stainless steel 316L Stainless steel 316L
Strap size 22 mm 22 mm 22 mm
Interchangeable strap Yes Yes Yes
Screen protection Corning Gorilla glass DX+ Corning Gorilla Glass SR+ Corning Gorilla Glass SR+
Water resistance Yes, 5ATM Yes, 5ATM Yes, 5ATM
Durability test MIL-STD-810G MIL-STD-810G MIL-STD-810G
Swim-proof Yes, recommended Yes, recommended Yes, recommended
Color Black, Silver Black, Silver Black, Silver
DISPLAY DISPLAY DISPLAY DISPLAY
Display size 1.3 inches 1.3 inches 1.3 inches
Display type Super AMOLED, Full color Super AMOLED, Full color Super AMOLED, Full color
Display resolution 360 x 360 pixel 360 x 360 pixel 360 x 360 pixel
Pixel density 391.63 PPI 278ppi 278ppi
Always on Yes Yes Yes
Custom watch face Yes Yes Yes
Input type 2 Physical buttons, Physical rotating bezel, Touchscreen 2 Physical buttons, Physical rotating bezel, Touchscreen 2 Physical buttons, Physical rotating bezel, Touchscreen
CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY
Bluetooth Yes, Bluetooth v4.2 LE Yes, Bluetooth v4.2 LE Yes, Bluetooth v4.2 LE
Bluetooth calling Yes Yes Yes
GPS Galileo, Yes, GPS/GLONASS/BEIDOU A-GPS, GLONASS, GPS A-GPS, GLONASS, GPS
NFC Yes Yes Yes
Wi-Fi Yes Yes Yes
MEMORY MEMORY MEMORY MEMORY
RAM 0.75GB 0.75GB 0.75GB
ROM 4GB 4GB 4GB
Memory card slot No No No
CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY
Technology None None None
SIM type None None None
Band No No
NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFICATIONS
SMS alert Yes Yes Yes
Calls alert Yes Yes Yes
Email alert Yes Yes Yes
Event reminder Yes Yes Yes
Third-party apps alert Yes Yes Yes
Reply to Notifications - - -
MEDIA MEDIA MEDIA MEDIA
Audio mp3/mp4 mp3/mp4 mp3/mp4
Bluetooth music Yes Yes Yes
Loudspeaker Yes Yes Yes
Microphone Yes Yes Yes
Camera No No No
Radio No No No
SENSORS SENSORS SENSORS SENSORS
Sensor(s)
ACTIVITY TRACKING ACTIVITY TRACKING ACTIVITY TRACKING ACTIVITY TRACKING
Blood oxygen No No No
Blood Pressure No No No
Calories Yes Yes Yes
Distance Yes Yes Yes
ECG tracking No No No
Heart rate monitoring Yes Yes Yes
Sleep tracking Yes Yes Yes
Steps Yes Yes Yes
Floors climbed Yes Yes Yes
Stress Yes Yes Yes
Fall detection Yes Yes Yes
Menstrual cycle Yes Yes Yes
VO2 Max Yes Yes Yes
Swim-tracking Yes Yes Yes
Underwater heart rate tracking No No No
On-screen workout No No No
Sport modes 39 39 39
BATTERY BATTERY BATTERY BATTERY
Battery type Non-removable Li-ion battery Non-removable Li-ion battery Non-removable Li-ion battery
Battery capacity 472mAh 380mAh 380mAh
Battery life Regular: 4 days, Standby:10 days+ Regular usage: 3 days+, Standby:10 days+ Regular usage: 3 days+, Standby:10 days+
Charging type WPC based wireless charging WPC based wireless charging WPC based wireless charging
Charging time 1-2 hours 1-2 hours 1-2 hours
Solar charging No No No
PLATFORM PLATFORM PLATFORM PLATFORM
Chipset Exynos 9110 Exynos 7270 Exynos 7270
CPU Dual core 1.15GHz Dual core 1.0GHz Dual core 1.0GHz
GPU
Operating system Tizen 5.5 Tizen 5.5 Tizen 5.5
MISC MISC MISC MISC
Companion app Samsung Gear app, Samsung Health App Samsung Gear app, Samsung Health App Samsung Gear app, Samsung Health App
Compatibility Android 5.0+ & RAM 1.5GB+, iPhone 5+ and iOS 9.0+ Android 5.0+ & RAM 1.5GB+, iPhone 5+ and iOS 9.0+ Android 5.0+ & RAM 1.5GB+, iPhone 5+ and iOS 9.0+
Payment system Samsung Pay Samsung Pay Samsung Pay
Voice command Yes, Bixby Yes, Bixby Yes, Bixby
Find my phone Yes Yes Yes
Box content Charger, Manual, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Straps Charger, Manual, Samsung Gear S3 Frontier Charger, Manual, Samsung Gear S3 Classic