Deciding between the new Fitbit Versa 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 is now a bit more difficult since they’re around the same price range while offering similar features. With the latest Versa now having built-in GPS along with improved sensors, it’s no longer simply a budget fitness smartwatch alternative to premium models by Samsung and other brands. Check out the key differences between the Versa 3 and Active2 in this comparison post.
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Fitbit Versa 3 vs Galaxy Watch Active 2 Fitness Smartwatch Comparison Chart
| Model | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 | |
 |  | |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
| Display | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Size | 1.58″ | 1.2″ |
| Resolution | 336 x 336 pixels | 360 x 360 pixels |
| Dimensions | 1.59″ x 1.59″ x 0.49″ | 1.57″ x 1.57″ x 0.43″ |
| Weight | n/a | 26 g |
| Colors | 3 | 3 |
| Call & Text Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | Up to 50 meters | Up to 50 meters |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Yes | Yes |
| ECG Monitor | No | Yes |
| Pedometer | Yes | Yes |
| Altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Calorie Burn Tracker | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Swim Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Female Health Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Skin Temperature | Yes | No |
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| LTE | No | Available |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Music Storage | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Bixby |
| Compatibility | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
| Battery Life | 6+ days | 2 days |
| Fast Charging | Yes | No |
Design
The Galaxy Watch Active2 has more variety than the
Right away the designs of these fitness smartwatches should draw you in more than the other. The Fitbit Versa 3’s rounded square case is sleeker than ever, and it features a new ‘infinity band’ that looks much easier to wear and take off. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 looks just like standard wristwatches, except it has a touchscreen that completely expands its functionalities. Both have always-on display options so you can always tell the time if enabled.
Looking at their screens, the Versa 3 has a considerably larger 1.58-inch AMOLED display, though the Active2’s 1.2-inch screen features a Super AMOLED panel that looks just a bit more vibrant. Also, the resolution of the 40mm Galaxy Watch Active2 is higher, at 360 x 360 pixels, making it sharper than the 336 x 336 resolution of the larger Versa 3. Both use Corning Gorilla Glass, making these excellent watchfaces more durable.
The Versa 3 and Active2 both come in three color choices each: Midnight, Black and Pink Clay; and Cloud Silver, Aqua Black, and Pink Gold, respectively. However, these are just the colors for the aluminum variant of the Galaxy Watch Active2. There’s also a stainless steel lineup for the LTE-enabled versions, which come in Silver, Black, and Gold. Combined with 40mm and 44mm sizes, there’s a total of 12 varieties for the Active2.
Activity Tracking
The Fitbit Versa 3 offers better fitness tracking than the Galaxy Watch Active2.
Fitbit is debuting its new PurePulse 2.0 technology on the Versa 3, promising more accurate heart rate tracking. It’s a welcome improvement to an already impressive suite of sensors that can track all of your fitness and health metrics all day. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 does have a sensor that can detect irregular heart rhythms and alert you of low or high heart rate levels. The hardware and feature need to be approved per country, though, so it may not be available in your region.
Both Versa 3 and Active2 have numerous exercise modes that they can automatically track once you start them. The Galaxy Watch Active2 has a lot more uncommon exercise types it can track, but those that require more motion, such as crunches and arm extensions, can be tough for it to track unless you follow its exact motion requirements. Meanwhile, the Versa 3 focuses on goal-based modes, which can be set depending on your physical fitness.
Where the Fitbit Versa 3 really comes out ahead for fitness enthusiasts is the Fitbit app. As industry leaders, Fitbit offers far more with its mobile app, collecting all of your metrics and presenting you a more complete picture of your overall fitness. Moreover, you’ll be joining an already large, active community that can further motivate you in achieving and surpassing your personal goals.
Other similar features the Versa 3 and Active2 share are sleep tracking and guided breathing exercises. Getting good quality sleep is integral to good health, which these smartwatches can help you improve. Only the Versa 3 has female health tracking and temperature sensor though, but the latter requires Fitbit Premium for skin temperature variation tracking.
Smart Features
The Galaxy Watch Active2 has an optional LTE version while the Versa 3 has more voice assistants.
Not content with only providing support for Amazon Alexa on the Versa 2, Fitbit adds Google Assistant to the Versa 3’s native voice assistant features. However, full Google Assistant functionality will arrive later in late 2020. The Versa 3 also has a speaker to go with its mics, allowing full voice control and response as well as letting you answer phone calls with your watch.
Meanwhile, Samsung of course brings Bixby to its Galaxy Watch Active2, but it’s notably less reliable in recognizing some voice commands and queries. You can download Alexa as an app if you find Bixby wanting. What the Active2 offers that the Versa 3 doesn’t is an LTE-enabled option. As mentioned, there are stainless steel variants of this Galaxy Watch that have cellular capability, letting you do nearly everything you can with your phone.
Both Fitbit and Samsung have a diverse app library that you can delve into to get the added features and customizations you’d like on your smartwatch. You can store music from partner services such as Spotify, Pandora and Deezer, and pair either one to Bluetooth headphones for music on the go. They also have NFC connectivity for contactless payments via Fitbit Pay and Samsung Pay.
Battery Life
The
Fitbit’s ability to provide incredible battery life to their devices has always been one of their strongest points. The new Fitbit Versa 3 is no exception, as it can last almost an entire week without needing to be recharged. If you managed to forget and need to leave soon, you can use its new fast charger to get up to a full day of battery life in just 12 minutes.
In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 only has a 2-day battery life. This should prove sufficient for all-day activity and sleep tracking, though you’ll likely need to recharge it often to reliably track your sleep quality. The 44mm Active2 version has a larger battery, but since it powers a larger display, it lasts the same overall. All versions can share battery charge with other Samsung devices with Qi wireless charging, making it better if you already have one.
Note that features such as GPS and always-on display will drain the battery life of both Versa 3 and Active2 drastically. You’ll want to be more selective of when to turn them on unless you’re able to recharge often.
Verdict
The Fitbit Versa 3 is a better fitness tracker while the Galaxy Watch Active2 is more of a lifestyle smartwatch.
With improved smart features and built-in GPS, the Fitbit Versa 3 feels like a completely upgraded version of the Versa 2, which is already an outstanding fitness smartwatch. As such, we’d recommend the Versa 3 if you’re after a feature-rich activity tracker. It has all of the health and fitness tracking you need while having a larger display and impressive battery life.
With its sleek and slim design the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 is arguably the more stylish choice. It has adequate health tracking features to help you be more active, and you can grab an LTE version for full connectivity. If you have a Samsung smartphone with Qi wireless charging, the ability to share battery life between them can come in handy.
FAQs
We’d rank the Fitbit Versa 3 higher due to its longer battery life, larger display, and better health and fitness app.
You’ll be able to accept or reject a phone call using the alert you get on the Galaxy Watch Active2. However, if you answer it, you’ll need to continue the conversation on your connected phone.
In general, most smartwatches need to be within 30 feet or 10 meters of their paired smartphone to remain connected.
Yes, the Fitbit Versa 3 improves on the already excellent Versa 3 with built-in GPS, PurePulse 2.0 heart tracking, more voice assistants, and a speaker.
Last update on 2020-12-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API