Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 vs Apple Watch 6 (2021): Which One Deserves A Spot On Your Wrist?

The Apple Watch Series 6 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 are the upgrades we’ve all been waiting for and now they’re here to battle it out for the title of best smartwatch. It’s not an easy fight though because they both have new features to show off, a lot of which are health related and prove to be very timely. If you want to sport one of these on your wrist but are having a tough time deciding, here’s an in-depth comparison to help you out. We cover their design, display, health and fitness features, smartwatch features, and battery life in this face-off.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 vs Apple Watch 6 Comparison Chart

Design and Display

The Apple Watch Series 6 and Galaxy Watch 3 have very different looks but have similar displays.

Looks-wise, the Apple Watch has stayed pretty much the same throughout all of its versions and the Series 6 is no different. It has the same square shape with rounded edges, giving it a sleek and modern look that screams smartwatch. And just as with its predecessors, it scores high in comfort as well. With the Series 6, however, you get to wear it in blue and Product Red which is a new experience for existing Apple Watch owners.

As for the Galaxy Watch 3, it looks like a traditional wrist watch thanks to its round face. You could probably put a leather strap on it and wear to it work or a party without people knowing that you’re carrying an advanced piece of tech. While it’s easier to pass it off as a normal watch, it’s a lot bigger and bolder than the Apple Watch Series 6 even though Samsung already shaved off some of the bulkiness from the previous model.

When it comes to display, both smartwatches have always-on displays which is convenient when you’re working out or have your hands full. Both models also have OLED touchscreen displays which remain bright and visible even when you’re directly under the sun. The Apple Watch Series 6, however, does have a slight edge when it comes to display resolution but you probably won’t be able to tell just by looking at it.

Health and Fitness Features

The Apple Watch Series 6 and Galaxy Watch 3 are neck and neck when it comes to health and fitness features.

When it comes to health and fitness tracking, the Apple Watch Series 6 and Galaxy Watch 3 are all tied up. Both smartwatches have SpO2 monitoring which lets you know if you’re getting enough oxygen and if your blood is absorbing it well. Both models have their own FDA-approved ECG sensors as well, capable of detecting atrial fibrillation or irregular heartbeat. Trip detection and sleep monitoring are other features that these rivals share. Apple may have come up with one technology earlier than Samsung and vice versa but at the end of the day, both smartwatches have the same offerings.

As for workout tracking, the Apple Watch Series 6 and Galaxy Watch 3 are neck and neck yet again. Both come with an impressive selection of preset workouts, allowing you to keep track of heart rate, calories burned, and other insightful metrics while you’re sweating it out. They’re also able to track your activities automatically even if you’ve forgotten to select and start a workout. To top things off, these two smartwatches also have VO2 max monitoring which should come as good news to the runners out there who love to push their limits.

Smartwatch Features

The Apple Watch Series 6 has a wider selection of apps and a better voice assistant while the Galaxy Watch 3 has Spotify offline support and more watch face options.

If you’re wondering who provides the better smartwatch experience, it’s hard to choose because both the Apple Watch Series 6 and Galaxy Watch 3 do a great job at it. However, the biggest advantage you get with the former is Apple’s rich selection of apps. It has everything covered, including travel, entertainment, and lifestyle. Also, Apple’s watchOS provides such a seamless and user-friendly experience which is made even better by Siri the helpful voice assistant.

As for the Galaxy Watch 3, it runs on the Tizen OS which works incredibly well with the rotating bezel. In addition, this operating system is compatible with some big names out there including Spotify. This means that if you have a Spotify Premium subscription, you can download your favorite tracks and play them back even if you’re offline. Another thing to love about the Galaxy Watch 3 is the amount of watch faces you get to choose from.

Battery Life

Both the Apple Watch Series 6 and Galaxy Watch 3 need to be charged quite often.

Unfortunately, neither the Apple Watch Series 6 nor the Galaxy Watch 3 boasts of great battery life. With the Galaxy Watch 3, there’s a chance that you can get two days out of it but that’s with light usage. If you’re tracking your workouts and your display settings are on max, you probably have to juice it up after just a day. As for the Apple Watch Series 6, it’s able to last 18 hours on a single charge. But again, this estimation can go down depending on your usage. Regardless of which smartwatch you choose, you might want to keep the charger close by.

Verdict

Choosing between the Apple Watch Series 6 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 depends on which ecosystem you already belong to.

When it comes to health and fitness features, what the Apple Watch Series 6 has the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 does too. Both equipped with ECG, SpO2, and VO2 max sensors, there’s really nothing more that wellness junkies and sports enthusiasts can ask for. They’re similar in other areas too, including display and battery life.

So how do you choose between the two? It all really boils down to which ecosystem you already belong to. Those who are already immersed in the iOS ecosystem will have a more seamless experience with the Apple Watch Series 6. In the same way, existing Android users will feel more at home with the Galaxy Watch 3.

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