Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 vs Fitbit Versa 3 (2021): It Boils Down To What You Need

Choosing between Samsung and Fitbit’s flagship wearables is easy if you know what you’re looking for. With the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, you’re getting a device that puts a premium on smart features and connectivity. It also looks more like a traditional watch — perfect for dressier occasions.

Fitness enthusiasts, on the other hand, stand to benefit from the Fitbit Versa 3 and its reliable tracking capabilities. Its sporty design can handle all the sweat and movement from working out, too, but may look out of place in more formal events. Which smartwatch should you get? Read on to get insights on these flagship wearables.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 vs Fitbit Versa 3 Comparison Chart

Design

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 3 brandishes a more traditional watch design compared to the sporty vibe of the Fitbit Versa 3.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Fitbit Versa 3 take different approaches when it comes to design. On the Galaxy Watch 3, you’re getting a high-tech wearable that looks more like a traditional watch. With its circular AMOLED display and leather straps, the device eschews the trendy and modern squarish screens found on the likes of the Apple Watch and Fitbit devices. To make it more navigable, however, Samsung employs a rotating bezel on the Galaxy watch. It’s a nifty feature at once intuitive and tactile.

Fitbit’s Versa 3, on the other hand, looks exactly like the kind of device you get from a fitness-centric brand. The device’s squircle screen is complemented by sleek, rounded corners and minimalist color accents. Meanwhile, the strap on the Versa 3 is a marked improvement from its predecessor. Instead of a buckle, the Versa 3’s sweat-resistant silicone band uses a loop and peg mechanism. Not only does it give a streamlined look to the wearable, but it also latches securely and easily to your wrist.

Both watches house their advanced sensors in the back. Despite all the components, Fitbit’s Versa 3 isn’t as chunky as Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 3. The latter, however, is available in two sizes — 41mm and 45mm. If you’re worried about the fit, the Versa 3 does come with two bands out of the box — one large and one small. Both devices are waterproof up to 50 meters and come with interchangeable straps as well.

Check out more Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 reviews here.

Health and Fitness Features

While the Galaxy Watch 3 has more advanced health features, the Fitbit Versa 3 is still a better fitness tracker.

The latest iteration of the Samsung Galaxy Watch is equipped with SpO2 monitoring, a technology that’s been a staple on some of Fitbit’s wearables for a few years now. The Galaxy Watch 3, however, edges out the Fitbit Versa 3 with its blood pressure monitoring and fall detection feature. Not to be outdone, Versa 3 boasts advanced health tracking capabilities, too. While it can’t check your blood pressure, it can track skin temperature variations. The heart rate monitoring of the Versa 3 is one of the most reliable as well, thanks to PurePulse technology.

Of course, there are common features between the Galaxy Watch 3 and Fitbit Versa 3. Both devices, for instance, come with sleep monitoring and women’s health tracking. If you’re overwhelmed at work or home, there are guided breathing apps and stress monitoring apps on the watches as well. These use heart rate readings to recommend breathing sessions aimed at reducing stress levels.

When it comes to fitness tracking, the Versa 3 is a better option than the Galaxy Watch 3. After all, fitness is Fitbit’s bread and butter. On the Versa 3, you get all-day activity tracking that monitors steps, distance, floors climbed, and calories burned. You can personalize target heart rate zones for your workouts, too, and get real-time stats for up to 20 exercise modes.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 3 is more of an everyday wearable as opposed to a workout companion. Still, the flagship device comes with a handful of fitness features. The Galaxy Watch 3 has over 100 workout programs to choose from, 40 of which can be tracked. Auto-workout detection is available for 7 activities, too, and runners will appreciate how the wearable now offers on-demand VO2 Max readings.

Smart Features

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 has the edge over the Fitbit Versa 3 when it comes to smart features.

As flagship smartwatches, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Fitbit Versa 3 are packed with smart features. In this area, however, the Korean tech giant has the edge. The Galaxy Watch 3 is designed to work as a capable secondary device to one’s smartphone. Users, for instance, can leave their phones behind and take calls using the watch (provided you’re using an LTE model). The wearable also seamlessly integrates with a compatible Galaxy device, allowing certain apps from your phone to sync to your watch.

Beyond integrations, however, the Galaxy Watch 3 and Versa 3 are quite comparable. Both devices support smart notifications, voice assistants, music controls, and contactless payments. Like the Galaxy Watch 3, the Versa 3 can take calls, too, although your phone has to be nearby since the connection is only through Bluetooth. Replying to messages directly from your Galaxy Watch 3 or Fitbit Versa 3 is also possible, but full features are limited to Android-paired phones only.

Click here to read our Fossil Gen 5 vs Galaxy Watch 3 comparison.

Battery Life and Other Features

The Fitbit Versa 3 has the edge when it comes to battery life, while the Galaxy Watch 3 takes the cake when it comes to clock face customization.

Even with all the features, a smartwatch is only as good as its battery life. And in this area, it’s hard to find fault in the Versa 3. Fitbit’s wearable can last up to 6 days on a single charge. With GPS turned on, you still get 12 hours of battery life from the Versa 3. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 3, on the other hand, has a battery life of up to 2 days. It’s a downgrade from the 4-day stamina boasted by its predecessor, the 46mm Galaxy Watch. Of course, these ratings for both Fitbit and Samsung watches vary based on actual usage. Nonetheless, you’ll get to use the Versa 3 for longer without worrying about charging in between.

Like many of today’s wearables, the Galaxy Watch 3 and Versa 3 also support customizations. Aside from the straps, the actual watch faces can also be personalized. Running on the Tizen OS, the Watch 3 offers one of the more extensive libraries of watch faces. There are over 40 complications to choose from as well, ranging from traditional watch styles to futuristic-looking designs. Fitbit also has a large gallery of watch faces. Users can personalize their Versa 3 with quirky templates, stats-heavy faces, or minimalist themes.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is great for everyday use while the Fitbit Versa 3 is recommended for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

From its design to its features, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is made for everyday use. The latest iteration of Samsung’s high-tech wearable is a dressier alternative to the sporty exterior of the Fitbit Versa 3. The Galaxy Watch 3 also puts a premium on connectivity, integration, and smart features. While it’s not as tailored for fitness as Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active line, you still get a handful of features. Some of these advanced capabilities — like the SpO2 monitoring and on-demand VO2 Max readings — keep the Watch 3 on par with or even better than other wearables.

If fitness, however, is your primary reason for picking up a smartwatch, then the Fitbit Versa 3 is a no-brainer. From its sweatproof and innovative straps to its refined and accurate tracking features, it’s the wearable for workouts and exercises. Despite being more affordable than the Galaxy Watch 3, the Versa 3 is equipped with more than enough smart features to compete. The device supports music control, Bluetooth-connected calls, voice assistants, and contactless payments, too. And with interchangeable straps, you can always switch from a sporty default to a more everyday-friendly look.

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