Galaxy Watch 3 vs Active 2 [The Ultimate Comparison]
Although the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the most affordable member of the Samsung wristwatch family, it has quickly established itself as one of our top picks.
Despite the fact that it is primarily intended for exercise, it offers pretty much everything you could desire in a fitness wristwatch.
Now that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 has arrived on the scene, you may be considering whether you should spend a lot of money on the new watch or save some money and go with the Active 2.
So, how do the two stack up against one another?
What exactly do you stand to lose or gain?
We’ve spent a significant amount of time with the Watch Active 2 and are now familiar with the capabilities of the Watch 3, allowing us to gain a better understanding of how the two Samsung smartwatches compare.
![Galaxy Watch 3 vs Active 2 [The Ultimate Comparison]](https://samsungtechwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/image-15-15-1024x570.jpg "Galaxy Watch 3 vs Active 2 [The Ultimate Comparison] 1")
Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 a good investment in 2021?
A comparison of the Galaxy Watch Active 2 demonstrates that the Watch Active 2 is still a worthwhile purchase, especially if you can locate it cheaply. In addition to working with any smartphone, Samsung’s watch also includes GPS, a heart rate sensor, and the ability to enable LTE. It can also keep track of your physical activity and sleep automatically.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
In addition to new features and colors, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 places a stronger emphasis on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, building on the success of one of the most popular “Android” watches ever.
With this smartwatch, you can compete with the best from companies like Apple and Garmin, which is truly next-generation technology.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
- Bezel with a physical rotation
- Sleep and running features have been added.
- Detection of trips
- GPS LTE capability is built-in.
- Battery life of more than two days
- Watch Active 2 costs more than $100 extra.
- Keeping an eye on your blood pressure
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
For Android users, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 has been our favorite wristwatch since it was initially introduced in late 2019, and it’s likely to maintain its position at the top of our list until the Watch Active 3 arrives on the market. It is comfortable, lightweight, and sporty, making it ideal for everyday wear.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
- Bezel with a digital rotation
- GPSLTE capability is built in.
- Look that is lighter and more streamlined
- Much less expensive than the Galaxy Watch 3. Battery life of two days with trip detection.
- Keeping an eye on your blood pressure
Don’t let the naming convention mislead you when comparing the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 vs. the Galaxy Watch Active 2; these are both the second iterations of two of Samsung’s most popular wearables. Even with the newer Galaxy Watch 4 from 2021 grabbing much of the focus, the Galaxy Watch Active 2, released in late 2019, and the Galaxy Watch 3 in mid-2020, these two smartwatches are still outstanding products and share an awful lot of family DNA.
See Other Related Articles:
Fitbit Sense vs Galaxy Watch 3: Which is better?
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 SM-R820NZKAXAR Aqua Black Review
How to Turn on Samsung Watch? (Answered)
Comparison of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 VS Active 2
1. Price and Availability of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 vs Active 2
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is the most expensive of the two smartwatches on the market. In the 41mm form, it costs $250, while the 45mm version costs $280, £319, and AU$799, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 costs $249, £199 for the 40mm version, and $269, £219, and AU$549 for the 44mm version. Take note that the 40mm type is not available in the Australian market.
When it comes to cellular connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 will cost you $300 / £339 / AU$799 for the 41mm version and $330 / £359 / AU$849 for the 45mm version. It is possible to get a Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 cellular version for between $279 and £349 (about $749 and $799, respectively) or $300 and £369 (approximately $799).
Both watches are readily available, so you shouldn’t have any trouble locating them, and they both appear pretty prominently in sales roundups, which is good news for you.
2. Design and Display
When compared side by side, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 appear to be very comparable devices. They both have a design that is more akin to a traditional watch, with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 having an extra 1mm of thickness on its body. The watch sports a Circular Super AMOLED panel with a full-color, always-on display that is either 1.2-inch or 1.3-inch in size.
Similar circumstances apply to the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, however, one millimeter has been removed from both models as a matter of course. That also means that the resolutions are identical at 360 x 360, and both displays appear to be reasonably clear while viewing statistics or swiping through the menus. It makes no difference which way you look, you’ll have no trouble seeing what’s going on in any light, including brilliant sunlight.
According to on the size you choose, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 weighs anywhere between 48.2g and 53.8g, whilst the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 starts at just 26g and is suitable for more active users who do not want to feel even the smallest bit encumbered while wearing their watch.
As you’d anticipate, there are a variety of strap options available, including first- and third-party alternatives, as well as some unique options available at the time of purchase, among other things. Also keep in mind that the majority of Samsung Galaxy Watch 3s are equipped with a leather strap, illustrating once again how this is a more fashionable piece than the more affordable Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2.
Because of their IP68 rating, both watches are safe to be immersed in liquids up to 5 meters deep and are also reasonably dust resistant.
The rotating bezel control on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is perhaps the most notable feature of the device. A physically turning dial makes it simple for you to physically navigate through on-screen menus, and it’s far more enjoyable than clicking on a computer screen. It features a bezel control as well, but it is a digital bezel, with a touch-sensitive strip on the outside of the display, similar to that of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2.
It may perform admirably, but it is far from as enjoyable to use as its more expensive cousin. When it comes to design, the spinning bezel is the most noticeable difference between the two watches, and if you’re already accustomed to wearing a watch with a revolving bezel, you’re unlikely to want to wear anything else.
3. Fitness and Features are Important Considerations.
In addition to automatically tracking your exercises, both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 you the option to manually configure your settings. Runs, walks, swims, cycles, rowing, and elliptical or dynamic workouts may all be tracked automatically with this app. GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking are all included with both devices as well.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 also includes fall detection and VO2 Max measurements that can be requested on demand. It also contains an ECG and SpO2 tracking feature, as well as stress tracking, so you’ll be able to tell when you’re feeling a little anxious. When that moment arrives, it will even recommend breathing exercises based on whether or not it believes you are in need of them.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 will cheerfully track all of your workouts, and it also includes fall detection, ECG monitoring, and stress tracking, but it does not include SpO2 monitoring. That is unlikely to be a significant issue for most people, but it is something to keep in mind if you want to be confident that you have every function available to you at your disposal.
4. OS, Power, and Battery life are All Important Considerations.
Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 run on the Tizen operating system, which means they both have Bixby voice capabilities as well as an operating system that works better with Android phones than it does with iOS phones. Tizen isn’t a poor platform by any means, and it provides the most of the features you’ll require. However, it misses some of the major features seen on other smartwatches, such as Google Maps. At the very least, the alternatives aren’t too awful in the least.
As you’d expect from a more expensive watch, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 will perform slightly better than the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, but both devices are adequate in terms of speed and responsiveness. Of course, using the rotating bezel to traverse the operating system’s menus will be considerably more convenient, and this is ultimately the most significant difference between the two watches.
If you have an iPhone, don’t expect it to integrate particularly smoothly, with certain notifications being ignored or functionality being lacking.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 has a 340mAh battery on the 45mm version, which should last you two to three days depending on your usage habits, while the 41mm version and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 have a 247mAh battery, which should last you up to two days depending on your usage habits. If you’re using a GPS or heart rate monitor, these figures will be far lower than they otherwise would be.
Basically, whichever one you choose, you should expect to have to recharge it on a rather regular basis. On the positive side, both devices are compatible with wireless charging, which is always a welcome feature.
5. Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 has health and fitness capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 (Samsung Galaxy Watch 3)
The Active 2’s main selling point is that it is a better match for tracking your fitness, and with its smaller, lighter frame, it is a watch that we have loved using for running, swimming, and HIIT sessions. Because the Galaxy Watch 3 has a comparable size to the Apple Watch, we expect it to be a good fit for you as well. Particularly given the fact that it provides virtually all of the same functions and even more.
Both watches come equipped with heart rate monitors, a built-in GPS, and an accelerometer for indoor tracking, among other features. The app includes features like as 24-hour fitness tracking, stress monitoring, guided breathing, and some really useful incentive tools to help you stay active throughout the day.
For when you’re ready to go beyond steps and sleep, there’s automatic activity identification and dedicated modes for things like running, swimming and cycling to help you get there. These functions have shown to be reliable across the board for us on the Active 2, and we anticipate that this will continue to be true with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.
A number of enhancements are promised for Samsung’s newer Watch 3, including better running analytics and the ability to monitor workouts that make use of the integrated heart rate sensor to provide real-time information. Putting that aside, it appears that these two products will be nearly identical in terms of sports and fitness tracking.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Samsung has made health monitoring a major focus of its marketing efforts, which were formally launched with the Active and the promise of blood pressure monitoring. Adding an ECG sensor to your Active 2 or Watch 3 will help you discover major heart-related issues earlier on. Both watches have the capability of taking blood pressure readings as well, provided that they have been calibrated using a cuff-style blood pressure monitor beforehand. The Galaxy Watch 3 will also be able to assess blood oxygen levels, according to Samsung.
The new fall detection mode, which is identical to the feature that is available on the latest Apple Watch, is also on the way, following in Apple’s footsteps. However, unlike the ECG and blood pressure features, these functions have not been activated in any country other than South Korea. The features for serious health monitoring will require the company to apply for the necessary approvals before users can begin to benefit from them.
Our Final Thoughts On Galaxy Watch 3 vs Active 2
When it comes to what they have to offer, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 are very comparable to one another. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3’s visual appeal and ease of use are the device’s primary selling points. Its physical bezel may add a few grams to the overall weight of the watch, but it is worth every gram because it is both functional and fashionable.
While lifting weights or going for a run, you don’t want something big on your wrist if all you’re looking for is to keep track of your exercises. In this case, though, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 shines brightly to its full potential. It’s less expensive than the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 while yet providing many of the same key capabilities. It’s just not the type of timepiece you’d want to wear to a dinner party or other social occasion.
If your financial situation allows it, treat yourself to the spinning bezel joys of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 if you can. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 may not be able to do everything, but that doesn’t mean you’re losing out on too much.
Unless, of course, you’re a fan of the Apple iPhone. Given the limits of the Tizen operating system, neither solution is optimal in this situation.
FAQS GALAXY WATCH 3 and ACTIVE 2
Was there a significant difference between the Galaxy Watch 3 and the Samsung Active 2?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 has a 1.4-inch display on the 45mm model, while the 41mm model has a 1.2-inch display on the 41mm model. Both cameras have a resolution of 360 × 360 pixels. With a 1.4-inch display on the 42mm Galaxy Watch Active 2, the 40mm Galaxy Watch Active 2 is slightly smaller than the 42mm variant. Both devices have a 360 x 360 pixel resolution, which is the same as the Watch 3.
Is the Galaxy Watch 3 a worthwhile upgrade over the previous model?
After all, the Galaxy Watch 3 will be worth significantly less than this sum next year, so if the promise of additional apps, as well as the very newest software and hardware, appeals to you, now is a good time to take advantage of Samsung’s offer. You won’t be disappointed if you upgrade, but there’s no harm in waiting a few months to watch how Wear OS 3 evolves.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 a good investment in 2021?
A comparison of the Galaxy Watch Active 2 demonstrates that the Watch Active 2 is still a worthwhile purchase, especially if you can locate it cheaply. In addition to working with any smartphone, Samsung’s watch also includes GPS, a heart rate sensor, and the ability to enable LTE. It can also keep track of your physical activity and sleep automatically.
![Galaxy Buds Live vs Galaxy Buds Plus [Ultimate Comparison]](https://samsungtechwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/LhFvzixGAt6xJVHXf7N7rf-970-80.jpg-970×546.jpg "Galaxy Buds Live vs Galaxy Buds Plus [Ultimate Comparison] 25")
![How To Unlock Samsung Tablet Without Factory Reset? [4 Methods]](https://samsungtechwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/image-76-1-768x340.png "How To Unlock Samsung Tablet Without Factory Reset? [4 Methods] 27")
![Asus Zenpad 3s 10 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab s3 [2023] (Best Comparison)](https://samsungtechwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/0-asus-zenpad.jpg "Asus Zenpad 3s 10 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab s3 [2023] (Best Comparison) 31")
