Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Senior Editor
Featured in this comparison chart are the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2. While Galaxy Watch 3 succeeds Galaxy Watch, Active 2 succeeds Galaxy Watch Active. The main difference between the two is that Galaxy Watch 3 has a physical rotating bezel, while Active 2 has a digital rotating bezel. Active 2 had come with ECG and blood pressure monitoring, now Galaxy Watch 3 comes with these features and as well also features blood oxygen measurement not present in Active 2. Moreover, the Galaxy Watch 3 also has a higher storage capacity than the Active 2. We compare the differences between Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 vs Galaxy Watch Active 2 to find out which is a better smartwatch.
Note that these two are avialble in two sizes. The Galaxy Watch 3 is available in 41mm and 45mm, while the Active 2 is available in 40mm and 44mm. Each of these sizes is available in Bluetooth and Cellular models. The Cellular unit comes with an eSIm that enables cellular connectivity which makes it a standalone smartwatch. As a result, the Cellular unit can make and receuive calls, send and receive messages without your phone. Meanwhile, the Bluetooth units need your phone to make and receive calls and send and receive messages.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 vs Galaxy Watch Active 2: Specifications Compared
| Product Info |
 Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 (45mm) (LTE) Full Specifications, Features and Price |
 Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm) (LTE) Full Specifications and Features |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.00 | $68.72 |
| ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE |
| Device name | Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 (45mm) (LTE) | (LTE), Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm) |
| Device type | Fitness/Classic/Standalone smartwatch | Standalone/Fitness smartwatch |
| Gender | Men | Unisex |
| Release date | August, 2020 | September, 2019 |
| Predecessor | Samsung Galaxy Watch | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active |
| Successor | — | Galaxy Watch 4 |
| Versions | Bluetooth, LTE, Titanium | Bluetooth only, LTE |
| BODY | BODY | BODY |
| Dimension | 46.2 x 45 x 11.1 mm | 44 x 44 x 10.9 mm |
| Weight | 53.8g (excluding straps) | 30 grams (aluminum), 42 grams (stainless steel) |
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Case material | Stainless steel 316L | Stainless steel 316L |
| Strap material | Leather | Leather (stainless steel) |
| Bezel material | Stainless steel 316L | Bezeless, Stainless steel 316L |
| Strap size | 22 mm | 20 mm |
| Interchangeable strap | 22 mm, Yes | Yes |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla glass DX+ | Corning Gorilla glass DX+ |
| Water resistance | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
| Durability test | MIL-STD-810G | MIL-STD-810G |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Color | Mystic bronze, Mystic silver | Aqua-black, Black, Cloud-silver, Gold, Pink-gold, Silver |
| DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY |
| Display size | 1.4 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Display type | Super AMOLED, Full color | Super AMOLED, Full color |
| Display resolution | 360 x 360 pixel | 360 x 360 pixel |
| Pixel density | 364 ppi | — |
| Always on | Yes | Yes |
| Custom watch face | Yes | Yes |
| Input type | 2 Physical buttons, Physical rotating bezel, Touchscreen | 2 Physical buttons, Digital rotating bezel, Touchscreen |
| CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.0 | Bluetooth v5.0 |
| Bluetooth calling | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | Galileo, Yes, GPS/GLONASS/BEIDOU | Yes, GPS/GLONASS/BEIDOU |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY |
| RAM | 1GB | 1.5GB |
| ROM | 8GB | 4GB |
| Memory card slot | No | No |
| CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| SIM type | e-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Band | — | — |
| NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
| Email alert | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party apps alert | Yes | Yes |
| Reply to Notifications | - | - |
| MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA |
| Audio | mp3/mp4 | mp3/mp4 |
| Bluetooth music | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS |
| Sensor(s) | — | — |
| ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | No |
| Blood Pressure | Yes | Yes |
| Calories | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes |
| ECG tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | Yes | Yes |
| Stress | Yes | Yes |
| Fall detection | Yes | Yes |
| Menstrual cycle | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 Max | Yes | Yes |
| Swim-tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Underwater heart rate tracking | — | No |
| On-screen workout | No | No |
| Sport modes | 90 | 39 |
| BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY |
| Battery type | Non-removable Li-ion battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery |
| Battery capacity | 340mAh | 340mAh |
| Battery life | Regular: 2 days | Regular: 2 days, Standby :5 days+ |
| Charging type | Charging dock, WPC based wireless charging | WPC based wireless charging |
| Charging time | 1-2 hours | 1-2 hours |
| Solar charging | No | No |
| PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM |
| Chipset | Exynos 9110 | Exynos 9110 |
| CPU | Dual core 1.15GHz | Dual core 1.15GHz |
| GPU | Mali™-T720 MP1 | — |
| Operating system | Tizen 5.5 | Tizen 5.5 |
| MISC | MISC | MISC |
| Companion app | Samsung Health App | Samsung Gear 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+ |
| Payment system | Samsung Pay | Samsung Pay |
| Voice command | Yes, Bixby | Yes, Bixby |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Box content | Charger, Manual, Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 (LTE), Straps | Charger, Manual, Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm), Straps |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 vs Galaxy Watch Active 2 – What’s the Difference?
Premium Designs
Both smartwatches have got really attractive designs. Active 2 which has a digital rotating bezel looks a bit geeky, unlike the classic Galaxy Watch 3 that looks like a traditional watch. Active 2 is more compact and slimmer at 10.9mm than Galaxy Watch 3 which is 11.3 thick. It also weighs a little less, yet has the same display sizes as the Galaxy Watch 3. I can say Active 2 is a more comfortable smartwatch. Though, the Galaxy Watch 3 is also compact and comfortable to wear.
Galaxy Watch 3 Has Higher Storage Capacity
Galaxy Watch 3 has twice the storage capacity of Active 2 which of course allows you to take more tracks with you. As against 4GB that comes with Active 2, Galaxy Watch 3 comes with 8GB storage capacity. Galaxy Watch 3 also comes with a higher 1GB RAM compared to 0.75GB RAM of Active 2 – this doesn’t represent any difference in performance as both watches performed exceptionally well from my various experiences.
More Health Tracking Features on Galaxy Watch 3
Active 2 had come with ECG and blood pressure monitoring, but Galaxy Watch 3 also comes with these features with blood oxygen measurement added.
ECG tracking on Galaxy Watch 3 has already received clearance from the FDA and the first update to the watch has added VO2 Max., and blood oxygen tracking.
Beyond this, both smartwatches can track your sleep, heart rate, calories, and stress with lots of preset workout modes to choose from.
Which is Better?
These two are some of the most sophisticated and outstanding smartwatches you can find on the market, both Galaxy Watch Active 2 and Galaxy Watch 3 have got really nice features and attractive designs. However, Galaxy Watch 3 has higher storage and features blood oxygen measurement not present in Active 2.
Active 2 on the hand is cheaper and more compact. It’s a decent choice, while Galaxy Watch 3 is a better smartwatch, no doubt.