Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3 Compared

1. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3: Design


The design of the Active 2 reintroduced the very interesting rotating bezel that we were so used to with the Galaxy watch and Gear S3. However, the new Active 2 instead of physical bezel has digital touch sensitive bezel which I think is quite more innovative.

The 10.9mm thick Galaxy Active 2 is slimmer than both the Galaxy watch and Gear S3 which are quite thick. This leaves the Active 2 with a more attractive appearance. The Active 2 also weighs less than both the Galaxy watch and Gear S3, including the stainless steel edition of the Active 2. This makes the Active 2 a more comfortable wear all day long.

Samsung have also introduced more customization feature to the Active 2. It features My Style1 color extraction algorithm which is available in the Galaxy Wearable app. It simply enables you take a photo of your outfit, choose from five different color patterns, and your watch face changes in seconds.

Although this feature may be coming to other Samsung watches in future updates.


2. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3: Media


Although each of these three has a 4GB storage capacity, however, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 comes with new social media features that include the introduction of apps like social media viewers that allow you like a post, share, and engage. There’s also Youtube app which allows you watch video clips right on the Active 2.

Again, these features may come to older models in future updates.


3. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3: Fitness Tracking


All three Samsung watches are well equipped with same sensors to comprehensively track your active life. Except that the Galaxy watch active 2 now has ECG sensor onboard. It’s the first of Samsung watches to have this feature, following in the footsteps of the Apple watch 4 and other smartwatches with ECG. With ECG sensor on the Active 2, it can help you detect atrial fibrillation.

Going further, the Active 2 comes with an improved heart rate sensor that’s smarter and ready to give you more accurate readings which can help you workout at your pace and manage your training intensity effortlessly.

Moreover, out of the 39 sport modes that’s preloaded on all three watches, the Active 2 is capable of auto detecting and tracking 7 of those which is more than what the Galaxy watch or Gear S3 can auto track. Running programs have also been preloaded on the Active 2 which can help you manage your pace in real time.

Although some of these feature will be coming to older Samsung watches in subsequent updates.


4. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3: Water Resistance Rating


The Galaxy watch active 2 and Galaxy watch both have higher water resistance rating of 5ATM compared to the Gear S3’s IP68. The 5ATM rating means water resistance up to 50 meters while IP68 means water resistance up to 1.5 meters. These means while all three watches are water resistance, the Active 2 and Galaxy watch are better choices you can safely wear to the pool or ocean.


5. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Galaxy Watch vs Gear S3: Battery Life

Although there are slight differences in the battery capacity, it doesn’t necessarily translate to longer battery life. With any of these watches you should get about 2-5 days of battery life.

However, the Active 2 with improved performance is more likely to last a bit longer than the Galaxy watch and even longer than the Gear S3 which runs on older chipset with less processor speed.