Fitbit Versa 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: Which One is Better?
The Fitbit Versa 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 each have their strengths and weaknesses. It won’t come as a surprise to you that Fitbit is performing better in terms of fitness, sports, and health-related features.
The Samsung watch ranks higher in terms of smart features, but the culprit with Samsung is its compatibility with iOS (how well it can serve an iPhone user, that is).
Galaxy Watch 3
Pros and Cons
FOR
- Two size options and three color choices
- 40 pre-programmed sports modes
- Built-in run coaching
- Easy to navigate with rotating bezel and two buttons
AGAINST
- Shorter battery life
- Several limitations when paired with iOS device
- Heavier than Fitbit Versa
Fitbit Versa 3
Pros and Cons
FOR
- 6+ days battery life
- 20 exercise modes
- Fast-charging
- Lower price point
AGAINST
- No optional LTE
- Inferior build material (aluminum vs. stainless steel)
- No offline music storage
Using Galaxy Watch 3 with an IPhone is Problematic
First things first, never buy a sports watch without carefully considering whether the watch will be fully compatible with your phone’s operating system. When it comes to comparing recent models of smartwatches by Fitbit and Galaxy, Fitbits are often clear winners for iPhone users.
You should know that the Fitbit Versa 3 is compatible with both iOS and Android.
With Samsung watches, it’s never exactly easy and it takes some digging around to find the information you need as an iPhone user. I wrote a blog post that specifically helps demystify what works and doesn’t work on iOS when it comes to Samsung watches.
Luckily, iPhone owners can still consider buying a Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, given it is – for the most part – compatible with iOS.
However, before committing money to a Galaxy Watch 3, be aware that iPhone owners will not be able to use the watch to its full potential, as some features are for Android users only. We’ve identified incompatible features in the Similarities and Differences sections of this article.
As an iPhone owner myself, this ruled out Galaxy Watch 3 as a sports watch option for me. It’s a shame because I otherwise love the looks of the Galaxy watch and it has the right balance of smart and fitness functions for my needs.
Time for an Android phone I hear you say… [I’m not ready to mourn my iPhone yet]
Similarities Between
Fitbit Versa 3 and
Galaxy Watch 3
- Calls from wrist
- Smart notifications
- Contactless payment
- Water resistance
- GPS
- Music
- Heart-rate monitoring
- And more…
Differences Between
Fitbit Versa 3 and
Galaxy Watch 3
- Price
- Touchscreen
- Battery Life
- Charging
- Electrocardiogram
- LTE Connection
- Offline Music
- Display
- Blood Pressure
- Sports Modes
Galaxy Watch 3 vs Fitbit Versa 3: Calls From Wrist
Both watches are equipped with a microphone and a speaker allowing you to take calls from the device. Your phone must be nearby.
With the LTE version of Galaxy Watch 3, it doesn’t matter how close or far your phone is, but that model is more expensive, plus your mobile provider might charge you more on a monthly basis. Therefore for many of us, the LTE model is not worth the extra convenience.
Versa 3 Vs Galaxy Watch 3: Smart Notifications
Both watches will display notifications and alerts such as text messages, emails and calendar reminders. Both watches also allow replies from the watch directly.
- Limitations with iOS for Galaxy Watch 3: can’t respond to text messages or view texted photos on watch.
Versa 3 Vs Galaxy Watch 3: Contactless Payment
Using Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, the Fitbit Versa 3 lets you pay without your physical card using Fitbit Pay. Fitbit Pay is considered highly secure and you’ll have to set-up a 4-digit PIN.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 also has NFC, and you can pay with your watch at supported terminals using Samsung Pay.
- Limitations with iOS for Galaxy Watch 3: Samsung Pay not supported.
Recommended articles for you:
- The 7 Most Important Criteria for Choosing a Sports Watch
- The Best Samsung Watches for Fitness Tracking
Versa 3 Vs Galaxy Watch 3: Water Resistance
Both watches are water-resistant to a level that allows you to shower, swim and sweat plenty. Both watches can also be used safely in the ocean for open water swims.
Neither of them is suitable for diving.
Versa 3 Vs Galaxy Watch 3: GPS
A common feature of Versa 3 and Galaxy Watch 3 is the onboard GPS, which allows you to track distance, pace and routes without having to carry your phone. Both watches’ GPS works well and with good accuracy.
Fitbit Versa 3 vs Galaxy Watch 3: Music
The Spotify app is available on Versa 3 and on Galaxy Watch 3, allowing you to stream music on your watch.
Streaming is different to music download, and you should know that there’s a difference in music storage capability for the watches reviewed, which I explain in the Differences section of this article.
Versa 3 Vs. Galaxy Watch 3: Heart-Rate Monitoring
Both watches have an optical heart-rate sensor at the back of the watch, that can calculate your heart rate on a continuous basis, your average resting heart rate, and your average and maximum heart rate during exercise.
Some users have been disappointed with the accuracy of the Galaxy Watch 3 heart rate readings (and those of other Galaxy watches), as it can be a little bit off at times, especially in the peak intensity zone.
Versa 3 will categorize time spent in each of three heart rate zones – fat burning, cardio and peak – in a nice visual way. I show an example of heart rate zones for a HIIT workout on my Versa 3 review page.
Versa 3 watches also have the following heart-rate-related features, supported by the advanced Pulse 2.0 technology:
- Resting heart rate trends
- Estimation of your cardio fitness level
- High & low heart-rate notifications
- Heart rate variability tracking
Check Today’s Price: Fitbit Versa 3
Versa 3 Vs. Galaxy Watch 3: Other Similar Features
Sleep tracking, blood oxygen saturation (SPO2) sensor, ambient light sensor, gyroscope
Price of Versa 3 vs Galaxy Watch 3
Unless you find an exceptional deal, Galaxy Watch 3 is more expensive than Versa 3. Given both have a lot in common, it’s important to review the specifications and features with your personal needs in mind.
Compare today’s prices:
Versa 3 Vs. Galaxy Watch 3: Touchscreen
Versa 3 has a touchscreen AMOLED display. It has a flat button on one side, which can be used as a shortcut to access the applications of your choice. Pressing the button continuously for 2 seconds versus pressing twice rapidly will show you different apps.
The flat button is a good choice esthetically, however, it’s not as responsive as a real protruding button and several Fitbit users have been annoying by that.
Galaxy Watch 3 also has an AMOLED touchscreen display, plus a rotating bezel (love it!), plus two physical buttons. Plenty of control and pleasant to control.
Galaxy Watch 3 vs Versa 3 Battery Life
Fitbit Versa 3 can last for up to six days without charging, which is considerably longer than the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 which can last for up to 2-days without charge. When the GPS is on, the Versa 3 lasts for up to 12 hours. With Galaxy Watch 3, you get about 6 hours.
Neither watch can recharge its battery through solar.
| Fitbit Versa 3 | Galaxy Watch 3 | |
| In smartwatch mode | up to 6 days | up to 2 days |
| With GPS on | up to 12 hours | up to 6 hours |
Fitbit Versa 3 is the Only one with Fast Charging
Fitbit Versa 3 has fast charging: you get an extra day’s worth of power in a 12-minutes charging session. Galaxy Watch 3 doesn’t have fast charging.
But, unlike Versa 3, Galaxy Watch 3 can be recharged wirelessly.
Versa 3 Vs. Galaxy Watch 3: Electrocardiogram
Galaxy Watch 3 has an inbuilt electrocardiogram, which is not a feature you’ll get from Versa 3.
Limitation with iOS: Galaxy Watch 3 won’t share electrocardiogram readings when paired with an iPhone.
Versa 3 vs Samsung Watch 3 LTE Connection
Galaxy Watch 3 LTE is designed with a cellular module technology that allows the connection to mobile networks. The retail price of the LTE is slightly higher than that of the regular Galaxy Watch 3.
Versa 3 doesn’t have a cellular model.
Versa 3 Vs. Galaxy Watch 3: Offline Music
Both watches allow streaming as mentioned in the prior section on Similarities between Watch 3 and Versa 3.
There’s a difference in terms of music storage, as only Galaxy 3 allows you to store music on the watch itself. Galaxy Watch 3 Deals on Amazon
Versa 3 Vs. Galaxy Watch 3: Display
Galaxy Watch 3 has a better resolution but a smaller display size compared to Versa 3:
| Fitbit Versa 3 | Galaxy Watch 3 | |
| Resolution | 300-pixels | 336-pixels |
| Color Display | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Size | 1.58 inches diameter | 1.4 inches diameter |
Considering both size and resolution, Watch 3 offers a better visual experience.
Versa 3 Vs. Galaxy Watch 3: Blood Pressure
Galaxy Watch 3 is equipped with a sophisticated blood pulse analysis sensor that estimates your blood pressure. Fitbit Versa 3 doesn’t estimate blood pressure.
Versa 3 Vs. Galaxy Watch 3: Sports Modes
Surprisingly, Watch 3 has more sports modes than Versa 3 (40 versus 20)!
However, a lot of the Galaxy watch’s extra modes are single-movement exercises like squats, bench press and sit-ups. Personally, I don’t use single exercise modes as I feel like I’m always playing with my watch when I do. I prefer the simplicity of categorizing my whole workout as a weights or strength workout. So most of the extra sports profiles are not of any use to me.
Fitbit Versa 3 sports modes
- Bootcamp, Run, Bike, Swim, Spinning, Treadmill, Hike, Weights, Walk, Workout, Interval Workout, Golf, Tennis, Kickboxing, Stair Climber, Pilates, Circuit Training, Yoga, Elliptical, Martial Arts
Watch 3 sports modes
- Circuit Training, Running, Cycling, Swimming, Treadmill, Hiking, Walking, Other Workout, Elliptical Trainer, Exercise Bike, Lateral Raises, Sit-ups, Arm Curls, Arm Extensions, Plank, Mountain Climbers, Push-ups, Leg Press, Leg Extensions, Leg Curls, Pull-ups, Leg Raises, Rowing Machine, Stretching, Weight Machine, Bench Press, Lat Pulldowns, Deadlifts, Back Extensions, Shoulder Presses, Front Raises, Step Machine, Lunges, Crunches, Squats, Jumping Jacks, Burpee Test, Pilates, Yoga
Which Watch is Better Between Fitbit Versa or Galaxy Watch 3?
Fitbit Versa 3 beats Galaxy Watch 3 for battery life, heart rate monitoring, overall compatibility with iPhones and price. Galaxy Watch 3 is better than Versa 3 for smart functions on Android, music storage and control.
I think the Galaxy 3 can make a lot of Android users happy with their purchase. At that price point, you might be tempted to chip in a bit more and get a Garmin watch that will be equally well-rounded but better in terms of fitness and health features.
Read More: Best Garmin Sports Watches
