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Samsung recently introduced the Galaxy Watch 5 to the world. That means older wearables are going on discount, leading consumers to debate the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 vs Galaxy Watch 3. These smartwatches were released a year apart, but there are key differences in areas like performance and design. We’re going to take a closer look at those and break down these watches to see which one comes out on top.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 vs Galaxy Watch 3: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | August 27, 2021 | August 5, 2020 |
| Sizes | 40mm, 44mm/42mm, 46mm | 41mm, 45mm |
| Styles | Regular, Classic | Classic |
| Display | 1.19 or 1.36 inches | 1.2 or 1.4 inches |
| Processor | Exynos W920 | Exynos 9110 |
| Memory | 1.5GB | 1GB |
| Storage | 16GB | 8GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, NFC, GPS | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, NFC, GPS |
| Operating System | OneUI Watch | Tizen OS |
| MSRP | $249 | $399 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 vs. Galaxy Watch 3: What’s the Difference?
One of the biggest changes with the Galaxy Watch 4 vs. Galaxy Watch 3 is a new addition to the Watch 4 family. Samsung released two versions of the Watch 4, although that’s just one of the major differences between these smartwatches.
Size and Design
- BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS: Galaxy Watch4 is the first smartwatch to off body composition data right on your wrist, On your own schedule, now you can get readings on body fat, skeletal muscle, body...
- BETTER SLEEP STARTS HERE: Wake up feeling refreshed and recharged with advanced sleep tracking; When you go to bed, your Galaxy Watch4 sleep tracker starts monitoring your sleep and SpO2 levels...
- BE SMART ABOUT YOUR HEART: Take care of your heart with accurate ECG monitoring and keep an eye on possible atrial fibrillation, a common form of irregular heart rhythm; Share personalized readings...
- MAKE EVERY WORKOUT COUNT: Get the most out of every exercise session with advanced workout tracking that recognizes 6 popular activities, from running to rowing to swimming, automatically in just 3...
- GO THE EXTRA MILE: Improve your runs with advanced running coaching technology; VO2 Max readings assess your oxygen levels to manage and track your heart and lung endurance
Samsung revamped the Galaxy Watch 4 design. While the “Classic” still resembles a traditional wristwatch, the new model has a more streamlined look. It’s sporty like the Apple Watch with a design that fits with any style compared to the Classic.
The Watch 4 has a touch-bezel while the rotating bezel on the Classic is a bit smaller than the Galaxy Watch 3 bezel. Both are attractive watches, and the Galaxy Watch 4 is actually slimmer than the previous generation. The displays are just as sharp, but the sizes have been adjusted to fit the sleeker style of the new smartwatches.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 is available in 40mm or 44mm while the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is 42mm and 46mm. By comparison, the Galaxy Watch 3, which looks like the Classic, is sized at 41mm and 45mm. The weight difference is minor, and both collections have a variety of bands available.
Tech Specs
Samsung launched the Galaxy Watch 3 with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. Those were respectable marks, and still hold up well today. The watch is snappy, and applications feel fluid thanks to the memory and the Exynos 9110 processor. Colors pop on the Super AMOLED display, just like they do on the Galaxy Watch 4.
The Galaxy Watch 4 displays are just as easy on the eyes, but these smartwatches have more power. Both have a faster processor in the Exynos W920 and 1.5GB of RAM. Storage space also doubles on the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic to 16GB. It’s still a step behind the Apple Watch Series 8 with storage, but 16GB should be more than enough for most users.
If you are considering getting a Galaxy Watch because of its performance, then the Watch 4 is the clear winner. The boost in storage and memory is a solid upgrade, and the Watch 4 collection feels more fluid than the Watch 3 when paired with the new OS.
Sensors
- BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS: Galaxy Watch4 Classic is the first smartwatch to off body composition data right on your wrist, On your own schedule, now you can get readings on body fat, skeletal muscle,...
- BETTER SLEEP STARTS HERE: Wake up feeling refreshed and recharged with advanced sleep tracking; When you go to bed, your Galaxy Watch4 Classic sleep tracker starts monitoring your sleep and SpO2...
- BE SMART ABOUT YOUR HEART: Take care of your heart with accurate ECG monitoring and keep an eye on possible atrial fibrillation, a common form of irregular heart rhythm; Share personalized readings...
- MAKE EVERY WORKOUT COUNT: Get the most out of every exercise session with advanced workout tracking that recognizes 6 popular activities, from running to rowing to swimming, automatically in just 3...
- GO THE EXTRA MILE: Improve your runs with advanced running coaching technology; VO2 Max readings assess your oxygen levels to manage and track your heart and lung endurance
One advantage of smartwatches is their ability to track health metrics and provide users with data on the fly. That could be checking your steps during long walks or keeping tabs on your blood pressure. While you can do all of these things and more on the Galaxy Watch 3 and 4, the Galaxy Watch 4 has a better array of sensors.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 has heart rate tracking with an optical heart rate sensor. It has standard sensors like an accelerometer, barometer, and gyroscope, but can also calculate your blood oxygen level by measuring SpO2 and has an ECG. You’ll find the same array of sensors on both versions of the Galaxy Watch 4, along with a few extras.
Samsung’s BioActive sensor array on the Watch 4 consists of an optical heart rate sensor, an electrocardiogram, and a BIA sensor. The bioelectrical impedance sensor takes body fat, water retention, and mass into account to give you a body fat reading. The sensors on this watch can do the same things as the Watch 3 – they just do it better with improved accuracy.
Operating System
Unless you’re a techie, you may think that Samsung’s smartwatches run Android considering their lineup of Galaxy smartphones. Well, the Watch 3 actually runs Tizen, a Linux-based OS developed by Samsung. It’s been a staple on their smartwatches for years, but that changed with the Galaxy Watch 4 release.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic run OneUI Watch compared to Tizen OS 5.5 on the Watch 3. One UI was developed by Google and Samsung, so you can expect a larger selection of apps and a more streamlined feel overall.
You can use more apps on the Watch 4, which has a slick UI that’s a breeze to navigate. If you own a Samsung smartphone, there are some additional perks built in as well. Samsung’s apps are still available on both devices, but you’ll have more options on the Watch 4 overall.
Samsung will also keep the Galaxy Watch 4 updated for four years which adds a degree of futureproofing to the wearable. With the Galaxy Watch 3, you’re likely stuck with an outdated version of Tizen in a few years.
Battery Life
- Features IP68 water and dust protection
- Uses Bluetooth connectivity to replace the function of your phone
- The battery will last for more than a day before requiring a recharge
- Health and fitness features, such as ECG, blood pressure, and blood air saturation measuring included.
The sizes of the batteries in these smartwatches vary by style and size. As you might suspect, the Galaxy Watch 4 has a larger battery. Namely, the 44mm model has a 361mAh battery while the 40mm Watch 4 has a 247mAh battery.
The 41mm Watch 3 has the same sized battery as the 40mm Galaxy Watch 4. Regardless of size, Samsung promises around 40 hours of power from their wearables. That’s well beyond marks set by other manufacturers, but largely depends on usage and settings.
Heavy usage may require a top-off at the end of the day on either watch, but you shouldn’t run out of juice. While the Watch 3 and Watch 4 have comparable battery life, optimization and the newer processor give the Galaxy Watch 4 an edge.
Pricing and Availability
If you’re still on the fence between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 vs. Watch 3, pricing may settle the debate. The Galaxy Watch has never been considered budget-friendly, and the Watch 3 arrived with a price tag of $399 in 2020. Samsung became aggressive with pricing on the Galaxy Watch 4, however.
The Galaxy Watch 4 launched a year later but at a significantly lower price point of $299 for the Bluetooth model. The Watch 4 Classic is also cheaper than the previous version at $349 for the 42mm version with Bluetooth. LTE typically adds around $50, just like moving up to a larger size.
Both smartwatches are easy to acquire from a number of local and online retailers. You can also find them at discounts, considering the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 was announced in August 2022.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 vs Galaxy Watch 3: What’s the Same?
Samsung shook things up it they released the Galaxy Watch 4 by introducing a new model and switching operating systems. The watches may feel a little different, but there are still plenty of similarities between the Galaxy Watch 3 and 4.
Despite a change in design language and minor changes to the Classic, both watches are well-built to the MIL-STD-810G standards. They are also water-resistant with an IP68 rating so they can withstand a dunk in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
The company also kept connectivity options the same. These smartwatches have dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS/Glonass, and the option for LTE at an additional cost. Bluetooth 5.0 is present along with Qi wireless charging on the Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 3. Both have respectable speakers and are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass DX as well.
Galaxy Watch 4 vs. Galaxy Watch 3: 4 Must-Know Facts
- The Galaxy Watch 4 is the first smartwatch from Samsung to run Wear OS since the Gear Live.
- Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 3 was the company’s first wearable with fall detection.
- The Watch 4 Classic has a stainless steel chassis compared to aluminum for the regular model.
- Additional language support was added to the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 vs Galaxy Watch 3: Which One Is Best?
When choosing between the Galaxy Watch 4 vs. Galaxy Watch 3, the Watch 4 is the better choice in either style. While the modern model may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the Galaxy Watch Classic 4 is faster, cheaper, and has new features.
Unless you can find the Galaxy Watch 3 on sale at a very good discount, the Watch 4 is a far better deal across the board. But if you want the latest and arguably the best smartwatch from Samsung, you’ll also want to consider the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
