The smartwatch market is booming, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the stylish Honor Watch GS 3 and the feature-packed Samsung Galaxy Watch5. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which wearable best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 takes the crown for overall performance and features, thanks to its powerful processor and robust ecosystem integration. However, the Honor Watch GS 3 offers a compelling alternative with its sleek design and longer battery life, making it a great choice for those prioritizing style and longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | No | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 10 | 2022, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 15 | Available. Released 2022, August 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, stainless steel frame 316L | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 45.9 x 45.9 x 10.5 mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.41 in) | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (1.75 x 1.70 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 44 g (1.55 oz) | 33.5 g (44mm), 28.7 g (40mm) (1.02 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps | MIL-STD-810H compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.43 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | - | Exynos W920 (5 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 4GB 32MB RAM | 16GB 1.5GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE, EDR | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (China only) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature) |
| | - | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | 10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 451 mAh | Li-Ion 410 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Steel, Gold | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold, Sapphire |
| Models | MUS-B19 | SM-R915F, SM-R905F |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Honor Watch GS 3
- Exceptional battery life (up to 14 days)
- Stylish and lightweight design
- Affordable price
- Good sleep tracking
- Less powerful processor
- Limited app ecosystem
- Smaller display compared to Galaxy Watch5
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
- Powerful Exynos W920 processor
- Vibrant AMOLED display
- Advanced health tracking features (ECG, body composition)
- Seamless integration with Android devices
- Rotating bezel (on some models) for easy navigation
- Shorter battery life (2-3 days)
- Higher price
- Can be bulky for some users
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Watch5 boasts a vibrant AMOLED display with excellent color accuracy and brightness, making it easy to read in all lighting conditions. The Honor Watch GS 3 features an AMOLED display as well, but it's slightly smaller and may not be as bright. Samsung's display edges out the Honor's in terms of overall visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches, and users will need to rely on their smartphones for capturing photos and videos.
Performance
The Exynos W920 chipset in the Galaxy Watch5 provides significantly faster performance compared to the Honor Watch GS 3. Apps launch quickly, and navigation is smooth. The Honor Watch GS 3's performance is adequate for basic smartwatch functions, but it can feel sluggish when multitasking or using more demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Honor Watch GS 3 shines in battery life, often lasting up to 14 days on a single charge. The Galaxy Watch5 offers a respectable battery life of around 2-3 days, depending on usage. This is a significant advantage for the Honor Watch GS 3.
Buying Guide
The Honor Watch GS 3 is ideal for users who value a minimalist design, extended battery life, and a more affordable price point. The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 is perfect for Android users seeking advanced health tracking, seamless smartphone integration, and a powerful, responsive smartwatch experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which watch is better for fitness tracking?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 offers more advanced fitness tracking features, including ECG, body composition analysis, and a wider range of workout modes. However, the Honor Watch GS 3 provides accurate step tracking and sleep monitoring.
❓ Is the Galaxy Watch5 compatible with iOS?
While the Galaxy Watch5 connects via Bluetooth, its full functionality is best experienced with an Android smartphone. iOS compatibility is limited.
