The smartwatch market is booming, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the stylish Honor Watch GS 3 and the rugged Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which smartwatch comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro offers superior performance, advanced health tracking, and a more durable design. However, the Honor Watch GS 3 provides a more affordable option with a sleek aesthetic and reliable core smartwatch features. The Pro is the clear winner for serious athletes and tech enthusiasts.
| 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), titanium frame |
| Dimensions | 45.9 x 45.9 x 10.5 mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.41 in) | 45.4 x 45.4 x 10.5 mm (1.79 x 1.79 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 44 g (1.55 oz) | 46.5 g (1.66 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
*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 (body temperature) |
| | - | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | 10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 451 mAh | Li-Ion 590 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Steel, Gold | Black Titanium, Gray Titanium |
| Models | MUS-B19 | SM-R925F |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 110 EUR |
Honor Watch GS 3
- Stylish design
- Affordable price
- Decent battery life (up to 7 days)
- Heart rate and SpO2 monitoring
- Less powerful processor
- Smaller display
- Limited app ecosystem
- Less durable build
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
- Powerful performance (Exynos W920)
- Long battery life (up to 80 hours)
- Durable titanium case and sapphire crystal display
- Advanced health tracking (ECG, body composition)
- Seamless Samsung integration
- Higher price
- Larger and bulkier design
- Wear OS can be resource-intensive
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Watch5 Pro boasts a larger, brighter, and more vibrant AMOLED display with excellent outdoor visibility. The Honor Watch GS 3 has a smaller AMOLED screen, which is still good but doesn't match the Pro's clarity and brightness. The Pro's sapphire crystal display also offers superior scratch resistance.
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 Pro provides significantly faster and smoother performance compared to the Honor Watch GS 3. App loading times are quicker, and the overall user experience is more responsive. The Pro's dual-core processor handles demanding tasks with ease.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch5 Pro's larger battery and optimized power management provide significantly longer battery life, often lasting several days on a single charge. The Honor Watch GS 3 offers decent battery life, typically lasting around a week with moderate use, but falls short of the Pro's endurance.
Buying Guide
The Honor Watch GS 3 is ideal for users seeking a stylish and affordable smartwatch with basic fitness tracking and notification capabilities. The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro is perfect for athletes, outdoor adventurers, and those who demand advanced health metrics, robust durability, and seamless integration with the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy Watch5 Pro worth the extra cost?
If you're a serious athlete or prioritize advanced health tracking and durability, the Galaxy Watch5 Pro's premium features and performance justify the higher price. Otherwise, the Honor Watch GS 3 offers a compelling value proposition.
❓ Which watch is better for fitness tracking?
The Galaxy Watch5 Pro offers more comprehensive fitness tracking features, including advanced metrics and workout analysis. However, the Honor Watch GS 3 still provides essential tracking capabilities for everyday use.