The smartwatch market offers a compelling blend of fitness tracking, notification management, and mobile convenience. We pit the Samsung Galaxy Watch3, powered by Samsung’s Exynos 9110, against the Apple Watch Series 11, featuring Apple’s proprietary S10 chip, to determine which device delivers superior performance and usability for the discerning user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch Series 11 offers a seamless experience and faster charging. However, the Samsung Galaxy Watch3 provides a compelling alternative with its robust feature set and potentially wider compatibility, making it the better choice for Android users and those prioritizing platform flexibility.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 05 | 2025, September 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, August 06 | Available. Released 2025, September 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass DX), stainless steel frame 316L or titanium frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame (grade 5) |
| Dimensions | 46.2 x 45 x 11.1 mm (1.82 x 1.77 x 0.44 in) | 46 x 39 x 9.7 mm (1.81 x 1.54 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 53.8 (45mm), 48.2 g (41mm), 43 g (45mm tt.) (1.90 oz) | 34.6 g (42mm), 43.1 g (46mm) (1.52 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
Compatible with standard 22mm straps
Rotating bezel
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass DX | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 360 x 360 pixels (~364 ppi density) | 496 x 416 pixels (~330 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.4 inches | 1.96 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Retina LTPO3 OLED, 2000 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Exynos 9110 (10 nm) | Apple S10 |
| GPU | Mali-T720 | PowerVR |
| OS | Tizen OS 5.5 | watchOS 26, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 4GB 1GB RAM, 8GB 1GB RAM | 64GB |
| | eMMC | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body), temperature (water) |
| | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless, 0-80% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 340 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Mystic White | Slate, Gold, Natural |
| Models | SM-R850, SM-R840, SM-R855F, SM-R845F, SM-R855U, SM-R845U | A3335, A3337, A3452, A3453 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | € 818.00 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.97 W/kg (head) |
Samsung Galaxy Watch3
- Android Compatibility: Seamless integration with Android smartphones.
- Traditional Watch Design: Appeals to users who prefer a classic watch aesthetic.
- Customization Options: Offers a wider range of watch faces and straps.
- Slower Charging: Wireless charging is convenient but likely slower than Apple's.
- Potential Thermal Throttling: The 10nm Exynos chip may run warmer under load.
Apple Watch Series 11
- Fast Charging: 0-80% in 30 minutes provides significant convenience.
- Apple Ecosystem Integration: Works flawlessly with iPhones and Apple services.
- Optimized Performance: Apple’s S10 chip benefits from hardware-software synergy.
- iOS Lock-in: Limited compatibility with Android devices.
- Minimalist Design: May not appeal to users who prefer a more traditional look.
Display Comparison
While display specifications aren't provided, the Galaxy Watch3 traditionally features a Super AMOLED display known for vibrant colors. The Apple Watch Series 11 likely utilizes an OLED display as well, prioritizing clarity and power efficiency. The key difference will likely be in bezel size; Samsung has historically minimized bezels, while Apple’s design language often incorporates more substantial borders. Color accuracy will be high on both, but the Galaxy Watch3’s AMOLED panel may offer slightly higher contrast ratios.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is known for its camera capabilities, and the provided data doesn't mention camera specs. Smartwatches primarily focus on other functionalities, and camera quality is typically a secondary consideration. Any camera on either device would likely be limited to basic functionality like quick scanning or video calls.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Watch3’s Exynos 9110 (10nm) is a dual-core 1.15 GHz processor. The Apple Watch Series 11’s Apple S10 is also dual-core, but Apple’s chip design benefits from tight hardware-software integration. While clock speed isn’t everything, Apple’s S10 likely achieves higher single-core performance due to architectural optimizations. The 10nm process node of the Exynos 9110 suggests it may run slightly warmer under sustained load compared to a potentially more efficient Apple S10. This impacts sustained performance during demanding tasks like GPS tracking or complex app usage.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. However, the Apple Watch Series 11 boasts a 0-80% charge in 30 minutes, indicating a faster charging solution than the Galaxy Watch3’s wireless charging. This faster charging is a significant convenience factor. While the Galaxy Watch3 offers wireless charging, the lack of a specified charging time suggests it will be slower. Real-world battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the faster charging of the Apple Watch Series 11 mitigates concerns about daily charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch3 if you need a smartwatch compatible with Android devices, appreciate a more traditional watch design, and value a broader range of customization options. Buy the Apple Watch Series 11 if you are an iPhone user seeking tight integration with Apple’s services, prioritize fast charging, and prefer a minimalist aesthetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9110 chip in the Galaxy Watch3 overheat during extended GPS tracking for activities like running or cycling?
The Exynos 9110, built on a 10nm process, is capable of handling GPS tracking, but it may experience some thermal throttling during prolonged, intensive use. This means performance might slightly decrease to prevent overheating. The Apple Watch Series 11’s S10, with its optimized architecture, is likely to manage heat more efficiently during similar activities.
❓ How does the wireless charging speed of the Galaxy Watch3 compare to the Apple Watch Series 11 in real-world usage?
The Apple Watch Series 11’s 0-80% charge in 30 minutes is significantly faster than the Galaxy Watch3’s wireless charging. While the Galaxy Watch3 offers the convenience of wireless charging, users will likely experience a longer overall charging time, potentially requiring overnight charging to reach full capacity.
❓ Is the Apple Watch Series 11’s tight integration with iOS a significant drawback for Android users?
Absolutely. The Apple Watch Series 11 is designed to work seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem. Android users will experience limited functionality and compatibility issues, making it a poor choice for those not invested in Apple’s products and services.
