Samsung has a rich history of smartwatches, and the Galaxy Watch4 Classic and Gear S3 Frontier represent different eras of that journey. Both offer a classic watch design and a suite of features, but significant technological advancements separate them. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Watch4 Classic is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster processor, Wear OS integration, and modern health tracking features. While the Gear S3 Frontier remains a capable device, its older technology and Tizen OS show its age. The Watch4 offers a more future-proof and versatile experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 11 | 2016, August. Released 2016, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 27 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass DX), stainless steel frame 316L or titanium frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), stainless steel 316L frame |
| Dimensions | 45.5 x 45.5 x 11 mm (1.79 x 1.79 x 0.43 in) | 49 x 46 x 12.9 mm (1.93 x 1.81 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | No |
| Weight | 52 g (46mm), 46.5 g (42mm) (1.66 oz) | 63 g (2.22 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
Rotating bezel
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Compatible with standard 22mm straps |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass DX | Corning Gorilla Glass SR+ |
| Resolution | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) | 360 x 360 pixels (~278 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.4 inches | 1.3 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | Always-on display
Rotating bezel |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Exynos W920 (5 nm) | Exynos 7 Dual 7270 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 | - |
| OS | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 | Tizen OS 5.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 4GB 768MB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer |
| | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay | S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless (Qi) |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 72 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 361 mAh | Li-Ion 380 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Thom Browne Edition, Bespoke Edition | Silver |
| Models | SM-R880, SM-R890 | - |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 210 EUR |
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic
- Wear OS integration
- Advanced health tracking (ECG, SpO2)
- Faster processor
- Super AMOLED display
- Modern design
- Shorter battery life compared to Gear S3
- Can be pricier
Samsung Gear S3 frontier
- Longer battery life
- Rugged design
- Classic watch aesthetic
- More affordable
- Older processor and software (Tizen OS)
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Wear OS
- Less advanced health tracking
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Watch4 Classic features a Super AMOLED display with a higher resolution (450 x 450) compared to the Gear S3 Frontier's (360 x 360). This results in sharper visuals and more vibrant colors on the Watch4 Classic. Both have excellent visibility in sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches, and both rely on smartphone connectivity for photography.
Performance
The Exynos W920 in the Watch4 Classic is a substantial upgrade over the Gear S3 Frontier's Exynos 7270. The Watch4 Classic feels noticeably faster and smoother, especially when navigating menus and running apps. The newer chipset also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The Gear S3 Frontier generally offers longer battery life (around 3-4 days) compared to the Galaxy Watch4 Classic (around 1.5-2 days) due to its less power-hungry processor and display. However, the Watch4 Classic's faster charging helps mitigate this difference.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic is ideal for users seeking a modern smartwatch experience with Wear OS, advanced health tracking (ECG, SpO2), and seamless integration with Android devices. The Gear S3 Frontier is a good option for those on a budget who appreciate a rugged design and long battery life, but are less concerned with the latest features and software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy Watch4 Classic compatible with iPhones?
While the Galaxy Watch4 Classic offers some basic functionality with iPhones, the experience is significantly limited compared to Android devices. Features like ECG and SpO2 monitoring are exclusive to Android.
❓ Will the Gear S3 Frontier receive software updates?
Samsung has largely ended software support for the Gear S3 Frontier. You shouldn't expect any further major updates.
