Smartwatches have evolved significantly, and Samsung has been at the forefront. Today, we're pitting two popular models against each other: the newer Galaxy Watch4 and the classic Gear S3 Frontier. Which one offers the best experience for your wrist?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Watch4 wins overall thanks to its modern Wear OS, significantly faster processor, and advanced health tracking. However, the Gear S3 Frontier remains a compelling option for those prioritizing battery life and a rugged, classic design, especially at a lower price point.
| 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+), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), stainless steel 316L frame |
| Dimensions | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (1.75 x 1.70 x 0.39 in) | 49 x 46 x 12.9 mm (1.93 x 1.81 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | No |
| Weight | 30.3 g (44mm), 25.9 g (40mm) (1.06 oz) | 63 g (2.22 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
*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, Pink Gold, Silver, Green, Thom Browne Edition, Bespoke Edition, PXG Golf Edition | Silver |
| Models | SM-R860, SM-R870 | - |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 210 EUR |
Samsung Galaxy Watch4
- Modern Wear OS
- Faster Processor
- Advanced Health Tracking (ECG, Blood Oxygen)
- Vibrant Display
- Sleek Design
- Shorter Battery Life
- Can be pricier
Samsung Gear S3 frontier
- Longer Battery Life
- Rugged Design
- Classic Watch Aesthetic
- GPS for Outdoor Activities
- Generally more affordable
- Older Tizen OS
- Slower Performance
- Less Advanced Health Features
- Lower Resolution Display
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Watch4 boasts a vibrant Super AMOLED display with higher resolution and improved brightness compared to the Gear S3 Frontier's AMOLED screen. The Watch4's display is sharper and more visually appealing, making it better for viewing notifications and apps. The Gear S3's screen is still good, but noticeably less crisp.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Galaxy Watch4 nor the Gear S3 Frontier have built-in cameras. This is a common limitation for smartwatches.
Performance
The Exynos W920 in the Galaxy Watch4 provides a substantial performance boost over the Gear S3 Frontier's Exynos 7270. Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and the overall user experience is significantly more responsive on the Watch4. The Watch4's 5nm process also contributes to better power efficiency despite the increased performance.
Battery Life
The Gear S3 Frontier generally offers longer battery life than the Galaxy Watch4. While the Watch4's battery life has improved with software updates, the Gear S3 can often last for several days on a single charge, whereas the Watch4 typically requires daily charging.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 is ideal for fitness enthusiasts and those wanting the latest Wear OS features, seamless integration with Android, and advanced health metrics. The Gear S3 Frontier is a good choice for users seeking a durable, long-lasting smartwatch with a traditional watch aesthetic and a focus on outdoor activities, and who don't need the newest features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy Watch4 compatible with iPhones?
While the Galaxy Watch4 offers limited compatibility with iPhones, it's primarily designed for Android devices. Features like ECG and blood pressure monitoring are not available on iOS.
❓ Does the Gear S3 Frontier still receive software updates?
Samsung has largely ended active software updates for the Gear S3 Frontier. While it still functions, you won't receive the latest features or security patches.
