The smartwatch market is booming, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Two popular contenders are the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 and the Huawei Watch GT 3. Both offer a blend of style and functionality, but cater to different user needs. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Watch5 boasts superior health tracking and Wear OS integration, making it ideal for fitness enthusiasts and Android users. The Huawei Watch GT 3 excels in battery life and offers a sleek design with a focus on style and basic notifications, appealing to those prioritizing longevity and aesthetics.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 | N/A |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | No |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 10 | 2021, October 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 26 | Available. Released 2021, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (1.75 x 1.70 x 0.39 in) | 45.9 x 45.9 x 11 mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | No |
| Weight | 33.5 g (44mm), 28.7 g (40mm) (1.02 oz) | 35 g (42mm) / 42.6 g (46mm) (1.23 oz) |
| | 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 | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps (46mm model), 20mm straps (42mm model) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal | - |
| Resolution | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.4 inches | 1.43 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 | - |
| Chipset | Exynos W920 (5 nm) | - |
| GPU | Mali-G68 | - |
| OS | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 | HarmonyOS 2.0, upgradable to 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 4GB 32MB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, LE, EDR |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) |
| | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 410 mAh | Li-Po 455 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold, Sapphire | Black, Steel, Gold |
| Models | SM-R915F, SM-R905F | MIL-B19 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
- Advanced health tracking (ECG, SpO2, body composition)
- Wear OS integration & app ecosystem
- Bright and vibrant AMOLED display
- Rotating bezel for easy navigation (on some models)
- Short battery life
- Can be expensive
- Limited iOS compatibility
Huawei Watch GT 3
- Exceptional battery life (7-14 days)
- Stylish and premium design
- Affordable price
- Accurate heart rate monitoring
- Limited app ecosystem
- Less responsive performance
- Less advanced health features compared to Galaxy Watch5
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Watch5 features a vibrant AMOLED display with excellent color accuracy and brightness, making it easy to read in direct sunlight. The Watch GT 3 also has an AMOLED display, but it's generally considered slightly less bright and vibrant. Both offer customizable watch faces.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Galaxy Watch5 nor the Huawei Watch GT 3 have built-in cameras. This is a common omission in smartwatches.
Performance
The Galaxy Watch5, powered by the Exynos W920, generally offers smoother performance and faster app loading times thanks to Wear OS. The Watch GT 3's performance is adequate for its core functions, but may feel slightly less responsive when navigating menus or using more demanding features. The Watch GT 3's HarmonyOS is optimized for efficiency.
Battery Life
This is where the Huawei Watch GT 3 truly shines. It consistently delivers significantly longer battery life (typically 7-14 days) compared to the Galaxy Watch5 (around 1-2 days with typical use). The Watch GT 3's power efficiency is a major selling point.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch5? Android users seeking advanced health tracking, seamless app integration, and a vibrant display. Who should buy the Huawei Watch GT 3? Users prioritizing exceptional battery life, a stylish design, and a more affordable price point, with less emphasis on extensive app ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy Watch5 compatible with iOS?
While the Galaxy Watch5 can pair with an iPhone, functionality is limited compared to pairing with an Android device. You'll miss out on many features.
❓ How does the health tracking compare between the two?
The Galaxy Watch5 offers a more comprehensive suite of health tracking features, including ECG, body composition analysis, and advanced sleep tracking. The Watch GT 3 focuses on core metrics like heart rate, SpO2, and sleep monitoring.
