Apple Watch Series 11 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
The Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 11 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. Both launched at roughly the same price ($399 vs $399), so cost is unlikely to be the deciding factor. The Apple Watch Series 11 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple Watch Series 11 stands out for hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure, while Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is praised for physical rotating bezel provides tactile, satisfying navigation. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch Series 11 if…
- →Hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure
- →Sleep score for sleep quality insights
- →24-hour battery life (up from 18h on Series 10)
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 if…
- →Physical rotating bezel provides tactile, satisfying navigation
- →Premium stainless steel build with classic watch aesthetics
- →ECG and SpO2 monitoring were cutting-edge at launch
Pros & Cons
Apple Watch Series 11
Pros
- Hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure
- Sleep score for sleep quality insights
- 24-hour battery life (up from 18h on Series 10)
- 5G connectivity on cellular models
- 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass
Cons
- Same S10 chip as Series 10
- Starting price increased to $399
- Still limited to one-day battery life
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Pros
- Physical rotating bezel provides tactile, satisfying navigation
- Premium stainless steel build with classic watch aesthetics
- ECG and SpO2 monitoring were cutting-edge at launch
- Fall detection with automatic SOS alerts
- Thinner and lighter than Galaxy Watch (2018)
Cons
- Tizen OS is now discontinued — no new app development
- Battery life of 1.5 days typical requires frequent charging
- Older Exynos 9110 is noticeably slower than W920
- Heavy at 48-54 g — uncomfortable for sleep tracking
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 11 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 26 | Tizen OS 5.5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 34.6 g (42mm) / 43.1 g (46mm) | 48.2 g (41mm) / 53.8 g (45mm) |
| Case material | Aluminum or Titanium (Grade 5) | Stainless Steel / Titanium |
| Water resistance | IP6X, 50m WR | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810G |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 24 hours | Up to 2 days (typical ~1.5 days) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 42mm / 46mm | 41mm / 45mm |
| Type | Retina LTPO3 OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 496 x 416 (46mm) | 360 x 360 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S10 | Exynos 9110 |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Apple products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Apple Watch Series 11 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.