Garmin Venu 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
The Verdict
Both smartwatches share a $399 price point and deliver premium AMOLED displays with always-on functionality, though the Garmin's 416x416 resolution edges out Samsung's 360x360. Battery performance heavily favors the Garmin Venu 2, offering up to 11 days versus the Galaxy Watch 3's disappointing 1.5 days of typical use. Samsung compensates with an ECG feature absent from Garmin and includes cellular connectivity for standalone calls and messaging. Design quality is comparable, with both featuring 5ATM water resistance and premium materials, though Samsung offers titanium options and military-grade durability. Health tracking is nearly identical, covering heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep monitoring. Tizen OS provides deeper Samsung ecosystem integration, while Garmin's proprietary system prioritizes fitness and endurance sport features. For users prioritizing battery longevity and outdoor performance, the Garmin Venu 2 is the stronger choice. However, Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 appeals to those wanting cellular independence and ECG capabilities despite frequent charging requirements.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Garmin Venu 2 if…
- →Stunning AMOLED display with always-on option
- →11-day battery life outperforms most AMOLED smartwatches
- →Comprehensive fitness tracking with 25+ sport profiles
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
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Garmin Venu 2
Pros
- Stunning AMOLED display with always-on option
- 11-day battery life outperforms most AMOLED smartwatches
- Comprehensive fitness tracking with 25+ sport profiles
- Health Snapshot for quick 2-minute wellness checks
- Garmin Pay for contactless payments via NFC
Cons
- No ECG or blood pressure monitoring
- No cellular option — requires phone for notifications
- Limited smart features compared to Apple Watch or Wear OS
- Third-party app ecosystem is limited
- $399 is expensive for a non-cellular watch
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 | Garmin Venu 2 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin proprietary OS | Tizen OS 5.5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 49 g | 48.2 g (41mm) / 53.8 g (45mm) |
| Case material | Stainless steel bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case | Stainless Steel / Titanium |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810G |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 11 days (smartwatch), 8 hrs GPS with music | Up to 2 days (typical ~1.5 days) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 45mm | 41mm / 45mm |
| Type | AMOLED Always-On | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 416 x 416 | 360 x 360 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin custom SoC | Exynos 9110 |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
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 Garmin products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Garmin Venu 2 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.