Garmin Venu 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
The Verdict
Garmin Venu 3 delivers exceptional battery longevity with up to 14 days in smartwatch mode versus Galaxy Watch 3's typical 1.5-day runtime, a massive advantage for users seeking minimal charging hassles. Venu 3 features a sharper 454x454 AMOLED display compared to the Watch 3's 360x360 Super AMOLED, resulting in noticeably crisper text and graphics. Both offer comprehensive health tracking with ECG, SpO2, and heart rate monitoring, though Venu 3 adds skin temperature sensing. Galaxy Watch 3 includes cellular connectivity on certain models and offers 41mm or 45mm sizing options for personalization. Venu 3's Garmin OS provides deeper fitness and outdoor activity tracking tailored for athletes, while Galaxy Watch 3's Tizen OS integrates more seamlessly with Android phones and offers broader app compatibility. At $449.99 versus $399.00, Garmin's premium pricing reflects its superior display resolution and transformative battery performance. For fitness enthusiasts prioritizing extended wear between charges, Venu 3 justifies the cost difference. However, Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 remains the better choice for casual users wanting cellular options and broader smartwatch ecosystem integration. The Venu 3 edges ahead overall due to practical daily advantages in display quality and battery endurance.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Garmin Venu 3 if…
- →Outstanding 14-day battery life with AMOLED display
- →Comprehensive health tracking including ECG and skin temperature
- →Built-in speaker and microphone for calls
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 3
Pros
- Outstanding 14-day battery life with AMOLED display
- Comprehensive health tracking including ECG and skin temperature
- Built-in speaker and microphone for calls
- Advanced sleep coaching and nap detection
- Multi-band GNSS for accurate GPS tracking
Cons
- No third-party app ecosystem like Wear OS
- Limited smartwatch features compared to Apple/Samsung
- No cellular connectivity option
- Garmin Pay supports limited banks
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 3 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin OS | Tizen OS 5.5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 47 g | 48.2 g (41mm) / 53.8 g (45mm) |
| Case material | Stainless steel bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case | Stainless Steel / Titanium |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810G |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 14 days smartwatch mode, 26 hours GPS | Up to 2 days (typical ~1.5 days) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 1.4 inch | 41mm / 45mm |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 454 x 454 | 360 x 360 |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | — | Exynos 9110 |
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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 Garmin products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Garmin Venu 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.