Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 vs TicWatch Pro 5
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 3 delivers premium build quality with stainless steel or titanium construction, paired with ECG capability for comprehensive health monitoring. TicWatch Pro 5 counters with superior battery longevity,80 hours in Essential Mode versus 1.5 days,and a higher resolution 466x466 display on its 1.43-inch AMOLED screen. Performance-wise, Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 in the TicWatch significantly outpaces the aging Exynos 9110, enabling smoother app performance and better third-party app compatibility through native Wear OS 3.5. Galaxy Watch 3's proprietary Tizen OS remains responsive but lacks ecosystem breadth. Health tracking favors Samsung with ECG functionality, though both offer SpO2 and heart rate monitoring. At $349, TicWatch Pro 5 undercuts by $50 while delivering better everyday performance, longer battery endurance, and modern software. Choose Samsung only if ECG functionality is essential; otherwise, TicWatch Pro 5 offers superior value and practical longevity.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the TicWatch Pro 5 if…
- →Dual-layer AMOLED + FSTN display saves battery while staying readable outdoors
- →Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 is the fastest chip in any Wear OS watch
- →Best-in-class 24-hour Wear OS battery with up to 80 hours in Essential Mode
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
TicWatch Pro 5
Pros
- Dual-layer AMOLED + FSTN display saves battery while staying readable outdoors
- Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 is the fastest chip in any Wear OS watch
- Best-in-class 24-hour Wear OS battery with up to 80 hours in Essential Mode
- Rugged MIL-STD-810H rated build handles extreme conditions
- Full Wear OS access with Google Maps, Wallet, and Play Store
Cons
- No ECG or skin temperature sensor at this price point
- No cellular LTE option available
- Wear OS 3.5 rather than the latest Wear OS 4
- Large, thick case may feel bulky on smaller wrists
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | TicWatch Pro 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Tizen OS 5.5 | Wear OS 3.5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 48.2 g (41mm) / 53.8 g (45mm) | 44.1 g |
| Case material | Stainless Steel / Titanium | Nylon fiber composite |
| Water resistance | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810G | 5 ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810H |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 2 days (typical ~1.5 days) | Up to 80 hrs Essential Mode, 24 hrs Wear OS mode |
| Display | ||
| Size | 41mm / 45mm | 1.43 inch |
| Type | Super AMOLED | AMOLED + FSTN dual-layer display |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 360 x 360 | 466 x 466 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Exynos 9110 | Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 |
| RAM | — | 2 GB |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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 Samsung products or all Mobvoi products. View full details for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 or the TicWatch Pro 5.