Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3 Review: The Perfect Blend of Style and Functionality

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3 is the latest addition to Samsung’s popular line of smartwatches, continuing the brand’s legacy of creating high-quality wearables that blend fitness tracking with advanced smart features. Targeted at users who are keen on health, fitness, and seamless connectivity, the Galaxy Watch Active 3 brings a refined design, powerful performance, and enhanced health monitoring features. In this in-depth review, we’ll explore the design, performance, fitness tracking, battery life, and other features that make the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3 a top contender in the smartwatch market.

Design and Build Quality

Premium Design and Comfortable Fit

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3 maintains a sleek, minimalist design, much like its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch Active 2, but with some noticeable improvements. It features a round dial and comes in two size variants—41mm and 45mm—ensuring that it caters to both small and large wrists. Made from high-quality stainless steel, the watch has a durable, premium feel without being too heavy on the wrist.

One of the standout elements of the Galaxy Watch Active 3 is the rotating bezel, a fan-favorite feature from earlier Samsung watches. This physical bezel allows for easy navigation through menus and apps without having to rely solely on touch gestures. The combination of touch controls and the rotating bezel creates an intuitive user experience that makes navigating the watch fluid and fast.

The interchangeable silicone straps are soft and comfortable for long wear, whether you’re at the gym or wearing it as a daily accessory. You can also switch out the straps for different styles, allowing you to customize the look to suit your personal style.

5 ATM Water Resistance

The Galaxy Watch Active 3 is designed to withstand everyday life and then some, with a 5 ATM water resistance rating. This means you can take the watch swimming or wear it in the shower without worrying about water damage. Additionally, it meets MIL-STD-810G military durability standards, meaning it’s resistant to drops, extreme temperatures, and shock.

Display

Vivid AMOLED Display

The 1.4-inch Super AMOLED display on the 45mm variant of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3 (1.2 inches for the 41mm model) is bright, colorful, and easy to read, even under direct sunlight. With a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels, the display delivers sharp visuals and crisp text, making it perfect for viewing notifications, tracking fitness data, and using apps.

The always-on display feature is also available, allowing you to glance at the time or other important information without having to raise your wrist or press a button. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass DX+, which adds durability and resistance to scratches, ensuring the watch maintains its pristine look over time.

Health and Fitness Tracking

Advanced Health Monitoring

Samsung has equipped the Galaxy Watch Active 3 with a suite of health-tracking features that are designed to help users stay on top of their fitness and well-being. The watch includes a heart rate monitor, blood oxygen (SpO2) sensor, and sleep tracking, providing users with comprehensive data on their health.

One of the most significant additions is the ECG (electrocardiogram) feature, which allows users to monitor their heart rhythm and detect irregularities such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). This feature can be a lifesaver for those who want to keep track of their heart health and is a great example of how smartwatches are evolving into essential health devices.

The blood oxygen sensor is another valuable addition, particularly for those who engage in high-altitude sports or simply want to monitor their respiratory health. The sensor measures the oxygen levels in your blood and alerts you if there are any potential issues.

Comprehensive Fitness Tracking

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3 is packed with over 120 workout modes, ranging from running and cycling to swimming and strength training. The watch can automatically detect and track some activities, such as walking, running, and swimming, ensuring that you never miss a workout. It also includes GPS for accurate tracking of outdoor activities, such as running and cycling, without needing to carry your smartphone.

For those who are focused on fitness goals, the watch provides detailed metrics such as steps taken, calories burned, and distance traveled. The VO2 Max feature measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during exercise, which is a great indicator of overall fitness. Additionally, the Samsung Health app offers personalized coaching and workout plans to help you achieve your fitness goals.

Sleep and Stress Monitoring

The Galaxy Watch Active 3 comes with advanced sleep tracking, breaking down your sleep into stages—light, deep, and REM—so you can get a detailed picture of your sleep patterns. The watch also monitors your blood oxygen levels during sleep, which can help detect sleep apnea or other breathing issues.

Another standout feature is stress tracking. The watch continuously monitors your stress levels throughout the day, offering guided breathing exercises when it detects elevated stress levels, helping you manage and reduce stress effectively.

Smart Features and Connectivity

Seamless Smartphone Integration

One of the key strengths of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3 is its seamless integration with both Android and iOS devices, although it is optimized for Samsung smartphones. Through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, the watch allows you to receive notifications for calls, messages, emails, and social media updates directly on your wrist.

The LTE variant of the watch offers cellular connectivity, allowing you to make and receive calls, send texts, and stream music without needing your smartphone nearby. This is particularly useful for people who want to stay connected while on the go or during workouts without carrying their phone.

Samsung Pay and Bixby

Samsung Pay is built into the Galaxy Watch Active 3, enabling you to make contactless payments with just a tap of the watch. This feature adds convenience to your daily routine, eliminating the need to carry your wallet or phone for quick purchases.

Additionally, the watch is compatible with Bixby, Samsung’s voice assistant. You can use Bixby to control your smart home devices, set reminders, check the weather, and more, all with simple voice commands.

Music and App Support

The Galaxy Watch Active 3 supports popular music streaming services like Spotify and allows offline playback, so you can listen to your favorite tunes without your smartphone. It also supports a wide range of third-party apps, making it versatile and functional for various tasks.

Battery Life

Long-Lasting Battery with Fast Charging

Battery life is a crucial factor for smartwatch users, and the Galaxy Watch Active 3 performs admirably in this area. The 45mm model is equipped with a 340mAh battery, while the 41mm model has a 247mAh battery. With typical usage, the watch can last up to 2 days on a single charge, though heavy use of GPS, LTE, or fitness tracking may reduce this to around 1.5 days.

The watch also supports fast wireless charging, allowing you to get several hours of use from just a 30-minute charge. Samsung has also introduced PowerShare, allowing you to charge your watch using a compatible Galaxy smartphone, which is an added convenience.

Software and User Experience

Tizen OS and User Interface

The Galaxy Watch Active 3 runs on Samsung’s Tizen OS, which is smooth, responsive, and easy to navigate. The operating system is known for its user-friendly interface, and the combination of the rotating bezel and touchscreen makes it easy to access apps, widgets, and notifications.

Tizen OS is compatible with a wide range of apps, from fitness and health to productivity and entertainment, ensuring that the Galaxy Watch Active 3 can cater to various user needs.

Samsung Health Integration

The Samsung Health app is the hub for all your fitness and health data, providing detailed insights into your workouts, sleep, heart rate, and more. The app is well-designed and offers a range of customizable features, allowing you to set personal fitness goals, track your progress, and even share your achievements with friends.

Pricing and Value for Money

A Premium Smartwatch Worth the Investment

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3 is priced at the higher end of the smartwatch market, but it offers premium features and performance that justify the cost. With advanced health monitoring, fitness tracking, smart connectivity, and a stylish design, the Galaxy Watch Active 3 is a well-rounded wearable that provides excellent value for both casual users and fitness enthusiasts.

Conclusion: A Feature-Packed Smartwatch for All Users

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3 is a premium smartwatch that combines fitness tracking, health monitoring, and smart features in a stylish, durable design. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a health-conscious individual, or someone who wants a smartwatch for everyday use, the Galaxy Watch Active 3 is a fantastic choice. Its bright AMOLED display, advanced health features like ECG and SpO2 monitoring, and seamless integration with smartphones make it one of the best smartwatches on the market today.