Samsung Galaxy Watch3
Wear it with style while it helps keep you safe
What’s new with the Galaxy Watch3?
The Galaxy Watch3 is one of Samsung’s premium smartwatches, coming in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm. It comes equipped with a number of features, some of which are new additions to enhance the device’s functionality and purpose.
There is built-in GPS and an optical heart rate monitor for improved tracking. The new pulse oximeter (SpO2) measures VO2 Max, or blood oxygen levels whenever you want it to. It can also do it passively while you rest, collecting the data on the Samsung Health app. Sleep tracking also gets a boost with improved tracking and a sleep score for each night, with a viewable tally available on Samsung Health.
The electrocardiogram (ECG) is capable of measuring the heart’s electrical activity to look for atrial fibrillation or arrythmia, like an irregular heartbeat. The feature is subject to approval from Health Canada, so will not be functional until such time that it gets clearance.
Another safety feature is trip detection, where the Galaxy Watch3’s accelerometer can sense when you’ve fallen. Up to four applied contact can receive custom text message alerts when that happens, increasing the chances of helping, if necessary. It can be really useful for seniors living alone, or runners and hikers out on their own.
The watch integrates with select Samsung TVs to facilitate workouts at home. When you choose a workout on the Galaxy Watch3, you can follow it on the TV screen. There are up to 120 workout videos to choose from.
How is the Galaxy Watch3 different?
The Galaxy Watch3 maintains Samsung’s design, bringing back the physical rotating bezel that makes it so much easier to use it. This is different from the Galaxy Watch Active2, which has a touch-sensitive bezel and comes with a silicone band, whereas this watch comes with a genuine leather band.
It is 14% thinner, 8% smaller, and 15% lighter than the original Galaxy Watch, yet has a slightly larger 1.4-inch AMOLED display. It has 5ATM water-resistance, allowing it to work while submerged up to 50 metres. You can swap out the band for one conducive to water and go swimming with it, like you could with the Watch Active2.
The watch runs on Tizen, Samsung’s own operating system, and comes with access to countless watch faces and apps through the Galaxy Store. The Galaxy Wearable app enables you to customize the watch’s face and features. It can pair with any Android phone, not just Samsung devices. It also works with the iPhone, but may not have all the features available.
Who is the Galaxy Watch3 for?
The Galaxy Watch3 is a multi-faceted smartwatch that can perform a number of different functions. It can be an activity tracker for both passive and active situations, including the ability to track 40 exercises, seven of which have automatic tracking. Runners can get real-time metrics and analysis to properly gauge how they’re doing during their route.
While paired with a phone, it offers some useful integration. Control and store Spotify playlists for convenient playback from your wrist. Incoming calls, text messages and email can appear on the watch screen, and you have Bixby as a voice assistant to talk with.
It comes in multiple colours, including mystic silver and mystic bronze for the 41mm, and mystic black and mystic silver for the 45mm size. There are various types of bands in different materials to personalize the watch to your taste.