Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs Galaxy Watch 3: Time for an upgrade?

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 may not seem too different from its recent predecessors, but just three generations ago, Samsung smartwatches were running a different operating system entirely. If you own a Galaxy Watch 3, should you upgrade or hold on to it? Read our Galaxy Watch 6 vs Galaxy Watch 3 comparison for our thoughts.

Galaxy Watch 6 vs Galaxy Watch 3: Design

As I mentioned in the introduction, Samsung’s recent smartwatches are acutely alike, mechanically and aesthetically. However, the Galaxy Watch 6 does boast a few improvements. These include a much larger display mounted within a broader dial, narrower bezels, and slimmer side buttons. Compared to the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5, the bands also sit more flush on the watch’s body and feature a new, more convenient release and attachment mechanism. Besides the returning rotating dial on the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, this is our favorite addition to the new watches.

The older Galaxy Watch 3 exhibits a more brutish design. It has a stainless steel or titanium body, a chunkier rotating (but still excellent) bezel, two protruding buttons on its right flank, and a sizeable bumper to protect them. It looks more like an analog watch than Samsung’s newer devices.

In terms of size, the Galaxy Watch 3 is the larger of the two watches. It’s offered in two sizes, a 41mm for smaller wrists and a larger 45mm alternative. The Galaxy Watch 6 comes with a 40mm or 44mm dial. It’s also far lighter and thinner than its older sibling, thanks to the use of aluminum. Notably, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic also uses stainless steel and is bigger than the standard Galaxy Watch 6 and the Galaxy Watch 3. While its bezel is much narrower than the older watch, it features 43mm and 47mm dial options. It’s now the largest Samsung smartwatch you can buy.

We don’t think one smartwatch looks better than the other here. Both are attractive wearables in their own right, but your taste will ultimately determine your bias.

Galaxy Watch 6 vs Galaxy Watch 3: Features

The Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 3 differences extend to their feature offerings. Let’s start with the biggest change.

In 2020, Samsung’s smartwatches still ran Tizen, a lightweight OS that didn’t demand much from the hardware. As a result, the Galaxy Watch 3 only requires 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. Despite those positives, Tizen lacks the broad app library the Galaxy Watch 6 can now play with through Wear OS. It’s also likely that Tizen won’t see much active development in the future, considering that the Galaxy Watch 3 was the last Samsung smartwatch to run the OS.

At the time, Tizen was a much better wearable OS than what was then known as Android Wear. However, Google and Samsung’s revised Wear OS is a more refined and usable platform. Wear OS and One UI Watch brings a more mature feature set and plenty of Google app support to the Galaxy Watch 6. Unlike the Galaxy Watch 3, the newer wearable boasts Google Wallet, Google Maps, and Google Assistant support. This gives the watch a utility advantage over its Tizen-powered predecessor. It also features double the RAM and storage capacity of the older model.

If you own an iPhone, the Galaxy Watch 3 is the only one of the two devices you can pair with your device. Although other Wear OS watches support Apple phones, Samsung hasn’t facilitated this feature on its newer watches.

The Galaxy Watch 6 has a more advanced fitness tracking and wellness monitoring kit, which we really liked during our review. It’s headlined by the BioActive sensor trio that monitors heart rate, heart health via ECG, and body composition through the biometric impedance sensor. It also monitors blood oxygen saturation and sleep cycles and uses a skin temperature sensor to improve female health tracking. The Galaxy Watch 3 can track a user’s heart rate and health, blood oxygen levels, and sleep, but that’s about it. It supports 40 sports modes and provides VO2 max estimates for runners, but it’s not a good option for those more serious about their health.

Finally, to match the newer hardware, the Galaxy Watch 6 also receives a few fitness-related upgrades to its software. One UI 5 Watch now includes better sleep tracking than its predecessors, irregular heart rate notifications, and personalized heart rate zones for runners. There’s an option to create custom workouts, too, while the device can also record users’ runs while on a track.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs Galaxy Watch 3: Price and colors

The Galaxy Watch 3 was an expensive smartwatch when it launched in 2020. It initially demanded $399, which puts it on par with the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and Apple Watch Series 9. However, in 2023, you can now snag one for well under $300. Thankfully, this price decrease still keeps it relevant several years later.

It was made available in two colors: Mystic Bronze and Mystic Silver. A Mystic Black option was reserved for the larger 45mm model.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 launched on July 26, 2023, with general availability coming a few weeks later.

The two-device lineup starts at $299 for the 40mm standard model — a $20 price hike over the Galaxy Watch 4 but a $100 saving over the Galaxy Watch 3’s debut price. The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic boasts the Galaxy Watch 3’s launch price of $399.

Colorways include Graphite, Silver, and Gold for the standard model and Black and Silver for the Classic.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs Galaxy Watch 3 specs

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs Galaxy Watch 3: Should you upgrade?

For those purchasing their first smartwatch, this isn’t a contest. The Galaxy Watch 6 trumps the Galaxy Watch 3 in numerous facets. It’s the better fitness watch, runs a newer OS with better hardware, and will receive support for years to come. The only real sway that the old model has is its ability to pair with iPhones. If you own an iPhone, you should opt for an Apple Watch anyway.

If you own a Galaxy Watch 3 and want to upgrade, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic ($429 at Amazon) will be a more like-for-like replacement. You’ll benefit from a rotating bezel, a large, formidable lens, and a more professional aesthetic. That said, if you’re on a strict budget and find the Galaxy Watch 3 for under $200, it might be worth a punt. It remains a well-built smartwatch for those who crave a little bit of everything.

Now that the Galaxy Watch 7 series ($205.05 at Amazon) is official, you might be better off aiming for the newer watch. However, the Galaxy Watch 6 can now be found at a much lower price, and the distance between the two series isn’t vast. You’ll still be well served if you can find 2023’s smartwatch cheaply.

Additionally, as no Classic model was launched in 2024, you’ll have to opt for the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic if you want that rotating bezel.

That’s it for our Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs Galaxy Watch 3 comparison. Which is the smartwatch for you? Vote in our poll below.