Garmin Venu 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 - The Ultimate Fitness Smartwatch Showdown

When it comes to choosing a smartwatch for Android users, the Samsung Galaxy Watch series has long been a top-tier option. However, Garmin has now introduced a strong competitor with its new Venu 3 series. Unlike the more specialized Instinct and Forerunner models, the Venu 3 and Venu 3S are designed to appeal to a broader audience, especially those seeking a balance between fitness tracking and everyday smart features.

On the other hand, Samsung's recently launched Galaxy Watch 6 brings notable upgrades in both health tracking and design, further solidifying its place in the premium smartwatch market. As Garmin steps up its game, these two watches differ significantly in features, design, battery life, and pricing. Most notably, the Venu 3 now features a vibrant OLED display, built-in microphone, voice assistant support, and nearly a week-long battery life - an impressive combination.

So, which one is the better pick: Garmin Venu 3 or Samsung Galaxy Watch 6? In this article, we’ll compare them across key categories to help you decide which smartwatch truly fits your lifestyle.

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Garmin Venu 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 - Price

In terms of pricing, the Garmin Venu 3 is priced at $449.99 for both the standard and the smaller Venu 3S versions, clearly positioning it in the higher-end segment. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 starts at a more budget-friendly $299.99 for the 40mm Bluetooth version and $329.99 for the 44mm. Upgrading to LTE adds $50, while the premium Galaxy Watch 6 Classic ranges from $399.99 to $429.99.

While the Galaxy Watch 6 offers a cellular version for phone-free use and more versatile features, the Venu 3 justifies its higher price with more accurate health tracking, longer battery life, and support for chest strap heart rate monitoring - ideal for serious fitness users.

In short:

• The Galaxy Watch 6 strikes a solid balance between features and affordability, making it suitable for everyday users;
• The Garmin Venu 3, though pricier, offers great value for those prioritizing fitness performance and battery life.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 - Design, Material and Size

Garmin Venu 3 focuses on fitness features, using a fiber-reinforced polymer case and stainless steel bezel, making it lightweight and durable. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, suitable for high-intensity sports use. It features three physical buttons for easy and quick operation.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, on the other hand, emphasizes style and premium feel. The standard version has a narrower bezel, enhancing the visual experience, while the Classic version reintroduces the popular rotating bezel, adding interactivity and recognition. It uses titanium alloy (in some versions) and includes two customizable buttons, combining individuality with practicality.

In terms of size, the Venu 3 offers a standard version and the smaller Venu 3S (41mm), catering to different wrist sizes. The Galaxy Watch 6 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes for the standard model, and 43mm and 47mm for the Classic version, offering more options.

Both watches are 5ATM water-resistant, making them suitable for daily wear and water-related activities. The Venu 3 is more fitness-focused, while the Galaxy Watch 6 stands out with its stylish and smart design.

Final Verdict: tie

• Garmin Venu 3 excels in functionality and durability, ideal for fitness enthusiasts.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 shines in design and smart features, perfect for those seeking style and technology.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 - Bands

Garmin Venu 3 comes in two sizes: the 45mm version uses 22mm quick-release straps, while the 41mm Venu 3S uses 18mm straps. In contrast, all models of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic use universal 20mm bands, compatible with both traditional spring bars and Samsung’s new one-click release system.

In terms of comfort, Garmin’s straps offer a more ergonomic, close-to-wrist fit, making them ideal for daily wear and workouts. Samsung’s straps are wider and thicker, offering a more substantial feel and a bolder appearance.

Choosing between the two depends on your personal style and comfort preference - Garmin focuses on lightness and comfort, while Samsung leans toward support and visual appeal.

For those seeking premium strap upgrades, Bandletic offers high-quality custom straps for both models:

• Garmin Venu Watch straps (including Garmin Venu 3 Watch straps)
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 straps

Whether you're after the best Garmin watch straps or top-tier Samsung watch bands, Bandletic has stylish and durable options to match your lifestyle. 

Garmin Venu 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 - Display

The Garmin Venu 3 features a 1.4-inch AMOLED display with an always-on mode, offering high contrast and vibrant colors. The Venu 3S has a smaller 1.2-inch screen.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 uses a sapphire-glass Super AMOLED panel with always-on full color display. The 40mm model has a 1.3-inch screen, while the 44mm version comes with a larger 1.5-inch display, offering better brightness and energy efficiency.

The Venu 3's AMOLED display is ideal for users seeking vivid colors, while the Galaxy Watch 6's Super AMOLED display is better suited for those needing long-lasting use and enhanced brightness.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, thanks to its larger and brighter Super AMOLED display.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 - Health Features

Health and Fitness Tracking

The Venu 3 offers comprehensive health tracking, including Body Battery, stress, heart rate, HRV, blood oxygen, respiration rate, and hydration reminders. It supports various workout modes like running, swimming, and cycling, providing precise tracking.

The "Wheelchair Mode" replaces step count with push count, making it more inclusive. The Galaxy Watch 6 offers basic health tracking with activity rings tracking steps, calories, and active time. While functional, it’s not as professional as the Venu 3. Overall, Garmin is more suited for users focused on training and health data.

Sleep Monitoring

The Venu 3's Sleep Coach combines HRV, blood oxygen, and daily activity to provide personalized advice, with support for both nighttime and daytime nap tracking. The data is detailed and useful. The Galaxy Watch 6 offers sleep stage analysis and snore detection, but its accuracy in REM stages is debatable. For users focused on improving sleep quality, Garmin offers a more robust solution.

Heart Rate and ECG

The Venu 3 features the upgraded Elevate Gen 5 sensor, providing more accurate heart rate tracking, with ECG functionality planned for future updates. The Galaxy Watch 6 already supports ECG and blood pressure monitoring, but its heart rate accuracy may be less reliable during intense exercise. While Samsung’s features were available earlier, Garmin delivers better accuracy in key data.

Body Composition Analysis

The Galaxy Watch 6 comes with a BIA bioelectrical impedance sensor to measure body fat, BMI, hydration, and other metrics, a feature not yet available on the Garmin. For users focused on body composition and fat management, Samsung offers a more attractive option.

Accessibility Features

The Venu 3's wheelchair mode is a rare inclusive feature that automatically detects and tracks activities for wheelchair users. The Galaxy Watch 6 lacks this functionality. Garmin leads in providing an inclusive experience.

Winner: Garmin Venu 3

Garmin Venu 3 excels with more precise health tracking, advanced sleep monitoring, and inclusive features like wheelchair mode, making it the better choice for health-conscious users.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 - Fitness Tracking and GPS Accuracy

Both the Garmin Venu 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 feature single-band L1 GPS, which is standard for devices in this price range. However, when it comes to real-world performance, the Garmin Venu 3 delivers superior GPS accuracy, offering reliable and detailed tracking during runs and bike rides. While the Galaxy Watch 6 also provides solid GPS performance, its precision can occasionally falter in more challenging environments.

In terms of fitness tracking, both watches support a wide variety of workout modes. The Galaxy Watch 6 shines with a broader selection, covering everything from walking and running to swimming, hiking, and even various ball sports. It also includes a built-in running coach that offers tailored training plans, along with the ability to customize up to six data fields on the workout screen—perfect for users who value flexibility and detail.

On the other hand, while the Garmin Venu 3 supports slightly fewer activities, it stands out with more accurate tracking and training-focused features. Highlights include muscle heat maps, guided workout programs, and support from Garmin Coach. Additionally, users can access the Connect IQ platform to customize watch faces and expand how their fitness data is displayed.

Winner: Garmin Venu 3

Overall, the Garmin Venu 3 edges out its competitor with better GPS precision and a more specialized approach to fitness tracking—making it the ideal choice for users who prioritize accuracy and performance in their workouts.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 - Battery Life and Charging

The Garmin Venu 3 excels in battery life, lasting up to 14 days with regular use (including daily workouts and always-on display). The Venu 3S offers 10 days of battery life, and the larger Venu 3 can even last up to a week. However, frequent GNSS usage significantly reduces battery life, down to around 20 hours in full GNSS mode.

In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 has decent battery performance, lasting 30 hours with the always-on display and up to 40 hours with the feature turned off. This means it typically requires daily charging, which can be less convenient for some users.

Charging Methods

The Venu 3 uses a standard charging cable with a proprietary connector, offering good compatibility. The Galaxy Watch 6 uses a magnetic charging dock, making it more convenient for charging.

Summary

If you prioritize long battery life and fitness tracking, the Garmin Venu 3 is clearly the better choice, especially for outdoor activities and sleep tracking, as it offers significantly longer battery life between charges.

Winner: Garmin Venu 3, for its exceptional battery life and suitability for fitness tracking.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 - Which One is Suitable for You?

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 stands out for its smart features, with a smooth interface, convenient notifications, and stylish design. Its affordable LTE version makes it a great all-around choice for those who value both looks and functionality.

However, if your focus is on accurate health tracking—like heart rate, GPS, and sleep monitoring—the Garmin Venu 3 has the upper hand. Though its interface is simpler, it delivers highly reliable data, supports personalized workouts, and boasts impressive battery life. It's especially ideal for fitness enthusiasts or users who prefer less frequent charging. Plus, its wheelchair mode adds thoughtful accessibility.

In short:

• Choose Galaxy Watch 6 if you want style and smart features.
• Choose Garmin Venu 3 if you value accurate fitness tracking and long battery life.