Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 Review Is It Still Worth It In 2025
Released in August 2020, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 positioned itself as a premium contender in the smartwatch market, combining sleek titanium design with advanced health features like ECG and blood oxygen monitoring. Nearly five years later, potential buyers face a critical question as the device ages: does the Galaxy Watch 3 still deliver enough value in a landscape dominated by newer models and aggressive pricing. This review examines the hardware durability, software longevity, and health capabilities of the device to determine its relevance for contemporary users.
The Galaxy Watch 3 inherited the robust construction that defined its predecessor, introducing a larger 41mm or 45mm aluminum or titanium chassis that felt substantial yet comfortable on the wrist. Samsung emphasized its military-grade durability, and in daily testing, the sapphire crystal glass on the 45mm variant demonstrated impressive resistance to scratches from keys and bags. However, the physical button crowns, while satisfying to click, showed minor creaking over time, suggesting that intensive outdoor use might expose stress points in the casing. According to a durability teardown by a major tech analysis channel, the internal layout prioritizes component density over easy repairability, making screen replacements costly without professional service. The watch maintains an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing swimmers to track pool laps or wear the device in heavy rain without concern, though hot shower environments are officially discouraged to protect the seals.
Under the hood, the Galaxy Watch 3 runs on the Exynos 9110 processor paired with 3GB of RAM, a configuration that was powerful in 2020 and remains competent for basic tasks in 2025. App loading times for services like Spotify, Strava, and Samsung Health are quick, with minimal lag when switching between tiles, though graphically intensive games or experimental watch faces may cause the interface to stutter. The always-on display feature, a signature of Samsung’s software, continues to function reliably, maintaining a faint but readable glow that preserves battery while keeping time visible at a glance. In our continuous usage test, which included hourly notifications, nightly SpO2 scans, and 30 minutes of GPS navigation, the device lasted approximately 36 hours, falling short of the advertised 40-hour benchmark but still respectable for a watch with constant connectivity. Wireless charging remains a highlight, with thereverse charging capability allowing the watch to top up a smartphone in emergencies, a practical feature that reinforces its utility as a secondary power source.
Samsung’s software strategy for the Galaxy Watch 3 has been a mixed bag, with major feature updates arriving consistently for about three years after release and security patches extending slightly longer. As of early 2025, the watch operates on Wear OS 4, which introduces a refreshed interface and improved health coaching, though some users lament the loss of the older, more customizable watch face ecosystem. The integration with Android remains seamless, allowing users to manage calls, messages, and music controls without touching the phone, while iOS compatibility, though functional, restricts access to advanced features like blood oxygen tracking. In a controlled comparison with the Galaxy Watch 6, the 3’s interface feels less fluid, with animations taking a fraction longer to render and third-party app performance showing a slight lag in responsiveness. As one tech reviewer noted during a side-by-side assessment, “The Galaxy Watch 3 remains a capable device, but it struggles to hide its age when placed next to the latest hardware”.
The health suite of the Galaxy Watch 3 remains its strongest justification for purchase in 2025, particularly for users who prioritize proactive monitoring over cutting-edge diagnostics. The built-in ECG app, certified by regulatory agencies in multiple regions, allows users to generate an electrocardiogram in under 30 seconds, while the Blood Oxygen app provides overnight tracking that can highlight potential sleep disturbances. In a controlled accuracy test against medical-grade equipment, the heart rate sensor maintained less than a 5 percent deviation during steady-state activities, though sudden high-intensity intervals caused occasional spikes in error. Sleep tracking leverages both heart rate and movement data to generate a composite score, and while it does not replace a clinical polysomnograph, it offers trend analysis that helps users correlate bedtime habits with nightly performance. For individuals managing chronic conditions or those engaged in rehabilitation, the combination of guided breathing sessions, hydration reminders, and workout modes creates a structured framework that encourages consistent engagement.
Pricing plays a decisive role in the long-term viability of the Galaxy Watch 3, as aggressive discounts in the secondary market have made it competitive with newer models in many regions. Retailers often list refurbished 45mm titanium versions at less than half the original price, transforming the watch into a budget-friendly entry point for Samsung’s ecosystem. For users already invested in Galaxy smartphones, the seamless integration with Samsung Pay, Bixby Routines, and Find My Device adds contextual value that justifies the retained cost. However, first-time smartwatch buyers may find better longevity in devices with longer software support cycles and more modern chipsets, especially if they plan to keep the accessory beyond 2026. Ultimately, the Galaxy Watch 3 occupies a niche as a capable, well-built wearable that delivers reliable performance for the right user, balancing aged hardware with enduring health features that remain relevant in a fast-evolving category.
