Since it was released last year, Galaxy Watch Active 2 is still one of the best smartwatches in 2020 and will likely stay so even in 2021 as it runs on the same Tizen 5.5 OS which bears the most advanced features. A stiff competitor to the Active 2 is Versa 3 which was recently released alongside Fitbit Sense. Both Active 2 and Versa 3 share a lot of features in common, this includes being equipped with the ability to track many activities and helping you stay connected to important updates you receive on your phone. In this post, I compare Fitbit Versa 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 to find out which is a better smartwatch and why we think so.
In summary, I think Active 2 is a more comprehensive smartwatch than Versa 3. Although Fitbit is already rolling out new features to Versa 3, it still lags behind Active 2 when it comes to lifestyle and productive features. With Active 2 you can easily add your personal music, it has a better interface, more fitness tracking features, better ways to reply to notifications, and looks more attractive.
Versa 3 | Active 2 | |
Display Size | 1.58 inches | 1.2 inches (40mm) |
Dimension | 40 x 40 x 12 mm | 40 x 40 x 10.9 mm (40mm) |
Glass | ||
Case Material | Aluminum | Aluminum (Non-LTE) |
Weight | 40 grams | 26 grams (40mm) |
Rotating Bezel | No | Physical rotating bezel |
Voice Assistant | Alexa | Bixby |
Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
ECG Tracking | No | Yes |
Blood Pressure Tracking | No | Yes |
Blood Oxygen Tracking | Yes | No |
Menstrual Cycle Tracking | Yes | Yes |
Battery Life with Always-on | 5 days+ | 2 days (40mm) |
Operating System | Fitbit OS |
Meanwhile, Versa 3 has loads of fitness tracking features which I consider to be at par with Active 2, it also has longer battery life.
Fitbit Versa 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 Full Specifications Compared
| Product Info |
 Fitbit Versa 3 Full Specifications, Features and Price |
 Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm) Full Specifications, Features and Prices |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $154.95 | - |
| ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE |
| Device name | Fitbit Versa 3 | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm) |
| Device type | Fitness/Sport smartwatch | Fitness/Classic smartwatch |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Predecessor | Fitbit Versa 2 | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active |
| Successor | Fitbit Versa 4 | — |
| Models | — | Bluetooth only, LTE |
| Date released | September, 2020 | September, 2019 |
| DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY |
| Display size | 1.58 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Display type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED, Full color |
| Resolution | 336 x 336 pixel | 360 x 360 pixel |
| Pixel density | 300.7 PPI | — |
| Customizable watchface | Yes | Yes |
| Input type | 1 Haptic button, Touchscreen | 2 Physical buttons, Digital rotating bezel, Touchscreen |
| Always-On | Yes | Yes |
| BODY | BODY | BODY |
| Shape | Rectangular | Circular |
| Case material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Strap material | Silicone | Fluoroelastomer (Aluminum) |
| Bezel material | Aluminum | Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ |
| Strap size | 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big) | 20 mm |
| Color | Black, Blue, Pink | Aqua-black, Cloud-silver, Pink-gold |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla glass DX+ |
| Dimension | 40.5 x 40.5 x 12.4 mm | 44 x 44 x 10.9 mm |
| Weight | — | 30 grams (aluminum) |
| Waterproof rating | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Durability test | — | MIL-STD-810G |
| CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY |
| Bluetooth calling | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.0 | Bluetooth v5.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY |
| RAM | — | 0.75GB |
| ROM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Memory card slot | No | No |
| CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY |
| Network technology | None | None |
| SIM type | None | None |
| NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
| Email alert | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Reply messages | - | - |
| MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA |
| Audio | mp3/mp4 | mp3/mp4 |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth music | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | No | No |
| SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS |
| GPS | Yes | Yes, GPS/GLONASS/BEIDOU |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| HRM | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | No | Yes |
| Pulse Ox. | Yes | No |
| Altimeter | Yes | No |
| Barometer | - | Yes |
| Compass | No | — |
| ECG | No | Yes |
| Thermometer | No | No |
| Ambient light | Yes | Yes |
| HEALTH & FITNESS TRACKING | HEALTH & FITNESS TRACKING | HEALTH & FITNESS TRACKING |
| Steps | Yes | Yes |
| Calories | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | No |
| Blood Pressure | No | Yes |
| Stress | Yes | Yes |
| ECG tracking | No | Yes |
| Fall detection | No | No |
| Menstrual cycle | Yes | No |
| VO2 Max | Yes | Yes |
| Onscreen workout | Yes | No |
| Preloaded sport modes | 20 | 39 |
| BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY |
| Battery type | non-removable Lithium-polymer | Non-removable Li-ion battery |
| Battery capacity | — | 340mAh |
| Battery life | Regular: 6 days, Standby: 8 days+ | Regular usage: 3 days+, Standby :5 days+ |
| Charging type | Magnetic charger | WPC based wireless charging |
| Charging duration | 30mins – 1hr | 1-2 hours |
| Solar power | No | No |
| PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM |
| Operating system | Fitbit OS | Tizen OS 4.0 |
| Chipset | — | Exynos 9110 |
| CPU | — | Dual core 1.15GHz |
| GPU | — | — |
| MISCELLANEOUS | MISCELLANEOUS | MISCELLANEOUS |
| Companion app | Fitbit App | Samsung Wearable app |
| Compatibility | Android 8.0+, iOS 14.0+ | Android 5.0+ & RAM 1.5GB+, iPhone 5+ and iOS 9.0+ |
| Payment system | Fitbit Pay | Samsung Pay |
| Customizable strap | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Yes, Alexa, Yes, Google Assistant | Yes, Bixby |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Box content | Charger, Fitbit Versa 3, Manual, Straps | Charger, Manual, Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm), Straps |
| Price | $154.95 |
Differences
- Design
- Fitness Tracking
- Media and Connectivity
- Battery Life
The first notable difference between the Active 2 and Versa 3 is the different shapes; circular and square respectively. Beyond that, both smartwatches also have AMOLED powering the display and when you talk about assessability, both offer touchscreen support and the same waterproof rating of 5ATM. Each of these two is also very compact and lightweight offering a comfortable wearing experince.
However, digressing further, Despite having touchscreen support and two physical buttons, Active 2 also features a digital rotating bezel which offers very easy navigation. Unlike Versa 3 that only has a haptic button which I find unresponsive oftentimes.
Earlier I mentioned that each of these two is fitness oriented and are actually marketed by the respective brands as fitness companions. So you can expect any of these two to be able to track your steps, sleep, heart rate, and other metrics. However, Active 2 has more activity tracking features than Versa 3 when you factor in the ECG, blood oxygen tracking, incidental fall detection, and SOS features. Although, Versa 3 can monitor your SpO2 levels which it shows via Fitbit Signature watch faces and the newly added ones. Galaxy Watch 3 has SpO2 level tracking, perhaps Active 2 might get this feature in the future.
You also get more preset workout modes with Active 2 if that matters much to you. Active 2 offers 90 preset workout modes compared to 20 by Versa 3.
Music Storage: If you like to listen to music via your watch, you’ll probably like Versa 3 and Active 2. Any of these two will allow you to store and listen to music through the built-in loudspeaker or via headset. However, Versa 3 only allows you to add music via Spotify and Deezer, it doesn’t support adding your personal music for now, and I can’t tell why Fitbit removed this feature as seen on Versa 2 and Ionic. Meanwhile, Active 2 allows you to easily add your personal music from the Galaxy Wearable app. You’ll also find third-party apps from Galaxy Store that allow you to add music through Spotify.
Bluetooth Calls: Going further, both smartwatches support Bluetooth calls, however, Active 2 features a contact app that allows you to easily make and receive calls from the watch. Meanwhile, for now, you can only answer calls directly on Versa 3.
Voice Assistant: There are two voice assistants on Versa 3; Alexa and Google Assistant both of which I consider better than Bixby on Active 2. So you get more ways to use your voice to do tasks. Although, you can only choose one at a time and voice rely on Google Assistant is not yet supported.
If there’s an aspect where the Versa 3 clearly beats Active 2, then it’s based on battery life. I averaged about 4 days or more with it, while Active 2 only lasted for about 2 days maximum. So, if you want to go longer from a single charge, Versa 3 will make a better choice. Although, Samsung built-in lots of battery saver modes to Active 2 which I personally find very helpful.
Which is Better?
Personally, Active 2 is a more comprehensive smartwatch than Versa 3.
