Which is a better smartwatch between the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Gear S3 Frontier? I would say the Active 2. It has better performance, more fitness tracking features, and new UX features. However, the Gear S3 Frontier is still a top contender and one of the best smartwatches on the market as far as I’m concerned. This comparison compares the specs and features of these two to help you decide which is better and if you need to upgrade from the Gear S3 to Active 2.
Mind you, the Active 2 is available in two sizes; 40 and 44mm, and each size is available in LTE and Bluetooth models. But this comparison is between the Active 2 (44mm) (LTE) vs Gear S3 Frontier and Classic. Remember, the Gear S3 Classic was released alongside the Frontier, but a classic choice for those who like traditional watch designs.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Gear S3 Frontier vs Classic: Specs Comparison
| Product Info |  Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm) (LTE) Full Specifications and Features |
 Samsung Gear S3 Frontier Full Specifications, Features and Price |
 Samsung Gear S3 Classic Full Specifications, Features and Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.99 | ||
| ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE |
| Device name | (LTE), Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm) | Samsung Gear S3 Frontier | Samsung Gear S3 Classic |
| Device type | Standalone/Fitness smartwatch | Standalone/Fitness smartwatch | Standalone/Fitness smartwatch |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex | Unisex |
| Predecessor | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active | Samsung Gear S2 | Samsung Gear S2 |
| Successor | — | Samsung Galaxy Watch | Samsung Galaxy Watch |
| Models | Bluetooth only, LTE | — | — |
| Date released | September, 2019 | November, 2016 | November, 2016 |
| DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY |
| Display size | 1.4 inches | 1.3 inches | 1.3 inches |
| Display type | Super AMOLED, Full color | Super AMOLED, Full color | Super AMOLED, Full color |
| Resolution | 360 x 360 pixel | 360 x 360 pixel | 360 x 360 pixel |
| Pixel density | — | 278ppi | 278ppi |
| Customizable watchface | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Input type | 2 Physical buttons, Digital rotating bezel, Touchscreen | 2 Physical buttons, Physical rotating bezel, Touchscreen | 2 Physical buttons, Physical rotating bezel, Touchscreen |
| Always-On | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BODY | BODY | BODY | BODY |
| Shape | Circular | Circular | Circular |
| Case material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Strap material | Leather (stainless steel) | Silicone | Silicone |
| Bezel material | Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ | Ceramics | Ceramics |
| Strap size | 20 mm | 22 mm | 22 mm |
| Color | Black, Gold, Silver | Black, Silver | Black, Silver |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla glass DX+ | Corning Gorilla Glass SR+ | Corning Gorilla Glass SR+ |
| Dimension | 44 x 44 x 10.9 mm | 46 x 49 x 12.9 mm | 46 x 49 x 12.9 mm |
| Weight | 42 grams (stainless steel) | 63 grams | 59 grams |
| Waterproof rating | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Durability test | MIL-STD-810G | MIL-STD-810G | MIL-STD-810G |
| CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY |
| Bluetooth calling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.0 | Yes, Bluetooth v4.2 LE | Yes, Bluetooth v4.2 LE |
| Wi-Fi | Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| NFC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY |
| RAM | 1.5GB | 0.75GB | 0.75GB |
| ROM | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB |
| Memory card slot | No | No | No |
| CELLULAR | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | - | - |
| Network technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| SIM type | Nano-SIM | e-SIM | e-SIM |
| NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Email alert | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA |
| Audio | mp3/mp4 | mp3/mp4 | mp3/mp4 |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth music | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | No | No | No |
| SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS |
| GPS | Yes, GPS/GLONASS/BEIDOU | A-GPS, GLONASS, GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, GPS |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HRM | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse Ox. | No | No | No |
| Altimeter | No | No | No |
| Barometer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | — | — | — |
| ECG | Yes | No | No |
| Thermometer | No | No | No |
| Ambient light | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING |
| Steps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Calories | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | No | No | No |
| Blood Pressure | Yes | No | No |
| Stress | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ECG tracking | Yes | No | No |
| Fall detection | No | No | No |
| Menstrual cycle | No | No | No |
| VO2 Max | Yes | — | — |
| Onscreen workout | No | No | No |
| Preloaded sport modes | 39 | 39 | 39 |
| BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY |
| Battery type | Non-removable Li-ion battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery |
| Battery capacity | 340mAh | 380mAh | 380mAh |
| Battery life | Regular usage: 3 days+, Standby :5 days+ | Regular usage: 3 days+, Standby:10 days+ | Regular usage: 3 days+, Standby:10 days+ |
| Charging type | WPC based wireless charging | WPC based wireless charging | WPC based wireless charging |
| Charging duration | 1-2 hours | 1-2 hours | 1-2 hours |
| Solar power | No | No | No |
| PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM |
| Operating system | Tizen OS 4.0 | Tizen OS 2.3.2 | Tizen OS 2.3.2 |
| Chipset | Exynos 9110 | Exynos 7270 | Exynos 7270 |
| CPU | Dual core 1.15GHz | Dual core 1.0GHz | Dual core 1.0GHz |
| GPU | — | — | — |
| MISC | MISC | MISC | MISC |
| Companion app | Samsung Gear app | Samsung Gear app, Samsung Health App | Samsung Gear app, Samsung Health App |
| Compatibility | Android 5.0+ & RAM 1.5GB+, iPhone 5+ and iOS 9.0+ | Android 5.0+ & RAM 1.5GB+, iPhone 5+ and iOS 9.0+ | Android 5.0+ & RAM 1.5GB+, iPhone 5+ and iOS 9.0+ |
| Payment system | Samsung Pay | Samsung Pay | Samsung Pay |
| Customizable strap | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Yes, Bixby | Yes, Bixby | Yes, Bixby |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Box content | Charger, Manual, Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm), Straps | Charger, Manual, Samsung Gear S3 Frontier | Charger, Manual, Samsung Gear S3 Frontier |
| Price | $399.99 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Gear S3 Frontier vs Classic: The Differences
The difference between the Gear S3 and Active 2 is that the later is a more compact device, weighs a little less, has improved performance, and more fitness tracking features than the Gear S3 Frontier or Classic.
Galaxy Active 2 | Gear S3 Frontier/Classic | |
Display Size | 1.4 inches (44mm) | 1.3 inches |
Dimension | 44 x 44 x 10.9 mm (44mm) | 46 x 49 x 12.9 mm |
Weight | 26 grams (40mm) | 63 grams (Frontier) |
Bezel | Digital rotating bezel | Physical rotating bezel |
Chipset/CPU | Exynos 9110 | Exynos 7270 |
Blood Pressure | Yes | No |
ECG Tracking | Yes | No |
Heart Rate Sensor | 8-LED | 4-LED |
Battery Capacity | 240mAh (40mm) | 380mAh |
Battery Life with Always-on | 2 Days+ | 2 Days+ |
- The Active 2 is classier and sleeker
- The Active 2 has a better User Interface
- Active 2 has better chipset and faster processor
- Active 2 has more fitness tracking features
- Battery Life is about the Same
The Active 2, for me, looks classier than the Gear S3. It’s also a more comfortable smartwatch to wear compared to Gear S3 and has a slightly bigger display that allows you to see more at a glance. While the Gear S3 like the Galaxy Watch has a physical rotating bezel, Active 2 has a digital rotating bezel.
The Active 2 also comes with more UX features like using Bixby to start an exercise and control SmartThings ecosystem as well as the MyStyle feature that allow you to turn the watch face of the Active 2 to what you’re wearing. There are more of these features that improve users experience significantly. Although, the Gear S3 is still a very fantastic smartwatch.
Furthermore, the Active 2 with Exynos 9110 and 1.15GHz processor compared to Exynos 7270 and 1.0GHz processor has a slightly better performance.
Although each of these two smartwatches it able to track your active life comprehensively, the Active 2 comes with more fitness tracking features than the Gear S3 which makes it a more comprehensive fitness tracker. The Active feature blood oxygen and pressure monitoring which the Gear S3 lacks.
With any of these three watches, you can get about 3 days long battery life which for me is still very okay, you’ll need to charge once in a day.
Which is Better?
The Active 2 is clearly a better smartwatch than the Gear S3 Frontier or Classic. If you have to decide between the Active 2 or Gear S3, go for the Active 2. Or you can wait for the much expected Galaxy Watch 2.
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