Which one is a more feature-rich smartwatch? The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 or Garmin Venu 3? What unique capabilities does each one offer? Let's find out!
Galaxy Watch 7 vs Garmin Venu 3: In-Depth Features Comparison
By Naila Syifa
Updated July 2024
Samsung dropped its next-generation smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 7, which aims to compete with premium smartwatches in the market like the Garmin Venu 3. Both the Galaxy Watch 7 and Venu 3 are great smartwatches for fitness enthusiasts, active individuals, and busy professionals.
However, they each have their own unique features and capabilities that different users may find more appealing. So which is the most suitable choice for you? We'll explore the features of both smartwatches in detail to help you decide.
Key Takeaways
For a more affordable smartwatch with robust fitness tracking, phone-free calling/texting, and AI features, the Galaxy Watch 7 may be the better option, though capabilities may be limited without a compatible Samsung phone. For a more widely compatible smartwatch with exceptional battery life as well as comprehensive health, fitness, and smartwatch features, the Garmin Venu 3 could be the better choice.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Smart & Robust Smartwatch
✓ Galaxy AI
✓ ECG, BIA, Skin Temperature
✓ On-Wrist Calling, Texting, and Music
✓ Camera Control
Garmin Venu 3
Lifestyle & Fitness Watch
✓ Body Battery Energy Monitoring
✓ On-Screen Workout Animations
✓ Garmin Coach
✓ Wheelchair Mode
#1 Price
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is the latest smartwatch offering from the tech giant, and it's available in a range of sizes and connectivity options to suit your needs. The base model starts at US$299, coming in a 40mm size without LTE connectivity. The most expensive variant costs US$379, which comes in a 44mm size and with LTE connectivity.
The Garmin Venu 3 also comes in a variety of sizes and colors, but all of its variants are priced the same at US$449, which is significantly more expensive than the base model of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. This makes the Galaxy Watch 7 more affordable for budget-conscious consumers.
#2 Design & Display
Garmin Venu 3
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 offers 40mm and 44mm case sizes, with a circular Super AMOLED display that provides a vibrant and high-resolution viewing experience. The 40mm variant offers a 432 x 432 px resolution, while the 44mm model has a 480 x 480 px resolution. Both sizes feature a Sapphire Crystal Glass display, which looks premium and is scratch-resistant.
Garmin Venu 3 boasts 41mm and 45mm case sizes, with a circular AMOLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of an active lifestyle. The Venu 3's display may not be as high-resolution as the Galaxy Watch 7, offering 390 x 390 px for the 41mm size and 454 x 454 px for the 45mm size. However, it still provides a vibrant and crisp visual.
Both smartwatches have a 5 ATM water rating, indicating their durability and resistance to water exposure up to 50 meters. This means they are safe to use for swimming and showering. The Galaxy Watch 7 also has been tested for the MIL-STD-810H military standard, further ensuring its durability and ruggedness.
#3 Health & Fitness Features
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Both smartwatches track a wide range of health and fitness metrics, including heart rate, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, and sleep tracking. ECG feature, which is commonly found in premium smartwatches, is also available on both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Garmin Venu 3, allowing users to monitor signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), a condition of irregular heart rhythm.
In terms of sleep tracking, the Galaxy Watch 7 has an advantage with its support for Sleep Apnea detection, allowing users to detect signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea. However, this feature is not built-in but rather is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) software-only, mobile medical application operating on a compatible phone.
Galaxy Watch 7 also supports tracking of more than 100 workouts, which is more than the 54 built-in sports apps on the Garmin Venu 3. For example, it supports mountain biking, snorkeling, or surfing which the Venu 3 doesn't come with. However, the Venu 3 has a distinctive advantage in its workouts for wheelchair users, such as tracking pushes, which is not available on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7.
Garmin Venu 3
Garmin Venu 3 also sets itself apart with the Garmin Coach feature, allowing users to train for a 5K, 10K, or half-marathon race with customized training plans and guidance from virtual coaches. For some workouts like strength, cardio, yoga, and pilates, workout animations are also available directly on the watch screen to guide users on proper form and technique.
The Venu 3 also offers the often-prided Garmin's Body Battery Energy Monitoring feature, which displays the energy level throughout the day based on health, activity, and rest data. Thanks to Galaxy AI, the Galaxy Watch 7 is able to provide a similar energy level feature called the Energy Score, but it measures the user's overall energy level and readiness for the day instead of the more comprehensive, hour-by-hour body energy level tracking provided by the Garmin Venu 3.
One unique capability that the Galaxy Watch 7 provides is the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) feature that measures body composition, including body fat percentage, body water content, and skeletal muscle mass. This can be useful for those looking to closely monitor their body composition changes over time, a feature that the Venu 3 lacks.
#4 Smartwatch Features
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Both smartwatches are equipped with a built-in speaker and microphone, allowing for hands-free calling, voice assistant integration, and on-wrist music playback.
The difference is that the Venu 3 requires a connected smartphone nearby for calling and texting, while the Galaxy Watch 7 can make and receive calls directly without a smartphone nearby. Note that only variants with LTE connectivity on the Galaxy Watch 7 can make and receive calls independently.
The Galaxy Watch 7 also offers a keyboard for text input, while the Venu 3 only supports an on-screen keyboard for Android phones. Thanks to Galaxy AI, the Galaxy Watch 7 can also provide Suggested Replies, which are smart, contextual responses for quick messaging.
Another advantage that the Galaxy Watch 7 has over the Venu 3 is its Remote Cam Controller feature, allowing users to control the camera of a compatible smartphone for taking selfies or group photos. The Venu 3 doesn't have such a feature.
#5 Battery & Charging
Garmin Venu 3
Garmin Venu 3 wins when it comes to battery life. On a single charge, it can last for up to 5 days with the always-on display, 14 days on smartwatch mode, and 26 days on battery saver smartwatch mode.
Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 claims a battery life of 60 hours in normal use with the always-on display, 48 hours in exercise power-saving mode with GPS on, and 100 hours in power-saving mode.
The longest estimated battery life of the Galaxy Watch 7, which is 100 hours (4 days) in power-saving mode is still shorter than the shortest estimated battery life of the Garmin Venu 3, which is 5 days with the always-on display. This makes the Venu 3 the clear winner in terms of battery life.
However, the Galaxy Watch 7 has an advantage when it comes to charging. The watch comes with a wireless charger included, which is a convenient way to charge the device quickly and easily. Meanwhile, Garmin Venu 3 still relies on a standard USB-C cable for charging.
#6 Compatibility
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
In terms of compatibility, the Venu 3 has an edge. Garmin Venu 3 supports both iOS and Android phones, so it can be paired with a wider range of devices.
Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is only compatible with Android phones. In addition, some features also require certain Samsung Galaxy phones, a Samsung Health app, and a Samsung account, so it limits non-Samsung Android phone users from fully utilizing all the features of the Galaxy Watch 7.
For example, the Energy Score is a Galaxy AI-powered wellness feature found in the Samsung Health app. It is only available in Galaxy phones that support Galaxy AI, including Galaxy S and Z series. So, other Galaxy users and non-Samsung Android phone users won't be able to access this feature on the Galaxy Watch 7.
Galaxy Watch 7 vs Garmin Venu 3
Final Thoughts
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
The choice between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and the Garmin Venu 3 ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences.
If you prioritize a more affordable smartwatch with a wide range of fitness tracking capabilities, phone-free calling and texting, and AI-powered features, the Galaxy Watch 7 may be the better option. Note that the full capabilities of the watch may be limited if you don't have a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
If you want a more widely compatible smartwatch with exceptional battery life, a robust set of health, fitness, and training features, and don't mind the more premium price tag, the Garmin Venu 3 could be the more suitable choice for you.
If you like to read more on smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
Galaxy Watch 7 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5
Galaxy Watch 7 vs Garmin Fenix 7
Galaxy Watch 7 vs Garmin Forerunner 265
Galaxy Watch 7 vs Fitbit Sense 2
Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Garmin Fenix 7
Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Garmin Epix 2
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