← Back to Smartwatches
2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGarmin Venu 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Time to compare Garmin Venu 3 with Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. We will cover the essentials so you can buy with confidence.
Ratings: 4.5★ vs 4.4★
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Garmin Venu 3
★4.5
(5,399)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:45mm x 45mm x 12mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case; Stainless steel bezel; Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Check Amazon Price→
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
★4.4
(243)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features
Operating System:Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch)
Case Size:47.4mm H x 47.1mm W x 12.1mm D
Case Material:Titanium (Grade 4) frame with cushion design; Sapphire Crystal glass
Check Amazon Price→
Comparison: Garmin Venu 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Garmin Venu 3
★4.5(5,399)Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
★4.4(243)Amazon
| Criterion | Garmin Venu 3 | Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(5,399)Amazon | ★4.4(243)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) | Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features |
Operating System | Garmin OS (Proprietary) | Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch) |
Case Size | 45mm x 45mm x 12mm | 47.4mm H x 47.1mm W x 12.1mm D |
Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer case; Stainless steel bezel; Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Titanium (Grade 4) frame with cushion design; Sapphire Crystal glass |
Display Type | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available | Super AMOLED; Always-On Display; Peak brightness 3000 nits |
Display Size | 1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter | 1.5 in (37.3 mm) circular display |
Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 480 x 480 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes (optional) | Yes |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof | 10 ATM + IP68 (ISO 22810 standard); Ocean swimming capable |
Durability | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens; Stainless steel bezel | MIL-STD-810H certified; Operating temp -20°C to 55°C; 9000m altitude resistance |
GPS | GPS; GLONASS; Galileo (Single-band GNSS) | Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); Glonass; Beidou; Galileo |
Connectivity | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi | LTE (eSIM standard on all models); Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC |
NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Samsung Wallet / Google Wallet |
Sensors | Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor (ECG hardware); Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light sensor |
Health Features | Sleep Coach; Nap Detection; ECG App (FDA cleared); HRV Status; Body Battery; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot; Women’s Health; Meditation | Energy Score; Sleep Apnea detection (FDA authorized); AGEs Index; Body Composition; ECG; Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification; Cycle Tracking with skin temperature; Sleep coaching |
Workout Modes | Wheelchair Mode (pushes, weight shifts); Strength; HIIT; Yoga; Pilates; Running; Cycling; Swimming (Pool); Golf; Tennis; Pickleball; and 30+ others | Multisport tile (Triathlon/Duathlon/Aquathlon); Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling; Race Partner; Track Back; Custom workouts via Quick Button |
Storage | 8GB | 32GB |
Speaker Mic | Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Calls) | Speaker (with Siren support); Microphone |
Calls | Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone) | Yes (LTE standalone or via paired phone) |
Battery | Smartwatch mode: Up to 14 days (5 days always-on); Battery Saver: Up to 26 days; GPS-Only GNSS: Up to 26 hours; All-Systems GNSS: Up to 20 hours | 590mAh; Up to 100 hours (Power Saving); Up to 60 hours (Normal use, AOD off); Up to 48 hours (Exercise Power Saving) |
Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included) | Fast Wireless Charging (WPC Inductive); Proprietary puck required for max speed |
Weight | 47 g (with included band); 30 g (case only) | 60.5 g (Body only) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrists 135–200 mm (Silicone band included); Compatible with standard 22mm Quick Release bands | One Size (fits 145–205mm wrists via Dynamic Lug System) |
Extras | Voice Assistant support (Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby via phone); Wheelchair mode specialized metrics; On-screen muscle maps; Photos in notifications (Android only) | Quick Button (customizable); 86dB Emergency Siren; Night Mode watch face; Gesture controls (Double Pinch) |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
Garmin Venu 3
Rating:★4.5(5,399)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:45mm x 45mm x 12mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case; Stainless steel bezel; Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Display Type:AMOLED; Always-On Mode available
Display Size:1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter
Resolution:454 x 454 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (optional)
Water Resistance:5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof
Durability:Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens; Stainless steel bezel
GPS:GPS; GLONASS; Galileo (Single-band GNSS)
Connectivity:Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
NFC Payments:Garmin Pay
Sensors:Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor (ECG hardware); Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor
Health Features:Sleep Coach; Nap Detection; ECG App (FDA cleared); HRV Status; Body Battery; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot; Women’s Health; Meditation
Workout Modes:Wheelchair Mode (pushes, weight shifts); Strength; HIIT; Yoga; Pilates; Running; Cycling; Swimming (Pool); Golf; Tennis; Pickleball; and 30+ others
Storage:8GB
Speaker Mic:Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Calls)
Calls:Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone)
Battery:Smartwatch mode: Up to 14 days (5 days always-on); Battery Saver: Up to 26 days; GPS-Only GNSS: Up to 26 hours; All-Systems GNSS: Up to 20 hours
Charging:Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included)
Weight:47 g (with included band); 30 g (case only)
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 135–200 mm (Silicone band included); Compatible with standard 22mm Quick Release bands
Extras:Voice Assistant support (Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby via phone); Wheelchair mode specialized metrics; On-screen muscle maps; Photos in notifications (Android only)
✓ Pros:
- • Bright 1.4" AMOLED display with refined, lifestyle-friendly UI
- • Built-in speaker and microphone for wrist calls and voice assistants
- • Latest Elevate Gen 5 sensor supports FDA-cleared ECG app
- • Dedicated Wheelchair Mode tracks pushes rather than steps
- • Excellent 14-day battery life significantly outperforms Apple/Samsung
✗ Cons:
- • Lacks Multi-Band GPS (found in similarly priced Forerunner 265)
- • Plastic case body feels less premium than metal-bodied competitors
- • No LTE option available (phone required for calls/safety)
- • Gorilla Glass 3 is older tech compared to Sapphire or newer Gorilla Glass
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Rating:★4.4(243)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features
Operating System:Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch)
Case Size:47.4mm H x 47.1mm W x 12.1mm D
Case Material:Titanium (Grade 4) frame with cushion design; Sapphire Crystal glass
Display Type:Super AMOLED; Always-On Display; Peak brightness 3000 nits
Display Size:1.5 in (37.3 mm) circular display
Resolution:480 x 480 pixels
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:10 ATM + IP68 (ISO 22810 standard); Ocean swimming capable
Durability:MIL-STD-810H certified; Operating temp -20°C to 55°C; 9000m altitude resistance
GPS:Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); Glonass; Beidou; Galileo
Connectivity:LTE (eSIM standard on all models); Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
NFC Payments:Samsung Wallet / Google Wallet
Sensors:Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light sensor
Health Features:Energy Score; Sleep Apnea detection (FDA authorized); AGEs Index; Body Composition; ECG; Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification; Cycle Tracking with skin temperature; Sleep coaching
Workout Modes:Multisport tile (Triathlon/Duathlon/Aquathlon); Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling; Race Partner; Track Back; Custom workouts via Quick Button
Storage:32GB
Speaker Mic:Speaker (with Siren support); Microphone
Calls:Yes (LTE standalone or via paired phone)
Battery:590mAh; Up to 100 hours (Power Saving); Up to 60 hours (Normal use, AOD off); Up to 48 hours (Exercise Power Saving)
Charging:Fast Wireless Charging (WPC Inductive); Proprietary puck required for max speed
Weight:60.5 g (Body only)
Band Sizes:One Size (fits 145–205mm wrists via Dynamic Lug System)
Extras:Quick Button (customizable); 86dB Emergency Siren; Night Mode watch face; Gesture controls (Double Pinch)
✓ Pros:
- • True multi-day battery life (up to 100h in power saving)
- • Extremely durable Grade 4 Titanium build with 10ATM rating
- • Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) provides superior tracking accuracy
- • Brightest display in class (3000 nits) for outdoor visibility
- • Exclusive features like Siren and Multisport tile for triathletes
✗ Cons:
- • Large 47mm square-circle design may not fit smaller wrists
- • Key health features (ECG, Sleep Apnea) locked to Samsung phones
- • Proprietary band attachment (Dynamic Lug) limits third-party options
- • Charging speed is slower (~2 hours) compared to competitors
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
Based on ratings and feature balance, Garmin Venu 3 has a slight edge for quality and performance. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra remains a strong alternative if its strengths match your needs.
Who should buy each?
Choose Garmin Venu 3 if:
- You want Bright 1.4" AMOLED display with refined, lifestyle-friendly UI, Built-in speaker and microphone for wrist calls and voice assistants
- Rating: 4.5★ (5399 reviews)
Choose Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra if:
- You prefer True multi-day battery life (up to 100h in power saving), Extremely durable Grade 4 Titanium build with 10ATM rating
- Rating: 4.4★ (243 reviews)
Conclusion
Garmin Venu 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Garmin Venu 3 excels if you value bright 1.4" amoled display with refined, lifestyle-friendly ui. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is better if you prioritize true multi-day battery life (up to 100h in power saving). Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.