In 2014, Apple and Samsung both released their first smartwatches: the Apple Watch and the Gear S. That same year, Google introduced Android Wear to unify the Android smartwatch experience and ecosystem. Since then, smartwatches have started to flourish. Today, we've seen Apple launch the Apple Watch Series 2 and Samsung release the Gear S3. Huawei, another tech giant competing with these two industry leaders, has also entered the market with the HUAWEI WATCH 2.
Three major tech companies, three distinct products, three operating systems, and three ecosystems now dominate the smartwatch market. Due to the generally shorter battery life of smartwatches, these devices have become more of a niche product. Consequently, the tech giants are targeting specific user groups with differing needs. As a result, smartwatches are gradually shifting toward becoming specialized sports equipment and personal fitness coaches.
The Apple Watch, Samsung Gear S3, and Huawei HUAWEI WATCH 2 represent the top-tier smartwatches. Despite coming from different brands, using different operating systems, and having distinct ecosystems, each offers a unique experience. Regardless of whether smartwatches are considered "frivolous" by many, under the conditions of affordability and high-end offerings, these three watches offer excellent value. So, which one should you choose? Let's compare them.
The first comparison focuses on design. The initial Samsung Gear S had a square screen, while the S2 transitioned to a circular one. The HUAWEI WATCH 2 revamped its design, moving away from a luxury look to a quasi-professional sports watch aesthetic, reducing the use of metal in favor of lighter plastics. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch has retained its original design since its inception.
The materials used in the body and the screen type vary across these smartwatches. Both the Gear S3 and HUAWEI WATCH 2 share similar materials, irrespective of the version. The Apple Watch, however, is more complex, offering multiple versions including 316L stainless steel cases with sapphire glass and aluminum cases with Lon-X glass. Breaking it down further, the original Apple Watch Sport version, Series 1/2 are all aluminum with Lon-X glass, whereas the Edition version features 316L stainless steel and sapphire glass.
Due to their different positioning, the HUAWEI WATCH 2 lags slightly in terms of wear resistance, with its plastic components prone to scratches. Both the Apple Stainless Steel and Samsung Gear S3 models have 316L stainless steel buttons.
When it comes to durability, the Gorilla SR+ screen on the Gear S3 is the hardest of the three, surpassing the Apple Watch's stainless steel sapphire glass. The Lon-X glass used in the Apple Watch’s common editions is less resistant to scratches but fares better against drops.
Metal casings tend to be more durable but prone to scratching. If the Apple Watch Aluminum Edition gets scratched, it's quite noticeable, particularly with the black version. As for the stainless steel version, despite being made of the same 316L stainless steel, the Gear S3 has been brushed on the sides, making any scratches less noticeable. For a detailed comparison, please refer to the attached images.
All three screens are OLEDs, with Huawei using AMOLED and Samsung naturally opting for its own Super AMOLED, which is the brightest. In outdoor lighting, the screens automatically adjust to maximum brightness. However, even with automatic brightness adjustments, direct sunlight can make it difficult to read the screen on all three devices, even the Samsung Gear S3.
Due to differences in pixel arrangement, despite the Gear S3 having a higher PPI, the actual level of detail on the watch is HUAWEI WATCH 2 > Apple Watch > Gear S3. However, the HUAWEI WATCH 2 has a feature where at certain angles, it displays a touch matrix on the screen without affecting the user experience, though some users might find this uncomfortable (yes, I’m a Virgo).
System and Ecosystem Comparison
To limit the scope of comparison, the three devices were upgraded to the latest systems, representing all the current mainstream smartwatch operating systems.
Both Samsung and Huawei can support all mobile phones running Android 4.4 and above, offering identical functions and system experiences. They can also support iOS devices. However, due to Apple's proprietary advantages, such as Samsung's Tizen and all Android smartwatches (including Android Wear), functionalities in iOS systems are limited, including unsupported payments, partial software losses, and occasionally unstable Bluetooth connections.
Apple Watch adheres to Apple's closed ecosystem, supporting only iOS devices. Because the corresponding watch client is embedded in the iOS system, the new device pairing process is much simpler than Samsung and Huawei.
Starting from S2, Samsung designed a rotating dial for the Gear S smartwatch, incorporating its unique Tizen system, which competes with Apple's Apple Watch in operation. Additionally, the Gear S3 includes a glove mode, allowing users to interact with the dial even with thick gloves on, perfect for winter activities.
Compared to Samsung's large rotating dial, Apple added a rotary slide function to the small crown, providing a very smooth operation but lacking the tactile feedback of Samsung's dial, leading to a less precise positioning experience. However, Apple's Force Touch with pressure-sensitive operation is a game-changer, making the control experience quite impressive.
Huawei lacks any unique operations, following the design of Android Wear 2.0. It has only one customizable button, with all other operations requiring touch input.
A hallmark of smartwatches is the ability to swap dials, which influences their playability. While Apple appears to have many dials, the majority are more functional due to the square design. The most unique dial on the Apple Watch is the Disney series, but how many people would keep using it? After all, it’s a bit childish.
The choice of round dials offers more variety. Samsung, in particular, excels in dial customization, with an endless supply of official dials. The number of third-party dials exceeds expectations. I’ve often found myself overwhelmed by choices, so I simply use the default dial to avoid the hassle.
Huawei, on the other hand, faces a challenge. The original third-party dial for Android Wear is extensive but requires access to the international version of the store. Huawei's official dial shop offers only a few models. Clicking for more redirects to an app store, prompting you to download two third-party dial apps... Are you willing to go through such a tedious process for Huawei? (If you're Huawei, I acknowledge it. The fact remains that the official dial selection is limited.)
Another smartwatch feature is the abundance of software. Apple benefits from a closed and well-established ecosystem, offering a vast number of apps for the Apple Watch. There are also some fun watch games. The localization of software is nearly flawless. Apple currently leads in the smartwatch ecosystem, and there’s no disputing this.
Although Samsung developed its own Tizen system, it also struggles with the number of applications. Tizen's ecosystem is significant, with a decent number of software and games, though not on par with Apple. Localization software is abundant, with some apps unavailable on Android Wear.
Finally, let's not forget that China's software ecosystem is relatively small, with just a few pages of apps... If you disagree, consider buying a Huawei WATCH 2 with a domestic line and using the Chinese version of Android Wear to see if it's truly sparse. Alternatively, you'd need to install Google Frameworks and Google Play on your phone, then download the international version of Android Wear online to access a wider range of apps. However, how many people are willing to go through such a cumbersome process?
Huawei's ecosystem is far from comparable to domestic competitors like Ticwatch. Huawei has indeed fallen behind in ecosystem development.
Daily Use Comparison
A smartwatch can partially replace a regular watch in daily life. For dedicated users, these devices are frequently utilized. Each of the three products has its strengths, though none are perfect.
Apple doesn’t include an official dialer by default. You’ll need to use Siri Voice to dial or install a third-party dialer. Apple also has a powerful feature where, if the watch is connected to the same WiFi network as the paired iOS device, you can make calls and send notifications even if the phone isn't nearby, which is quite practical.
Huawei lacks offline functionality but has a 4G version and can insert SIM cards independently of the phone, which is more practical than Apple's LAN connection. Finally, I must admit, I'm not really bashing Huawei.
Samsung is more constrained. Currently, there's no 4G version, and no similar offline function exists. The only commendable aspect is the design of the default dialer, which aligns better with the watch's operation.
In mobile payment segments, Samsung lags behind. Alipay and Samsung Pay are available, but the bus card service is not yet activated. Both Apple and Huawei are similar in payment capabilities, supporting Apple Pay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay. However, Huawei supports more NFC bus cards, currently covering Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Lingnan. Being a domestic company, Huawei excels in mobile payment.
In terms of battery life, the data in the table represents official results. Different usage environments can impact battery life, making it difficult to eliminate all variables affecting test results. Even if the three watches are connected via an iPhone, I can’t guarantee the battery life won’t be affected if functions are limited. Changing the phone from an iPhone to an Android doesn’t ensure the same mobile push environment. Thus, the final test was conducted in flight mode.
From 10:36 AM to 4:50 PM, Apple remained at 100%, Samsung at 99%, and Huawei at 93%. If you doubt the authenticity, you can download the original images to check the shooting times. The test showed that even in standby mode, Huawei consumed more power than Apple and Samsung.
As for actual daily use, it depends on various scenarios. Whether it's frequently opening GPS or receiving numerous notifications, no matter the smartwatch (with a touch screen OS), under heavy usage, sustaining a full day is challenging. Based on official battery life data and personal experience, Samsung's daily life usage is the best. After all, like Apple, it benefits from its own ecosystem and optimization, and the battery capacity is still greater, warranting a longer lifespan.
Although Huawei is relatively weak in endurance, it surprisingly outpaces Apple and Samsung in charging speed. Apple and Samsung take about 2 hours, while Huawei takes only about 1.5 hours, placing it among the faster charging smartwatches.
However, Huawei’s charging method is regressive compared to the first generation, switching to a simple magnetic charge. Due to the sports watch design, it cannot be placed on a desk while charging. To take the above photo, I had to perform acrobatics with the HUAWEI WATCH 2 to release and capture it.
Both Apple and Samsung support wireless charging. Samsung often comes with a stand-up charging dock that doubles as a desktop clock, while Apple requires users to purchase their own stand.
Sports Monitoring Function Comparison
Both the Apple Watch Series 2 and the HUAWEI WATCH 2 are positioned as quasi-professional sports watches, with Huawei even more specialized in sports watch aesthetics. Samsung, while maintaining the appearance of traditional watches, has integrated quasi-professional sports functions. Many users might be interested in comparing heart rate, running, and positioning data, but this time, we'll skip it due to the lack of a single definitive reference for accuracy. Moreover, these three models are flagship products on their respective lines, making significant deviations unlikely.
Regardless of third-party software, Samsung offers up to 16 types of sports modes to choose from, providing more detailed sports data. Apple also added a unique swim mode to the Apple Watch Series 2, while Huawei offers a standard set of common options.
The main difference between the three lies in the barometer, which is only available in the Apple Watch Series 2. The current default setting does not record altitude data, making related data unobtainable directly on the watch unless through specific software. Both Samsung and Huawei can view altitude and air pressure directly through the default dial or plugins, but the data requires networking updates. Herein lies the issue: Samsung allows direct WiFi selection and password entry, whereas Huawei requires entering the password on the phone. For those without a phone or using the 4G version, this is inconvenient. The difference in pressure data is minor, but the discrepancy in altitude data is quite noticeable.
In reality, checking the exact altitude data of the current location and manually calibrating it will make the data more accurate. Whether accurate or not, as a reference value, it suffices as long as it's not overly biased.
The Samsung Gear S3 also features an interesting altitude change function. With a default setting of 3 meters per floor, it can set daily stair-climbing goals and notify users upon reaching them, offering an easy fitness mode.
The Samsung Gear S3 also includes a sleep monitoring function. Although wearing a watch to sleep might seem odd, it's fine not to remove the wristband. Currently, almost all smartwatches lack sleep monitoring, except for Samsung Gear S series watches with screens and operating systems capable of installing software.
Additionally, in sports mode, Samsung supports automatic detection of pauses, with voice prompts guiding users to avoid manual pauses for more accurate final data. In contrast, Samsung's design of sports functions is indeed comprehensive. If the Gear S4 supports swimming mode in the future, it might outperform Apple in sports functions.
Why wait for the Gear S4? Because the S3's waterproof rating is IP68, meaning it's suitable for everyday life but not swimming. The Apple Watch Series 2 has an IPX8 rating, but Apple claims it has a special design with a drainage function, enabling it to reach 50-meter waterproofing.
Is it bad? You have the answer.
Even Samsung, Apple’s rival, has escaped the "short-lived" stigma. The current standalone smartwatch is indeed somewhat impractical. However, from a functional perspective, these three smartwatches aren't inherently good or bad. Even in the above comparisons, it seems that the HUAWEI WATCH 2 lags behind Apple and Samsung in many aspects, but considering the price, Huawei is also the cheapest of the three. Moreover, Huawei targets quasi-professional sports enthusiasts in terms of design and positioning. If you’re a straight male sports enthusiast, the affordable HUAWEI WATCH 2 Bluetooth Edition might be your first choice.
If you want a complete smartwatch ecosystem and are an iPhone user, decisively choose the Apple Watch. But I fear straight men like me might find the Apple Watch’s design "basic" and unacceptable. As long as you can accept limited functionality, the Samsung Gear S3 is not a bad choice for iPhone users. For Android users, the Samsung Gear S3 is a straightforward option for men—a rugged look with a sense of control through a rotating dial. Whether in business or sports situations, it can handle itself well.
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