Tech gift guide: Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 vs Fitbit Inspire 3
Samsung and Fitbit both offer fitness bands offering a wide range of functions. But how do they compare?
Shoppers looking for fitness gifts might be wondering whether to choose Fitbit and how that compares to the likes of Samsung. The Fitbit Inspire 3 is the latest slimline tracker from Google, while the Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 is a similar band launched in 2024.
Both of these trackers have a band-type design, more compact than a watch, but not lacking in the fitness features that they provide. Both have a display and offer tracking for a full range of activities, including steps, sleep and exercise, while also offering a connection to a smartphone.
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is £84 on Amazon, which is close to the RRP for the device and some way from the £58.99 lows that have been offered in the past and might return for Black Friday.
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The Galaxy Fit 3 is a cheaper device, selling for £59 on Amazon, but there's a £10 promo code available to bring it down to £49. The cheapest the Galaxy Fit 3 has been available for is £39 (Black Friday 2024), so there could be savings to come for this tracker.
Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 vs Fitbit Inspire 3 - design
Both these fitness trackers have a display on the front to pass on notifications, read the time and glance at stats. The Galaxy Fit 3 has a slightly larger display at 1.6in compared to the 1.47in of the Fitbit Inspire 3. The Galaxy Fit 3 is going to be more usable, and the Inspire is more compact.
It's the large display that has the appeal on the Galaxy device, giving more space, but being closer to a watch design, whereas the Fitbit Inspire 3 is more discreet. Shoppers wanting a tracker that will be less noticeable should pick the Fitbit.
That's borne out in the weight too - the Fitbit is 19g, whereas the Samsung is 36g including the strap. The Fitbit offers 50m water resistance - IP57 - while the Samsung offers 50m and IP68, so it's a little better protected.
The Fitbit offers 10 days of battery, and the Samsung will offer 13 days of battery - but it depends on what you do with it. Both devices offer changeable straps.
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a fitness tracker that will keep track your steps, sleep and activity, with a slim design.
Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 vs Fitbit Inspire 3 - features
Both trackers have a range of sensors including an accelerometer for steps and activity tracking, an optical heart rate monitor, and blood oxygen monitoring. They both will give 24/7 heart rate readings, both will track steps and both will track sleep.
The Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 includes a barometer for greater accuracy in recording the altitude, but the Fitbit does not. However, the Fitbit includes a temperature sensor, which can be useful for female cycle tracking.
Neither device has a GPS, instead using the GPS from a phone to provide location data. This is a drawback of both devices, because neither will be the most accurate when tracking exercise when not connected to a phone. This looks for GPS tracking, might consider the Garmin Vivoactive 5 instead.
Both offer sports tracking, with Samsung boasting over 100 different exercise types, while Fitbit offers 21, but it's possible to create custom activities on Fitbit.
When it comes to connecting to a phone, Fitbit is universal and will happily work with Android or iPhone, connecting via the Fitbit app. The Galaxy Fit 3, however, only works with Android and cannot connect to iPhone.
The Galaxy Fit 3 is a compact fitness tracker offering a nice display, sleep, steps and activity tracking. Use code SAMSUNGUK10 to get £10 off.
Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 vs Fitbit Inspire 3 - subscriptions
An important consideration is any additional cost. The Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 is subscription-free - no features are locked away, everyone gets access to everything.
The Fitbit Inspire 3's main functions work without a subscription, but Fitbit offers a subscription layer called Fitbit Premium (£7.99 a month), which gives access to more advanced metrics. That includes the Daily Readiness Score, Stress Management Score, advanced sleep tracking, wellness report, guided workouts and a few other bits.
In reality, the subscription isn't needed on the Fitbit Inspire 3 and most of the functions - steps, sleep, exercise tracking - are still available for free.
In both cases, the devices will link to the respective app, which is where users can examine the stats in more detail.
Galaxy Fit 3 vs Inspire 3: Which to choose?
The Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 and Fitbit Inspire 3 are fitness bands that are great for those who want to keep a closer eye on their health. Heart rate tracking and sleep tracking will give an insight into sleep quality, duration and rest, making it possible to see what a realistic resting heart rate is, as well as getting alerts for high or low heart rates.
The sensors will track steps for those looking to hit 10,000 a day (or more!), or just for those who are interested in how active they might be. Exercise can also be recorded, from running, walking, cycling and a whole lot more - but neither has a GPS for accurate location data.
The Fitbit is more compact and lighter, so easier to wear, but has a smaller display that doesn't provide a lot of information. The Galaxy Fit 3 is larger with a more useful display, but it looks a little more like a watch. The Galaxy Fit 3 doesn't work with iPhone, while Fitbit works with both devices.