Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 vs. Fitbit Charge 6: Full fitness tracker comparison

You're in the right place if you're trying to pick between the Fitbit Charge 6 and Samsung Galaxy Fit 3. 

These are two of the top fitness trackers you can strap to your wrist, promising insights into daily activity, workout tracking, sleep monitoring, and even some premium health and wellness insights thrown in.

However, they are also two quite different fitness bands - and below we've done our best to summarise all the key differences between the pair. 

Read on for a full comparison of the Fit 3 and Charge 6 in price, design, features, battery life, and more.

Price, versions, and compatibility

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These two devices operate at quite different price points, which is the first crucial difference between the pair.

While the Galaxy Fit 3 is currently only available in the Philippines for ₱3,490.00 (which converts to around $65/£50), the Fitbit Charge 6 is instead priced at $160/£140. 

Fitbit's premium tracker is available in most regions, which is an advantage it currently holds over the Fit 3 - a tracker that's still awaiting a global rollout - but these two are for completely different budgets, as we say.

• Fitbit Charge 6 vs. Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro

You need to consider which phone you have before going any further into this comparison, too. The Galaxy Fit 3 will only work with Android devices, while Fitbit's Charge 6 is compatible with iOS/Android.

We should also note that there aren't any additional options to consider when it comes to versions, either. That means the case size is fixed, and there's no opportunity to tack on an LTE plan for cellular coverage.

Design and display

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If you're looking for the device with the bigger display, you'll want to opt for the Galaxy Fit 3.

Its 1.57-inch rectangular screen is quite a bit larger than the Fitbit's 1.04-inch AMOLED, which means it's definitely our recommendation for those who like to reply to notifications, view stats in real-time, or mix up watch faces.

While the Samsung device is our preferred pick on the wrist, the displays on both are vibrant and provide the option to remain always on, too. 

The physical cases are also very similar. Both are light - made from aluminum and paired with a silicone strap as standard - and perfectly comfortable during sleep or workouts, with a single button located on the right edge for navigation. 

If you do want to smarten things up, you can also pick up an additional band, though neither offers quite the same level of customization as what you'll find in a tracker like the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro, for example.

Overall, both follow the classic fitness tracker design - even if Samsung's device does lean into the new style of fitness tracker/smartwatch hybrid designs beginning to emerge. 

We wouldn't say they're the most unisex options out there, but they do still work on tons of different wrist types and sizes. And while you'll have to look elsewhere if you want a premium feel, the build quality and overall look are still very good.

Smart and safety features

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The smart features are where these two devices begin to diverge slightly. With Fitbit supported by parent company Google in this regard, it offers a step up from the Galaxy Fit in terms of apps and integrations. 

It's still not anything on the same level as what you'll receive with a smartwatch, but the Charge 6 does boast support for Google Maps, Google Wallet, and YouTube Music. The same can't be said for the Fit 3, which is effectively limited to just mirroring your Android device's notifications, calendar, weather, and media controls.  

You can reply from the wrist if your phone is in range, though.

Fitbit is quite a bit stronger in this area, as we say, but it does disappoint when it comes to safety features. While the Fit 3 supports fall detection, medical ID displaying, and emergency SOS messaging, you won't find anything of the sort on the Charge 6.

Fitness and health features

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Both the Fit 3 and Charge 6 are strong when it comes to offering features in this area, as you would expect. 

There are more activity profiles than you'll probably be able to scroll through, and you'll gain detailed post-workout breakdowns in the Fitbit app and Samsung Health, respectively. 

The Charge 6 has a slight advantage when it comes to the sheer amount of advanced features, though you will have to be a Fitbit Premium subscriber to gain access to the likes of Daily Readiness Score.

The major advantage the Charge 6 has when it comes to fitness, though, is its built-in GPS. This isn't the most reliable, as we found out in testing, but it can live untethered from your handset. The Fit 3, on the other hand, will rely on your Android device for accurate location and distance info.

You do still get heart rate information around the clock no matter which you pick, though, and this also helps support a full gamut of health features on both trackers. 

SpO2 monitoring and detailed sleep tracking insights are available on either device, but, again, it's Fitbit that goes a bit further in this area.

With the Charge 6, you'll get access to ECG readings, more advanced stress tracking (via EDA sensor), high/low heart rate notifications, irregular rhythm spotting, women's health features, skin temperature variation graphs, and more.

Battery life and charging times

Samsung

With both of these trackers offering quite a different smart and health tracking experience, it's no surprise that the battery life estimations are quite different from both of these companies. 

For the Galaxy Fit 3, Samsung suggests that you'll be able to eke out 13 days of life. It's not clear just yet what kind of usage this requires, though we suspect that estimation will come down quite considerably with a feature like always-on display (AOD) turned on. 

Fitbit suggests the Charge 6, meanwhile, can last around a week. This is about right from our testing, though you will have to turn off AOD and a couple of other power-intensive settings to reach it. Realistically, it's much closer to 3-4 days of life.

It's also not the fastest to charge up. While Samsung claims you can receive 65% in just 30 minutes from the Fit 3, Fitbit's tracker instead takes around two hours to go from flat to 100%.

Verdict: Which is best?

Samsung

We'll be reserving full judgment on which of these devices is the best until we've had the chance to put the Galaxy Fit 3 through the Wareable wringer, but, for now, here are our recommendations for those trying to pick between these two trackers.

Choose the Fitbit Charge 6 if:

• You'll value GPS for outdoor workouts
• You need the option of iOS support
• Your budget can stretch closer to $150

Choose the Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 if:

• Your budget is limited to sub-$100
• You don't require apps, iOS support, or advanced health features
• You'll value the additional battery life