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CNET
06-06-2025
- Health
- CNET
I Tested Samsung's $60 Galaxy Fit 3: It's Basic, but in a Good Way
The Galaxy Fit 3 teeters on the edge of being a smartwatch, and a fitness tracker. Everything from its in-between size to its sparse smart features makes it hard to categorize as one or the other. But as I tested this simple and charming wrist device, its main appeal became crystal clear. What's most appealing about this hybrid smartwatch, as I'm choosing to call it, is its price tag. At $60, it's the most affordable way to access Samsung's robust health ecosystem through the Samsung Health app. If you're already a Samsung user and can temper your expectations, that alone might make it worth considering. It also doesn't hurt that it's easy on the eyes and doesn't overpower my 6.5-inch wrist like other traditional smartwatches (especially the budget ones, some of which can be an eyesore). 7.8 Samsung Galaxy Fit3 $58 at Amazon Like $60 price is the cheapest entry point into Samsung's ecosystem $60 price is the cheapest entry point into Samsung's ecosystem Robust health tracking and sleep coaching tools Robust health tracking and sleep coaching tools 3-day battery life with always-on display (up to 13 days with lighter use) 3-day battery life with always-on display (up to 13 days with lighter use) Slim, lightweight design that looks fancier than most budget trackers Don't like No built-in GPS for phone-free outdoor workouts No built-in GPS for phone-free outdoor workouts No voice assistant or dictation features No voice assistant or dictation features No mobile payments or third-party app support No mobile payments or third-party app support Limited notification handling (can't initiate calls or texts) At a time when there are dozens of smartwatches vying for your attention, with a dizzying array of features, the Fit 3 stands out due to its straightforward appeal and a price that's hundreds of dollars less than that of the flagship Galaxy Watch 7 and other competitors like the OnePlus Watch 3. After three weeks of using the Fit 3, I've come to appreciate its value and battery life, even if I'd still recommend the slightly more expensive Amazfit Bip 6 for most people. Galaxy Fit 3 design At first glance, its 1.6-inch (40mm) AMOLED screen could easily pass for a full-size smartwatch -- not what you'd typically expect from a tracker. It has a rounded rectangular display with an aluminum frame that comes in subtle rose gold (like mine), silver or dark gray. Only a couple of aspects of its design hint at its true hybrid form. The rectangular screen is much narrower than the ones you'll find on other smartwatches, like the Amazfit Bip 6 or even the Apple Watch. By default, that limits how much information you can view on the screen, but in my opinion, it also makes the design feel more elegant. Also, the Fit 3 has only one physical button (there's no crown or rotating bezel). Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET Galaxy Fit 3 battery life Where it truly shines is battery life. Operating at full throttle, the watch lasted three full days, and that's including an active always-on display, the mirroring of all notifications from my phone, sleep tracking, and at least one workout per day. Without the always-on display, you may be able to stretch it to Samsung's promised 13 days. This longevity is in part due to the smaller screen and because the Fit 3 isn't running a feature-rich operating system like Wear OS, which you'll find in the newer Galaxy Watch lineup. Regardless, it's easier to keep the Fit 3 charged for all-day use and sleep tracking than its Galaxy Watch counterparts, which often give out before the 48-hour mark (even the Ultra). It also charges fast and can go from zero to 100% in just over an hour. Galaxy Fit 3 'smart' features (or lack thereof) The big sacrifice here, and the reason I don't consider the Fit 3 a full-fledged smartwatch, is its limited smart features. Even when paired with a Galaxy phone (I paired it with a Galaxy S25 Plus), its functionality feels restricted and it doesn't support voice dictation or mobile payments. It's also compatible with non-Galaxy Android phones, but you'll lose out on even more functionality, like the camera remote or alarm syncing. The narrow screen on the Fit 3 means you don't get as much screen space for notifications. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET I didn't think I'd miss a voice assistant as much as I did, but wearing the Fit 3 made me realize that dictation and voice commands have become a big part of how I use a smartwatch, whether it's text responses, setting a timer while I cook or taking and making calls. All you can do is decline a call and send a canned response to the caller. The same goes for text messages. You can't initiate a text or dictate a reply, but you can respond via prewritten messages that you can customize with something more conversational than the ones that come preloaded. I added a "Give me a sec while I get to my phone." It's not ideal, but at least it buys me some time to dig through my bottomless Mary Poppins purse for my phone. I'm contemplating adding a "Piss off" custom response for robophishing scam texts. The other big miss for me was mobile payments. Without NFC, you won't be able to pay for things with your wrist on the Fit 3. Otherwise, the Fit 3 is notable for its lack of app selection. I had to survive without some of my regular third-party apps, like the Roku TV remote and Spotify, but I was OK with using them on the phone. The Fit 3 still has the basics: alarm, calculator, weather app, camera remote (for Galaxy phones) and Samsung's Health app. The last is the standout here, and one of the main reasons you'd consider getting this in the first place. The Fit 3 has advanced health sensors and a single button for navigation. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET Galaxy Fit 3 health and fitness Let's get one thing out of the way: The Fit 3 doesn't have built-in GPS. This means you'll be tethered to your phone during runs if you want truly accurate tracking. That was my biggest complaint as far as fitness features go, because the S25 Plus isn't the most dainty of running buddies, and there are times when I just want to leave it behind and disconnect for 30 minutes. I tried to do a 5K without my phone, and as a result the Fit 3's run tracking and mapping was off by about half a kilometer, or three-tenths of a mile. The Fit 3 can track over 100 different exercises and will automatically log runs, walks, rowing and elliptical workouts. However, auto-tracking isn't enabled by default, so you'll have to toggle it on in the settings. You can also take it swimming (just not waterskiing) because it's rated for 5ATM (50 meters) and has an IP68 rating. The heart rate data from the Polar chest strap (left) compared with the Galaxy Fit 3 on the same 5K run. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET I tested the heart rate tracking alongside my Polar chest strap (the gold standard for consumer-facing heart rate monitoring) and found it to be generally accurate, though slower to register heart rate spikes. This is fairly common with most wrist-based devices I've tested. Once I approached my peak heart rate (all-out effort), the Fit 3 showed a 2- to 5-point difference compared with the chest strap and took a couple of seconds to catch up. However, in the workout summary, the final numbers for average and peak heart rate were similar and within 2 points of each other. The Fit 3 also offers high and low heart rate alerts, but it lacks an ECG app. It can monitor stress levels and blood oxygen saturation, and it even has a fall detection feature that calls emergency services if it senses a hard fall and you don't get up. You can also activate SOS manually by pressing the side button five times. Galaxy Fit 3 sleep The Fit 3 has robust sleep tracking features, similar to those found on Samsung's flagship Galaxy Watches. The Fit 3 can detect sleep stages and even monitor snoring using the Galaxy phone's microphone. After seven nights, it also provides personalized sleep coaching, though I didn't accumulate enough data in my testing to activate this feature. It also delivers a sleep score each morning that should correlate with your energy levels, but I found it a bit questionable, considering it gave me a score of 91 (aka "Excellent") on a night when I slept for only six and a half hours. The Galaxy Fit 3 is comfortable to strap on and wear all day. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET Who should buy the Galaxy Fit 3? The Galaxy Fit 3 isn't going to blow anyone away with its features or design, but it might with its price. At $60, it's the lowest cost of entry for Galaxy phone users looking to start tracking their health and fitness within the same ecosystem. Its sleek design, robust health metrics, and long-lasting battery make it worth considering even if you don't have a Samsung phone. There are a few budget smartwatches worth your money, and though this one isn't the best or the only option, it's a solid pick, with a simple and easy-to-navigate UI. The biggest problem might be actually getting your hands on it. As of publishing, it's out of stock at the Samsung Store and available only through third-party retailers like Walmart.
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Amazon shoppers dub Samsung Galaxy Fit3 'the best smartwatch' amid 31% price slash
Amazon has slashed the price of the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 down to just £41. Not that many years ago, when people spoke about tracking their steps or fitness, the majority of us would assume that this was done through a Fitbit. While still popular today, the device now faces more competition from other brands than it did before. One such competitor is Samsung, who is widely known for its Galaxy Watch range. Within this range are some devices that are fitness-focused, including the Galaxy Fit3 which has been dubbed by some shoppers to be 'far better than Fitbit". Currently, Amazon has slashed the price of the popular Samsung watch down from £59 to only £41. Released back in early 2024, this fitness tracker was designed to compete with devices like Fitbit Inspire in terms of features and capabilities, reports Surrey Live. The Galaxy Fit3 is said to be easy to read and use as it features a 1.6-inch AMOLED display, which allows for easy navigation, as well as an additional side button for extra control. The watch is also equipped with all your essential sensors to help monitor your heart rate, steps and calories burned throughout the day. Along with an impressive 13-day battery life, the watch supports over 100 different activities. From swimming to dancing to running, users will be able to track any sport they like. The device also gets instant notifications, allowing users to check their messages, as well as having the ability to control music. However, on the downside, the Galaxy Fit3 does not come with a built-in GPS chip, meaning users will always need to have their phone on them in order to get precise location tracking. However, it should be noted that it's not unusual for smart watches in this price range to be without a GPS. Samsung Galaxy Fit3 £59 £41 Amazon Buy Now Product Description For those interested in the Fitbit, Amazon is selling the Google Fitbit Charge 6 for £139. Available in white, black or coral, the Fitbit is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, unlike the Fit3 which is catered towards Android users. If shoppers are looking for something more budget friendly, Argos has slightly reduced the price of the HUAWEI Band 9 Smart Watch from £39.99 down to £34.99. With a typical battery life of up to nine days, this lightweight watch is perfect for swimming enthusiasts as it can identify all four strokes. However for those interested in the Samsung Galaxy Fit3, it currently has 4.3 star rating on Amazon, with over 1,000 people purchasing the fitness tracker in the last 30 days. One happy shopper said: "I bought the Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 just a few days ago, and I genuinely haven't taken it off since. Sleek, lightweight, and surprisingly comfortable, this tracker has completely exceeded my expectations — especially at this price point." While another added: "I bought this as my Garmin vivofit 4 had stopped working and wanted something to track my steps and thought the price was reasonable. "I'm so pleased I got this as it does everything I need and more. It was easy to set up, it's comfortable and looks really good on. You can customise your screens and receive phone notifications on it too. I've found the battery lasts about a week too." However, not everyone was as impressed, with one shopper grumbling: "This watch has some cool features like Spotify controls and you can read messages and see notifications like phone calls. "In terms of fitness features, the watch didn't detect when I was working out even though I has the automatic detection setting on. I'd sometimes get notifications that my HR was high during watch really didn't know what I was doing." Another shopper also wrote: "I like this watch but if you use it as a fitness tracker you're lucky to get 5 days out of a charge, I track one weight session and 2 1.5k walks a day and it's run out after 5 days and didn't give a warning of low power." Despite these issues, another reviewer praised: "I had been using Fitbit for years but after the move with Google I wasn't impressed. "My Fitbit charge 4 snapped at the plastic connecting to the strap so was no longer any use. I came across the Galaxy fit 3 and after reading the reviews I decided to give it a try. In my opinion it is far better than Fitbit." With a further shopper saying: "I have brought so many smartwatches but this is the best. Lovely size screen, nice watch strap. It lies flush with your wrist, nice and lightweight to wear. "All apps are easy to follow, great for your steps and sleep record. I bought this from used very good, cannot find anything wrong with it, no scratches or scuffs. Excellent buy." Click HERE to buy the Samsung Galaxy Fit3. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Forbes
02-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Samsung Gives Away Free Watch To New Galaxy Phone Buyers
Samsung's Galaxy A56 now comes with a free Galaxy Watch. Samsung is making a habit of giving away its fitness tracker, the Galaxy Fit3. Last week, it was bundled with the Galaxy S24 (alongside a gifted pair of Galaxy Buds) and now it comes free with the Galaxy A56 5G. This new budget phone is already cheap at £499 ($647.28), but Samsung has sweetened the deal with some freebies, enhanced trade-in prices and a new voucher code. The Galaxy A56 comes with a 'premium pack' of freebies, which Samsung says is worth £138 ($179.01). This deal only applies to shoppers in the U.K. and Ireland. The pack includes the Galaxy Fit3, a 45W charger and a silicone case. The Korean company has also discounted the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro by 20% when bought with the phone. To claim the freebies, shoppers have to buy the handset before April 15th and then head to the Samsung claims site. The claim needs to be submitted within 30 days, alongside proof of purchase the basic details about the phone, such as the IME1 number. In previous giveaways Samsung has said that claimants will be notified if their application has been accepted within seven days, and the freebies sent out within 45 days. The process is slightly awkward and long-winded, perhaps on purpose, but it's worth sticking with. Samsung says that it will email and text participants if the claim has been submitted incorrectly to reupload it. If, however, no response is received within seven days, you will not be eligible to receive the free gift. There's another potential pitfall that claimants should be aware of. Samsung says that if you don't receive an acknowledgment email that the application has been received, it is your responsibility to follow up with the Korean company within seven days. The terms and conditions don't explicitly state what happens if you don't make contact within that time period, but they do clearly say that Samsung 'reserves the right at its absolute discretion to disqualify Claims which it considers do not comply with these Terms and Conditions.' Make sure you keep an eye on your emails and texts to ensure you get your freebies. Buyers can pick up the Galaxy S56 for fairly cheap if they take advantage of all of Samsung's deals. There's a straight £100 ($129.72) off for 'any smartphone' when traded in. Not a huge amount of money, but significant considering the A56's price. If you have a 2023 Galaxy A54 (£143/$185.49) or 2021 Galaxy S21 Plus (£133/$172.52) to trade in, then those make a big dent in the final price. Samsung has also launched a new voucher code ('AFIVE') that knocks 5% off the handset if bought in the Samsung Shop app. You can of course sell the Galaxy Fit3 to save more cash on the Galaxy A56, with the wearable fetching roughly £40 on the secondary market.
Forbes
26-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Samsung Makes Surprise New $203 Offer To Galaxy S24 Buyers
The Samsung Galaxy S24. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg After handing out free Chromebooks, Samsung is now offering another generous device giveaway to Galaxy S24 buyers. The promotion gifts a free Galaxy Fit 3 and Galaxy Buds FE to people who buy the Galaxy S24 or S24 FE. Combined, both devices are worth £158 ($203) and Samsung has also discounted last year's flagship by £100 ($129). The promotion ends on April 15th and only applies to shoppers in the U.K. The deal can be picked up at a wide range of shops, including Argos, Asda, Curry's and others. It's available widely because the devices are not bundled with the phone when purchased. Instead, buyers will have to submit a claim form to Samsung—receiving the watch and earbuds a month later. Samsung has a dedicated giveaway site that details the process. But in essence, you will have to provide your proof of purchase, the device's IMEI number and some personal details. This must be submitted within 30 days of purchase and if everything is done properly, Samsung says the gifts will be sent out within 45 days. This is not the first time Samsung has given away a free device, or service, to U.K. shoppers. Previously, the Korean company has handed out a free Chromebook, Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Watch FE and a 12 month subscription to Disney Plus to Galaxy S24 buyers. This is alongside repeated device discounts. U.S. Galaxy buyers aren't so lucky, with free accessory devices rarely bundled with smartphones. Samsung U.S. does, however, offer some huge price cuts and eye-wateringly high trade-in prices. A recent Galaxy Z Flip 6 sale combined a straight $120 off the handset and up to $700 in trade-in value. Bundling more than one freebie with the Galaxy S24 is particularly generous, even considering Samsung's penchant for giveaways. I suspect this is a way of silencing any doubts about buying last year's tech, whilst also crowbarring people into the company's ecosystem. The Galaxy Fit 3 and Galaxy Buds FE are Samsung's cheapest wearables that are perennially discounted and often used as makeweights in promotions. I don't think it's worth buying the Galaxy S24 just for these freebies, which are individually cheap anyway. Combined with the £100 off, it's a solid deal. But the Galaxy S24's price will only continue to drop as it moves further away from its release date. You will find better straight discounts over the coming months, either from Samsung or retailers looking to clear their remaining stock. Keep an eye on Amazon because it has repeatedly undercut manufacturer pricing in the last six months.
