Samsung Galaxy Fit3 vs Huawei Band 8: activity tracker face-off

Fitness tracker shoppers anticipating new releases now have another compelling option to consider: the Samsung Galaxy Fit3. One of its closely-matched competitors is the Huawei Band 8. These devices target those who want to seamlessly track their workouts, understand key health metrics, and boost their well-being, without venturing into premium smartwatch territory.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

This comparison article delves into every aspect of the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 and Huawei Band 8, including their design, hardware, functionality, and cost. The goal is to equip you with the information to make an informed decision between these two fitness trackers.

Key takeaways

The Galaxy Fit3, with its durable construction and marginally larger display, delivers a comprehensive fitness tracking experience for those with Android phones. Its rapid charging capability, barometer, and ambient light sensor offer additional convenience. In contrast, the Huawei Band 8 focuses on all-day comfort with its lightweight design and excels in advanced sleep tracking and a wide array of workout modes. Both devices are affordably priced, making them accessible options for budget-conscious consumers.

View on Samsung, Huawei; View on Amazon (Galaxy Fit3, Huawei Band 8).

Jump to

Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Bottom line

Samsung Galaxy Fit3 vs Huawei Band 8: Hardware

Look & feel

The duo adopts a rectangular shape that maximizes screen real estate. This shape is conducive to displaying a wide range of fitness data and notifications in a manner that’s easy to read at a glance.

When it comes to the build, the Galaxy Fit3 opts for an aluminum case, lending it a premium feel and a slightly more robust demeanor, suitable for users who prioritize durability and a high-end finish. In contrast, the Huawei Band 8 features a skin-friendly TPU material, emphasizing comfort and a lightweight design.

Size-wise, the Galaxy Fit3 and Huawei Band 8 are tailored to fit a variety of wrist sizes, but they differ slightly in their dimensions. The Galaxy Fit3 is slightly bulkier, which accommodates its larger battery and screen, whereas the Huawei Band 8 is thinner and lighter, arguably offering a more unobtrusive fit.

Physical interaction with the devices is facilitated through their respective physical buttons, with both opting for a single side button. This design choice underscores a commitment to simplicity and ease of use, allowing users to navigate the interface without overcrowding the device with unnecessary controls.

Display, colour options, water resistance

The display is a critical component of any wearable device, and both the Galaxy Fit3 and Huawei Band 8 feature AMOLED screens known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. Measuring 1.6 inches, the Galaxy Fit3’s screen is slightly larger. The Huawei Band 8’s 1.47 inch AMOLED colored 2.5D display, though smaller, offers sharp visuals and a slight curvature that adds to the aesthetic appeal. Both screens are designed to be legible in various lighting conditions, with the Galaxy Fit3 boasting an ambient light sensor for automatic brightness adjustments.

When it comes to water resistance, both the Galaxy Fit3 and Huawei Band 8 boast a 5 ATM rating, making them suitable for swimming and showering. Finally, both models offer a variety of color options. The Galaxy Fit3 comes in Prism Crush White, Pink, and Dark Gray, while the Huawei Band 8 offers Emerald Green, Magic Night Black, Cherry Pink, and Vibrant Orange for a bit more flair.

Sensor technology

The Samsung Galaxy Fit3 and the Huawei Band 8 come equipped with a core set of sensors to track your health and fitness. This includes an accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate sensor, and blood oxygen sensor (SpO2). The Galaxy Fit3 goes a step further by incorporating a barometer and ambient light sensor. This allows for more accurate altitude tracking during workouts and automatic adjustment of the screen’s brightness for better visibility.

When it comes to location tracking, both fitness trackers rely on connected GPS. This means they use your smartphone’s GPS signal to map your activities, such as runs or bike rides. This system works reasonably well, though it does require carrying your phone with you. Neither device has its own built-in GPS, which might be a negative for those who want to leave their phones behind during workouts.

Neither the Galaxy Fit3 nor the Huawei Band 8 includes a built-in speaker or microphone. They also do not offer built-in music storage. This means you won’t be able to load music directly onto your fitness tracker to listen to music without your phone.

NFC payments are notably absent on the Galaxy Fit3 and are limited to certain regions (primarily China) on the Huawei Band 8. As a result, both trackers miss out on the ease of making contactless payments directly from your wrist.

Battery life

The battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 is up to 13 days on a typical charge, while the Huawei Smart Band 8 offers around two weeks of normal use. The Galaxy Fit3 boasts a slightly larger battery (208 mAh vs 180 mAh), but the Smart Band 8 is optimized for better battery efficiency.

Worth noting is that the Samsung supports fast charging, achieving 65% battery in just 30 minutes This is a nice advantage for users on the go.

However, it’s important to remember that these are just estimates, and your actual battery life will vary depending on how you use the device. If you’re a more casual user who only checks your fitness tracker occasionally, you might be able to get closer to the advertised battery life.

Samsung Galaxy Fit3 vs Huawei Band 8: Technical specs

Here’s a detailed comparison table for the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 and Huawei Band 8:

Samsung Galaxy Fit3 vs Huawei Band 8: Features

The Galaxy Fit3 and Huawei Band 8 provide essential health monitoring features such as heart rate tracking, sleep analysis, and SpO2 measurements for blood oxygen levels, ensuring users can keep a close eye on vital health metrics. Both devices encourage active lifestyles with their inclusive range of sports modes.

The Galaxy Fit3, with its additional barometer sensor also offers floor counts. This feature complements its comprehensive fitness tracking suite, which includes a wide array of workout modes (101 in total), automatic activity recognition for five activities, and detailed sleep tracking capabilities that extend beyond mere duration to include stages of sleep, quality assessment, snore detection and sleep coaching..

Huawei’s Band 8, while matching in basic health tracking, emphasizes its capabilities in sleep monitoring with the TruSleep 3.0 algorithm, providing users with insights into their sleep patterns and quality, along with personalized recommendations for improvement. It also shines in sports tracking, supporting over 100 workout modes, and includes features tailored for women’s health, offering a holistic approach to wellness tracking.

An interesting feature of Fit3 is Fall Detection and Emergency SOS. When the deice detects and abnormal fall, it connects you to emergency services. Or you can manually do this by pressing the side button 5 times to send a message with your location to your Emergency contacts.

Smartwatch-type features

Beyond fitness, the duo includes a handful of smartwatch-like features. You’ll find notifications for calls, texts, and other apps, weather updates, the ability to control music playback on your phone, and customizable watch faces. However, they fall short of a true smartwatch experience. Neither the Galaxy Fit3 nor the Huawei Band 8 support app downloads, voice assistants, or cellular connectivity, limiting their standalone functionality.

Worth noting is that Fit3 does not work with iOS. So you should only purchase that one if you have an Android phone.

Samsung Galaxy Fit3 vs Huawei Band 8: Price

The Samsung Galaxy Fit3 and Huawei Band 8 generally hover around the same price range making them competitive choices. The Galaxy Fit3 retails around the $80 mark. Meanwhile, the Huawei Band 8 comes in a tad cheaper around $90. So both of these are budget-friendly options.

Samsung Galaxy Fit3 vs Huawei Band 8: Final thoughts

The Galaxy Fit3, with its robust build, slightly larger display, and comprehensive sensor suite, appeals to those seeking a durable and feature-rich fitness tracker. Its fast charging capability and inclusion of a barometer and ambient light sensor slightly edge it ahead in terms of convenience and functionality for outdoor activities. It’s a great option for those with Android phones.

On the other hand, the Huawei Band 8, with its lighter and thinner design, prioritizes comfort and wearability, making it ideal for continuous wear, even during sleep. Its focus on sleep quality, through the TruSleep 3.0 algorithm, and a broader range of workout modes cater to a holistic approach to wellness tracking.

Price-wise, both devices are positioned as affordable options. Regardless of your choice, you’ll be gaining a capable companion for monitoring your daily activity and overall wellness.

View on Samsung, Huawei; View on Amazon (Galaxy Fit3, Huawei Band 8).

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