Galaxy Watch 3 Swimming Review: The Ultimate Fitness Companion in the Pool

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 has been making waves in the smartwatch industry, and when it comes to swimming, it lives up to its reputation. This review delves into its performance in the water, exploring its features, accuracy, and overall usability for swimmers.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy Watch 3 boasts a sleek and robust design that is well-suited for both everyday wear and intense workouts. It features a 1.4-inch Super AMOLED display that is not only vibrant but also highly readable underwater. The watch's stainless steel frame and Gorilla Glass DX protection ensure durability and resistance to scratches. Its 5ATM water resistance rating means it can withstand being submerged up to 50 meters, making it a great companion for swimming enthusiasts.

Swimming Tracking Features

When it comes to swimming, the Galaxy Watch 3 offers a comprehensive suite of tracking features:

1. Automatic Stroke Detection: The watch automatically detects your stroke type (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) and records your performance accordingly. This is particularly useful for swimmers who prefer not to manually switch between modes.

2. Lap Counting and Timing: It accurately counts laps and tracks the time for each set, providing detailed statistics on your swim. You can also set up custom intervals and rest times to tailor your workout.

3. Distance and Speed Monitoring: The watch measures the distance swum and calculates your speed, helping you monitor your pace and adjust your training intensity.

4. SWOLF Score: This metric combines your time and the number of strokes to give a measure of your swimming efficiency. A lower SWOLF score indicates better efficiency.

Accuracy and Performance

In testing, the Galaxy Watch 3 demonstrated high accuracy in tracking swim metrics. The automatic stroke detection was reliable, with minimal errors in stroke type recognition. Lap counting was precise, aligning well with manual counts. The distance and speed measurements were consistent with those recorded by poolside timing systems.

However, some users have reported occasional discrepancies in SWOLF scores and lap counts, particularly in open water swims where GPS accuracy can be affected by environmental factors. Despite this, the watch's performance in controlled pool settings is impressive and reliable.

Usability and Interface

The Galaxy Watch 3’s user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate through swim tracking features. The touchscreen works well underwater, though it is worth noting that responses may be slower compared to dry conditions. The watch also offers haptic feedback, which is helpful when you need to keep track of intervals or alerts while swimming.

Battery Life

Battery life is a crucial consideration for any fitness watch, and the Galaxy Watch 3 does not disappoint. It offers up to two days of usage on a single charge, depending on how frequently you use the swim tracking features and other smart functionalities. For dedicated swimmers, it’s advisable to keep an eye on battery levels before extended swim sessions.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Excellent build quality with 5ATM water resistance
• Comprehensive swim tracking features including stroke detection and SWOLF score
• High accuracy in lap counting and distance measurement
• User-friendly interface with responsive touchscreen

Cons:

• Occasional inaccuracies in SWOLF score and lap counts in open water
• Touchscreen responsiveness can be reduced underwater

Conclusion

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is a formidable tool for swimmers, offering a robust set of features and reliable performance in the pool. Its sleek design, combined with its advanced tracking capabilities, makes it a strong contender in the market for swim-focused fitness watches. Whether you’re a casual swimmer or a serious athlete, the Galaxy Watch 3 provides valuable insights and metrics to enhance your training and track your progress.

If you’re in the market for a smartwatch that excels in swimming performance while offering a range of other smart features, the Galaxy Watch 3 is definitely worth considering.