Apple Watch SE 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: Which Should You Buy?
One needs an iPhone, the other an Android phone. So the real question is simple: which ecosystem are you already in, and what do you get for roughly the same money?
The Apple Watch SE 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 are the smartwatches most first-time buyers actually end up choosing. Both are the cheapest way into their maker's ecosystem, both cost about the same, and both are locked to one phone platform. That last point decides almost everything: the SE 3 only works with an iPhone, the Galaxy Watch 7 only with an Android phone. Pick the one that matches your phone, then read on to see what you get.
Design & build
The two watches could not look more different. The SE 3 keeps Apple's rounded square case in 40mm and 44mm aluminium, light on the wrist and happy to take a cheap third-party band. The Galaxy Watch 7 is a classic round dial in 40mm and 44mm, with scratch-resistant sapphire glass that shrugs off daily knocks better than the SE 3's cover. Both are rated IP68 and 5ATM, so a swim or a shower is no problem.
Display
Here Samsung pulls ahead. The Galaxy Watch 7's Super AMOLED screen hits 2000 nits, bright enough to read in direct summer sun. The big news for the SE 3 is that it finally gains an always-on display — the SE 2 never had one — so you can check the time without flicking your wrist. It is not as bright as Samsung's panel, but for the price it is a genuine step up.
Health & fitness
This is where the Galaxy Watch 7 earns its keep. Its 3-in-1 BioActive sensor adds an ECG for heart-rhythm checks and body-composition readings (muscle, fat, water) that the SE 3 simply does not offer. Both watches track sleep, flag sleep apnea, show a sleep score and read wrist temperature. Samsung layers on a Galaxy AI energy score that tells you whether to push or rest. The SE 3 counters with Apple's fall detection and crash detection, which is why it is a popular pick for parents setting up a watch for a child or an older relative.
Performance & battery
Both are quick. The SE 3 runs Apple's new S10 chip — the same silicon as the far pricier Ultra 3 — bringing Siri on the watch itself and the double-tap gesture. The Galaxy Watch 7 uses a 3nm Exynos W1000 on Wear OS 5, which is smooth and opens the door to the full Google Play app library. Battery life is a draw and a compromise for both: expect a day to a day and a half, so nightly charging is the norm. The SE 3 gains fast charging for the first time — 15 minutes adds about eight hours, and 45 minutes reaches roughly 80 percent.
Price & value
The SE 3 launches at around €270 and is the cheapest way into a real Apple Watch. The Galaxy Watch 7, now a year old, is regularly discounted well below €200, which makes it the better-value buy on raw hardware — more sensors, a brighter screen, sapphire glass — for anyone on Android. Compare live prices in smartwatches before you buy.
Verdict
There is no agonising here: your phone chooses for you. On iPhone, the SE 3 is the obvious pick and a genuinely good one now that it has an always-on screen, the S10 chip and fast charging. On Android, the Galaxy Watch 7 gives you more health hardware and a brighter display for less money, especially at today's discounts. Buy the one that speaks to your phone — both are the smart budget choice in their world.
