When comparing Samsung Gear Live vs Sony SmartWatch 3, the Slant community recommends Sony SmartWatch 3 for most people. In the question“What are the best smartwatches?” Sony SmartWatch 3 is ranked 10th while Samsung Gear Live is ranked 25th.
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Pros
Pro Bastic fitness tracking capabilities
Currently the heart rate monitor works with Samsung's S-Health app. The heart rate monitor itself works good, but the app is somewhat clunky and there aren't that many features to speak of except for tracking your heart rate over time. Hopefully it will be compatible with third-party apps that build on it.
Pro Good display
The Gear Live has a clear 320x320 sAMOLED display, with rich blacks that blend with the bezel. It may be slightly harder to see the information in direct sunlight.
Pro Reasonable water resistance
Submerging the watch in water might not be a good idea, but it won't stop working due to rain or if you spill your tea on it.
Pro Built-in Wi-Fi
Pro Good build quality
Unlike other Android Wear smartwatches available currently, this has an aluminum body.
Pro Built-in NFC
Pro Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi takes more power than bluetooth, but it helps extend the working range of the watch past bluetooth capabilities. For example, you can still receive notifications or control music from across the house.
Pro Water proof
While it can't deal with deep water pressure, you have nothing to worry about when washing your hands or getting it wet in the rain thanks to the IP68 rating. You can also wash the band and unit off to remove any dust or debris that can accumulate on the underside of the central unit or in the cracks between the unit and the band without worrying at all about water damage.
Pro Transflective display
The display on the Smartwatch 3 doesn't require a backlight. Instead, it reflects ambient light. This makes it easily visible in ambient mode even when outside in direct sunlight (as a matter of fact, that's when it is easiest to see in ambient mode), and also saves a lot of power in ambient mode.
In a dark room, you won't be able to see the time...although this can also be counted as a pro because your wrist won't glow in dark rooms like OLED or IPS watches will.
Pro Running companion
The built-in GPS will drain the battery quickly, but it allows you to track activity more precisely. If you go on walks or runs, apps can track them without needing to bring your phone.
Android Wear lets you sync some music onto the watch, which can be paired to bluetooth earbuds/headphones. This fully lets you leave your phone at home, and use the watch for GPS and music at the same time.
Pro Uses a regular charger
You can charge the SmartWatch 3 using the same charger that you use to charge your phone - micro USB. This means that if you brake/lose your charger, it is easy and cheap to replace. It also means that if you go traveling, you can only bring one charger instead of a different one for your phone and watch.
Cons
Con Horrible charging mechanism
Multiple reports of the charging mechanism breaking or not working properly. In addition, the design is fiddly and annoying due to its snap-on nature.
Con Incompatible with older Android OS versions
Make sure you're Android phone's OS version is 4.3 or higher and it supports Bluetooth 4.
Con Hard to see text in direct sunlight
It may be slightly harder to see information in direct sunlight.
Con Bad battery life
Samsung's Gear Live has a 300mAh battery that lasts less than a full day.
Con Propriety straps
The device pops out and you can put in in a new band, although only certain bands will fit it. These bands tend to be expensive, and there only a few options (different colored silicon or stainless steel).
Con Poor screen colors
The display is a transflective display, and the colors it produces are greatly muted when compared to OLED or even IPS displays.
Con Unattractive design
The watch doesn't look at all like a traditional watch, and looks much like a mini computer on your wrist.
