On the numbers we track, Polar Ignite 3 wins on battery life (5 days vs 1.7 days); Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 wins on weight (34 g vs 35 g) and tracked features (7 vs 3).

Check your phone first. The Polar Ignite 3 works with both iPhone and Android; the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 works with Android only. A watch that does not pair with your phone is not an option however good its specs are.

Bottom line: on raw specs the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 leads 2 to 1, but five spec categories are only a starting point. Match it to your phone, your main sport and your budget before you decide, or run the free quiz to see how each ranks for your answers.

Spec by spec

Polar Ignite 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 specifications
Spec	Polar Ignite 3	Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
Battery (rated)	5 days	1.7 days
Weight	35 g	34 g
List price	$329	$329
Water rating	5ATM	5ATM
Tracked features	3	7
Case size	43 mm	44 mm
Display	AMOLED	AMOLED
Works with	both iPhone and Android	Android only
Listed best for	everyday wellness, running and health tracking	everyday wellness, health tracking, gym and strength work and running
Released	2022	2025

Trophy marks the better value on the five measurable specs. Battery is the manufacturer's rating, not our test. How we score is on the methodology page.

Feature overlap

Both have (3)

built-in GPS
blood-oxygen (SpO₂)
AMOLED display

Only Polar Ignite 3 (0)

Nothing unique.

Only Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (4)

ECG
on-device music
contactless payments
swim tracking

Which one should you pick?

Pick the Polar Ignite 3 if…

You want fewer charges: about 5 days per charge vs 1.7 days.
You use an Android phone: the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 does not pair with it.

Pick the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 if…

You want a lighter watch: 34 g vs 35 g.
You need ECG, on-device music, contactless payments and swim tracking, which the Polar Ignite 3 does not list.
Your main use is gym and strength work: it is listed for that and the Polar Ignite 3 is not.
You want the newer model (2025 vs 2022).

Skip it if…

• You use an iPhone — it needs an Android phone for full features.
• You do not want to charge often — it is rated for about 1.7 days per charge.

Frequently asked questions

Which has better battery life, the Polar Ignite 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8?

The Polar Ignite 3 has the longer rated battery life: about 5 days per charge against 1.7 days. These are manufacturer ratings; heavy GPS, always-on display and cellular use will cut both.

Which is cheaper, the Polar Ignite 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8?

They have the same list price ($329) in our database. Check Amazon for today's price.

Do the Polar Ignite 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 work with iPhone and Android?

Which is better for swimming, the Polar Ignite 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8?

Neither has an edge on water rating: both are rated 5ATM. 5ATM is suitable for showering and pool swimming, but not for high-speed water sports or diving. Only the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 has a dedicated swim-tracking mode in our data.

Not sure either is right for you?

Nine questions about your phone, sport, wrist and budget, scored against all of our watches with the reasoning shown.

Polar Ignite 3

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

The verdict