According to field tests conducted by Tom’s Guide writer Dan Bracaglia comparing the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and the Garmin Instinct 3 during an 11-mile urban bicycle ride through Seattle, both rugged smartwatches delivered closely aligned distance, speed, and heart rate metrics, though Samsung’s device continued to register inflated elevation gains.
Garmin Instinct 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Urban Cycling Route Testing
Testing rugged wearables in controlled city environments provides clear data on GPS and sensor reliability. According to Tom’s Guide, Dan Bracaglia strapped the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 to his left wrist and the Garmin Instinct 3 to his right wrist for a roughly one-hour, 11-mile bike ride through central Seattle, Washington. The route spanned densely populated neighborhoods, houseboats, evergreen canopies, and corporate campuses. To establish a baseline control, the ride was simultaneously logged using the Strava app on an iPhone 16 Plus mounted to the bike handlebars.
Distance, Speed, and Elevation Metrics Compared
When measuring distance against the Strava control (which clocked 10.93 miles), both watches showed high accuracy, according to testing data published by Tom’s Guide. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 recorded 10.88 miles, while the Garmin Instinct 3 recorded 10.78 miles. Average moving speeds and max speeds also aligned tightly across all three tracking methods, though the Garmin edged slightly closer to Strava’s speed figures. However, a recurring discrepancy appeared in vertical data. According to Tom’s Guide, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 recorded 970 feet of climb, whereas the Garmin Instinct 3 logged 761 feet, and Strava recorded 675 feet. Because the tester was deeply familiar with the route—expecting an elevation gain between 675 and 725 feet based on historical logs—the Samsung data was found to be notably inflated.
Heart Rate and Battery Performance
Beyond elevation, biometric and power metrics showed near-identical results between the two flagship outdoor wearables. According to Tom’s Guide, both the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and the Garmin Instinct 3 recorded an identical average heart rate of 159 beats per minute (bpm) and a max heart rate of 175 bpm during the Seattle test ride. Power efficiency remained stable for both devices as well, with each smartwatch consuming just 5 percent of its total battery capacity over the course of the hour-long commute. While the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 utilizes Samsung’s latest health sensor technology, the Instinct 3 relies on Garmin’s next-to-latest sensor array, yet both delivered reliable performance from heart rate monitoring to power management.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin Instinct 3 compare on total distance?
According to Tom’s Guide testing data, both watches tracked distance very closely against a Strava app control of 10.93 miles, with the Samsung recording 10.88 miles and the Garmin recording 10.78 miles.
Which smartwatch had more accurate elevation data during the bike ride?
According to Tom’s Guide, the Garmin Instinct 3 provided a more realistic climb measurement of 761 feet compared to a known route average of 675 to 725 feet, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 significantly overestimated the ascent at 970 feet.
Did the two watches differ significantly in heart rate monitoring?
No. According to Tom’s Guide, both the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and the Garmin Instinct 3 recorded identical average (159 bpm) and maximum (175 bpm) heart rates during the test.
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