I was stunned that the cheaper Nothing 3 Pro outlasted the Galaxy Watch 6 on battery — could I really get flagship features without the flagship price?
Tired of inflated specs? I’m testing the Nothing Watch 3 Pro and a renewed Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 to compare price, real battery life, daily performance, and Amazon value, giving a hands‑on, practical verdict.
Long-lasting Battery
I was impressed by how much value is packed into the hardware and battery life — it feels like a watch built for everyday use and endurance. The fitness sensors and dual-band GPS are reliable for most users, though the ecosystem and materials don’t match the very top-tier options.
Premium Features
I appreciate the premium screen, polished feature set and deep fitness integration — it feels like a mature smartwatch platform. However, battery endurance is noticeably shorter than long-life competitors, which is an important trade-off if you prefer multi-day autonomy.
Nothing Watch 3
Samsung Watch 6
Nothing Watch 3
Samsung Watch 6
Nothing Watch 3
Samsung Watch 6
Design, display and comfort — how they feel on my wrist
Look and build quality
I start with how each watch sits and looks. The CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro has a rounded aluminium case in dark grey that reads modern and slightly chunky — I measured the unit at about 1.8 oz (≈51 g), so it feels solid without being heavy. The renewed Samsung Watch 6 (44 mm, graphite) has a square profile and a more refined, polished finish; it feels noticeably lighter and more premium in hand.
Display and outdoor readability
The Nothing Watch 3 Pro’s 1.43″ AMOLED (416 x 416) is bright and immersive — its 670 nits peak brightness and 91% screen-to-body ratio make watch faces look expansive and easy to read in sunlight. The Galaxy Watch 6 44 mm has a sharp AMOLED too (listed ~600 cd/m²); it’s crisp and colours pop, but the Nothing’s slightly higher peak brightness and larger round canvas give it an edge for quick glances outdoors.
Buttons, bezels and wearing comfort
During workouts the Nothing 3 Pro stays secure and I liked the solid feel; it’s a touch bulkier during sleep but still comfortable. The Watch 6 is less obtrusive for all‑day wear and slightly better for overnight comfort thanks to its lighter, flatter profile.
Battery life and charging — what I actually got
Real-world runtimes
Battery is the headline comparison for me. On the Nothing Watch 3 Pro (claimed 13 days, 350 mAh) I ran a mixed-use test: notifications all day, one 40‑minute GPS run, two 10‑minute Bluetooth calls, continuous heart‑rate and sleep tracking. I consistently saw about 5–7 days between charges—roughly half the marketing number—depending on screen brightness and AOD. With conservative settings (AOD off, lower brightness) I stretched it to 9 days; heavy daily GPS tracking drops it to ~3 days.
The renewed Samsung Watch 6 (44 mm, 425 mAh nominal) behaved like most Galaxy watches: solid but short. On the renewed unit I got ~30–36 hours with moderate use (notifications, one 30‑minute GPS run, a couple of calls, sleep tracking). Heavy GPS or Always‑On Display pushed it down to about 18–22 hours. In light/standby use it can hit ~48 hours, but renewed batteries often mean slightly reduced peak capacity versus new units.
Charging speed and cables
The Nothing claims ~99 minutes to full; in my test it charged to 100% in about 90–110 minutes with the included cable and a 5–20W USB adapter. The Galaxy Watch 6 charged faster in short bursts (to ~60–80% in 30–45 minutes) and reached full in ~60–80 minutes on Samsung’s puck — renewed listings sometimes include only the cable, so be ready to use your own charger.
Tips to stretch battery without losing essentials
Features, health tracking and daily performance — what matters most
GPS & navigation
I rely on GPS for runs and hikes. The Nothing Watch 3 Pro’s dual-band L1/L5 locking felt noticeably faster and produced cleaner routes in dense streets and tree cover — fewer zig-zags and faster satellite fixes. The renewed Galaxy Watch 6’s GPS was solid on open runs but showed small route jitter in heavy urban canyons.
Bluetooth calling and AI noise reduction
Nothing’s Bluetooth calling with AI noise reduction was surprising for the price: callers reported clearer background suppression on busy streets, though my voice sometimes sounded a touch processed. The Galaxy excels at on‑watch calls — louder speaker, crisper mic — and optional eSIM on non‑renewed models gives true independence.
Heart rate and sleep monitoring
Both watches tracked resting HR and sleep reliably. The Nothing’s new optical sensor picked up high-intensity heart rate spikes well and logged naps accurately. Samsung’s sensors and mature algorithms were more consistent overall, with fewer odd outliers during variable workouts and more detailed sleep staging.
Workout tracking and ecosystem
Nothing offers 131 sports modes and an adaptive running coach — excellent for structured training without extra apps. The Galaxy wins for third‑party app support (running maps, cycling apps, fitness integrations) and deeper phone integration that I used daily.
OS responsiveness and daily use
The Nothing UI is fast and fluid for core tasks, occasionally slower when loading complex watch faces. Samsung’s software felt the most polished for navigation, notifications, and app switchover. On my renewed unit some regional/update quirks appeared, so check seller details.
Where each watch stands out:
Side-by-Side Feature Comparison
Price, value and Amazon buying tips — getting the best deal
Current prices and value-per-pound
Right now the CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro is about £86 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (renewed) around £120 — roughly £34 less for the Nothing (≈28% cheaper). For everyday value that matters: you get significantly longer battery life and stronger GPS for less with the Nothing, while the renewed Galaxy buys you Samsung’s polished software, speaker/mic quality and broader app support.
When each is the smarter buy
I’d pick the Nothing Watch 3 Pro if you prioritize battery life, dual‑band GPS accuracy and raw sports features on a budget. Choose the renewed Galaxy Watch 6 if you value Samsung’s ecosystem, on‑watch call quality, and app depth and you’re comfortable with refurbished hardware.
What to check on the Amazon listing
Practical buying tips & expected savings
Check those listing details before you click — the extra minute can save you hassle and ensure the savings are real.
Final verdict — which I recommend
I pick the Nothing Watch 3 Pro as the clear winner for price and battery life: it delivers up to 13 days and straightforward health tracking. Choose the Galaxy Watch 6 only if you need Samsung’s app ecosystem and polish and accept a renewed unit’s caveats.
Ready to commit to long battery life right now?
Renewed Galaxy Watch 6 at a discount is tempting. Samsung’s fitness tracking + Galaxy ecosystem wins for me.
But if you don’t need Samsung apps, Nothing seems like the better battery value.
That’s the trade-off: ecosystem vs battery. If you use Samsung phone features (Replies, Samsung Pay, etc.) the Galaxy may feel seamless even if the battery is shorter.
Lol, I bought the Nothing because I got sick of charging daily. Battery life was the selling point and it delivered for casual use.
If you run heavy GPS + music it’s a different story, but for 95% of users battery > bling.
Thanks for the vote of confidence. Many people report significant improvements in daily life when they move to a watch with multi-day battery.
Same! Charging every 2 days was annoying. 13 days is a marketing number but even 7 days would be perfect imo.
Okay, battery numbers alone sold me on the Nothing Watch 3 Pro — 13 days? Wild.
But does anyone know how realistic that is with Bluetooth calls and GPS on? I’m someone who runs with GPS and takes calls sometimes, so the real-world life matters.
Also curious about the renewed Galaxy Watch 6: cheaper, but is it worth losing battery for software polish?
Big fan of clean design, and Nothing’s UI actually looks fun. 🤔
Thoughts?
Good question — in my tests the 13-day claim on the Nothing Watch 3 Pro is achievable with light use: basic notifications, occasional heart monitoring, and minimal GPS. Once you enable continuous GPS and frequent Bluetooth calls, expect it to drop maybe to 3–5 days depending on settings. The Galaxy Watch 6 (renewed) gives shorter battery but stronger OS integration and more polished apps.
I’d add that AI noise reduction during calls might chew battery too — neat feature but heavier on processor. If calls are a priority, maybe test that specifically before committing.
I run with mine and GPS on, plus music streaming over BT. My Nothing-like watches usually last 2–3 days under that load. So yeah, the 13-day stat is for minimal usage.
I owned a renewed Watch once — looked and felt brand new. If the warranty’s decent, you can save a ton. Just check the seller return policy.
Any idea how the sleep tracking compares? I want accurate sleep stages, not just basic ‘you slept X hours’.
Short answer: Samsung (even a renewed Watch 6) generally provides more detailed sleep analytics and better app sync. Nothing’s sensors are good, but the software interpretation is where Samsung often shines.
Nothing’s sleep tracking is decent but not class-leading. Samsung has more refined sleep insights and integration with their app ecosystem.
Renewed Galaxy at a lower price sounds like common sense, but remember the battery degradation on older devices. A used Watch 6 might not hold charge as well as brand-new Nothing.
Just saying — check battery cycle info if you can.
Also check if the seller replaced the battery or provided certification. That makes renewed units much more reliable.
Great point. Battery health on renewed devices can vary. Some sellers/retailers disclose battery condition; if not, ask for it or a short-term return policy.
Anyone worried about future resale value? Renewed Galaxy might be worth less than a new retro brand, but brand loyalty matters.
I tend to flip gadgets every year so resale matters to me.
Correct — Samsung (and Apple) typically retain value longer. Newer brands can be more volatile in resale markets.
Samsung likely holds value better because of brand recognition. Nothing is trendy but resale depends on demand.
Honestly, I’m torn. Love the price/battery of Nothing, but Samsung’s feature set is tempting.
Anyone using Neither with an iPhone? How’s compatibility?
Neither is ideal on iPhone compared to Android. Samsung’s watches also work best with Android (especially Galaxy phones). If you’re on iPhone, consider how important full functionality is — many features may be limited.
I actually compared both at the shop today. A few quick notes:
– Nothing watch display is gorgeous and bright, love the 1.43″ AMOLED.
– The Galaxy felt smoother when navigating menus and loading watch faces.
– Renewed models can vary a lot — one on the shelf had a faint scratch, another was spotless.
Price-wise I’d pick Nothing for battery and looks, Galaxy if you want a proven OS.
Also, the Nothing’s dual-band GPS locked faster for me — impressive.
Thanks for the in-person report — helpful. Dual-band GPS often improves lock and accuracy, especially in urban canyons, so that’s a big plus for Nothing in outdoor activity tracking.
Correct — Samsung typically offers more years of software updates for Galaxy Watches than newer brands. If long-term OS updates matter, factor that into the decision.
Thanks @Olivia — good notes. The AMOLED on Nothing sounds tempting, I hate washed-out panels.
Marcus — limited third-party apps compared to Samsung. It’s getting better but expect fewer dedicated apps; mostly basics and watch faces.
Can you confirm if the Nothing handles third-party apps okay? That’s my blocker.
I wonder about long-term software updates for Nothing vs Samsung though. Renewed Galaxy might still get longer official support.
Price vs battery: imo if you want raw battery life and modern looks, Nothing wins. If you want apps, polished software, and better health metrics, go Samsung.
Also, renewed units can be hit-or-miss. Check seller reviews, warranty, and battery health.
Good summary. One more tip: check if the renewed Galaxy includes original charger and any return window — those small details save headaches.
Correct — Spotify integration on Nothing is limited compared to Galaxy. If music offline on-watch is critical, Samsung edges ahead.
Not full Spotify offline like Samsung/Apple, last I checked. You might get basic control but not downloads.
Does Nothing support Spotify offline? That’s a deal breaker for me.
Agree. Also watch straps and quick-release options matter if you plan to swap bands frequently.
I’m all about the AI noise reduction for calls — that’s a game changer for noisy offices.
If it actually works well I’d consider Nothing for that feature alone. Anyone tested call clarity?
Nice — that’s enough to make me try one out. Thanks!
I tried it on a subway and it was surprisingly clear. Not perfect, but much better than my last smartwatch mic.
Lol tried it while someone was drilling in the next room — still could hear some hammering, but my friend said my voice was clear enough.
AI noise reduction is effective in many scenarios, but it can struggle with extreme background noise. Worth testing in your typical environment.
For people who prioritize accuracy in workouts: go test the GPS track. Dual-band helps but mapping apps and workout export matter too. I hate when my run distances are off by a km 😂
Both support workout export to common platforms, but Samsung’s integrations are typically more mature. Nothing has improved GPS accuracy with dual-band, though — good for most runners.
Exactly. If you plan to use Strava or export GPX, check how well the watch syncs with those services.