Compare Withings ScanWatch Nova vs Amazfit Active 3 Premium

P1 Withings ScanWatch Nova
P2 Amazfit Active 3 Premium

Comparison Takeaways

Withings ScanWatch Nova

Where It Has the Edge

  • ECG functionality is 4.4 vs 1.0. ECG functionality is one of the strongest health features, with repeated praise for on-demand readings, medical framing, and...
  • heart rate accuracy is 4.5 vs 3.5. Heart rate accuracy earns strong marks in the reviews, including direct comparisons to other devices and even a...
  • cross-platform compatibility is 4.4 vs 3.5. Cross-platform support is strong, with Android and iOS compatibility plus Apple Health, Google Health Connect, and Google Fit...
  • style and design is 4.7 vs 4.0. Style and design are the most consistent praise point, with reviewers emphasizing the luxury analog look and traditional-watch...

Amazfit Active 3 Premium

Where It Has the Edge

  • music controls is 4.2 vs 1.0. Music controls and audio functions are present through phone control, playback widgets, podcasts, and music/podcast storage.
  • touchscreen responsiveness is 4.2 vs 1.0. Touchscreen use is functional, but reviewers emphasized the value of physical buttons and did not deeply praise touch...
  • contactless payments is 4.2 vs 1.0. Contactless payments are supported through NFC/Zepp Pay/Curve in supported regions, but availability is country- and bank-dependent.
  • recovery insights is 4.5 vs 2.0. Recovery insights are a major part of the product, including recovery time, fatigue, exertion, HRV, sleep quality, and...
Average score
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.7
Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.1
activity auto-detection
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.0

Reviewers generally found automatic activity detection useful, especially for walking, cycling, and everyday movement, though a few false detections show it is not flawless.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.5

Workout auto-detection is mixed: some sources say it auto-recognizes strength movements and several sports, while one hands-on review says it lacks automatic workout detection.

app ecosystem
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.4

The Withings ecosystem is a major strength when paired with the app and other Withings health devices, with integrations into major phone health platforms.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.0

The app ecosystem is useful but bounded: reviewers mention hundreds of apps and Zepp App Store extras, while one notes apps must come from Zepp rather than Apple or Google stores.

band quality
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.0

Band quality is mostly praised for included metal and fluoroelastomer options, but sizing and micro-adjustment complaints keep it from being universally positive.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.1

Band impressions are generally practical, with standard 20 mm quick-release or non-proprietary bands and an included silicone strap.

battery life
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.6

Battery life is one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers repeatedly reporting weeks of use and far less charging anxiety than standard smartwatches.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Battery life is one of the strongest themes, with typical use ranging from about 8-12 days in hands-on reviews and up to 24 hours in GPS mode in launch coverage.

blood oxygen tracking
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.5

Blood oxygen tracking is consistently treated as a useful core health feature, usually easy to trigger and presented clearly in the app.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Blood oxygen tracking is repeatedly listed among the health features and background sensor options.

Bluetooth connectivity
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.0

Bluetooth is only lightly discussed, with one review tying workout drain to an extended phone connection rather than offering broad praise or criticism.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.0

Bluetooth is central to calls, pairing, notifications, peripherals, and map transfer, though reviewers note phone proximity and Bluetooth-only transfer limitations.

brightness
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.1

Brightness is generally adequate thanks to automatic adjustment, though direct-sun visibility and reflections can still be an issue depending on the model.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

Brightness is widely praised, especially the 3,000-nit screen and outdoor readability.

build quality
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.7

Build quality is repeatedly described as premium, watch-like, and appropriate for the price, especially because of the case, bezel, glass, and finishing.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Build quality is consistently described as premium for the price, helped by stainless steel, sapphire glass, and four-button construction.

button controls
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.8

The crown-based control system is simple and often intuitive, but one reviewer found the crown placement awkward because it presses toward the arm.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

Button controls are a clear strength, with four physical buttons praised for workouts, gloves, sweaty hands, and navigation without touch input.

call handling
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
2.8

Call handling is basic: callers can be shown or alerted by vibration, but the watch does not replace phone-based call interaction.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.9

Call handling is mostly supported through Bluetooth calling and a mic/speaker, though one preview transcript reports a no-speaker limitation.

calorie tracking usefulness
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.5

Calorie tracking receives limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer finding estimated calories more accurate than a previous Fitbit experience.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.8

Calorie tracking is mentioned as part of the app ecosystem, but reviewer evidence does not deeply evaluate its accuracy or usefulness.

charging convenience
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
2.9

Charging convenience is mixed: the long battery life reduces how often charging matters, but several reviewers disliked the proprietary or cheap-feeling charger.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Charging convenience is helped by long battery life and a familiar Amazfit magnetic charger used across several models.

charging speed
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.6

Charging speed is acceptable rather than exceptional, usually around two hours, with one reviewer reporting a faster recharge in real use.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
No score yet
coaching features
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.1

Coaching is mostly app- and subscription-driven, with health scores, VO2 max context, and wellness programs providing guidance rather than deep on-watch coaching.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.6

Coaching features are a major strength, including Zepp Coach, adaptive plans, training libraries, guided metrics, and beginner-friendly structure.

comfort
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.4

Comfort is widely positive, helped by lighter models, silicone strap options, and all-day wearability, although the metal band can feel heavy for some.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.6

Comfort is consistently positive, with reviewers calling out the light feel, smaller size, and approachable wearability.

companion app quality
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.7

The companion app is a standout, repeatedly praised for clear presentation, useful explanations, seamless syncing, and dashboard-style health tracking.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

The Zepp companion app is mostly praised as clear, detailed, easy to set up, and useful, though one German review criticizes weak translations.

contactless payments
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
1.0

Contactless payments are explicitly absent, reinforcing that this is not a full-featured smartwatch.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Contactless payments are supported through NFC/Zepp Pay/Curve in supported regions, but availability is country- and bank-dependent.

cross-platform compatibility
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.4

Cross-platform support is strong, with Android and iOS compatibility plus Apple Health, Google Health Connect, and Google Fit integrations mentioned.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.5

Cross-platform behavior is mixed: it works with iPhone and Android, but reviewers note less seamless iPhone integration and Android-only response features.

customization options
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.2

Customization is practical rather than deep, covering notification permissions, menu order, workout order, OLED functions, goals, and strap choices.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Customization is strong for training screens, metrics, shortcut buttons, replies, and watch/app settings.

display quality
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.9

Display quality is mixed-positive: the small OLED is sharp and legible, but its tiny monochrome format limits detail and smartwatch interaction.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Display quality is a standout, with reviewers praising the AMOLED panel, clarity, color, and premium look, despite one smudging complaint.

durability
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.6

Durability is supported by premium glass, water resistance, and real-world comments about the watch staying pristine through travel and use.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Durability is supported by sapphire glass, scratch resistance, 5 ATM water resistance, and a sturdier build than expected for the price.

ECG functionality
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.4

ECG functionality is one of the strongest health features, with repeated praise for on-demand readings, medical framing, and AFib-related capabilities.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
1.0

ECG functionality is absent according to the review evidence.

fit
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.8

Fit depends heavily on the band: some reviewers achieved an easy, secure fit, while others struggled with bracelet sizing or looseness affecting tracking.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Fit is generally positive thanks to the light weight, comfortable sizing, and adjustable lugs, though it comes in one case size.

fitness tracking accuracy
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.7

Fitness tracking accuracy is good for casual use and workouts, but reviewers consistently caution that the Nova is not aimed at serious athletes.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Fitness tracking is generally strong for running metrics and training data, but reviewers note some accuracy caveats for heart rate and GPS in harder conditions.

GPS accuracy
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
2.8

GPS is a recurring weakness because the watch lacks built-in GPS, relying instead on connected phone GPS that limits phone-free workouts.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

GPS and navigation are strong for the price, with offline maps and route features, but single-band GPS can drift or struggle in dense woods or obstructed areas.

health tracking accuracy
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.6

Health tracking accuracy is broadly praised, with reviewers comparing favorably against other devices and highlighting accurate sensor results.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Health tracking is broad and mostly praised, covering HRV, heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, sleep, and BioCharge-type readiness insights.

heart rate accuracy
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.5

Heart rate accuracy earns strong marks in the reviews, including direct comparisons to other devices and even a chest strap.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.5

Heart-rate accuracy is mixed: some tests report good chest-strap agreement, while others saw cadence-like behavior or imperfect interval tracking.

LTE connectivity
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
No score yet
Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
1.0

LTE connectivity is not available, so connected features depend on a nearby phone over Bluetooth.

materials quality
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.7

Materials quality is consistently premium in the evidence, with stainless steel cases, sapphire glass, ceramic bezels, and polished finishing repeatedly cited.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Materials quality is a strength, with stainless steel, sapphire glass, and metal accents repeatedly mentioned.

menu navigation
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.0

Menu navigation is simple and crown-driven, generally praised as intuitive despite the tiny display.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.7

Menu navigation is mostly smooth and button-aided, though some workout and map workflows confused reviewers or required leaving an activity.

music controls
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
1.0

Music controls are explicitly missing, making the Nova a poor fit for users who want watch-based media control.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Music controls and audio functions are present through phone control, playback widgets, podcasts, and music/podcast storage.

onboard music storage
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
No score yet
Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Onboard storage is useful for maps, music, podcasts, and routes, but space is limited compared with higher-end Amazfit models.

operating system experience
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
No score yet
Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

The Zepp OS experience is familiar and smooth, with reviewers describing it as similar to other Amazfit watches.

outdoor visibility
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.4

Outdoor visibility varies by reviewer and model, with sunlight readability praised in one review but reflections and direct sun criticized in others.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.8

Outdoor visibility is a major strength, supported by the bright 3,000-nit AMOLED display and direct-sun readability.

pairing reliability
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.5

Pairing and sync reliability are generally strong, with setup and app syncing described as simple or seamless.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Pairing is generally easy, but one iPhone user noticed occasional brief syncing delays.

recovery insights
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
2.0

Recovery insights are weak or future-facing in the evidence, with one review noting recovery-related features were expected later rather than present.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Recovery insights are a major part of the product, including recovery time, fatigue, exertion, HRV, sleep quality, and BioCharge/readiness-style data.

reliability
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.6

Reliability is mostly good for daily wear and forget-it use, but connection loss and false activity detection appear as caveats.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Overall reliability is positive in hands-on use, though early heart-rate and map-transfer quirks keep it from being flawless.

safety features
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.8

Safety features center on heart-health alerts, AFib detection, ECG, and illness-related temperature signals, making this a strong health-first wearable.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Safety and navigation features are strong for the price, including offline maps, turn-by-turn guidance, rerouting, POIs, and backtrack-style return options.

size options
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.1

Size options are limited on the regular Nova but improved by the smaller Brilliant model, so the evidence is mixed by variant.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.5

Size options are limited because the watch comes in one case size, although reviewers also liked the smaller, more manageable form factor.

sleep tracking accuracy
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.7

Sleep tracking is useful and often accurate enough for trends, but reviewers report missed split sleep, rosy or anxiety-provoking analysis, and limited sleep-stage detail.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Sleep tracking is one of the best-reviewed attributes, with detailed stages, wakeups, HRV, breathing data, and sleep scores.

smartphone notifications
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.0

Notifications are basic and polarizing: they can alert users, but the small display and lack of replies make them limited.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.1

Smartphone notifications are supported, including calls, SMS, app alerts, WhatsApp, and notification viewing, with richer replies on Android.

smartwatch features
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
2.4

Smartwatch features are intentionally minimal, with reviewers repeatedly framing the Nova as a health-first hybrid rather than a phone-on-wrist device.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Smartwatch features are broad for the price, including calls, notifications, stand reminders, Find My Phone, camera control, speaker/mic, and app extras.

software smoothness
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.8

Software smoothness is strong around app syncing, although some activity/map issues suggest the software is not perfect.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.8

Software smoothness is praised, with reviewers noting little lag, no stutters, and smooth operation.

step counting accuracy
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.3

Step counting is one of the more reliable daily metrics, with reviewers praising the subdial and accurate step results.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
No score yet
stress tracking
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
No score yet
Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Stress tracking is repeatedly included among the automatic health features and wellness insights.

style and design
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.7

Style and design are the most consistent praise point, with reviewers emphasizing the luxury analog look and traditional-watch appeal.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.0

Style and design are mostly positive for a premium-looking budget watch, but some reviewers wanted more color and strap choices.

third-party app support
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
1.5

Third-party app support is a clear limitation, with direct evidence that users wanting such access should look elsewhere.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.7

Third-party support is mixed: key training platforms like Strava, TrainingPeaks, Runna, and Intervals appear, but broader app-store access and some training-app links are limited.

touchscreen responsiveness
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
1.0

Touchscreen responsiveness scores low because the watch has no touchscreen; all interaction is crown-based.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Touchscreen use is functional, but reviewers emphasized the value of physical buttons and did not deeply praise touch responsiveness itself.

user interface
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.7

The user interface is intentionally minimalist: reviewers like its simplicity, but the small display makes notifications and richer interactions constrained.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

The interface is generally beginner-friendly, smooth, and jargon-free.

value for money
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.4

Value for money is mixed: reviewers admire the quality and health features but repeatedly flag the high price and subscription angle.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

Value for money is the strongest consensus point, with reviewers repeatedly contrasting the price with the premium build, maps, battery, and health features.

voice assistant quality
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
No score yet
Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Voice assistant support is present through Zepp Flow/AI assistant controls and commands, with generally positive but not deeply tested impressions.

watch face quality
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.5

Watch face quality is positive overall, with analog hands, glow-in-the-dark indexes, subdial, and hidden display giving it a real-watch identity.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.7

Watch face quality is mixed: there are Zepp App Store watch faces, but one reviewer questioned whether some looked AI-generated.

water resistance
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.2

Water resistance is a strength, especially on the 10 ATM standard Nova, though Brilliant models are rated lower at 5 ATM.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.4

Water resistance is solid for everyday use and swimming, with multiple reviews mentioning 5 ATM protection.

wellness insights
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
4.1

Wellness insights are strong in the app, especially for health scores, trends, ECG review, dashboards, and actionable explanations.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Wellness insights are broad and digestible, with BioCharge, HRV, sleep, respiratory data, readiness, fatigue, and recovery-style feedback.

Wi-Fi connectivity
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
No score yet
Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
1.8

Wi-Fi connectivity appears weak or absent for map transfer; one reviewer specifically says map transfer is Bluetooth-only rather than Wi-Fi.

workout tracking variety
Product 1: Withings ScanWatch Nova
3.7

Workout tracking variety ranges from limited basic modes in some reviews to more than 40 sports in others, so it is useful but not elite.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

Workout tracking variety is strong, with more than 170 sport modes and detailed running, hybrid, strength, treadmill, and swimming profiles.