Compare Withings ScanWatch Nova vs Amazfit Active 3 Premium

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ECG functionality is absent according to the review evidence.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 is a clear limitation, with direct evidence that users wanting such access should look elsewhere.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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