While the Apple Watch 6 has been announced and comes with solid upgrades, a competitor has emerged to fight off the Apple Watch 6 in the form of the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 in titanium.

We have already reviewed the Galaxy Watch 3 and were suitably impressed with both its design and health and wellness monitoring features. The titanium version appears to build on that, but at $599.99, some may be hesitant.

The current Galaxy Watch 3 in a steel finish is $429, so you'll have to pay a $170 premium for the titanium watch body and matching strap. Except for the titanium finish, this watch is identical to its steel counterpart. Therefore, this would be a purchase based on aesthetic preference rather than for improved functionality.

The titanium version will only be offered on the 45mm Galaxy Watch 3 model with Bluetooth connectivity. Fans of the smaller 41mm size will have to make do with a less luxurious material, although the Galaxy Watch 3 was not originally intended to be cheap. [We'll admit that the titanium Galaxy Watch 3 is a rather fetching design that looks like a cross between a stealth bomber and a smartwatch.

For comparison, the stainless steel version of the Apple Watch 6 can be had starting at $699, while the titanium version of Apple's smartwatch will set you back $799 or $849, depending on color and strap options. So while the price of the titanium Galaxy Watch 3 looks more attractive, there is an argument that Apple's price premium provides access to a more sophisticated smartwatch ecosystem.

However, the Galaxy Watch 3 includes many of the attractive features of the Apple Watch 6, such as SpO2 blood oxygen monitoring and an FDA-approved ECG sensor. This makes the Galaxy Watch 3 a strong competitor to the Apple Watch 6 at various price levels.

The titanium Galaxy Watch 3 will be available on October 2, while the Apple Watch 6 will be available on September 18. Which one to choose will depend on your preferences and which app ecosystem you belong to.