The smartwatch market has exploded in recent years, with Apple and Garmin emerging as two of the most popular smartwatch brands. Here is an in-depth comparison of the Apple Watch and Garmin smartwatches to help you decide which one is best for your needs.
Display and Design
- Apple Watch features a bright OLED display with an intuitive touchscreen interface. Models include 41mm and 45mm size options. Sleek, slim design with digital crown and side button. Many different band options.
- Garmin uses memory-in-pixel display which allows tons of data to be shown on the screen. More rugged, sporty look. Solar models available. Mostly controlled by 5 physical buttons on the sides rather than touchscreen.
Winner: Apple Watch
The Apple Watch display is more vibrant and higher quality. Smooth touchscreen interaction beats small buttons in most cases. More versatile design that fits better for everyday wear.
Fitness and Health Tracking
- Apple Watch tracks steps, calories, heart rate, sleep and more. Syncs to Apple Health app. Can connect to gym equipment. Crash detection and fall monitoring features.
- Garmin is made primarily as a fitness watch. Advanced run tracking with data like cadence and vertical oscillation. Body battery feature. Training status and load tracking. More accurate sleep monitoring.
Winner: Garmin
Garmin wins out for hardcore athletes who want the most detailed stats and training metrics. Apple Health integration is smoother than Garmin Connect app though.
Smart Features
- Apple Watch acts as an extension of iPhone. Make calls, respond to texts, access apps and notifications. Streaming music, mobile payments, Siri voice assistant built-in. LTE connection available on some models.
- Garmin has basic notification support but lacks calling, messaging, voice assistant capabilities. No LTE option. Garmin Pay only works with some banks. No offline music streaming.
Winner: Apple Watch
The Apple Watch is far more functional as an everyday smartwatch. Garmin focuses mainly on tracking fitness and activities rather than broader smart features.
Battery Life
- Apple Watch lasts 18-36 hours on a charge depending on use. Always-on display impacts battery life. Charges to full in under 2 hours.
- Garmin solar models last weeks or months between charges. Lower power display allows insane battery life. Charging is very infrequent but can be slow.
Winner: Garmin
No contest here. Garmin blows away any other smartwatch when it comes to battery life thanks to its low power display and solar charging capabilities.
Apps and Compatibility
- Apple Watch seamlessly pairs with iPhone. Huge selection of apps available including both Apple and third party options.
- Garmin has smaller app store. Pairing experience not as smooth. Better compatibility with Android phones over iPhone.
Winner: Apple Watch
More apps and tighter integration with Apple’s ecosystem makes the Apple Watch a better choice for iPhone users. Still decent Android compatibility for Garmin.
Price
- Apple Watch ranges from $399 to $799 depending on model. Stainless steel and titanium models push price higher.
- Garmin ranges from $349 to $1,149. High-end Fenix models with sapphire glass and solar top $1,000.
Winner: Tie
Both offer affordable entry-level options under $400. Premium materials and features drive prices higher on both platforms. Good values can be found at every price point.
Verdict
Ultimately, the Apple Watch is the best overall smartwatch due to its beautiful display, seamless connectivity, vast app support and balanced everyday performance. However, the Garmin cannot be beaten for hardcore training, fitness tracking capabilities, and battery life. Choose Garmin if you spend most of your time actively training and exercising. For a better all-around smartwatch, Apple Watch wins out.
Recommended Models
Best Garmin Smartwatch: Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar
- Great balance of fitness tracking and smartwatch capability
- Solar charging gives incredible 3+ week battery life
- Sapphire glass increases durability
Best Apple Watch: Apple Watch Series 8 (45mm)
- Latest model with updated health sensors and crash detection
- Bright always-on OLED display with minimal bezel
- Faster charging and better 18 hour battery life
In-Depth Feature Comparison
Here is a more detailed breakdown of how the Apple Watch and Garmin compare across a wider range of features:
Display
| Apple Watch | Garmin |
|---|---|
| OLED display | Memory-in-pixel display |
| Bright, vibrant colors | Monochrome display |
| Scratch resistant sapphire crystal (high-end models) | Sapphire glass option |
| Bezel-free rounded rectangle shape | Rugged circular watch face |
| Always-on display (Series 5+) | Always-on display |
Design and Durability
| Apple Watch | Garmin |
|---|---|
| Aluminum, stainless steel or titanium | Polymer, stainless steel or titanium |
| Digital crown and side button | 5 physical buttons |
| Sleek, slim profile | Sporty, rugged build |
| Swimproof water resistance | Increased water resistance |
| Mil-spec shock resistance (Ultra model) | Meet military standards for thermal, shock and water resistance |
Health Sensors
| Apple Watch | Garmin |
|---|---|
| Heart rate monitor | Wrist-based heart rate |
| ECG app | Some models have pulse ox sensor |
| Blood oxygen sensor | Body battery energy monitoring |
| Fall detection and Emergency SOS | Hydration tracking |
| Cycle tracking capabilities | Monthly cycles tracking |
| Skin temperature sensor | Not available |
| Blood glucose monitoring (future) | Not available |
Fitness Tracking
| Apple Watch | Garmin |
|---|---|
| Step counting | Step counting |
| Calorie burn tracking | Intensity minutes |
| Multiple workout types | Preloaded sport apps with metrics |
| Activity rings | Move bar inactivity prompts |
| Syncs with Apple Health | Syncs with Garmin Connect |
GPS Tracking
| Apple Watch | Garmin |
|---|---|
| Built-in GPS | GPS with multi-band support |
| Track pace, distance, elevation | Multi-GNSS support for accuracy |
| Course overlays for running | Maps, navigation, tracking |
| Track mode for high accuracy | Create courses and follow GPS route |
Smartwatch Features
| Apple Watch | Garmin |
|---|---|
| Customizable watch faces | Some customizable watch faces |
| Notifications from iPhone | Basic notifications from phone |
| Call and text from watch | No calling or messaging |
| Listen to music and podcasts | Limited music storage, no streaming |
| Apple Pay on wrist | Garmin Pay only supported by some banks |
| App Store with thousands of apps | Smaller Connect IQ app store |
| Siri voice assistant | No voice assistant |
Battery Life
| Apple Watch | Garmin |
|---|---|
| Up to 18 hours mixed usage | Solar models last weeks/months |
| 36 hours max (Series 8 Ultra) | Non-solar up to 21 days |
| Fast charge to 80% in 45 min | Slow charging with proprietary cable |
| Charges 0-100% in 1.5 hours | Solar charging extends battery |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which smartwatch is best for iPhone users?
The Apple Watch is the best smartwatch option for iPhone users by far. It is fully integrated with iOS and offers the most seamless connectivity, notifications and app experience.
Is Garmin or Apple Watch more accurate for running?
Both watches use advanced GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring for run tracking. For most runners, they will perform very similarly in terms of accuracy. Garmin may pull ahead slightly for trail running.
Can an Apple Watch detect falls?
Yes, Apple Watch Series 4 and newer models include a fall detection feature that can automatically alert emergency services if you take a hard fall and remain motionless. This provides an added layer of safety.
Is Garmin worth the money compared to Apple Watch?
For serious athletes and adventurers who spend most of their time training, the Garmin provides far superior fitness tracking and battery life. For those focused more on smart features, the cheaper Apple Watch performs very well.
Can Garmin watches play music offline like the Apple Watch?
Yes, but the process is more complex. You have to transfer music files to the watch rather than stream from an app. Lack of LTE also prevents streaming over a data connection.
Do Garmin watches work with Android and iPhone?
Yes, Garmin watches sync to both Android and iOS smartphones, though the experience is usually smoother when paired with an Android device. The Connect IQ app is available on both platforms.
Which has more accurate health tracking – Apple or Garmin?
Overall Apple Watch is more full-featured in terms of health sensors like ECG, blood oxygen monitoring and cycle tracking. Both provide accurate heart rate, sleep and activity tracking.
How long do Garmin and Apple Watch batteries really last?
Battery life varies significantly depending on usage. Apple Watch will reliably last a full day mixed usage. Garmin solar models can achieve over 3 weeks even with regular activity tracking enabled.
Is the Apple Watch Ultra worth the extra money?
For serious athletes who want max battery life, GPS accuracy and ruggedness, yes. For most others, the standard Apple Watch Series 8 provides nearly the same great core experience at a lower cost.
Can I respond to messages from my Garmin watch?
Unfortunately no – the Garmin only allows you to view notifications from your phone. Replying requires grabbing your phone to respond to messages and notifications.
Final Thoughts
The Apple Watch and Garmin platforms each have strengths and weaknesses that make them better suited for particular types of users. Apple offers the best overall smartwatch for seamless connectivity, apps, payments and health tracking. Garmin dominates the high-end fitness tracker realm with more detailed stats, training tools, battery life and ruggedness.
Make your decision based on which features are most important to you. Casual users are almost always better served by the more affordable Apple Watch, while serious athletes may find the investment in Garmin worthwhile. Either way, both produce fantastic modern smartwatches that can enhance your life.
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