The Garmin Venu 3 and Apple Watch Series 9. are two prominent contenders in a market that has witnessed fierce competition in recent years, with companies striving to offer the best combination of health and wellness features, design aesthetics, and smart functionalities.
In this comprehensive comparison, we will dissect the key differences between these two devices to help you make an informed decision about which one aligns better with your needs. Check out the latest prices here: The Garmin Venu 3 and Apple Watch Series 9.
- Full reviews of both smartwatches:
- Garmin Venu 3 Review
- Apple Watch Series 9 Review
Design
Design is a critical factor when choosing a smartwatch, as it’s an accessory you’ll wear daily. The Garmin Venu 3 features a 1.4-inch AMOLED display housed in a stainless steel case with a matte finish. However, it lacks the visual appeal and sophistication of Apple Watch models. The Apple Watch, on the other hand, boasts a more attractive design, catering to a broader range of tastes.
Both the Venu 3 and the Apple Watch Series 9. are available in two sizes, 45mm and 41mm, allowing users to pick the one that suits their wrist comfortably. A notable advantage of the Venu 3 is its compatibility with third-party watch straps, offering versatility and affordability in customization. In contrast, Apple Watch straps are proprietary and tend to be pricier.
Display
The display quality can significantly impact the overall user experience of a smartwatch. The Apple Watch Series 9 boasts a remarkable 2,000-nit brightness level, providing a vivid and eye-catching display. In contrast, the Venu 3’s display, while competent, falls short in terms of brightness when compared to the Apple Watch.
Both devices are rated with 5ATM water resistance, making them suitable for swimming and various water-based activities. Notably, the Venu 3 excels in swimming tracking and integrates Garmin’s extensive database of golf courses, a feature that the Apple Watch relies on third-party apps for.
Apps and Ecosystem
The smartwatch ecosystem plays a pivotal role in determining the overall capabilities and usefulness of the device. The Garmin Venu 3 is feature-packed, with a strong emphasis on tracking and training. However, it lags behind the Apple Watch in terms of being a full-fledged smartwatch.
The Venu 3 allows users to make and take calls, a feature exclusive to this Garmin model. It offers compatibility with both iOS and Android, but Android users can only respond to text messages from the watch. Garmin Pay is available but has limited bank support compared to Apple Pay. The device also supports Spotify offline listening directly from the wrist.
One notable limitation of the Venu 3 is the absence of an app store. While it does have the Connect IQ store, which offers watch faces and widgets, these offerings are relatively simple.
In contrast, the Apple Watch provides a robust smartwatch experience. It excels in handling notifications and calls, with Apple Pay and Siri enhancing its functionality. The introduction of gesture control further improves the user experience. Additionally, the Apple Watch boasts a full-fledged App Store with a wide range of partner apps, making it incredibly versatile.
Sports Features
For individuals with a sport-centric lifestyle, the choice between the Venu 3 and Apple Watch Series 9 becomes particularly important. The Venu 3 offers more than 30 sports modes, with a focus on activities like running, cycling, and swimming. However, it falls short when it comes to advanced sports metrics such as VO2 Max, Training Load, and Training Effect, which are typically found in Garmin’s higher-tier devices like the Forerunner series.
Conversely, the Apple Watch has evolved into a sports tracking powerhouse over the years, offering an array of modes within its Workout app. It excels in running metrics, tracking not only the basics but also providing insights into form, technique, and performance metrics like cadence and vertical oscillation. Apple has also significantly improved cycling tracking in watchOS 9, and there are various high-quality swimming apps available.
While both smartwatches are versatile sports devices, the Apple Watch arguably holds an edge in terms of advanced sports tracking capabilities.
Sleep Tracking
Sleep tracking has become an essential feature in modern smartwatches, promoting overall wellness. Apple was relatively slow to embrace sleep tracking, introducing it natively with the Series 6 and later enhancing it with sleep stage data. However, Apple’s approach primarily focuses on bedtime and sleep duration consistency.
In contrast, the Garmin Venu 3 introduced robust sleep tracking with a sleep coach feature aimed at improving sleep quality. Additionally, it can track naps, catering to those who value daytime rest.
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Health Features
Health-oriented features are crucial for individuals seeking to monitor and improve their well-being. The Garmin Venu 3 offers a range of health features, including Body Battery for energy estimation, stress tracking, HRV Status for heart rate variability, and blood oxygen tracking.
Notably, Garmin’s Body Battery concept has gained popularity in the fitness tracking world. While the Venu 3 lost the ability to check for atrial fibrillation (Afib) using an ECG from the Venu 2 Plus, it is expected to regain this feature once regulators approve the new Elevate 5 heart rate sensor.
In contrast, the Apple Watch Series 9. offers an extensive suite of health features, including ECG capabilities, low/high heart rate notifications, continuous and spot blood oxygen tracking, and fall/car crash detection.
While the Apple Watch leans more toward critical health features, it provides a robust platform in the form of Apple Health, which is highly suitable for sharing health data with medical professionals. Notably, Garmin data can also be added to Apple Health, if permitted.
Both Garmin and Apple offer mindfulness components, including guided breathing exercises. However, Garmin stands out for its stress tracking feature, even though the practical utility of this metric may be debated.
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical aspect, especially for users who prefer not to charge their smartwatches frequently. In this regard, the Garmin Venu 3 outshines the Apple Watch Series 9. The Venu 3 boasts an impressive 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, although there’s no estimate for the always-on display mode. The GPS tracking mode offers up to 20 hours of usage.
In contrast, the Apple Watch Series 9 and SE offer single-day battery life, with Apple claiming 18 hours of use. In practice, users often find it lasting around 30 hours, comfortably accommodating a night’s sleep tracking. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that it gets charged regularly, as a forgotten charge could result in the watch dying on the second day.
When it comes to GPS usage, the Apple Watch provides approximately 6 hours of battery life, suitable for activities like marathons but far behind the Venu 3 in this aspect.
- More comparisons:
- Coros Pace 3 vs. Pace 2 – Is the Upgrade to Pace 3 Worth It?
- Coros Pace 3 vs. Garmin Forerunner 255: Which Is Right For You?
- Garmin Forerunner 255 Review – A Triathlete’s Dream Come True
Garmin Venu 3 vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Pros And Cons”
Garmin Venu 3:
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Pros:
- Impressive Battery Life: The Venu 3 boasts an exceptional 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, making it ideal for users who prefer not to charge their devices frequently.
- Sports-Centric Features: With 30+ sports modes, the Venu 3 caters to individuals with a sport-focused lifestyle. It excels in swimming tracking and taps into Garmin’s extensive golf course database.
- Robust Sleep Tracking: The Venu 3 offers advanced sleep tracking, including a sleep coach feature aimed at improving sleep quality. It also tracks naps, providing a comprehensive overview of the user’s sleep patterns.
- Compatibility with Third-Party Straps: Users can customize the look of their Venu 3 with third-party watch straps, offering versatility and affordability in personalization.
- iOS and Android Compatibility: While not as feature-rich on Android, the Venu 3 allows both iOS and Android users to make and take calls, enhancing its usability.
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Cons:
- Design Aesthetics: The design of the Venu 3 is conservative and understated, lacking the visual appeal of competitors like the Apple Watch. It may not be as desirable from a fashion standpoint.
- Limited Smartwatch Features: The Venu 3, while feature-packed for fitness tracking, falls behind in terms of smartwatch capabilities. The absence of a dedicated app store limits its versatility in comparison to competitors.
- Brightness of Display: The display brightness of the Venu 3, while sufficient for most use cases, falls short when compared to the Apple Watch Series 9, particularly in outdoor settings.
- Bank Support for Garmin Pay: Garmin Pay on the Venu 3 has limited bank support compared to competitors like Apple Pay, potentially restricting users’ payment options. Shopping Link: Garmin Venu 3.
Apple Watch Series 9
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Pros:
- Comprehensive Smartwatch Experience: The Apple Watch Series 9 excels as a full-fledged smartwatch, offering a polished user experience with features like Siri, Apple Pay, and a fully-fledged App Store.
- Superior Display: The Series 9 boasts a bright and vibrant display with 2,000-nit brightness, providing an engaging and visually appealing interface.
- Advanced Sports Tracking: Apple Watch Series 9 offers advanced sports tracking capabilities, with detailed metrics for running, cycling, and swimming. It provides a plethora of data for athletes seeking in-depth insights.
- Extensive Health Features: With ECG capabilities, blood oxygen tracking, and fall detection, the Apple Watch Series 9 is a robust health companion. Apple Health serves as a comprehensive platform for storing and sharing health data.
- App Ecosystem: The App Store on the Apple Watch Series 9 offers a wide array of apps, allowing users to customize their device with applications for various purposes, from fitness tracking to productivity.
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Cons:
- Limited Battery Life: One of the primary drawbacks of the Apple Watch Series 9 is its limited battery life, requiring daily charging. For users who value extended battery life, this can be a significant drawback.
- Proprietary Straps: Apple Watch straps are proprietary and tend to be more expensive. Users have limited options when it comes to third-party straps compared to devices like the Venu 3.
- Higher Price Point: The Apple Watch Series 9 is priced at a premium, potentially deterring budget-conscious consumers. The cost is notably higher than the Garmin Venu 3, making it a considerable investment.
- Android Compatibility: While the Apple Watch Series 9 offers basic compatibility with Android, certain features are optimized for iOS. Android users may not fully leverage the smartwatch’s capabilities. Shopping Link: Apple Watch Series 9.
Choosing Between Garmin Venu 3 and Apple Watch Series 9
Choose Garmin Venu 3 if:
- Battery life is a top priority: If you prefer a smartwatch that lasts for an extended period without frequent charging, the Venu 3’s 14 days of battery life is a compelling feature.
- You have a sports-focused lifestyle: The Venu 3 caters to fitness enthusiasts with its diverse sports modes and reliable tracking, especially in swimming.
- Sleep tracking is crucial: For those who prioritize advanced sleep tracking and a sleep coach feature, the Venu 3 offers a more comprehensive sleep monitoring experience.
- You seek a more affordable option: The Venu 3’s price point is relatively lower than the Apple Watch Series 9, making it a more budget-friendly choice.
Choose Apple Watch Series 9 if:
- Comprehensive smartwatch features are essential: If you want a smartwatch that excels in a wide range of features, from Siri and Apple Pay to an extensive App Store, the Series 9 provides a polished smartwatch experience.
- You prioritize a vibrant display: The Series 9’s bright and vibrant display, with 2,000-nit brightness, offers an engaging and visually appealing interface, particularly useful in outdoor settings.
- Health features are a priority: With advanced health features like ECG, blood oxygen tracking, and fall detection, the Series 9 is a suitable choice for users focused on health and wellness.
- You are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem: If you are already using other Apple devices and services, the Series 9 seamlessly integrates into the Apple ecosystem, providing a cohesive user experience. Get it here: Apple Watch Series 9.
Price
When it comes to price, the Garmin Venu 3 commands a hefty price tag of $449, making it one of the more expensive options in the smartwatch market. In contrast, the Apple Watch Series 9 comes in two variants: the 45mm model priced at $429 and the 41mm model priced at $399. It’s evident that the Garmin Venu 3 squarely targets the Apple Watch Series 9 in terms of pricing.
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice
In conclusion, choosing between the Garmin Venu 3 and the Apple Watch Series 9 boils down to individual preferences and priorities. If battery life is a top priority, and you engage in activities where prolonged GPS tracking is essential, the Garmin Venu 3 stands out with its impressive 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.
However, if you prioritize a comprehensive smartwatch experience, a polished design, and an extensive ecosystem of apps, the Apple Watch Series 9 emerges as a strong contender. With its superior display brightness, advanced sports tracking capabilities, and an array of health features, the Apple Watch excels as an all-encompassing smart device.
Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether you lean more towards a fitness-centric lifestyle with extended battery life or seek a holistic smartwatch that seamlessly integrates into your daily life. Consider your priorities carefully, weigh the trade-offs, and choose the smartwatch that aligns best with your unique needs and preferences.
Whether it’s the Garmin Venu 3 or the Apple Watch Series 9., both devices offer compelling features in their respective domains, catering to diverse user preferences in the dynamic world of smartwatches.
