Garmin Venu 3 vs Apple Watch 11 – Which Should You Buy?
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Choosing the right smartwatch depends on your lifestyle, fitness goals, and personal preferences. The Apple Watch Series 11 focuses on seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem and advanced health tracking features for iPhone users. The Garmin Venu 3 is built for long battery life and detailed fitness metrics aimed at athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Both offer excellent designs and robust feature sets. This article will compare the two devices across key categories to help you decide which smartwatch best fits your needs.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 11 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Always-on Retina LTPO OLED, up to 2,000 nits brightness, available in 41mm and 45mm sizes | AMOLED touchscreen, up to 1,000 nits brightness, available in 45mm and 41mm |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours standard use, up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode | Up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, 26 hours GPS |
| Processor | Apple S9 SiP with Neural Engine for faster performance and on-device Siri | Garmin proprietary processor optimized for low power consumption |
| Memory | 64GB internal storage | Limited onboard storage, supports offline music |
| Health Tracking | Advanced ECG, blood oxygen, temperature sensing, cycle tracking | Heart rate, HRV, Pulse Ox, sleep tracking with nap detection |
| Connectivity | GPS + Cellular options, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 | GPS, Bluetooth, ANT+, no cellular |
| Durability | WR50 water resistance, crack-resistant front crystal | 5 ATM water rating, Gorilla Glass 3 lens |
Detailed Feature Comparisons
Design and Build: The Apple Watch Series 11 offers a sleek aluminum or stainless steel build with interchangeable bands and a slightly curved display for a premium look. The Garmin Venu 3 has a more traditional round watch face, making it feel like a classic timepiece. Its lightweight polymer case makes it comfortable for all-day wear.
Display Quality: The Series 11 provides a bright LTPO OLED display that reaches up to 2,000 nits, perfect for outdoor readability. The Garmin Venu 3 uses a vibrant AMOLED display with strong visibility but slightly lower peak brightness. Both are crisp and responsive, but the Apple Watch feels more fluid with smooth animations.
Battery Performance: Garmin clearly wins on endurance, offering up to 14 days on a single charge, making it ideal for travelers or those who dislike frequent charging. Apple Watch requires daily charging for most users, though its Low Power Mode extends life for lighter use.
Processor and Speed: The S9 chip in the Series 11 delivers fast app launches, smooth scrolling, and on-device Siri processing. The Venu 3’s processor prioritizes efficiency, allowing for long battery life but with slightly slower animations and transitions.
Health and Wellness Tracking: Apple Watch features advanced ECG, blood oxygen, and temperature sensors that integrate with Apple Health for a comprehensive view of wellness. Garmin Venu 3 provides detailed sleep analysis with nap detection and advanced training metrics such as HRV and Body Battery, appealing to serious athletes.
Fitness and Activity Features: Garmin is strong in multi-sport tracking with customizable data screens, interval training, and coaching plans. Apple excels in casual fitness tracking with Activity Rings and seamless integration with iOS apps. Serious runners may favor Garmin’s precision GPS and training load analysis.
Smart Features: Apple Watch leads with third-party app support, cellular calling, and Apple Pay. Garmin includes basic notifications, offline music storage, and Garmin Pay, but app support is more limited.
Durability and Outdoor Use: Both watches offer water resistance suitable for swimming, but Garmin’s 5 ATM rating and rugged lens make it slightly more durable for hiking and outdoor sports. Apple Watch is still durable but more focused on style.
FAQ
Is the Apple Watch Series 11 compatible with Android phones?
No, the Apple Watch Series 11 requires an iPhone for setup and full functionality.
Does Garmin Venu 3 support offline music?
Yes, the Venu 3 supports offline music storage and playback from Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music.
Which watch is better for sleep tracking?
Garmin Venu 3 provides more detailed sleep stage analysis and nap tracking, making it more comprehensive for sleep insights.
Can Apple Watch Series 11 be used for running without a phone?
Yes, the GPS and cellular model can track runs and stream music without needing to carry an iPhone.
How often do I need to charge the Garmin Venu 3?
With typical use, you may only need to charge it once every one to two weeks.
Does the Apple Watch Series 11 support ECG readings?
Yes, it includes an ECG app for detecting irregular heart rhythms.
Can I receive calls on Garmin Venu 3?
You can answer calls when connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth, but it does not have standalone cellular support.
Which watch is more durable for outdoor use?
Garmin Venu 3 is better suited for rugged environments with its Gorilla Glass lens and longer battery life.
Do both watches support contactless payments?
Yes, Apple Watch uses Apple Pay and Garmin Venu 3 uses Garmin Pay for tap-to-pay convenience.
Which is better for iPhone users?
Apple Watch Series 11 is the better choice for iPhone users due to its deep integration with iOS and apps.