Apple Watch Series 9 and Garmin Venu 3 are both advanced fitness smartwatches, but they have some core differences. The Apple Watch Series 9 is the newer model with upgraded processing power, gesture control, and better Siri integration. Garmin Venu 3 stands out with long battery life and deep fitness insights. This comparison will help you decide which one fits your lifestyle best.
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Processor:
- Apple Watch Series 9 has the S9 Chip for faster performance and smarter app handling.
- Garmin Venu 3 uses Garmin’s proprietary chip optimized for efficiency but not as fast.
Winner:
Apple Watch Series 9
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Display Size:
- Apple Watch Series 9 features a larger 1.92-inch display with a flat edge design to provide more space for complications, text, and animations.
- Garmin Venu 3 has a smaller 1.4-inch display.
Winner:
Apple Watch Series 9
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Display Brightness:
- Apple Watch Series 9 provides up to 2000 nits brightness to ensure better visibility in bright environments.
- Garmin Venu 3 reaches only 1000 nits brightness.
Winner:
Apple Watch Series 9
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Internal Storage:
- Apple Watch Series 9 comes with 64GB of internal storage, which allows for extensive app installations, playlists, and offline data.
- Garmin Venu 3 includes 8GB of storage.
Winner:
Apple Watch Series 9
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4-Core Neural Engine:
- Apple Watch Series 9 includes a 4-core Neural Engine for faster machine learning tasks.
- Garmin Venu 3 lacks a neural engine.
Winner:
Apple Watch Series 9
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On-Device Siri:
- Apple Watch Series 9 supports on-device Siri that allows to process commands and access health data directly on the watch without internet connection.
- Garmin Venu 3 supports basic assistant control through connected smartphone.
Winner:
Apple Watch Series 9
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Ultra Wideband Chip:
- Apple Watch Series 9 features the second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip for improving Precision Finding and device integration.
- Garmin Venu 3 does not include UWB functionality.
Winner:
Apple Watch Series 9
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Double Tap Gesture:
- The Apple Watch Series 9 introduces the double tap gesture to control the watch with a quick finger movement for added convenience.
- Garmin Venu 3 does not support gesture-based control.
Winner:
Apple Watch Series 9
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Fast Charging:
- Apple Watch 9 includes fast charging capability that reach up to 80% charge in about 45 minutes to reduce downtime.
- Garmin Venu 3 charges slower with no fast charge support.
Winner:
Apple Watch Series 9
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Bluetooth:
- Apple Watch Series 9 support Bluetooth 5.3 for better efficiency.
- Garmin Venu 3 support Bluetooth 4.2.
Winner:
Apple Watch Series 9
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Specs at a Glance
| Feature |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
Garmin Venu 3 |
| Display |
1.9-inch LTPO OLED |
1.4-inch AMOLED |
| Brightness |
Up to 2000 nits |
Up to 1000 nits |
| Processor |
S9 SiP with 4-core Neural Engine |
Proprietary Garmin chip |
| Storage |
64GB |
8 GB |
| Battery Life |
Up to 18 hours |
Up to 14 days (Smartwatch mode) |
| Charging |
Fast charging (80% in 45 minutes) |
Slower charging |
| Case Size |
45mm |
45mm |
| Connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, Ultra Wideband |
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| OS |
watchOS 10 |
Garmin OS |
| Sensors |
Optical Heart Sensor, Blood Oxygen, ECG |
Heart Rate, SpO2, HRV, Skin Temp |
| Voice Assistant |
Siri (on-device processing) |
Supports smartphone assistant (via mic/speaker) |
Who Should Buy What?
Buy the Apple Watch Series 9 if you:
- Want a premium smartwatch with faster performance and advanced app support.
- Need health tools like ECG, SpO2, and fall detection in one device.
- Prefer seamless integration with iPhone, including Siri and Find My.
- Like having new features like Double Tap gesture and ultra-bright screen.
- Value fast charging and larger storage for apps and media.
Check Apple Watch 9 Best Price
Buy the Garmin Venu 3 if you:
- Need a fitness-focused watch with long battery life and training insights.
- Want a lightweight watch for sleep tracking and recovery metrics.
- Prefer a simplified UI without needing lots of apps.
- Value battery longevity over smart features.
- Are looking for a reliable health tracker with stress and energy monitoring.
Check Garmin Venu 3 Best Price |
Winner by Category
| Category |
Winner |
| Processor |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
| Display Size |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
| Brightness |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
| Neural Engine |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
| Double Tap Gesture |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
| Fast Charging |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
| Battery Life |
Garmin Venu 3 |
| Ultra Wideband |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
| Voice Assistant |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
| Speaker & Microphone |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
| ECG & SpO2 |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
| OS & Updates |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
| Bluetooth |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
| Storage |
Apple Watch Series 9 |
What They Have in Common
- AMOLED Display: Both watches use vibrant AMOLED screens, delivering sharp visuals and excellent readability in different lighting conditions.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Each model includes continuous heart rate tracking, helping users monitor fitness levels and overall health.
- Sleep Tracking: Both devices offer advanced sleep tracking, giving users insights into sleep stages and quality to improve rest.
- GPS Tracking: Each watch features built-in GPS, allowing accurate distance and route tracking for outdoor workouts without a phone.
- Water Resistance: Both the Venu 3 and Apple Watch 9 are water-resistant, making them suitable for swimming and daily wear in wet conditions.
FAQ (Quick Answers)
Does the Apple Watch Series 9 work with Android phones?
No, the Apple Watch Series 9 is only compatible with iPhones. You need an iPhone 8 or later running iOS 17 or higher to set up and use the device.
Can the Garmin Venu 3 make and receive phone calls?
Yes, the Garmin Venu 3 has a built-in microphone and speaker, allowing you to take and make calls when connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
Which watch has better battery life?
The Garmin Venu 3 has significantly better battery life, lasting up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, while the Apple Watch Series 9 typically lasts up to 18 hours on a full charge.
Is the Apple Watch Series 9 better for health tracking?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 9 supports ECG and blood oxygen monitoring with FDA clearance, and includes fall detection and medication reminders, making it more comprehensive for medical-grade health insights.
Can I download third-party apps on both watches?
You can download a wide range of third-party apps on the Apple Watch Series 9 via the App Store. Garmin Venu 3 also supports apps, but the selection is smaller and focused mainly on fitness and outdoors.
Does either watch support voice assistants?
The Apple Watch Series 9 supports on-device Siri with offline capabilities. The Garmin Venu 3 allows access to your phone’s voice assistant but does not support on-watch processing.
Which one is better for iPhone users?
The Apple Watch Series 9 is designed specifically for iPhone and integrates seamlessly with Apple services, making it the better option for iPhone users.
Is the Garmin Venu 3 good for sleep tracking?
Yes, the Garmin Venu 3 offers advanced sleep tracking with detailed insights, including sleep stages, overnight HRV, and personalized coaching.
Which watch has a brighter display for outdoor use?
The Apple Watch Series 9 reaches up to 2000 nits of brightness, making it easier to read under direct sunlight. The Garmin Venu 3 has 1000 nits, which is bright but not as vibrant.
Can both watches track workouts and fitness goals?
Yes, both watches support workout tracking and goal setting. However, Garmin Venu 3 includes extra features like recovery time, nap tracking, and Body Battery, while the Apple Watch offers Apple Fitness+ integration.
