Garmin Venu 3 vs Apple Watch Series 9 - Which One Is Better?

Garmin has long been a leader in the world of sports watches, known for its excellent performance and advanced tracking features. However, many of its earlier models used outdated memory-in-pixel (MiP) displays and lacked smart features such as voice assistants or call capabilities, making them feel more like professional fitness tools than true smartwatches. That’s beginning to change with the launch of the Garmin Venu 3.

The Garmin Venu 3 features a vibrant OLED display, supports voice assistants and phone calls, and retains Garmin’s signature health and fitness tracking strengths—making it the brand’s most smartwatch-like model to date. In contrast, the Apple Watch Series 9 represents a refined smartwatch experience, offering extensive app support and deep integration with the iPhone.

In this Garmin Venu 3 vs Apple Watch Series 9 comparison, we’ll break down the differences in health and fitness tracking accuracy, smart features, and battery life to help you decide which wearable is the better fit for your lifestyle.

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Garmin Venu 3 vs Apple Watch 9 - Price

In terms of price, the Garmin Venu 3 and Apple Watch Series 9 are closely priced. The Garmin Venu 3 is priced around $450, while the aluminum version of the Apple Watch Series 9 starts at $399, with the titanium version reaching up to $750, depending on size and features. The 45mm aluminum Bluetooth version of the Apple Watch is priced around $480, while the stainless steel version of the Garmin Venu 3 is around $500. If you opt for the stainless steel version of the Apple Watch, the price can go up to $850.

A clear difference is that the Garmin Venu 3 does not offer a cellular version, meaning users need to connect it to their phone. On the other hand, the Apple Watch 9 offers a cellular version, allowing users to use the watch without a phone and still receive notifications or calls. Garmin’s pricing is more consistent, and it also offers a smaller 41mm Venu 3S version.

Winner: Apple Watch Series 9, While the Garmin Venu 3 offers a better price point, the Apple Watch Series 9 provides the added flexibility of cellular connectivity, allowing users to receive notifications and make calls without needing a phone. This feature makes it more versatile for users on the go.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Apple Watch Series 9 - Specifications

Garmin Venu 3 vs Apple Watch Series 9 - Design and Size

When it comes to design and size, the Garmin Venu 3 and Apple Watch Series 9 cater to different aesthetics and user preferences. The Venu 3 continues Garmin’s tradition of a classic round watch face, giving it a more traditional look that leans into its sporty identity. It comes in two sizes—45mm and 41mm (the latter known as the Venu 3S)—making it suitable for a wide range of wrist sizes and offering a more understated, natural fit.

On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 9 features its iconic rectangular design, blending modernity with a sleek tech feel. It also comes in 41mm and 45mm versions, with rounded corners that give it a smooth, recognizable appearance. It’s one of the most distinctive smartwatch designs available today.

In terms of materials, the Venu 3 uses a plastic body paired with a stainless steel bezel. While plastic may not sound as premium as metal, it significantly reduces the watch’s weight. The Apple Watch Series 9 is available in both aluminum and stainless steel, offering a more refined texture and feel, but with slightly more heft.

Size-wise, both watches offer options for smaller and larger wrists, but the Venu 3’s round face appears more compact and aligns more closely with what many users expect from a traditional watch.

Winner: Garmin Venu 3, with round design, Garmin venu 3 better reflects the classic watch aesthetic, offers greater comfort, and strikes a balance between sporty and everyday wear.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Apple Watch Series 9 - Display

When it comes to display, the Garmin Venu 3 features a 1.4-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 454x454 pixels, supporting an Always-On display mode. While its resolution is higher, the maximum brightness is not explicitly specified. The Venu 3 offers multiple brightness levels, including a red light mode, to cater to different usage environments.

In comparison, the Apple Watch Series 9 offers a larger screen size, with the 41mm version having a 1.61-inch display and the 45mm version a 1.77-inch display, with resolutions of 352x430 and 396x484 pixels respectively, and a pixel density of 327 PPI. The brightness of the Apple Watch Series 9 can reach up to 2000 nits, ensuring clear visibility even in bright sunlight. It also features an Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display, allowing the screen to remain subtly illuminated even when the phone is off, so users can check the time and notifications at any time. Additionally, the minimum brightness can be adjusted to 1 nit, making it ideal for low-light environments.

Overall, the Apple Watch Series 9 excels in brightness and screen size, particularly in bright outdoor conditions.

Winner: Apple Watch Series 9, offers higher brightness and a larger screen, delivering clearer visibility in bright light and a more practical Always-On display feature.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Apple Watch Series 9 - Watch Bands

When it comes to watch band design, the Garmin Venu 3 uses a traditional band system, with the Venu 3 featuring a 22mm band, and the Venu 3S using an 18mm band. These bands fit snugly on the wrist, offering a tight, comfortable fit that is ideal for extended wear. The default sport band is designed with adjustable features, providing a soft, pleasant feel, perfect for both exercise and daily use.

In contrast, the Apple Watch Series 9 employs Apple’s proprietary band exchange system. Users can easily swap bands by pressing a button and sliding it out. Although the band-changing process is more convenient, the default sport loop band, while soft, is slightly more cumbersome to adjust and can cause the wrist to sweat. While Apple Watch offers a variety of band options, the bands are typically wider, making them less snug and comfortable compared to the Garmin Venu 3's design.

Winner: Garmin Venu 3, offers a snug, comfortable fit, especially suitable for long wear, with the sport-specific band enhancing comfort. While the Apple Watch makes band swapping easier, its bands are less naturally comfortable and adjustable.

If you're looking for high-quality bands, Bandletic offers a wide range of third-party bands, including Apple Watch bands and Garmin Watch bands. You can choose from various materials and styles for your Apple Watch Series 9 bands or Garmin Venu Watch bands (including Garmin Venu 3 Watch Bands), customizing your wear to elevate your experience.

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Garmin Instinct Watch Bands (Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm Watch Bands/Garmin Instinct 3 Amoled 50mm Watch Bands)

Garmin Fenix Watch bands

Garmin Forerunner Watch Bands

Garmin Tactix Watch Bands (including Garmin Tactix 8 Amoled 47mm Watch Bands/Garmin Tactix 8 Solar 51mm Watch Bands)

Garmin Venu 3 vs Apple Watch Series 9 - Health and Fitness Tracking

The Garmin Venu 3 offers precise health monitoring features, including heart rate, blood oxygen, stress levels, and Body Battery. It supports various workout modes such as swimming, yoga, and running, with accurate GPS performance, providing safety during outdoor activities.

The Apple Watch Series 9 adds features like a blood oxygen sensor and provides a rich app ecosystem. However, in terms of traditional fitness tracking functions, Garmin has the edge, particularly in precise workout tracking and health monitoring.

Heart Rate Monitoring:

The Garmin Venu 3 is equipped with the new Elevate heart rate sensor, performing better in high-intensity workouts, especially in running and sleep tracking.

Workout Tracking:

Both watches support various workout modes, but Garmin provides more detailed workout options, making it ideal for fitness enthusiasts.

Health Tracking:

The Garmin Venu 3 offers more health tracking features and provides more comprehensive data analysis, suitable for users who require detailed monitoring.

Sleep Tracking:

Garmin provides more detailed sleep stage data and analysis, while the Apple Watch’s sleep tracking is precise but lacks in-depth analysis.

Winner: Garmin Venu 3, offers more comprehensive health and fitness tracking features, excelling in sleep and workout monitoring, making it ideal for users who need detailed analysis.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Apple Watch Series 9 - Battery Life

In terms of battery life, the Garmin Venu 3 takes a clear lead. It boasts up to 14 days of battery life on a single charge, far surpassing the Apple Watch Series 9, which offers only 18 hours of battery life. For users who prioritize battery longevity, the Garmin Venu 3 is undoubtedly the better choice, as many prefer not to worry about charging another device daily.

The Garmin Venu 3 also offers around 4 days of battery life with always-on display, and up to 26 hours of battery life when using GPS without music. In contrast, even with low-power mode, the Apple Watch 9 can only last 30-36 hours and generally needs to be charged daily. The Garmin Venu 3 uses a proprietary charging cable, while the Apple Watch 9 uses a magnetic charger, which is more convenient to use.

Winner: Garmin Venu 3, stands out with its exceptional battery life, making it perfect for users who don't want to charge their device frequently. In comparison, the Apple Watch 9's battery life is insufficient and doesn't meet the needs of long-term use, with performance similar to the Apple Watch 7 and 8.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Apple Watch Series 9 - How to Choose?

If you're passionate about fitness or enjoy long outdoor activities, the Garmin Venu 3 is undoubtedly the better choice. It offers precise activity tracking, long-lasting battery life, and excellent water resistance, making it a clear leader in the fitness category. On the other hand, if you're deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem and value a comprehensive smartwatch experience, the Apple Watch Series 9 will suit your needs better. It features a stylish design, rich smart functions, and powerful health monitoring, making it a versatile assistant for daily life.

Overall, both the Garmin Venu 3 and Apple Watch Series 9 have their unique strengths. If you prioritize fitness tracking and health management, the Garmin Venu 3 is the better option; if you prefer a more extensive smart experience and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the right fit. The final choice should be based on your specific needs, and whichever you choose, both will bring a great technological experience to your life.