Apple needs to take a page out of Garmin’s playbook

[DMG35]

I’ve been an Apple Watch user since Series 0 and have upgraded every other year to the new one. I wear it every day and have always loved it, so please don't take this as me being any type of hater. Recently, I was training at a gym and I noticed someone wearing a Garmin watch while we were talking. I asked her how she liked it and she said she had been an Apple Watch user for years, but decided to give the Garmin a try due to its advanced workout features. She was explaining to me all of the things it did and it got me curious.

I decided to go over to Best Buy to see what they had and I noticed the Epix 2 was in stock. I purchased it just to see if it might be something I liked.

I have to say, I'm pretty blown away by it. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't do a lot of things that the Apple Watch does. I can't answer a phone call on it (which I never did anyway), I can't reply to a message on it (which I rarely did). It doesn't have a lot of crazy apps you can download and the integration to iOS while not bad, isn't what the Apple watch is.

But, from a fitness standpoint it kills the Apple Watch, and I mean kills it. When working out it auto counts the number of reps you are doing when lifting weights (I don't know how it does it, but its spot on). It constantly shows my heart rate, body temperature, VO2 Max, along with any other metric you might want to know. It reads terrain so much better than the Apple watch and the step counter is so much more accurate as well as floors climbed. It also calculates recovery time and shows you rest time between sets when training. The GPS/Satellite tracking is so precise it seriously blows my mind.

The screen is also miles better outdoors than the Apple Watch and has a super bright OLED display. And battery life? Amazing. I'm on day 6 of heavy (and I mean heavy) use of the watch and it shows that I have 4 days of battery still remaining. With that being said I realize that the Apple watch is crammed with a lot of features that drain the battery quicker. Its just nice wearing a watch that I know is going to last for over a week and not have to be charged.

Also, from a durability standpoint this Garmin watch can definitely take a beating. Its just water, dust, and environment-proof out of the box and you don't need to turn anything on to make it so. You just wear it. The Apple watch is also durable but the titanium casing and sapphire screen on the Garmin watch are definitely going to stand up to the elements. I've extensively tested the durability and it comes out looking brand new without a single issue.

The Garmin watches are also not as pretty as the Apple Watch (probably an understatement). I actually like the look of the Garmin Watch, but not nearly as much as the Apple Watch. You can dress up the Apple Watch for business and dress it down for casual/workouts while the Garmin watch is pretty much going to look like a workout device no matter what kind of band you put on it.

With all of that being said, I do miss some of the features of the Apple watch. Would I give up the Apple watch and switch exclusively to this Garmin Watch? Probably not. Honestly, it depends on what the Series 8 brings and if they bring that Pro model we keep hearing about. I will for sure buy it, but this Garmin watch has opened my eyes to what's possible in a watch from a fitness standpoint and I hope Apple takes a page or two out of Garmin's playbook in future OS's.

 

[sarc]

Great write up. I am very much like you. I've had an Apple Watch since S0 and currently have the S7. I recently purchased a Garmin Fenix 7x as I had taken up running and was interested in the training, recovery and other features.

I went running with it a few times and loved a number of things about it. The physical buttons to swap between screens. The ability to change the amount of info on each screen (I know you can change the info on the Apple Watch but you can't change the size the info is shown). Maps that are downloadable to the watch and can show routes (hopefully apple adds this with the new maps they have in the future). I also loved starting a training plan and having the next run show up on the watch.

Ultimately I returned the Fenix as I couldn't justify having the Apple Watch and the Fenix. I also missed having podcasts, music and audiobooks while on a run as all of that is with Apple right now (lock in is real).

 

[DMG35]

Great write up. I am very much like you. I've had an Apple Watch since S0 and currently have the S7. I recently purchased a Garmin Fenix 7x as I had taken up running and was interested in the training, recovery and other features.

I went running with it a few times and loved a number of things about it. The physical buttons to swap between screens. The ability to change the amount of info on each screen (I know you can change the info on the Apple Watch but you can't change the size the info is shown). Maps that are downloadable to the watch and can show routes (hopefully apple adds this with the new maps they have in the future). I also loved starting a training plan and having the next run show up on the watch.

Ultimately I returned the Fenix as I couldn't justify having the Apple Watch and the Fenix. I also missed having podcasts, music and audiobooks while on a run as all of that is with Apple right now (lock in is real).

Depending on what Music service you use you can have all of that with Garmin watches as well. If you use Spotify you can download music, podcasts, etc to the watch itself and you don’t need to take your phone with you on runs. Just as FYI, but if you use Apple Music then yeah you can’t do any of that.

 

[sarc]

Depending on what Music service you use you can have all of that with Garmin watches as well. If you use Spotify you can download music, podcasts, etc to the watch itself and you don’t need to take your phone with you on runs. Just as FYI, but if you use Apple Music then yeah you can’t do any of that.

Yeah I did know that. I was with Spotify for some time and the changed to Apple and don't really want to change back. I will see what the new 'pro' version offers next week but not hopeful. If anything happens to my S7 I might use that as a time to change.

 

[chabig]

Apple Watch can store music for offline listening without an iPhone. I’m not certain about podcasts.

As for taking a page from Garmin’s playbook, that’s not Apple. Apple isn’t interested in making special purpose devices for small markets. They make general use devices for large markets.

 

[DMG35]

Apple Watch can store music for offline listening without an iPhone. I’m not certain about podcasts.

As for taking a page from Garmin’s playbook, that’s not Apple. Apple isn’t interested in making special purpose devices for small markets. They make general use devices for large markets.

They don’t have to make a watch for special interest groups. The Apple Watch is already very geared towards fitness, they just need to beef that portion up a bit to be on the same level.

 

[Indianwin2001]

I had Epix and returned it and went back to Apple. I have had many Garmins in the past, going back to 2013. I have ALWAYS had problems with their software, mostly the inaccurate tracking of MY heart rate.,Just read the Garmin forums to get an idea of all the problems with their software. I started with Apple 5 and had the 6 and 7 also. I tried the Epix to see if they had fixed their SW problems and I didn’t like the accuracy. Garmin Connect is awesome though.

 

[DMG35]

I had Epix and returned it and went back to Apple. I have had many Garmins in the past, going back to 2013. I have ALWAYS had problems with their software, mostly the inaccurate tracking of MY heart rate.,Just read the Garmin forums to get an idea of all the problems with their software. I started with Apple 5 and had the 6 and 7 also. I tried the Epix to see if they had fixed their SW problems and I didn’t like the accuracy. Garmin Connect is awesome though.

Oh interesting. I’ve found the heart rate monitor to be spot on in both matching it with the Apple Watch as well as a strap on chest monitor. They did just have a big software update though so maybe that helped. I’ve had no issues in the week I’ve been using it.

 

[Indianwin2001]

Oh interesting. I’ve found the heart rate monitor to be spot on in both matching it with the Apple Watch as well as a strap on chest monitor. They did just have a big software update though so maybe that helped. I’ve had no issues in the week I’ve been using it.

It could be an individual thing. Also my stress level was in the 90’s everyday and even though I felt great, my body battery hit 5( the lowest it can go) everyday.,Just lost trust in the software and it was not my first Garmin I’ve had problems with. I kept the Epix for 1 month before returning it.,Gkad you are happy with yours, it has potential to be an awesome fitness watch.

 

[sarc]

I had Epix and returned it and went back to Apple. I have had many Garmins in the past, going back to 2013. I have ALWAYS had problems with their software, mostly the inaccurate tracking of MY heart rate.,Just read the Garmin forums to get an idea of all the problems with their software. I started with Apple 5 and had the 6 and 7 also. I tried the Epix to see if they had fixed their SW problems and I didn’t like the accuracy. Garmin Connect is awesome though.

Garmin connect is great. I really like that platform. I am still using it to some degree for the training plans.
I wish apple would implement something like training plans for running. They could tie in strength, time to run, yoga and Mindful Cooldown and display it on the watch. I like the updates they have made so far but somehow I don't think it's going to get to Garmin level.

 

[zerocharlie]

I see there are other people out there like me. I'm fully in the Apple eco-system, and have been for years. But I just prefer a Garmin watch. I train for triathlons, and the fitness metrics and training plans that are accessible to me via the Garmin are just too good.

I've always said that an Apple Watch is an excellent smart watch with some fitness features added while the Garmin is an excellent fitness watch with some smart features added.

Choose what you will use most.

 

[boak]

The Apple Watch Pro will only be Pro by name. No professional athlete will use it for training.

 

[SnooChickens6278]

I have the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Sapphire/Titanium. I'm all about apple and I have a lot of their products, but I simply don't want an iPhone on my wrist. I spend enough time on my devices already. I have an iPod touch for music and audiobooks, but typing on it for me is a pain. There's no way in heck I will type on a tiny micro screen of the apple watch. As for the rep counter, I absolutely hate that feature as it's inaccurate and it makes me OCD during a workout. You will always have to correct the count after EACH and EVERY set and after a while I realized why am I doing this it's pointless.... Spending more time correcting the watch than working out sometimes... Eff that. As far as I know there's no way to turn it off, but I can simply bypass it and create a whole new exercise on the watch for working out. You can create a new activity on your watch for anything. For example, I have one just for when I am reading a book so I can see how long I'm reading it and later I can see what I did with my day. This watch is amazing, I absolutely love it. I wear it always except when sleeping. I do the built-in breathing exercises on it every day. I love how notifications will alert me on my watch. I rarely see the beauty of it because I put a protector over it but that's okay because it looks brand new, without it I'm sure it'd be scratched or worse.... The garmin watch has a bit of a learning curve though because it's extremely customizable.

 

[zerocharlie]

I have the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Sapphire/Titanium. I'm all about apple and I have a lot of their products, but I simply don't want an iPhone on my wrist. I spend enough time on my devices already. I have an iPod touch for music and audiobooks, but typing on it for me is a pain. There's no way in heck I will type on a tiny micro screen of the apple watch. As for the rep counter on the garmin, I absolutely hate that feature as it's inaccurate and it makes me OCD during a workout. You will always have to correct the count and after a while I realized why am I doing this it's pointless.... As far as I know there's no way to turn it off, but I can simply bypass it and create a whole new exercise on the watch for working out. You can create a new activity on your watch for anything. For example, I have one just for when I am reading a book so I can see how long I'm reading it and later I can see what I did with my day. This watch is amazing, I absolutely love it. I wear it always except when sleeping. I do the built-in breathing exercises on it every day. I love how notifications will alert me on my watch. I rarely see the beauty of it because I put a protector over it but that's okay because it looks brand new, without it I'm sure it'd be scratched or worse.... The garmin watch has a bit of a learning curve though because it's extremely customizable.

For what it’s worth, I have the Fenix 7 in sapphire solar without a screen protector and the front sapphire glass is crazy strong. No micro scratches or anything. I have a couple nicks on the titanium body but nothing on the glass.

 

[SnooChickens6278]

The Garmin watches are also not as pretty as the Apple Watch (probably an understatement). I actually like the look of the Garmin Watch, but not nearly as much as the Apple Watch. You can dress up the Apple Watch for business and dress it down for casual/workouts while the Garmin watch is pretty much going to look like a workout device no matter what kind of band you put on it.

I couldn't disagree more. Watches have always looked a certain way for decades/hundreds of years. The apple watch is relatively new design and you think it looks better? Hmm... The garmin looks like what a watch should look like. It does NOT look like a workout device at all as you say. The fact that it IS one makes it that much more awesome. The apple watch is just a micro iPhone. Watches are relatively new territory for apple. Garmin has been making them for much longer and their specialty is GPS which shines on their watches. I have like 7 different bands for my garmin including the titanium one it came with. I don't agree one bit that the apple watch looks better. The garmin is a man's watch. Physical buttons and a swiss army knife of a watch.

 

[SnooChickens6278]

For what it’s worth, I have the Fenix 7 in sapphire solar without a screen protector and the front sapphire glass is crazy strong. No micro scratches or anything. I have a couple nicks on the titanium body but nothing on the glass.

That's good to know.

 

[Indianwin2001]

While I agree Garmin watches are GREAT training tools, the Garmin forums are full of software problems. Everyone of their numerous watches have had constant complaints for years The AW just works correctly. Also the MIP screens suck indoors, you can barely read them.

 

[jorikc]

[...]

I went running with it a few times and loved a number of things about it. The physical buttons to swap between screens. The ability to change the amount of info on each screen (I know you can change the info on the Apple Watch but you can't change the size the info is shown). Maps that are downloadable to the watch and can show routes (hopefully apple adds this with the new maps they have in the future). I also loved starting a training plan and having the next run show up on the watch.

[...]

Just wanted to mention, I use the WorkOutDoors app on my Watch S6 instead of Apple's Workout app for running and it has downloadable (vector) maps (from OpenStreetMap) that work offline and it can show GPX routes on the map. Also it allows lots of customizable options (screens, text sizes, graphs, maps) for all the data you'd like to see during the workout, see:

http://workoutdoors.net/

 

[RichP74]

Great post. When I was starting out running, I tried an Apple Watch and hated it. Battery life was horrendous - training for a marathon with one, forget it. All touch-screen is also crappy (in the winter, my sleeve would brush the screen and kill the run, and I need a physical "Lap" button for interval workouts and racing). Been with Garmin for years now, there really is no substitute. I've been watching for news on the AW Pro, as I really would like to have the best of both worlds, but I'm doubtful. To another poster's point, it would be trivial for Apple to make a version of their watch more tailored to the workout crowd; they already have a whole Apple Fitness platform, for crying out loud. The watches need to catch up. If this Pro is that watch, I will be first in line at the Apple Store!

 

[laptech]

The Apple watch is an 'Everything' watch, the Garmin watch is a 'specific activity' watch. The comparisons between the two are pointless in my opinion.

 

[SnooChickens6278]

While I agree Garmin watches are GREAT training tools, the Garmin forums are full of software problems. Everyone of their numerous watches have had constant complaints for years The AW just works correctly. Also the MIP screens suck indoors, you can barely read them.

And there are no complaints about apple products? (rhetorical question). EVeryone of their products has had complaints. Do you want to talk about the notch? Lol.... Define "works correctly." Been using my Fenix 6 daily for 2 years, it definitely "works correctly." We all wish things could be tweaked to our liking ever so slightly. Garmin has been making watches for a lot longer than apple. So to say apple watches are better is a misinformed & unfair opinion. To each their own. But watch designs have been relatively similar for hundreds of years. Now apple comes along in brand new territory and suddenly their watch is better than hundreds of years of tradition? No way.... I'm sure it's a great device, but aesthetically, it's just a micro iPhone. I want my watch to LOOK like a watch. Not a micro iPhone.

 

[SnooChickens6278]

The Apple watch is an 'Everything' watch, the Garmin watch is a 'specific activity' watch. The comparisons between the two are pointless in my opinion.

Yeah the comparisons are pointless because the garmin is an actual watch, and the AW is a micro engineered iPhone on the wrist.

 

[SnooChickens6278]

Apple Watch can store music for offline listening without an iPhone. I’m not certain about podcasts.

As for taking a page from Garmin’s playbook, that’s not Apple. Apple isn’t interested in making special purpose devices for small markets. They make general use devices for large markets.

So does the garmin. 16gb of onboard storage on the fenix 6. It was cool when people used to download individual mp3 files, but now because of music streaming it's obsolete.

 

[Howard2k]

Yeah the comparisons are pointless because the garmin is an actual watch, and the AW is a micro engineered iPhone on the wrist.

I know it sounds crazy, but the Apple Watch is actually a watch.

 

[DMG35]

I couldn't disagree more. Watches have always looked a certain way for decades/hundreds of years. The apple watch is relatively new design and you think it looks better? Hmm... The garmin looks like what a watch should look like. It does NOT look like a workout device at all as you say. The fact that it IS one makes it that much more awesome. The apple watch is just a micro iPhone. Watches are relatively new territory for apple. Garmin has been making them for much longer and their specialty is GPS which shines on their watches. I have like 7 different bands for my garmin including the titanium one it came with. I don't agree one bit that the apple watch looks better. The garmin is a man's watch. Physical buttons and a swiss army knife of a watch.

Well this is obviously subjective. But take a look at the two photos below and tell me which one you think looks better for a formal or business event (assuming you want to wear a smartwatch to these events). Like I said, I personally like the look of the Garmin Epix 2, but I don't think its as classy looking as the Apple Watch. Again, looks are subjective.