Being totally objective here on AW vs Garmin...

[zerozoneice]

...or subjective..you decide

So, i've had them both, over several generations..from AW4 to 7 and Venu, Venu2, Fenix6 and now Epix gen2.
They are both very good devices but not really 100% comparable in terms of features/capabilities.
It's very important to figure out what type of user you are, what you value/need most and go out and TRY for yourselves both worlds before sticking with one.

In my case i'm not an extreme sports freak, but not a laggard either. Consider 2-3 workouts/week, some walks, mostly swimming, some biking weather permitting. I don't use any notifications at all on my watch, don't care about them being the extension of my phone...which i pretty much always carry around but i don't freak out either if i don't have it in range.

Which brings me to the knockout criteria for my case and probably some of you as well:

- I don't need my watch to be an extension of my phone (and my mac, and my ipad, and my mac mini.....etc...)
- I don't need to talk or message on my watch...i have a phone for that ffs. With a proper screen.
- I like things simple & tidy, set & forget
- I don't like to charge everything every (other) day, phone is enough.
- I do want some clear insights and added value from my workout data...again, concise and not all over the place
- Health aspects are important, interesting, useful, but not to be taken as medical-grade devices
- I hate lots of apps that do the same thing (think of 100 apps for EV charging/payments/status, etc..instead of ONE...fck..g annoying).
- I'm simply not interested in the social aspect of things (sharing workouts, posting best times, joining groups, competitions, etc..)

Even though i love the AW7, how it feels, how it integrates with everything Apple, i decided to sell it and keep the Epix2.
Reasons (for me) are:

- ONE Garmin Connect app. I control everything watch/health/workout related from one app, NOT 3 (Watch, Fitness, Health)...plus other 3rd party apps
- Looks. I simply like how the Epix2 looks and feels on the wrist
- Battery life: 12-16 days with everything on. Enough said.
- 24h HRV stats & insights, Stress monitor, Body Battery. AW doesn't take regular HRV samples, not even during sleep. Does it every 2h. To force a reading you need to use the Breathe/Mindfulness app.
- Overall Garmin seems to make more sense out of the data collected and present it in a more meaningful way...out of the box!

Garmin does indeed lack the ecosystem that Apple has, incl. 3rd party apps, store, integrations, etc. But i don't mind, since i don't need those. They appear to have a fundamentally different approach to health/fitness metrics & reporting. Apple being more trend focused, sometimes maybe too shallow (daily normal user friendly), whereas Garmin is a bit more in-depth with lots of other stuff. Again, presentation layer in Apple world is a mess...3 native apps to manage the hardware/fitness/health and relying on 3rd party ecosystem to provide that additional layer of insights that some users need. Garmin manages this all in one app.

Prices are crazy for Epix2 but if you manage to find a previously owned device, still in warranty with proof of purchase, go for it.
Same sensors but with slightly less health metrics to be found in Venu2/2 Plus, at 1/3 of price. Still solid 10 day battery life, but less appealing looks.

There, hope it helps...

 

[Tenkaykev]

...or subjective..you decide

So, i've had them both, over several generations..from AW4 to 7 and Venu, Venu2, Fenix6 and now Epix gen2.
They are both very good devices but not really 100% comparable in terms of features/capabilities.
It's very important to figure out what type of user you are, what you value/need most and go out and TRY for yourselves both worlds before sticking with one.

In my case i'm not an extreme sports freak, but not a laggard either. Consider 2-3 workouts/week, some walks, mostly swimming, some biking weather permitting. I don't use any notifications at all on my watch, don't care about them being the extension of my phone...which i pretty much always carry around but i don't freak out either if i don't have it in range.

Which brings me to the knockout criteria for my case and probably some of you as well:

- I don't need my watch to be an extension of my phone (and my mac, and my ipad, and my mac mini.....etc...)
- I don't need to talk or message on my watch...i have a phone for that ffs. With a proper screen.
- I like things simple & tidy, set & forget
- I don't like to charge everything every (other) day, phone is enough.
- I do want some clear insights and added value from my workout data...again, concise and not all over the place
- Health aspects are important, interesting, useful, but not to be taken as medical-grade devices
- I hate lots of apps that do the same thing (think of 100 apps for EV charging/payments/status, etc..instead of ONE...fck..g annoying).
- I'm simply not interested in the social aspect of things (sharing workouts, posting best times, joining groups, competitions, etc..)

Even though i love the AW7, how it feels, how it integrates with everything Apple, i decided to sell it and keep the Epix2.
Reasons (for me) are:

- ONE Garmin Connect app. I control everything watch/health/workout related from one app, NOT 3 (Watch, Fitness, Health)...plus other 3rd party apps
- Looks. I simply like how the Epix2 looks and feels on the wrist
- Battery life: 12-16 days with everything on. Enough said.
- 24h HRV stats & insights, Stress monitor, Body Battery. AW doesn't take regular HRV samples, not even during sleep. Does it every 2h. To force a reading you need to use the Breathe/Mindfulness app.
- Overall Garmin seems to make more sense out of the data collected and present it in a more meaningful way...out of the box!

Garmin does indeed lack the ecosystem that Apple has, incl. 3rd party apps, store, integrations, etc. But i don't mind, since i don't need those. They appear to have a fundamentally different approach to health/fitness metrics & reporting. Apple being more trend focused, sometimes maybe too shallow (daily normal user friendly), whereas Garmin is a bit more in-depth with lots of other stuff. Again, presentation layer in Apple world is a mess...3 native apps to manage the hardware/fitness/health and relying on 3rd party ecosystem to provide that additional layer of insights that some users need. Garmin manages this all in one app.

Prices are crazy for Epix2 but if you manage to find a previously owned device, still in warranty with proof of purchase, go for it.
Same sensors but with slightly less health metrics to be found in Venu2/2 Plus, at 1/3 of price. Still solid 10 day battery life, but less appealing looks.

There, hope it helps...

That pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter ( though the Forerunner 255M hits all my sweet spots ) I've several Apple devices and a few years ago bought my wife an Apple watch which she loved. Since she's been getting more active again she's switched back to Garmin for many of the reasons that you outlined.
This needn't be a pro / anti debate, each of the ecosystems are great in their own way.

 

[Fthree]

A couple weeks ago i would have 100% agreed with you using the ultra for that time I have to say that I actually like the thing. Fenix 7x user here but am loving the way that the AW gives me every song there is on every run I go on. Im not wanting to say that 2-3 times a week isn't alot everyones different but I run probably 6hrs or so a week and you can go through a playlist and get very tired of it in a matter of a day or two. Also possibly the biggest thing is having cellular on the AW. If you work for a place that needs to get a hold of you at off peak hours or if you have a family that can get concerned about you 1 hour into a run while its 100 degrees outside they can give you a quick call or a text to check in - that alone has paid dividends recently. Garmin makes the top of the line sports watch no doubt about that but am I a top of the line athlete that needs all of the garmin metrics - eh maybe.... Ive owned a whoop band in the past and while I liked it i found that over time I could essentially predict what it was going to tell me as far as data goes. That's how it is getting with my garmin and in all fairness that could be how my apple watch data gets for me as well but having the ability to do the things above have made it amazing thus far.

 

[haruhiko]

TLDR;
Apple Watch is an excellent all-round smart watch and an okay sports watch

Garmin is a good sports watch but it doesn’t have most of the other features available on Apple Watch.

 

[PatrickNSF]

- I don't need my watch to be an extension of my phone (and my mac, and my ipad, and my mac mini.....etc...)
- I don't need to talk or message on my watch...i have a phone for that ffs. With a proper screen.

Sounds like you don‘t want a smartwatch, so I’m not sure why AW vs Garmin is even an issue.

The more interesting analysis is comparing features for those who want a proper smartwatch but also rely on the features a dedicated sports watch provides.

 

[Fiona FTW]

- Overall Garmin seems to make more sense out of the data collected and present it in a more meaningful way...out of the box!

This is the key point that I wish Apple would grasp. I've worn Forerunners for running longer than AWs have existed (currently using the 945). I've also worn AWs since Series 0 (currently Series 7, just returned the Ultra). I would *love* to be able t use an AW for daily life and running, but Apple is so slow on the uptake when it comes to running data compared to Garmin. I mean iOS 16 *just* added metrics that Garmin has has for a decade.

But the other thing is how the training and health data is presented because besides Apple distributing it between two separate apps rather than one like Garmin does so you can see your complete picture in one place, Apple does a poor job explaining the relevance of some of the data to ones training or overall health. There is no reason why the AW can't collect the same data that Garmin collects so it's baffling why Apple doesn't make a true all sports watch (vs the "extreme" watch the Ultra is).

But also as you know AW is superior to Garmin as a Smart Watch. The waking day is 16 hours long, only 1 or 2 of those is running or fitness exclusively. So I will keep wearing AW except for running. Hopefully Apple will catch up and surpass Garmin in the sports training dept very soon and push out a watch that truly does it all.

 

[newellj]

...or subjective..you decide

I'll go with "objective" but how you process those differences is inherently personal and it can be a close call for a lot of people.

Good write-up.

To me, if you're trying to use as few words as possible, it comes down mostly to "fitness watch" versus "smart watch," although that misses a lot of details.

 

[Frankfurt]

AWU is a smart watch specially enhanced for fitness purposes, but remains an “all purpose” device, i.e. it will be inferior to a specialty device in some way or fashion. However, I use the AWU as an all purpose device: I use it for texting, music and podcast listening, sleep tracking, the occasional phone call etc etc — and I use it for moderate fitness tracking. And as an all purpose devise it beats any specialty device. So buy what you NEED.

 

[zerozoneice]

Sounds like you don‘t want a smartwatch, so I’m not sure why AW vs Garmin is even an issue.

The more interesting analysis is comparing features for those who want a proper smartwatch but also rely on the features a dedicated sports watch provides.

well yeah, i'm happy with the level of smartness in the Garmin, which is lower than AW indeed.
I do like & use Garmin Pay just as good as i used Apple Pay/Wallet.
I do track health/sleep/stress/fitness metrics/workouts
Sounds pretty smart to me for what i need.

And trust me, i don't use the Epix2 at its full potential as a fitness tracker. Lactate threshold, recovery time, anaerobic/aerobic gain....all gibberish to me

@Fiona FTW yeah i'd sum up those 2 as being the major tipping points for me reg. AW: battery life and native app chaos. I'm sick & tired of 1 billion apps for every little thing, checking data/stats from several sources while the AW is...charging

Don't forget Garmin is the only major brand which fully supports iOS as good as Androids. Samsung makes good watches but useless/handicapped on iOS. Huawei excellent fitness trackers, useless on iOS, dead ecosystem. Fitbit, well......Google...won't play with iOS.

 

[leman]

The only thing that stops me from trying Garmin is how bad the accompanying software is. My partner has a Forerunner and she can’t even update the damn thing because the software can’t find the phone via a USB connection. Otherwise, yes, a dedicated sports watch is expected to have an edge. Battery is obviously a big one.

 

[PatrickNSF]

Don't forget Garmin is the only major brand which fully supports iOS as good as Androids.

One major drawback for me when I travel with just my Garmin is the inability to reply to texts (which is supported on Android).

 

[headlessmike]

For me, the Apple Watch has been extremely successful in motivating me to exercise more. I've used Garmin watches in the past and they've worked fine, but to me they did little more than collect data. It's silly, but gamifying life with rings that need to be closed has had a huge effect on my fitness. That being said, my main form of activity is cycling and I use a Garmin Edge cycling computer for longer rides and the Apple Watch to track shorter commutes, and I'm very happy with the combo. For running, I like that my music and podcast automatically sync over to my watch so that I never have to carry a phone. Other watches can do that too, but not with Apple's services.

 

[driekraaien]

I agree Apple has yet to catch up on the software side when it comes to training and activity tracking. I still prefer my dedicated Garmin devices for cycling's and swimming, but for everyday use I’ve switched my Venu 2 Plus (most fair comparison) for an AWU. I like the 24x7 HR tracking, Body Battery and stress tracking of the Garmins watches, but sleep tracking and pure accuracy of the latest generation Garmin wrist based sensors seems to lag a bit behind some of the competition (incl. Apple). Regarding HRV; as a standalone continuous metric it is not very useful, ideally you should take one measurement directly after waking up each day and compare it to your baseline, but even that is debated as being an accurate indicator for readiness/recovery/fatigue.

 

[haruhiko]

I agree Apple has yet to catch up on the software side when it comes to training and activity tracking. I still prefer my dedicated Garmin devices for cycling's and swimming, but for everyday use I’ve switched my Venu 2 Plus (most fair comparison) for an AWU. I like the 24x7 HR tracking, Body Battery and stress tracking of the Garmins watches, but sleep tracking and pure accuracy of the latest generation Garmin wrist based sensors seems to lag a bit behind some of the competition (incl. Apple). Regarding HRV; as a standalone continuous metric it is not very useful, ideally you should take one measurement directly after waking up, and even that is debated as being an accurate indicator for readiness/recovery/fatigue.

For cycling, a Garmin/Wahoo head unit is irreplaceable. But I really like the Apple Watch Ultra as a daily smart watch.

 

[BenGoren]

Interestingly enough, that which is important to you is either a very low priority or meaningless to me, and vice-versa. Which is why I’m thrilled with my Ultra and can’t imagine anything other than profound frustration and disappointment with anything Garmin has on offer.

Horses for courses, of course, of course.

b&

 

[ArchEtech]

Does the Garmin last 16 days with GPS on? Because you said everything on.

What about with media running?

 

[Analog Kid]

- I don't need my watch to be an extension of my phone (and my mac, and my ipad, and my mac mini.....etc...)

Then the Apple watches aren't for you. This is their reason for being. Garmin is a great choice for a dedicated sports watch.

This is the key point that I wish Apple would grasp. I've worn Forerunners for running longer than AWs have existed (currently using the 945). I've also worn AWs since Series 0 (currently Series 7, just returned the Ultra). I would *love* to be able t use an AW for daily life and running, but Apple is so slow on the uptake when it comes to running data compared to Garmin. I mean iOS 16 *just* added metrics that Garmin has has for a decade.

But the other thing is how the training and health data is presented because besides Apple distributing it between two separate apps rather than one like Garmin does so you can see your complete picture in one place, Apple does a poor job explaining the relevance of some of the data to ones training or overall health. There is no reason why the AW can't collect the same data that Garmin collects so it's baffling why Apple doesn't make a true all sports watch (vs the "extreme" watch the Ultra is).

But also as you know AW is superior to Garmin as a Smart Watch. The waking day is 16 hours long, only 1 or 2 of those is running or fitness exclusively. So I will keep wearing AW except for running. Hopefully Apple will catch up and surpass Garmin in the sports training dept very soon and push out a watch that truly does it all.

Apple is trying to create an ecosystem, not solve the whole problem. Apple collects the data and gives a barebones report expecting others (possibly even Garmin) to provide apps to present it. That's good and bad. On the one hand, everyone can find the approach they like best. On the other hand nobody can find an approach they like in a disordered pile of apps on the Store.

For every one of us that would like Apple to just provide one good clean solution out of the box, there's someone else around here that will scream that it's anticompetitive.

I'm not saying that's the only problem. Garmin also has many years of experience and feedback from customers on how to do this well-- Apple is massive, but still fairly new to this game. Even where they have the experience (Music?) they sometimes put together interfaces that are just bewildering.

 

[iBug2]

For the love of me, I cannot remember how I used to check my notifications before AW anymore. One weekend I forgot to pick up my AW charger, so couldn't use the watch after a while, I missed all my notifications because my phone is always on silent and I don't always feel it vibrating if it's in my pocket.

 

[weezin]

What is it about the Garmin devices that allow it to have a several-day battery life? Is it just a (much) bigger battery or is there more to it?

 

[Beatrix Kiddo]

I get what you are saying. But you completely ignore smartwatch aspect of Apple watch. Then why the comparison?

My old Nokia had 7-10 days of battery life. Does it make it any better than iPhone 4 which had like 2-3 hours screen on time at best? Sure if you don’t need all the bells and whistles.

 

[driekraaien]

Garmins do not much more than activity and health tracking and most (except for the Venu and Epix) don’t have an AMOLED display. My Venu 2+ lasts around 6 to 7 days on a charge.

 

[Isamilis]

I get what you are saying. But you completely ignore smartwatch aspect of Apple watch. Then why the comparison?

My old Nokia had 7-10 days of battery life. Does it make it any better than iPhone 4 which had like 2-3 hours screen on time at best? Sure if you don’t need all the bells and whistles.

I think there are lot more intersections between Garmin and AW than between Nokia and smartphones. I would say, Garmin and AW both have their own strength (and limitation).

 

[An-apple-a-day]

TLDR;
Apple Watch is an excellent all-round smart watch and an okay sports watch

Garmin is a good sports watch but it doesn’t have most of the other features available on Apple Watch.

Keep in mind that accuracy of heart rate sensor on Garmin watches is significantly lower than Apple watches.

 

[haruhiko]

Keep in mind that accuracy of heart rate sensor on Garmin watches is significantly lower than Apple watches.

I never had any Garmin Watch, I just use a Garmin 530 head unit for my bike, which needs another ANT+ heart rate arm strap to have heart rate data apparently, so I don’t have first hand experience with Garmin watches, but the analysis of the Garmin Connect app really gives me much more useful information than the Apple Health app.

This, together with connectivity of sports equipment (electronic group set, power meter, radar / lights, etc) and ecosystem (Strava), is something the Apple Watch lacks and I don’t see Apple improving.

So I totally understand why some people like Garmin watches, especially those who are into sports. But for me, I still need an Apple Watch as my daily smart watch - in my city where the express travel card is supported, Apple Watch is both my public transport travel card, my credit/debit card, and the door access to my apartment. Not to mention the other excellent features and design of the Apple Watch.

 

[yurc]

I never had any Garmin Watch, I just use a Garmin 530 head unit for my bike, which needs another ANT+ heart rate arm strap to have heart rate data apparently, so I don’t have first hand experience with Garmin watches, but the analysis of the Garmin Connect app really gives me much more useful information than the Apple Health app.

This, together with connectivity of sports equipment (electronic group set, power meter, radar / lights, etc) and ecosystem (Strava), is something the Apple Watch lacks and I don’t see Apple improving.

Only fellow cyclist can relate mate
Similar setup with yours, I am choose 530 over other touchscreen models such as 830/1030 due well...button operation.

Totally prefer head unit compared with smartwatch. They utilitarian, easy to get a glance whenever I am crunching those VAMs on hills or catching a PR on a certain segment. Garmin Connect app really laid a data nicely, even I can figured out how I can get the best of my peak performance time. KOM time, I say

I am mostly do MTB especially on night times, besides the cycling gear I am also splurging a lot on bike light. The Giant HL1800 one have ANT+ connectivity which is also paired with head unit to control the lighting modes, that's why head unit is irreplaceable, at last for me. The only sucks about Garmin Edge is obviously micro-USB port

Never have AW at all, but I am seriously consider get AWU as my first smartwatch, Ti appearance is really nice, exclude from my cycling activity AWU should be great in my book, especially for hiking.