Garmin Venu 3 vs Apple Watch 11 – Which Should You Buy?

As an Amazon Associate, I Earn from Qualifying Purchases. Read Disclaimer

Garmin Venu 3 & Apple Watch Series 11 have some important differences. Apple Watch Series 11 is the newer, more advanced model with a powerful S10 chip, 5G connectivity, and comprehensive health sensors. The Garmin Venu 3 focuses on long battery life, fitness tracking, and cross-platform support. This comparison will help you quickly understand the differences and decide which model is the better fit for your lifestyle.

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Processor:

  • Apple Watch Series 11 features the S10 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor to run apps and animations smoothly.
  • Garmin Venu 3 uses a proprietary Garmin processor optimized for battery life.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 11

Display:

  • Apple Watch Series 11 has an LTPO3 wide-angle OLED display that reaches 2000 nits to improve outdoor readability.
  • Garmin Venu 3 has an AMOLED display with up to 1000 nits brightness.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 11

Display Resolution:

  • Apple Watch Series 11 includes a 416 x 496-pixel display on the 46mm size to show more content and sharper details.
  • Garmin Venu 3 comes with a 348 x 442-pixel display.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 11

Gesture:

  • Apple Watch Series 11 comes with advanced wrist flick and double tap gesture support to allow quick hands-free control.
  • Garmin Venu 3 support standard limited gesture controls.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 11

Fast Charging:

  • Apple Watch Series 11 supports fast-charge capable 0–80% in about 30 minutes and includes short-charge options that provide 8 hours of normal use from a 15-minute charge and 8 hours of sleep tracking from a 5-minute charge.
  • Garmin Venu 3 does not support fast charging.

Winner:

Apple Watch Series 11

Connectivity (5G):

  • Apple Watch Series 11 supports 5G connectivity that enables faster data transfer when away from Wi-Fi.
  • Garmin Venu 3 comes with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi but does not support cellular connectivity.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 11

Water & Depth Features:

  • Apple Watch Series 11 includes a depth gauge and water temperature sensor to track underwater activities like swimming & snorkeling.
  • Garmin Venu 3 does not have a water temperature sensor.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 11

Durability:

  • Apple Watch Series 11 comes with 2× scratch-resistant Ion-X glass and sapphire crystal on titanium models to resist daily wear damage.
  • Garmin Venu 3 has Gorilla Glass 3 protection.

Winner:

Apple Watch Series 11

ECG:

  • Apple Watch Series 11 features a built-in ECG app to detect irregular heart rhythms and provide detailed electrocardiogram readings.
  • Garmin Venu 3 uses optical heart rate sensors without ECG capability
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 11

Hypertension Notifications:

  • Apple Watch Series 11 includes hypertension notifications to help detect elevated blood pressure early.
  • Garmin Venu 3 does not have hypertension alerts.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 11

Sleep Score:

  • Apple Watch Series 11 features sleep score and apnea notifications to track quality and disturbances in greater detail.
  • Garmin Venu 3 has sleep score tracking but lacks apnea notifications.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 11

On-Device Siri:

  • Apple Watch Series 11 supports on-device Siri to process requests faster and access health data securely.
  • Garmin Venu 3 allows voice assistant use through a paired phone.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 11

Specs at a Glance

FeatureApple Watch Series 11Garmin Venu 3
Case Sizes46mm or 42mm45mm
DisplayAlways-On Retina LTPO3 OLED, 2000 nitsAMOLED, 1000 nits
ChipsetS10 SiP, 64-bit dual-core, Neural EngineGarmin proprietary processor
Cellular5G + LTE (Cellular models)Bluetooth + Wi-Fi only
Health SensorsECG, Hypertension, Blood Oxygen, VitalsHR, SpO2, HRV
Sleep TrackingSleep Score, Sleep Apnea NotificationsSleep Score, Nap Detection
SafetyFall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency SOSIncident Detection, LiveTrack
MaterialsAluminum, Titanium, Sapphire DisplayFiber-reinforced polymer, Stainless bezel
Battery LifeUp to 24 hrs (38 hrs Low Power)Up to 14 days
OSwatchOS with On-Device SiriGarmin OS
NavigationPrecision Finding (UWB)Multi-band GPS

 

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Apple Watch Series 11 if you:

  • Want 5G connectivity and full phone-free use for calls and streaming.
  • Need advanced health tools like ECG, hypertension notifications, and sleep apnea alerts.
  • Prefer a premium case option like titanium with sapphire crystal durability.
  • Value smart features like on-device Siri, UWB Precision Finding, and wrist-flick gestures.
  • Want the brightest, most responsive smartwatch display available

Check Apple Watch 11 Best Price

Buy the Garmin Venu 3 if you:

  • Prefer a watch with long battery life lasting up to two weeks.
  • Need strong multi-sport and GPS tracking for outdoor activities.
  • Want a cross-platform smartwatch that works well with iOS and Android.
  • Prefer a more fitness-focused interface without heavy app or cellular features.
  • Seek a lower-priced smartwatch with excellent basic health tracking.

Check Garmin Venu 3 Best Price

Winner by Category

CategoryWinner
5G CellularApple Watch Series 11
Hypertension NotificationsApple Watch Series 11
ECG AppApple Watch Series 11
Display Scratch ResistanceApple Watch Series 11
Sleep ScoreApple Watch Series 11
Always-On Retina DisplayApple Watch Series 11
Water Temperature SensorApple Watch Series 11
Depth GaugeApple Watch Series 11
Wrist-Flick GestureApple Watch Series 11
Ultra-Wideband ChipApple Watch Series 11
On-Device SiriApple Watch Series 11
Faster ProcessorApple Watch Series 11
Titanium Case OptionApple Watch Series 11

What They Have in Common

  • AMOLED Display: Both smartwatches feature bright AMOLED screens that deliver vibrant colors and sharp details, making it easy to read in various lighting conditions.
  • Heart Rate Monitoring: Each model includes advanced heart rate tracking, allowing users to monitor their heart health continuously and receive alerts if unusual rates are detected.
  • Sleep Tracking: Both watches support detailed sleep analysis, helping users understand their sleep patterns and improve their rest quality over time.
  • SpO2 Monitoring: Each device includes a blood oxygen sensor that provides valuable insights into respiratory health, especially during workouts and sleep.
  • GPS Tracking: Both the Venu 3 and Apple Watch 11 come with built-in GPS, enabling accurate tracking of runs, walks, and outdoor activities without carrying a phone.
  • Fitness and Workout Modes: Each model offers multiple workout profiles, including running, cycling, swimming, and more, to provide tailored tracking and performance metrics.

FAQ (Quick Answers)

Does the Apple Watch Series 11 work without an iPhone nearby?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 11 supports 5G and LTE so you can make calls, reply to messages, and stream music without carrying your iPhone. Garmin Venu 3 does not support cellular connectivity and needs a paired phone for calls and notifications.

Can Garmin Venu 3 track blood pressure or hypertension?
No, the Garmin Venu 3 does not have hypertension notifications. The Apple Watch Series 11 can notify you of elevated blood pressure trends which helps with early awareness of potential health issues.

Which watch has more advanced heart health tracking?
The Apple Watch Series 11 has an ECG app that can detect irregular heart rhythms and store results in the Health app. Garmin Venu 3 tracks heart rate but does not provide ECG functionality.

Is the display on Apple Watch Series 11 more durable?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 11 uses sapphire crystal on titanium models and reinforced Ion-X glass on aluminum models for better scratch resistance. Garmin Venu 3 uses Gorilla Glass 3 which is less durable.

Which watch has better sleep tracking features?
Both devices provide sleep score tracking but the Apple Watch Series 11 adds sleep apnea notifications and more detailed health insights. Garmin Venu 3 focuses on nap detection and recovery time metrics.

Does Garmin Venu 3 have a depth gauge or water temperature sensor?
No, Garmin Venu 3 does not include a depth gauge or water temperature sensor. The Apple Watch Series 11 supports both for snorkeling and swimming activities up to 6 meters.

Can I control Apple Watch Series 11 with gestures?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 11 supports wrist-flick and double-tap gestures for quick hands-free controls. Garmin Venu 3 relies on touchscreen taps and physical buttons.

Which device has better voice assistant support?
The Apple Watch Series 11 runs Siri directly on the device which gives faster responses and access to health data. Garmin Venu 3 supports voice assistants but requires a connected phone.

How bright is the display on each watch?
The Apple Watch Series 11 reaches up to 2000 nits which makes it easy to see outdoors even in direct sunlight. Garmin Venu 3 reaches up to 1000 nits and may be slightly harder to read under bright conditions.

Which smartwatch is better for safety features?
The Apple Watch Series 11 includes Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, and international emergency calling. Garmin Venu 3 includes incident detection and LiveTrack but lacks crash detection and global SOS calling.

Leave a Reply

Back to top button