Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Fenix 8
Elisabeth Christ
Updated October 2024
The Apple Watch Series 10 and Garmin Fenix 8 are two premium smartwatches that cater to different needs, yet both stand at the pinnacle of wearable technology. With Apple’s seamless integration into its ecosystem and Garmin’s focus on rugged fitness features, these devices offer a rich suite of functionalities. While they serve different markets—Apple for the everyday tech enthusiast and Garmin for serious athletes—the question arises: which one truly excels across the board?
In this detailed comparison, we’ll explore the differences between these two powerhouses. By examining their design, price, smart features, wellness monitors, fitness tracking capabilities, battery life, and connectivity, we’ll uncover how they stack up for various types of users.
Key Takeaways
The Apple Watch Series 10 excels in smart features and ecosystem integration, making it ideal for everyday users who want convenience and seamless performance. On the other hand, the Garmin Fenix 8 is designed for outdoor athletes, offering detailed metrics and robust fitness tracking. While Apple wins in terms of multimedia and design, Garmin dominates with its extensive battery life and extreme durability.
Apple Watch Series 10
Ultra-Slim Apple Smartwatch with Impressive Improvements
✓ WR50 and IP7X-rated water resistance
✓ Always-On Retina LTPO3 display
✓ WatchOS 11
✓ New sleep apnea detection
Garmin Fenix 8
Premium Smartwatch with All-Round Advanced Features
✓ Various size options
✓ AMOLED or MiP display
✓ Improved health-tracking features
✓ Built-in microphone and speaker
#1 Design & Price
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Fenix 8
The Apple Watch Series 10 continues Apple’s tradition of sleek, modern aesthetics, while slightly bulkier than its predecessor. It comes in two size options—42mm and 46mm—crafted from either aluminum or titanium, giving users a choice between a more affordable or premium look. Its 9.7mm thickness ensures a slim profile, making it comfortable for everyday wear. With a starting price of $399 and reaching up to $699 for the titanium variant, the Series 10 balances style with practicality. Additionally, it’s WR50 and IP7X-rated for water and dust resistance, adding durability without compromising elegance.
In contrast, the Garmin Fenix 8 is a rugged titan designed for outdoor adventurers and athletes. Available in sizes from 43mm to 51mm, the Fenix 8 is built with robust materials like stainless steel, titanium, and sapphire crystal for extreme durability. Its 10ATM water resistance rating means it can withstand depths of up to 40 meters, making it a serious contender for water sports enthusiasts. While the Fenix 8 comes with a hefty price tag starting at $999.99 and reaching up to $1,199.99, its design and material choices reflect a product built for longevity and performance in demanding environments.
#2 Features & Performance
• Smart Features
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple’s strength has always been in its smart features, and the Series 10 is no exception. Running on watchOS 11 with an S10 SiP 64-bit dual-core processor, the smartwatch is lightning fast and seamless to use. The LTPO3 display not only brings dynamic refresh rates but also offers a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, making it easy to read even in direct sunlight. New additions such as the voice isolation feature and double-tap gesture control add convenience, allowing users to manage calls, messages, and apps with minimal effort. The speaker is powerful enough to play music audibly from 20 feet away, adding to its versatility as a multimedia device.
Garmin Fenix 8
Garmin’s Fenix 8, while not as focused on smart functionality, still brings robust performance with its on-device voice assistant, offline maps, and 32GB of storage. It lacks LTE, relying more on phone proximity, but makes up for this with incredible GPS accuracy thanks to its dual-frequency GPS and Galileo support. Fenix 8 also has the edge when it comes to offline functionality—offering downloadable maps and music for those who frequently venture off-grid. This balance of smart features and practical tools makes it a powerhouse for outdoor adventurers.
• Wellness Monitor
Apple Watch Series 10
Wellness tracking is a key feature for both devices, but they take different approaches. The Apple Watch Series 10 features an array of health monitoring tools, such as heart rate tracking, wrist temperature measurement, and even sleep apnea detection in certain regions. The Vitals app measures respiratory rate and keeps tabs on overall health with real-time feedback. It’s designed to be a constant companion for overall well-being.
Garmin Fenix 8
Garmin, meanwhile, takes wellness monitoring to a more fitness-oriented level. The Fenix 8 includes advanced sensors like an EKG, blood oxygen sensor, and even a depth sensor, making it one of the most comprehensive health trackers available. With automatic sleep detection and sleep statistics, the Fenix 8 provides users with a deep understanding of their recovery cycles, something crucial for athletes or anyone focused on optimizing their performance and recovery.
• Fitness Tracking
Apple Watch Series 10
When it comes to fitness tracking, both watches excel, but the Garmin Fenix 8 pulls ahead with a focus on extreme sport modes. With support for various sport modes like running, triathlon, and even hill score tracking, it’s ideal for athletes who need precise data. Its endurance score and Training Readiness rating provide personalized insights that help users optimize their performance. The Garmin Fenix 8 is tailored for users who rely on detailed metrics and in-depth analysis.
Garmin Fenix 8
On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 10 offers solid fitness tracking but is more suited to casual users who want a balance between fitness and lifestyle features. It includes basic tracking for various workouts and is integrated with Apple Fitness+, but it lacks the granular metrics that make Garmin a go-to for serious athletes. However, its intuitive and easy-to-use interface makes it accessible for those just dipping their toes into fitness.
#3 Battery & Connectivity
Apple Watch Series 10
The Apple Watch Series 10, while packed with features, offers up to 18 hours of battery life under standard usage, extending to 36 hours with Low Power Mode. Its fast-charging capability—going from 0 to 80% in just 30 minutes—makes it convenient for quick top-ups throughout the day. It also supports Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, and the second-generation Ultra-Wideband chip, ensuring strong connectivity across devices. The LTE version allows users to stay connected without their iPhone nearby, a useful feature for those who prefer to leave their phone behind during a run or workout.
In contrast, the Garmin Fenix 8 sets a new benchmark for battery life. The AMOLED version of the Fenix 8 offers between 10 to 29 days of battery life depending on usage, while the solar version can stretch even further, reaching up to 48 days in smartwatch mode. Garmin’s focus on durability extends to connectivity as well, with dual-band GPS providing accurate tracking in challenging environments and offline map functionality for remote areas. Though it lacks LTE, the Fenix 8’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities ensure that it stays connected when paired with a smartphone.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Fenix 8
Final Thoughts
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Fenix 8
In the battle of Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Fenix 8, the choice ultimately depends on your lifestyle. If you prioritize smart features, seamless integration into Apple’s ecosystem, and elegant design, the Series 10 stands out as the go-to choice. Its wellness tools and intuitive interface make it perfect for users seeking a balance between fitness and everyday tech. However, if you are an adventurer or athlete looking for precise data and unrivalled durability, the Garmin Fenix 8 is a superior option. Its extensive battery life, offline features, and rugged design make it a true companion for extreme conditions. Each watch serves a specific audience, and neither compromises on delivering top-tier performance.
If you like to read more on smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Apple Watch Series 9
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Coros Pace 3
Garmin Venu 3 vs Garmin Fenix 8
Garmin Enduro 3 vs Fenix 7 Pro
Author
Elisabeth Christ
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