Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5
Elisabeth Christ
Updated October 2024
In the fast-evolving world of wearable technology, choosing between the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Garmin Vivoactive 5 can be daunting. Both devices offer a blend of style, functionality, and fitness tracking capabilities, but they cater to different user needs and preferences. This comparison delves into their design, features, performance, battery life, and connectivity options to help you make an informed choice.
Key Takeaways
The Apple Watch Series 10 excels in smart features, health monitoring, and a vibrant display, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a versatile smartwatch experience. In contrast, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 stands out with its impressive battery life, extensive fitness tracking options, and more budget-friendly price point. Ultimately, your choice should align with your primary focus—whether it’s health monitoring or fitness tracking.
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 Vivoactive 5
Smartwatch with Impressive Battery LIfe
✓ 1.2-inch AMOLED display with 390 x 390-pixel resolution
✓ Advanced sleep tracking with detailed insights
✓ More than 30 preloaded indoor and outdoor sports apps
✓ Up to 11 days of battery life
#1 Design & Price
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5
When it comes to design, the Apple Watch Series 10 boasts a sleek and lightweight build, available in two sizes: 42mm (30g) and 46mm (36.4g). Its elegant aluminum bezel, complemented by a metal back or titanium option, offers a luxurious aesthetic that’s hard to ignore. With a thickness of just 9.7mm, it’s designed to be comfortable for all-day wear, featuring an always-on Retina LTPO3 display that can reach a remarkable 2,000 nits of brightness. While the design is undoubtedly sophisticated, it is bulkier than its predecessor, reflecting Apple’s commitment to combining style with functionality. The watch is also water-resistant up to WR50 and IP7X-rated, making it suitable for various environments.
Conversely, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 presents a more understated design. Available in a single 42mm size (36g), it features a body made of fiber-reinforced polymer and a durable Gorilla Glass 3 screen for protection against scratches and impacts. With a slimmer profile of 11.1mm, this watch is equipped with a silicone band, making it a comfortable choice for fitness enthusiasts. Its minimalist aesthetic is complemented by plastic buttons and a responsive touchscreen, which together create an intuitive user interface. Priced at $300, the Vivoactive 3 is positioned as a more budget-friendly option compared to the Apple Watch Series 10, allowing users to enjoy robust features without breaking the bank.
#2 Features & Performance
• Smart Features
Apple Watch Series 10
The Apple Watch Series 10 is packed with smart features that enhance daily productivity and communication. Its watchOS 11 brings seamless integration with iOS devices, enabling notifications, calls, and music streaming right from your wrist. The addition of a double-tap gesture control allows users to easily interact with notifications and apps, providing a touch of elegance to everyday tasks. The built-in GPS and support for multiple GNSS systems (Galileo, BeiDou) ensure accurate location tracking, making it a versatile companion for outdoor adventures.
Garmin Vivoactive 5
In contrast, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 offers robust functionality tailored for fitness and outdoor activities. Although it lacks some advanced smart features seen in the Apple Watch, it compensates with access to over 30 sports tracking options and the Garmin Connect IQ store, which allows users to download third-party apps. The device provides accurate GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring, essential for fitness enthusiasts. While the Vivoactive 3 lacks built-in speakers and microphones, it does enable users to connect headphones for music playback during workouts, ensuring a more immersive experience.
• Wellness Monitor
Apple Watch Series 10
When it comes to wellness monitoring, the Apple Watch Series 10 stands out with features such as sleep apnea detection, though currently unavailable in the US, and the Vitals app that tracks heart rate, respiratory rate, and wrist temperature. These advanced health metrics contribute to a comprehensive understanding of personal health. The always-on display showcases vital stats in real time, ensuring users can monitor their health at a glance. Additionally, the watch’s voice isolation feature enhances call quality, allowing for clearer conversations even in noisy environments.
Garmin Vivoactive 5
On the other hand, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 offers impressive health-tracking capabilities, including Pulse OX for measuring blood oxygen levels and detailed sleep analysis that breaks down REM, deep, and light sleep stages. The device’s Body Battery feature helps users understand their energy levels throughout the day, informing them when to rest or push harder during workouts. However, it lacks some of the advanced metrics found in the Apple Watch, such as sleep apnea detection or a performance condition score, making it more suitable for general wellness rather than specific health monitoring.
• Fitness Tracking
Apple Watch Series 10
In the realm of fitness tracking, both devices excel but cater to slightly different audiences. The Apple Watch Series 10 features advanced algorithms and sensors that provide detailed insights into various workouts, including running, cycling, and swimming. The combination of built-in GPS and multiple GNSS systems ensures accurate tracking of distance and speed, while its diverse app ecosystem allows users to choose from various fitness apps tailored to their specific needs. The addition of music playback capabilities directly from the watch adds a motivational element for fitness enthusiasts.
Garmin Vivoactive 5
The Garmin Vivoactive 5, meanwhile, is tailored for those who prioritize fitness tracking above all else. With over 30 sports modes and accurate GPS capabilities, it offers an extensive range of tracking options, including swimming, running, and cycling. The device's swimming metrics are notably impressive, providing accurate data on lengths and strokes. However, it lacks certain features such as a performance condition score, which could enhance the user’s training experience. Ultimately, both watches provide excellent fitness tracking capabilities, but the Apple Watch leans more toward a versatile smart device, while the Vivoactive 3 focuses on being a dedicated fitness companion.
#3 Battery & Connectivity
Garmin Vivoactive 5
The Apple Watch Series 10 boasts a competitive battery life of up to 18 hours under standard usage, which can extend to an impressive 36 hours when in Low Power Mode. This flexibility ensures that users can rely on their device throughout the day without constant recharging. Its rapid charging capabilities are a notable advantage, with the battery reaching 80% in just 30 minutes. The watch supports Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, and optional LTE, enabling users to stay connected, stream music, and receive notifications without being tethered to their smartphones.
In contrast, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 outshines in battery longevity, offering up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. When utilizing GPS without music, users can enjoy up to 18 hours of tracking time, making it ideal for long-distance runners and outdoor adventurers. The proprietary charger is designed for easy use, plugging into a USB-C port for a full charge in about an hour. Although it lacks LTE support, the Vivoactive 3’s robust battery performance ensures that users can stay connected without the constant worry of running out of power during critical activities.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5
Final Thoughts
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5
In the showdown between the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Garmin Vivoactive 5, both devices bring a unique set of strengths and features to the table. The Apple Watch shines with its sleek design, extensive smart features, and advanced health monitoring capabilities. In contrast, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 excels in battery life and fitness tracking, making it a compelling choice for those who prioritize wellness and outdoor activities. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual preferences and lifestyle needs, ensuring that each user can find a device that perfectly aligns with their goals.
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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