I always love comparing Apple Watches to other watches because I feel like other watches do not get the hype that they deserve. If you are new to the world of smartwatches, then you might disagree, but IYKYK.
To shed light on one of the strongest contenders that I consider today, I am going to compare the Apple Watch Series 10 with the Garmin Forerunner 8.
Price
Since price is one of the most important factors while making a buying decision, let’s start from here only. Apple Watch Series 10 starts from $299 and can go up to $1249, depending on the features and interface.
Since Garmin is focused on advanced fitness tracking, the price range is even higher. It starts from $999 and can go up to $1,999. This again depends on the features and functionality one is opting for.
Overall, the prices of both watches are quite high, so it highly depends on your needs and specifications while buying one. Take your sweet time, find out the features you want and don’t let the price value tempt you into thinking one is better than the other.
Specifications
| Specification | Apple Watch Series 10 | Garmin Forerunner 8 (or equivalent model) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.9-inch OLED Always-On Retina display | 1.3-inch always-on color display |
| Resolution | 502 x 410 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours (varies with usage) | Up to 14 days (varies by model and usage) |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters (swimproof) | 50 meters (swimproof) |
| GPS | Built-in GPS | Built-in GPS |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Optical heart rate sensor (with ECG, Blood Oxygen) | Optical heart rate monitor |
| ECG | Yes (electrocardiogram) | No |
| Blood Oxygen Sensor | Yes (SpO2) | No |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes (with advanced features like REM, stages) | Yes (advanced sleep tracking) |
| Fitness Tracking | Activity tracking (workouts, fitness goals) | Advanced fitness features (running, cycling, swimming, etc.) |
| Third-Party Apps | Yes (App Store access) | Limited (via Garmin Connect or third-party integrations) |
| Compatibility | iOS only | iOS and Android |
| Customizability | Limited watch face and band options | Wide range of customizable watch faces, bands, and sensors |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometric altimeter, GPS | Accelerometer, Barometric altimeter, GPS, Pulse Ox (depending on model) |
| Notifications | Yes (calls, messages, emails, apps) | Yes (calls, messages, apps, but more limited in comparison) |
| Price Range | ~$799 (base model) | ~$199 – $499 depending on model |
Design, Build & Comfort
As you might already know, Apple Watch Series 10 has a sleek look, while Garmin has an outdoor, athletic, rugged look.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is rectangular with round edges, while Garmin watches are entirely circular. Garmin watches come with a circular, traditional look, which also has a hint of athleisure to it.
Keeping looks aside, let’s discuss size and weight. Since the Apple Watch is designed for everyday functionality, it is lighter than the Garmin. As Garmin is focused on fitness enthusiasts, it is a bit heavier for daily use.
Discussing the build and the material, the Apple Watch Series 10 case is made of aluminum, titanium, or stainless steel. Garmin, on the other hand, is made of fiber polymer or titanium. The watches also have different glass types: Apple Watch Series 10 has an Ion-X glass style, while Garmin comes with Gorilla Glass DX or Sapphire.
Overall, Garmin watches may seem heavier and old-school, but they are more durable against harsh impacts. Apple Watch Series 10, on the other hand, is scratch-resistant, but its resistance is not as high as that of Garmin watches.
Features
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 10 | Garmin Forerunner 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Always-on Retina Display with OLED | Transflective Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) Display |
| Display Size | 1.9-inch (44mm model) / 2.04-inch (45mm model) | 1.3-inch (Midsize) and 1.2-inch (Smaller model) |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours (normal usage) | Up to 14 days (smartwatch mode) / 36 hours (GPS mode) |
| Water Resistance | WR50 (50 meters, swimproof) | 5 ATM (50 meters, swimproof) |
| Fitness Tracking | Advanced fitness tracking, ECG, blood oxygen, and heart rate | Advanced fitness tracking, heart rate, VO2 Max, sleep monitoring |
| GPS | Built-in GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Built-in GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, multi-band GPS support |
| Health Features | ECG, blood oxygen, heart rate, fall detection, sleep tracking | Heart rate, pulse ox, body battery, advanced sleep tracking |
| Activity Tracking | Wide variety (running, cycling, swimming, hiking, etc.) | Running, cycling, swimming, hiking, golf, skiing, etc. |
| Sleep Tracking | Advanced sleep tracking with stages (REM, deep, light) | Advanced sleep tracking, including stages (REM, deep, light) |
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor (ECG) | Optical heart sensor, continuous monitoring |
| Sports Modes | Multiple workout modes (running, cycling, swimming, etc.) | Specialized sports modes (triathlon, skiing, golf, etc.) |
| OS | watchOS (Apple Ecosystem) | Garmin proprietary OS (Garmin ecosystem) |
| Compatibility | iOS only (iPhone) | iOS and Android |
| Build Materials | Aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium options | Fiber-reinforced polymer and stainless steel options |
| Customization | Wide variety of bands and watch faces | Several watch faces, customizable widgets, and bands |
| Price Range | $399 – $799 (depending on configuration) | $300 – $600 (depending on model) |
| LTE Option | Yes, for cellular connectivity without phone | No LTE option (connected via phone) |
| Smart Features | Notifications, apps, music streaming, Apple Pay, Siri | Notifications, music control, Garmin Pay, and smart features |
| Unique Features | Focus on deep integration with the Apple ecosystem, large app store | Strong multi-sport capabilities, longer battery life |
Although most of the features are mentioned above, Apple Watch Series 10 does offer some other vital features like full reply to messages and an in-built speaker. Garmin, on the other hand, only offers a viewing option and no built-in speaker. Apple Watches also have Siri, while Garmin has no voice assistant.
Some other features that I love about the Apple Watch are that you get full access to the watchOS app store, but with Garmin, you only get limited access focused mainly on fitness.
However, I do have to give Garmin credit for viewing offline maps because Apple watches do not have that facility. Another credit point goes to Garmin for offering excellent GPS accuracy, which is certainly more precise than that of Apple Watches. But don’t make up your mind yet, we still have a long way to go.
Health Tracking & Workout Tracking
When it comes to health tracking features, both the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Garmin have similar features. Also, for both of these watches, health and fitness go hand in hand because they offer a plethora of insights in these areas. Both can track ECG, blood oxygen level, stress, and sleep. They can also monitor heart rate, but since Garmin is more focused on health metrics, it has an elevated v4 sensor with 24/7 tracking.
Also, Garmin is more dedicated to monitoring stress, mentioning stress scores and relaxation prompts. Since fitness and health go hand in hand, athletes and adventurers can find this feature helpful. Also, people who undergo stress can find this vital information on their watch helpful. Another notable feature of Garmin is its menstrual cycle insights, which are very detailed.
Of course, both of these watches offer workout tracking, but again, Garmin offers tons of features that Apple Watches lack. Garmin offers 100+ sport modes, while the Apple Watch Series 10 only offers 80 modes. Talking about GPS accuracy and VO2 Max estimation, the Apple Watch Series 10 is good, but Garmin exceeds all expectations. Garmin offers accurate GPS information along with specific training data.
Another area to focus on is HIIT or strength training. Again, Apple Watch Series 10 only offers limited guidance; however, Garmin offers more streamlined information in these areas.
Garmin also has more advanced features for running dynamics, swimming, cycling, outdoor sports, custom workouts, and training. While Apple Watch Series 10 offers limited and basic metrics, Garmin, on the other hand, offers real-time analytics and performance feedback.
Sleep Tracking
I strongly believe that a good sleep cycle has a huge impact on your overall health. Just like everybody else, after having a busy schedule the entire day, the sleep tracking feature is one of my utmost priorities. On the face of it, both of them seem to have similar features, yet there are three major areas where Garmin again beats the Apple Watch Series 10 with its advanced technology.
Before getting into that, let me mention that both watches have sleep stage detection, temperature tracking, and respiration rate tracking facilities. However, even in these features, Garmin is more specific and caters more to its users.
Talking about the unique features that Garmin has, it offers nap tracking, sleep coaching, and a sleep score, which the Apple Watch Series 10 does not. If a good night’s sleep or even a small nap is crucial for you, then you know which one to go for.
Battery Life
| Battery Life | Garmin Fenix 8 (AMOLED, 51mm) | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Claimed Battery Life | Up to 29 days (smartwatch mode)Up to 84 hrs (GPS only) | Up to 18 hrs (standard)Up to 36 hrs (low power mode) |
| Real-World Average Life | ~18–25 days (daily use)~60–75 hrs (GPS) | ~14–17 hrs (standard)~24–30 hrs (low power) |
| Charging Time | ~2 hours (wired) | ~1.5 hours (USB-C fast charge) |
Now, let’s focus on battery life, one of my major concerns while purchasing any item. What I don’t like about Apple Watches is that they require daily charging since their batteries drain quickly. Talking from personal experience, I always have to charge my Apple Watch before a big day to make sure it functions throughout the day.
However, Garmin watches’ batteries last longer. Designed for endurance, Garmin watches can function up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 40 days in battery saver mode. Whenever I have my Garmin watch on, I rarely charge it for days, sometimes even a week.
On the other hand, Apple Watch Series 10 can be used for 18 hours in standard mode and 36 hours in low-power mode. On a brighter note, a good thing about the Apple Watch Series 10 is that it charges quite quickly; however, Garmin takes a little bit longer.
Performance
Performance is one particular area where the Apple Watch Series 10 and Garmin are neck to neck. Although Apple Watch Series 10 triumphs in speed and responsiveness, Garmin wins in high fitness and endurance navigation.
Apple Watch Series 10 has an S10 SiP processor, which is incredibly fast. On the other hand, Garmin has a slow processor compared to the Apple Watch Series 10. The user interface and touchscreen ability of the Apple Watch Series 10 are also far more advanced than those of Garmin.
Another factor to consider when talking about performance is the smart features offered by both watches. Apple Watch Series 10 has numerous best-in-class features, while Garmin only has a limited number of them.
Also, the Apple ecosystem is huge, which Garmin has not yet been able to overtake. However, Garmin is compatible with both iPhone and Android, while the Apple Watch Series 10 can only be supported by iPhone, which limits its credibility.
Usability & User Interface
Coming from someone who enjoys a good user interface, Apple Watch Series 10 nails it in this department. Running on watchOS, it is sleek, smooth, fully touchscreen, and gesture-based. It has large icons and smooth animations without any buttons, which creates a rich layout.
Garmin, on the other hand, runs on its own OS, which is not entirely touchscreen. It comes with five physical buttons, which some users may find easier to use. For beginners, the Apple Watch Series 10 is more user-friendly since the apps can be easily customized, and it also comes with a side button for scrolling. Garmin, on the other hand, has fitness-based metrics and an interface that is less intuitive for a general audience.
Who Wins- Apple Watch or Garmin?
As someone who is not an athlete and just needs a regular smartwatch for everyday use, I prefer using the Apple Watch Series 10. From the look to the advanced smart features, it has all the traits that I find useful in my everyday life.
Sure, it has some negative traits like low battery life and insufficient health monitoring capabilities, but those were not my priority when getting a smartwatch. Apple Watch Series 10’s beginner-friendly user interface, along with Siri, iMessage, a fast processor, and better notifications, is what I was aiming for.
However, if I were an athlete, gym freak, or sports person, then I would definitely pick Garmin. I am not the suitable audience for it, so I would say the Apple Watch Series 10 is ideal for everyday life.
