Garmin Venu 3 vs Apple Watch 11 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Apple Watch Series 11 & Garmin Venu 3 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Apple Watch Series 11 rather than the Garmin Venu 3.

Why Do I Recommend The Apple Watch Series 11?

  • The Apple Watch Series 11 features the S9 SiP processor for faster app responsiveness and smoother multitasking, while the Garmin Venu 3 uses a lower-power proprietary chipset.
  • Apple Watch Series 11 comes with an LTPO OLED Retina display reaching up to 2000 nits for superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, whereas the Garmin Venu 3’s AMOLED screen peaks at around 1000 nits.
  • It supports on-device Siri processing for quick voice commands and offline control, while the Garmin Venu 3 lacks a built-in voice assistant.
  • The Apple Watch Series 11 includes ECG and skin temperature sensors to detect heart rhythm irregularities and menstrual cycle changes, whereas the Garmin Venu 3 has only heart rate and SpO₂ sensors without ECG or temperature tracking.
  • Apple Watch Series 11 features Ultra Wideband (UWB) connectivity for precise device finding and smart home interaction, while the Garmin Venu 3 does not include UWB support.
  • It comes with 64GB internal storage for apps, music, and offline maps, whereas the Garmin Venu 3 includes only 8GB storage capacity.
  • The Apple Watch Series 11 supports LTE connectivity for independent calls, messaging, and streaming without an iPhone nearby, while the Garmin Venu 3 relies solely on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections.
  • Apple Watch Series 11 integrates tightly with the Apple ecosystem for seamless synchronization with iPhone, Mac, and iPad services, whereas the Garmin Venu 3 provides broader compatibility but lacks deep cross-device integration.

Maybe the Garmin Venu 3 can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Apple Watch Series 11. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureApple Watch Series 11Garmin Venu 3
Display size~1.92″ on larger model1.4″
Display typeLTPO OLED RetinaAMOLED
Scratch-resistant glassIon-X with ~2× scratch resistanceGorilla Glass 3
GPS / GNSSL1 GPS + standard GNSSMulti-band GNSS + all-systems
Cellular connectivityLTE + Optional 5GNo 5G / no cellular option
Ecosystem compatibilityiPhone onlyiOS + Android
Health sensor: ECGYesNo
Health sensor: Blood pressure trendYesNo dedicated BP alert
Storage capacity64 GB8 GB
Smart assistantSiriNo full voice assistant
App storeFull Apple App StoreGarmin Connect IQ apps only
UWB (Ultra Wideband) supportYesNo
Payment systemApple PayGarmin Pay
Water resistance50 m5 ATM – swim rating included
Charging connectorMagnetic fast chargerProprietary pin charger
Wireless connectivityBluetooth 5.x, Wi-Fi, UWB, LTE/5GBluetooth, Wi-Fi
Smartwatch focusFull smart features + healthFitness-/sports-centric features
PriceCheck Apple Watch 11 PriceCheck Garmin Venu 3 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Always-On Display: Both smartwatches include an always-on display mode, allowing users to view essential information like time, activity rings, and notifications without raising their wrist. This ensures quick glances are convenient during workouts or meetings.
  • AMOLED/OLED Screen: Each model features a vibrant AMOLED/OLED panel that delivers high contrast, deep blacks, and vivid colors. This results in superior visibility indoors and outdoors compared to older LCD-based displays.
  • Touchscreen Interface: Both use responsive capacitive touchscreens that support smooth navigation, swipes, and gestures. This intuitive interaction model enhances usability for managing apps and fitness data.
  • Heart Rate Monitoring: Apple and Garmin both include optical heart rate sensors capable of continuous tracking. These readings help users monitor exertion, rest periods, and long-term cardiovascular health.
  • Blood Oxygen (SpO₂) Sensor: Each watch includes a SpO₂ sensor to measure blood oxygen saturation levels. This feature assists in evaluating respiratory efficiency and sleep quality.
  • Sleep Tracking: Both devices offer advanced sleep analysis with automatic detection of sleep stages. They provide insights into sleep duration, quality, and recovery trends.
  • Built-in Microphone and Speaker: Both smartwatches include microphones and speakers for phone calls, voice commands, or alerts. This enhances communication and convenience directly from the wrist.
  • NFC Contactless Payments: Both feature NFC for tap-to-pay transactions. Apple uses Apple Pay, while Garmin supports Garmin Pay—both providing quick, secure payments on the go.
  • Workout and Activity Tracking: Each device includes comprehensive fitness tracking covering multiple sports, steps, calories, and heart rate zones. These features are core to both ecosystems’ health monitoring.
  • Swimproof Design (5 ATM / 50 m): Both watches are rated safe for swimming and water exposure. They automatically detect pool workouts and protect internal components from moisture damage.
  • VO₂ Max Estimation: Each smartwatch estimates VO₂ Max to evaluate aerobic performance and endurance. This data is useful for training optimization and long-term fitness assessment.
  • Fall/Incident Detection: Both include automatic incident or fall detection using motion sensors. When a hard fall or crash is detected, they can alert emergency contacts or services.
  • Smartphone Notifications: Both watches display notifications for calls, texts, and apps. This ensures users stay updated without constantly checking their phone.
  • Fast Charging Support: Each smartwatch supports faster charging compared to previous generations, minimizing downtime between uses.
  • Customizable Watch Faces: Both allow users to choose or design custom watch faces. This adds personalization to the device’s appearance and data layout.
  • Female Health Tracking: Both Apple and Garmin provide female health-tracking options such as cycle tracking and fertility window insights, integrating them into their health apps for continuous monitoring.

Common Features

FeatureApple Watch Series 11Garmin Venu 3
Always-On DisplayYesYes
AMOLED/OLED ScreenYesYes
Touchscreen InterfaceYesYes
Heart Rate MonitoringYesYes
Blood Oxygen (SpO₂) SensorYesYes
Sleep TrackingYesYes
Stress MonitoringYesYes
GPS TrackingYesYes
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi ConnectivityYesYes
Music Storage and PlaybackYesYes
Built-in Microphone and SpeakerYesYes
NFC Contactless PaymentsYesYes
Workout and Activity TrackingYesYes
Swimproof Design (5 ATM / 50m)YesYes
VO₂ Max EstimationYesYes
Fall/Incident DetectionYesYes
Smartphone NotificationsYesYes
Fast Charging SupportYesYes
Customizable Watch FacesYesYes
Female Health TrackingYesYes
Price Check Apple Watch 11 Price
Check Garmin Venu 3 Price

FAQ

Is the Apple Watch Series 11 compatible with Android phones?
No, the Apple Watch Series 11 is only compatible with iPhones running iOS 18 or later. Garmin Venu 3, however, works with both Android and iOS devices, offering broader smartphone compatibility.

Does the Garmin Venu 3 have an ECG feature like the Apple Watch 11?
No, Garmin Venu 3 does not include ECG functionality. The Apple Watch Series 11 supports ECG readings to detect potential heart rhythm irregularities such as atrial fibrillation.

Which smartwatch has better battery life between the two?
The Garmin Venu 3 lasts significantly longer, with up to 14 days of battery life, while the Apple Watch 11 typically provides around 24 to 36 hours depending on usage.

Do both smartwatches have always-on displays?
Yes, both the Apple Watch 11 and Garmin Venu 3 have always-on displays, allowing users to view essential information like time and metrics without waking the screen.

Can I make phone calls from both watches?
Yes, both watches have built-in microphones and speakers that allow users to make and receive calls when connected to a smartphone. The Apple Watch 11 can also make standalone LTE calls if connected to a cellular plan.

Do both watches support music playback without a phone?
Yes, both devices allow offline music storage and Bluetooth playback. The Apple Watch 11 supports Apple Music downloads, while the Garmin Venu 3 supports music from services like Spotify and Amazon Music.

Which device offers more third-party app support?
The Apple Watch 11 supports a full App Store with thousands of apps across productivity, health, and entertainment. Garmin Venu 3 uses the Connect IQ platform, which provides a smaller but fitness-focused app library.

Do both watches track blood oxygen levels?
Yes, both the Apple Watch 11 and Garmin Venu 3 have SpO₂ sensors for monitoring blood oxygen saturation levels during sleep and workouts.

Which smartwatch provides more detailed fitness insights?
Garmin Venu 3 offers more in-depth athletic and recovery data, such as Body Battery, HRV stress tracking, and sleep coaching, whereas Apple Watch 11 focuses on general wellness and integrated fitness goals.

Do both watches support contactless payments?
Yes, both support NFC-based payments. Apple Watch 11 uses Apple Pay, and Garmin Venu 3 uses Garmin Pay, both allowing tap-to-pay transactions without needing your phone.

Can both watches be used for swimming?
Yes, both are rated 5 ATM (equivalent to 50 m) water-resistant, making them suitable for swimming, showering, and pool workouts.

Do both watches offer sleep and stress tracking?
Yes, both track sleep stages and stress levels using heart rate variability. Garmin provides nap detection and recovery insights, while Apple focuses on sleep consistency and bedtime scheduling.

Do both smartwatches support fast charging?
Yes, both feature faster charging than earlier generations. The Apple Watch 11 can reach about 80% in roughly 45 minutes, while the Garmin Venu 3 charges fully in about an hour.

Can users customize watch faces on both models?
Yes, both allow customization of watch faces. Apple uses complications and modular layouts via watchOS, while Garmin provides customizable faces through Connect IQ.

Do both watches have fall or incident detection features?
Yes, both include safety detection. Apple’s system supports fall and crash detection with emergency SOS calling, while Garmin Venu 3 provides incident detection with location sharing during activities.