Apple Watch SE vs Garmin Venu 2 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Garmin Venu 2 & Apple Watch SE 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 Garmin Venu 2 rather than the Apple Watch SE.

Why Do I Recommend The Garmin Venu 2?

  • The Garmin Venu 2 features an AMOLED display for deeper contrast and better outdoor visibility, while the Apple Watch SE uses a Retina LTPO OLED display with lower peak brightness in sunlight.
  • Garmin Venu 2 includes a SpO₂ blood oxygen sensor for monitoring oxygen saturation during sleep and exercise, while the Apple Watch SE lacks a blood oxygen sensor entirely.
  • It supports Body Battery energy monitoring to help you understand daily energy levels and recovery needs, while the Apple Watch SE does not include an equivalent feature.
  • The Garmin Venu 2 features multi-day GPS tracking for longer outdoor activities and endurance events, whereas the Apple Watch SE provides only short-duration GPS.
  • Garmin Venu 2 has up to 11 days of battery life for extended tracking without daily charging, whereas the Apple Watch SE lasts only up to 18 hours per charge.
  • It has Android and iOS compatibility for broader device pairing flexibility, while the Apple Watch SE works exclusively with iPhones.
  • The Garmin Venu 2 comes with advanced stress tracking using continuous heart rate variability analysis for better mental wellness insights, whereas the Apple Watch SE provides only basic mindfulness reminders.
  • Garmin Venu 2 includes offline music storage to play playlists without a phone during workouts, while the Apple Watch SE relies on streaming from Apple Music with no built-in local music storage.

Maybe the Apple Watch SE can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Garmin Venu 2. 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

FeatureGarmin Venu 2Apple Watch SE
Display typeAMOLEDRetina LTPO OLED
Always-on displayYes*No
On-device music storageUp to ~650 songsNo local music storage specified
Smartphone compatibilityiOS + AndroidiPhone only
Battery life (smartwatch mode)Up to ~11 daysUp to ~18 hours
GPS battery lifeUp to ~22 hours approx†Around ~6 hours approx†
Heart rate sensor generationGarmin Elevate Gen 42nd-gen optical heart sensor
Blood oxygen (SpO₂) sensorYesNo
Body-battery / energy monitoringYesNo
Payment supportGarmin PayApple Pay
Device button controlsTwo physical buttons + touchscreenDigital Crown + Side Button + touchscreen
App ecosystemGarmin Connect & Connect IQFull watchOS App Store support
Water resistance5 ATMWR50+ dust resistant IP6X
Compatibility with AndroidYesNo
PriceCheck Garmin 2 PriceCheck Apple SE Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Touchscreen Display: Both Garmin Venu 2 and Apple Watch SE feature responsive color touchscreens that make navigation through menus, widgets, and apps intuitive. The touchscreen interface enables smooth control for workouts, notifications, and quick settings.
  • GPS: Each watch includes built-in GPS for accurate distance, pace, and route tracking during outdoor runs, walks, or cycling sessions. This eliminates the need to carry a phone for location tracking during workouts.
  • Accelerometer: Both devices use an accelerometer to track movement and activity levels throughout the day. This sensor is crucial for counting steps, detecting exercise intensity, and enabling motion-based gestures.
  • Gyroscope: Each smartwatch includes a gyroscope to measure rotation and orientation changes. It enhances accuracy for activity tracking, particularly for detecting direction, arm movement, and advanced workout motions.
  • Ambient Light Sensor: Both watches use an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust display brightness. This helps optimize visibility in bright sunlight or low-light conditions while conserving battery life.
  • Optical Heart Rate Sensor: Both models use an optical heart sensor to continuously monitor heart rate during rest and exercise. This supports calorie estimation, stress tracking, and heart-rate-based alerts for safety and performance insights.
  • Sleep Tracking: Each watch includes automatic sleep tracking, allowing users to review sleep duration and stages. Monitoring sleep patterns helps users assess recovery quality and overall wellness trends.
  • Step Counter: Both devices record daily steps and distance covered, encouraging users to maintain activity goals. This foundational metric helps promote consistent movement throughout the day.
  • Calorie Tracking: Both smartwatches estimate calories burned based on activity level, movement, and heart rate data. This feature supports weight management and helps users understand daily energy expenditure.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: Both Garmin Venu 2 and Apple Watch SE use Bluetooth to connect seamlessly to smartphones. This enables call notifications, media controls, and synchronization of health and activity data.
  • Wi-Fi Connectivity: Each model includes Wi-Fi capability for syncing data and updating apps without relying solely on Bluetooth. This ensures faster uploads and a smoother experience when the phone is not nearby.
  • Water Resistance (50 m): Both watches are rated for 50 meters of water resistance, making them suitable for swimming and showering. Users can track swim workouts confidently without damaging the device.
  • Smartphone Notifications: Both display call, text, and app notifications directly on the wrist. This helps users stay connected and informed even when their phone is not in hand.
  • Music Control: Both allow control of playback for music playing on the connected phone. This provides convenient access to pause, skip, or adjust volume during workouts.
  • Activity Tracking: Each model automatically tracks daily activities like walking, running, and standing time. This helps users monitor habits and maintain consistent physical activity throughout the day.
  • Multiple Workout Modes: Both watches include various preset exercise profiles such as running, cycling, yoga, and strength training. These modes provide tailored tracking for accurate results and progress monitoring.
  • Sedentary Reminders: Both devices remind users to move if they’ve been inactive for long periods. This promotes healthier behavior and helps reduce extended sitting times.
  • Find My Phone Feature: Each smartwatch includes a phone-locating function that plays a sound on the paired device. It’s a practical feature that saves time when the phone is misplaced nearby.
  • Alarm and Timer: Both watches support customizable alarms and countdown timers. These functions are useful for managing schedules, workouts, or cooking routines directly from the wrist.
  • Vibration Alerts: Both devices use vibration motors for silent alerts and haptic feedback. This allows notifications or reminders to be received discreetly without sound.

Common Features

FeatureGarmin Venu 2Apple Watch SE
Touchscreen DisplayYesYes
GPSYesYes
AccelerometerYesYes
GyroscopeYesYes
Ambient Light SensorYesYes
Optical Heart Rate SensorYesYes
Sleep TrackingYesYes
Step CounterYesYes
Calorie TrackingYesYes
Bluetooth ConnectivityYesYes
Wi-Fi ConnectivityYesYes
Water Resistance (50 m)YesYes
Smartphone NotificationsYesYes
Music ControlYesYes
Activity TrackingYesYes
Multiple Workout ModesYesYes
Sedentary RemindersYesYes
Find My Phone FeatureYesYes
Alarm and TimerYesYes
Vibration AlertsYesYes
Price Check Garmin 2 Price
Check Apple SE Price

FAQ

Can the Garmin Venu 2 and Apple Watch SE both track sleep accurately?
Yes, both devices include automatic sleep tracking that records sleep duration and quality. The Garmin Venu 2 provides more detailed insights, such as sleep stages and Pulse Ox data, while the Apple Watch SE focuses on sleep duration and consistency through the Health app.

Do both watches have built-in GPS for outdoor activities?
Yes, both have built-in GPS that allows for accurate distance and route tracking without carrying a phone. The Garmin Venu 2 tends to have longer GPS battery life, while the Apple Watch SE integrates more tightly with Apple Maps.

Are both Garmin Venu 2 and Apple Watch SE water-resistant?
Yes, both watches are rated for 50 meters of water resistance, meaning they can be used for swimming, showering, and other water activities, but not for deep diving.

Can I use either smartwatch with Android phones?
The Garmin Venu 2 works with both Android and iOS devices, while the Apple Watch SE only works with iPhones. This makes the Garmin more versatile across platforms.

Do both watches support heart rate monitoring?
Yes, both continuously monitor heart rate using optical sensors. The data can be used for fitness tracking, stress measurement, and alerts if your heart rate goes too high or too low.

Can both smartwatches display smartphone notifications?
Yes, both show notifications like messages, calls, and app alerts on the wrist. However, only the Apple Watch SE allows for replying directly from the watch.

Do both watches support contactless payments?
Yes, the Garmin Venu 2 supports Garmin Pay and the Apple Watch SE supports Apple Pay. Both enable secure payments directly from the wrist without needing your phone.

Can I listen to music from both watches?
Yes, but the functionality differs. The Garmin Venu 2 allows offline music storage and playback with Bluetooth headphones, while the Apple Watch SE streams music through Apple Music but doesn’t store local files for offline playback.

Do both watches have workout tracking features?
Yes, both have multiple workout modes including running, cycling, yoga, and strength training. They track metrics like heart rate, calories, and duration for accurate performance feedback.

Do both support sleep and recovery insights?
Yes, both track sleep, but the Garmin Venu 2 also includes advanced recovery and stress insights like Body Battery energy monitoring, which the Apple Watch SE does not have.

Can I make calls using both devices?
Only the Apple Watch SE allows users to make and receive calls when connected to an iPhone or LTE network. The Garmin Venu 2 can show call notifications but cannot handle calls directly.

Do both have similar battery life?
No, the Garmin Venu 2 lasts much longer with up to 11 days of use per charge, while the Apple Watch SE typically lasts up to 18 hours and needs daily charging.

Do both have customizable watch faces?
Yes, both let users change watch faces. The Garmin Venu 2 uses Garmin Connect IQ, while the Apple Watch SE uses the Apple Watch face gallery with a wider variety and more interactive options.

Can both track calories and steps throughout the day?
Yes, both automatically record steps, distance, and estimated calories burned. The data syncs with their respective fitness apps for daily and weekly trend tracking.

Are both watches good for beginners in fitness tracking?
Yes, both are excellent entry points into fitness tracking. The Garmin Venu 2 is ideal for users who prefer longer battery life and deeper health data, while the Apple Watch SE suits those who want smooth iPhone integration and broader app functionality.