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
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 11 | Garmin Venu 3 |
| Display size | ~1.92″ on larger model | 1.4″ |
| Display type | LTPO OLED Retina | AMOLED |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Ion-X with ~2× scratch resistance | Gorilla Glass 3 |
| GPS / GNSS | L1 GPS + standard GNSS | Multi-band GNSS + all-systems |
| Cellular connectivity | LTE + Optional 5G | No 5G / no cellular option |
| Ecosystem compatibility | iPhone only | iOS + Android |
| Health sensor: ECG | Yes | No |
| Health sensor: Blood pressure trend | Yes | No dedicated BP alert |
| Storage capacity | 64 GB | 8 GB |
| Smart assistant | Siri | No full voice assistant |
| App store | Full Apple App Store | Garmin Connect IQ apps only |
| UWB (Ultra Wideband) support | Yes | No |
| Payment system | Apple Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 5 ATM – swim rating included |
| Charging connector | Magnetic fast charger | Proprietary pin charger |
| Wireless connectivity | Bluetooth 5.x, Wi-Fi, UWB, LTE/5G | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Smartwatch focus | Full smart features + health | Fitness-/sports-centric features |
| Price | Check Apple Watch 11 Price | Check 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
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 11 | Garmin Venu 3 |
| Always-On Display | Yes | Yes |
| AMOLED/OLED Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen Interface | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Blood Oxygen (SpO₂) Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Stress Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| GPS Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Music Storage and Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone and Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| NFC Contactless Payments | Yes | Yes |
| Workout and Activity Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Swimproof Design (5 ATM / 50m) | Yes | Yes |
| VO₂ Max Estimation | Yes | Yes |
| Fall/Incident Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Smartphone Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Fast Charging Support | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable Watch Faces | Yes | Yes |
| Female Health Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check Apple Watch 11 Price | Check Garmin Venu 3 Price |
FAQ
Is the Apple Watch Series 11 compatible with Android phones? Does the Garmin Venu 3 have an ECG feature like the Apple Watch 11? Which smartwatch has better battery life between the two? Do both smartwatches have always-on displays? Can I make phone calls from both watches? Do both watches support music playback without a phone? Which device offers more third-party app support? Do both watches track blood oxygen levels? Which smartwatch provides more detailed fitness insights? Do both watches support contactless payments? Can both watches be used for swimming? Do both watches offer sleep and stress tracking? Do both smartwatches support fast charging? Can users customize watch faces on both models? Do both watches have fall or incident detection features? |