Apple Watch SE 2 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5
Same class, different makers. The Apple Watch SE 2 (Apple) and the Garmin Vivoactive 5 (Garmin) are built for the same kind of buyer. This one has a front-runner. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 wins 3 of 4 compared areas, and battery life is where the difference is hardest to miss. Add $51 of difference in launch price, and the Apple Watch SE 2 has a strong argument before a single spec is compared.
At a glance
- Display Garmin Vivoactive 5 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors Garmin Vivoactive 5 wins
- Battery Life Garmin Vivoactive 5 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Apple Watch SE 2 wins
- Price Apple Watch SE 2 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors1.7
- Smart Features & Connectivity8.2
- Health & Fitness Sensors3.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity3.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Garmin Vivoactive 5 has 1367% more rated battery life
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 11 days for the Garmin Vivoactive 5 versus 18 h for the Apple Watch SE 2. Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both.
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The Garmin Vivoactive 5 has an always-on display
It’s a simple yes-or-no difference: the Garmin Vivoactive 5 includes it, the Apple Watch SE 2 does without. An always-on display lets you read the time without raising your wrist or tapping the screen, the way a traditional watch works.
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The Apple Watch SE 2 has a cellular option
You won’t find this on the Garmin Vivoactive 5. With the Apple Watch SE 2, it’s part of the package. A cellular option lets the watch take calls, receive messages and stream music without your phone nearby.
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The Apple Watch SE 2 has 28 GB more storage
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 lists 4 GB; the Apple Watch SE 2 comes in at 32 GB. That’s not a rounding error. If you run or train without your phone, the Apple Watch SE 2’s extra storage is useful.
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The Garmin Vivoactive 5 has blood-oxygen readings
Some features are nice extras; for some people, blood-oxygen readings is a deal-breaker. Only the Garmin Vivoactive 5 has it. Wrist-based blood-oxygen data is a wellness indicator rather than a medical measurement, so treat it as a trend.
Design & Size
- Apple Watch SE 2 44 mm × 0.42 in
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 42 mm
The Apple Watch SE 2 is the larger watch of the two, while the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is the more compact choice.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 44 mm | 42 mm |
| Available sizes | 40 mm, 44 mm | 42 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.16 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Garmin Vivoactive 5 leads
The display comparison is one-sided. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 leads where it counts. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 stands out with an always-on display. Always-on modes use some battery, but for many people the convenience is worth it. In short, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is the better-equipped watch for display.
Always-on display
Apple Watch SE 2: no Garmin Vivoactive 5: yes With the Garmin Vivoactive 5, a glance is enough; with the Apple Watch SE 2, the screen has to wake up first.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Garmin Vivoactive 5 leads
It’s a narrow one, but the health & fitness sensors round goes to the Garmin Vivoactive 5. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 wins here with blood-oxygen readings. Blood-oxygen readings can add context to sleep tracking and to training at altitude. For health & fitness sensors, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is the one to beat.
Blood oxygen
Apple Watch SE 2: no Garmin Vivoactive 5: yes The Garmin Vivoactive 5 can take blood-oxygen readings; the Apple Watch SE 2 can’t.
Battery Life
Garmin Vivoactive 5 leads
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is the clear pick if battery life is what you care about most. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 makes its case with 1367% more rated battery life. Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier. On battery life alone, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 gets the nod.
Rated battery life
Apple Watch SE 2: 18 h Garmin Vivoactive 5: 11 days The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Apple Watch SE 2 leads
No contest in smart features & connectivity: the Apple Watch SE 2 is the stronger of the two. On the Apple Watch SE 2, you get a cellular option. With the Apple Watch SE 2, you can leave your phone at home on a run; the Garmin Vivoactive 5 depends on it for connectivity. That makes the Apple Watch SE 2 the natural choice for buyers focused on smart features & connectivity.
Cellular option
Apple Watch SE 2: yes Garmin Vivoactive 5: no Cellular models usually cost more and need a plan, so it’s only worth it if you’ll use the freedom.
Storage
Apple Watch SE 2: 32 GB Garmin Vivoactive 5: 4 GB For notifications and fitness tracking alone, storage rarely matters.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Retina LTPO OLED (not always-on) | AMOLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 368 x 448 | 390 x 390 |
| Peak brightness | 1,000 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | No | No |
| Blood oxygen | No | Yes (winner) |
| Skin temperature | No | N/A (not specified) |
| GPS | Built-in L1 GPS (GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS) | Built-in GNSS (single-band) |
| Dual-frequency GPS | No | No |
Battery Life
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 18 h | 11 days (winner) |
| Charging | 0 to 80% in about 1.5 h | N/A (not specified) |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S8 | N/A (not specified) |
| Storage | 32 GB (winner) | 4 GB Least storage in class |
| Cellular option | Yes (winner) | No |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone only | iPhone and Android |
| Software | watchOS | Garmin proprietary |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 44 mm | 42 mm |
| Available sizes | 40 mm, 44 mm | 42 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.16 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $249 (winner) | $300 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Money is a real factor here: the launch prices are 20% apart, a difference of $51. Paying $51 extra for the Garmin Vivoactive 5 means getting 1367% more rated battery life and an always-on display.
These are US launch prices, recorded September 2023; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch SE 2 if…
- you want a cellular option
- you want more on-watch storage (32 GB vs 4 GB)
- you’d rather keep $51 in your pocket
Choose the Garmin Vivoactive 5 if…
- you want the longer rated battery life (11 days vs 18 h)
- you want an always-on display
- you want blood-oxygen readings
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Apple Watch SE 2 or the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if what you want most is a cellular option.
Does the Apple Watch SE 2 last longer on a charge than the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 comes out ahead on rated battery life, with 11 days compared with 18 h on the Apple Watch SE 2.
Is the Apple Watch SE 2 bigger than the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is actually the more compact one. It measures 42 mm, while the Apple Watch SE 2 comes in at 0.42 in.
Which has the better screen, the Apple Watch SE 2 or the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
On display specs, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 leads thanks to an always-on display.
Which costs less, the Apple Watch SE 2 or the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
At launch, the Apple Watch SE 2 undercut the Garmin Vivoactive 5 by $51. These figures are as of September 2023, and street prices can change.
Which has more storage, the Apple Watch SE 2 or the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
On storage, the Apple Watch SE 2 leads: 32 GB compared with 4 GB.
Executive Summary
The Apple Watch SE 2 versus the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because Apple and Garmin made different bets. The single spec I’d point a friend to is this: the Garmin Vivoactive 5 has 1367% more rated battery life. Stack an always-on display on top of that, and the Garmin Vivoactive 5’s lead grows. Don’t write off the Apple Watch SE 2 entirely: it has a cellular option.
Match the strength to your habits (smart features & connectivity for the Apple Watch SE 2, display for the Garmin Vivoactive 5), and you won’t go far wrong.
My pick: if it were my money, the Garmin Vivoactive 5, unless you know that a cellular option would make a real difference in your routine.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.