Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Venu 3
Brand preference aside, the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Garmin Venu 3 are close competitors, both pitched at everyday smartwatch buyers. There is a favorite. The Garmin Venu 3 beats the Apple Watch Series 10 in 1 of 4 areas, and battery life is its biggest advantage.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Garmin Venu 3 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Apple Watch Series 10 wins
- Price Apple Watch Series 10 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors6.7
- Smart Features & Connectivity10.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors6.7
- Smart Features & Connectivity3.6
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
-
The Garmin Venu 3 has 1767% more rated battery life
Not a close call. The Garmin Venu 3 lists 14 days and the Apple Watch Series 10 lists 18 h. That’s a substantial gap. Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier.
-
The Apple Watch Series 10 has a cellular option
The Apple Watch Series 10 checks this box; the Garmin Venu 3 doesn’t. A cellular option lets the watch take calls, receive messages and stream music without your phone nearby.
-
The Apple Watch Series 10 has 56 GB more storage
Among all the differences on this page, 64 GB against 8 GB is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Apple Watch Series 10. If you run or train without your phone, the Apple Watch Series 10’s extra storage is useful.
Design & Size
- Apple Watch Series 10 46 mm × 0.38 in
- Garmin Venu 3 45 mm
Going by the official dimensions, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the larger of the two.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 46 mm | 45 mm |
| Available sizes | 42 mm, 46 mm | 45 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, titanium | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.38 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.28 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Too close to call
Neither the Apple Watch Series 10 nor the Garmin Venu 3 has a real advantage in the display category. Don’t let display decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on health & fitness sensors. So health & fitness sensors is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Battery Life
Garmin Venu 3 leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the Garmin Venu 3 leads the battery life section with room to spare. The Garmin Venu 3 pulls ahead with 1767% more rated battery life. Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both. Anyone shopping mainly on battery life should start with the Garmin Venu 3.
Rated battery life
Apple Watch Series 10: 18 h Garmin Venu 3: 14 days The Garmin Venu 3 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Apple Watch Series 10 leads
Look at the smart features & connectivity table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Apple Watch Series 10. On its side, the Apple Watch Series 10 has a cellular option. Cellular models usually cost more and need a plan, so it’s only worth it if you’ll use the freedom. The takeaway: on smart features & connectivity, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the stronger watch.
Cellular option
Apple Watch Series 10: yes Garmin Venu 3: no With the Apple Watch Series 10, you can leave your phone at home on a run; the Garmin Venu 3 depends on it for connectivity.
Storage
Apple Watch Series 10: 64 GB Garmin Venu 3: 8 GB For notifications and fitness tracking alone, storage rarely matters.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Always-On wide-angle LTPO3 OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 416 x 496 | 454 x 454 |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| GPS | Built-in L1 GPS (GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou) | Built-in GNSS (single-band) |
| Dual-frequency GPS | No | No |
Battery Life
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 18 h | 14 days (winner) Longest battery life in class |
| Rated life in low-power modeManufacturer rating | 36 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Charging | Fast charging, 0 to 80% in about 30 min | N/A (not specified) |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S10 | N/A (not specified) |
| Storage | 64 GB (winner) | 8 GB |
| 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 Series 10 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 46 mm | 45 mm |
| Available sizes | 42 mm, 46 mm | 45 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, titanium | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.38 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.28 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $399 (winner) | $450 |
“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
The Apple Watch Series 10 has a small price advantage of $51 at launch. Paying $51 extra for the Garmin Venu 3 means getting 1767% more rated battery life.
Launch prices (US) as of September 2024. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Series 10 if…
- you like leaving your phone at home on runs
- you want more on-watch storage (64 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($51 less)
Choose the Garmin Venu 3 if…
- you hate charging your watch every day (14 days vs 18 h)
- you value compactness over sheer size
- you trust Garmin and want to keep things familiar
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Apple Watch Series 10 or the Garmin Venu 3?
The Garmin Venu 3 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you care more about a cellular option than anything else.
Does the Apple Watch Series 10 last longer on a charge than the Garmin Venu 3?
The Garmin Venu 3 comes out ahead on rated battery life, with 14 days compared with 18 h on the Apple Watch Series 10.
Is the Apple Watch Series 10 bigger than the Garmin Venu 3?
The Garmin Venu 3 is actually the more compact one. It measures 45 mm, while the Apple Watch Series 10 comes in at 0.38 in.
Which costs less, the Apple Watch Series 10 or the Garmin Venu 3?
At launch, the Apple Watch Series 10 undercut the Garmin Venu 3 by $51. These figures are as of September 2024, and street prices can change.
Which has more storage, the Apple Watch Series 10 or the Garmin Venu 3?
On storage, the Apple Watch Series 10 leads: 64 GB compared with 8 GB.
Executive Summary
Apple makes the Apple Watch Series 10, Garmin makes the Garmin Venu 3, and both want the same spot on your shortlist. Here’s where I land. I keep coming back to one thing: the Garmin Venu 3 gets 1767% more rated battery life. In fairness to the Apple Watch Series 10, a cellular option is a genuine strength.
If smart features & connectivity is your thing, the Apple Watch Series 10 fits. If battery life matters more, the Garmin Venu 3 makes more sense.
My pick: the Garmin Venu 3 is the one I’d buy, unless you need a cellular option, which only the Apple Watch Series 10 offers.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.