Apple Watch Series 11 vs Garmin Venu 3
Two makers, one class, one decision: the Apple Watch Series 11 from Apple or the Garmin Venu 3 from Garmin. Taken area by area, the Garmin Venu 3 wins 1 of 4. That doesn’t make the Apple Watch Series 11 a bad choice, but it does set the baseline.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Garmin Venu 3 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Apple Watch Series 11 wins
- Price Apple Watch Series 11 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 1300% more rated battery life
The Garmin Venu 3 doesn’t just edge this one; 14 days against 24 h is a lead you’ll feel. The Garmin Venu 3 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends.
-
The Apple Watch Series 11 has a cellular option
It’s a simple yes-or-no difference: the Apple Watch Series 11 includes it, the Garmin Venu 3 does without. A cellular option lets the watch take calls, receive messages and stream music without your phone nearby.
-
The Apple Watch Series 11 has 56 GB more storage
Big gap, real consequences. The Apple Watch Series 11’s 64 GB versus the Garmin Venu 3’s 8 GB changes how the two compare in daily use. For notifications and fitness tracking alone, storage rarely matters.
Design & Size
- Apple Watch Series 11 46 mm × 0.38 in
- Garmin Venu 3 45 mm
Physically, these two aren’t the same size: the Apple Watch Series 11 is larger in overall dimensions.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 11 | 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) | 1.33 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Too close to call
Both the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Garmin Venu 3 cover display equally well on paper. In short, display is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
The Apple Watch Series 11 and the Garmin Venu 3 match each other closely in this area. If health & fitness sensors was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Battery Life
Garmin Venu 3 leads
The Apple Watch Series 11 is outclassed on battery life; the Garmin Venu 3 leads by a clear margin. Here the Garmin Venu 3 offers 1300% more rated battery life. Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both. On battery life alone, the Garmin Venu 3 gets the nod.
Rated battery life
Apple Watch Series 11: 24 h Garmin Venu 3: 14 days Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Apple Watch Series 11 leads
No contest in smart features & connectivity: the Apple Watch Series 11 is the stronger of the two. The Apple Watch Series 11 takes this one with a cellular option. With the Apple Watch Series 11, you can leave your phone at home on a run; the Garmin Venu 3 depends on it for connectivity. For anyone who cares most about smart features & connectivity, the Apple Watch Series 11 is the safer choice.
Cellular option
Apple Watch Series 11: yes Garmin Venu 3: 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 Series 11: 64 GB Garmin Venu 3: 8 GB More storage leaves room for offline music, podcasts and maps on your wrist.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 11 | 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 11 | 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 11 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 24 h | 14 days (winner) Longest battery life in class |
| Rated life in low-power modeManufacturer rating | 38 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 11 | 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 11 | 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) | 1.33 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 11 | 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 11 has a small price advantage of $51 at launch. Paying $51 extra for the Garmin Venu 3 means getting 1300% more rated battery life.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2025; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Series 11 if…
- you want a cellular option
- you want more on-watch storage (64 GB vs 8 GB)
- you’d put the $51 saving toward something else
Choose the Garmin Venu 3 if…
- you want the longer rated battery life (14 days vs 24 h)
- you prefer something easier to fit into tight spaces
- you trust Garmin and want to keep things familiar
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Apple Watch Series 11 or the Garmin Venu 3?
For most people, the Garmin Venu 3 is the stronger choice, unless you’d trade the rest for a cellular option.
Which has better battery life, the Apple Watch Series 11 or the Garmin Venu 3?
Going by the official figures, the Garmin Venu 3 leads: 14 days versus 24 h for rated battery life. Screen use, settings and efficiency will shape your own results.
Is the Apple Watch Series 11 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 11 comes in at 0.38 in.
Is the Apple Watch Series 11 cheaper than the Garmin Venu 3?
The Apple Watch Series 11 is the cheaper option, launching at $51 less than the Garmin Venu 3 (launch prices as of September 2025).
Does the Apple Watch Series 11 have more storage than the Garmin Venu 3?
The Apple Watch Series 11 comes with more room: 64 GB versus 8 GB.
Executive Summary
I’ll be upfront: I have no stake in whether you buy Apple or Garmin. I only care that you end up with the right one of the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Garmin Venu 3. The Garmin Venu 3 has 1300% more rated battery life, and for most people that’s not a small thing. Where the Apple Watch Series 11 fights back is a cellular option.
Put simply, the Apple Watch Series 11 suits people who care about smart features & connectivity, while the Garmin Venu 3 suits people who put battery life first.
My pick: the Garmin Venu 3 for most people, with the Apple Watch Series 11 as the smarter choice if you need a cellular option, which only the Apple Watch Series 11 offers.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.