Apple Watch Series 7 vs Garmin Venu 3
Few matchups in the everyday smartwatch class come up as often as the Apple Watch Series 7 against the Garmin Venu 3. Scoring each area separately, the Garmin Venu 3 comes out on top 1 times out of 4. Its lead is sharpest in battery life.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Garmin Venu 3 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Apple Watch Series 7 wins
- Price Apple Watch Series 7 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors6.7
- Smart Features & Connectivity8.2
- 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
If rated battery life is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Garmin Venu 3 leads clearly with 14 days to the Apple Watch Series 7’s 18 h. Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier.
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The Apple Watch Series 7 has a cellular option
If you’ve come to rely on a cellular option, note that the Garmin Venu 3 leaves it out. With the Apple Watch Series 7, you can leave your phone at home on a run; the Garmin Venu 3 depends on it for connectivity.
-
The Apple Watch Series 7 has 24 GB more storage
The numbers aren’t close. The Apple Watch Series 7 lists 32 GB for storage, while the Garmin Venu 3 lists 8 GB. More storage leaves room for offline music, podcasts and maps on your wrist.
Design & Size
- Apple Watch Series 7 45 mm × 0.42 in
- Garmin Venu 3 45 mm
Size is a tie. Anywhere the Apple Watch Series 7 fits, the Garmin Venu 3 should fit too, and vice versa.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 7 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 45 mm | 45 mm |
| Available sizes | 41 mm, 45 mm | 45 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.37 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on display; the numbers are close throughout. In short, display is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
If health & fitness sensors matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. If health & fitness sensors was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Battery Life
Garmin Venu 3 leads
On battery life, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the Garmin Venu 3. Choose the Garmin Venu 3 and you get 1767% more rated battery life. The Garmin Venu 3 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends. On battery life alone, the Garmin Venu 3 gets the nod.
Rated battery life
Apple Watch Series 7: 18 h Garmin Venu 3: 14 days Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Apple Watch Series 7 leads
The Garmin Venu 3 has a tough time in the smart features & connectivity section, where the Apple Watch Series 7 pulls well ahead. The Apple Watch Series 7 adds a cellular option. Cellular models usually cost more and need a plan, so it’s only worth it if you’ll use the freedom. Prioritize smart features & connectivity, and the Apple Watch Series 7 is where you should land.
Cellular option
Apple Watch Series 7: yes Garmin Venu 3: no A cellular option lets the watch take calls, receive messages and stream music without your phone nearby.
Storage
Apple Watch Series 7: 32 GB Garmin Venu 3: 8 GB If you run or train without your phone, the Apple Watch Series 7’s extra storage is useful.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 7 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 396 x 484 | 454 x 454 |
| Peak brightness | 1,000 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 7 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | No | 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 7 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 18 h | 14 days (winner) Longest battery life in class |
| Charging | USB-C magnetic fast charging, 0 to 80% in about 45 min | N/A (not specified) |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 7 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S7 | N/A (not specified) |
| Storage | 32 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 7 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 45 mm | 45 mm |
| Available sizes | 41 mm, 45 mm | 45 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.37 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 7 | 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
Price barely moves the needle here: the Garmin Venu 3 launched $51 higher. If $51 isn’t a stretch, the Garmin Venu 3 gives you 1767% more rated battery life.
These are US launch prices, recorded August 2023; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Series 7 if…
- you like leaving your phone at home on runs
- you want more room for music and maps (32 GB vs 8 GB)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $51 matters
Choose the Garmin Venu 3 if…
- you want the longer rated battery life (14 days vs 18 h)
- you prefer staying with Garmin
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Apple Watch Series 7 or the Garmin Venu 3?
For most people, the Garmin Venu 3 is the stronger choice, unless you care more about a cellular option than anything else.
Which has better battery life, the Apple Watch Series 7 or the Garmin Venu 3?
Going by the official figures, the Garmin Venu 3 leads: 14 days versus 18 h for rated battery life. Screen use, settings and efficiency will shape your own results.
Which is larger, the Apple Watch Series 7 or the Garmin Venu 3?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the Apple Watch Series 7 and the Garmin Venu 3 is too small to matter.
Is the Apple Watch Series 7 cheaper than the Garmin Venu 3?
The Apple Watch Series 7 is the cheaper option, launching at $51 less than the Garmin Venu 3 (launch prices as of August 2023).
Does the Apple Watch Series 7 have more storage than the Garmin Venu 3?
The Apple Watch Series 7 comes with more room: 32 GB versus 8 GB.
Executive Summary
I don’t have a favorite brand in this fight between the Apple Watch Series 7 and the Garmin Venu 3. I just have opinions about the numbers. Honestly, 1767% more rated battery life on the Garmin Venu 3 does a lot of the persuading for me. The Apple Watch Series 7 isn’t without merit: a cellular option is a real advantage.
Your priorities do the choosing here: smart features & connectivity points to the Apple Watch Series 7, battery life to the Garmin Venu 3.
My pick: the Garmin Venu 3, with one exception: if you’d rather have a cellular option on the Apple Watch Series 7, go for the Apple Watch Series 7.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.