Apple Watch Series 8 vs Garmin Venu 3
Different logos, same mission. The Apple Watch Series 8 and the Garmin Venu 3 both want to be your next watch. The spec sheets tilt toward the Garmin Venu 3, which leads in 1 of 4 areas and opens its biggest gap on battery life.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Garmin Venu 3 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Apple Watch Series 8 wins
- Price Apple Watch Series 8 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
The Garmin Venu 3 doesn’t just edge this one; 14 days against 18 h is a lead you’ll feel. Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier.
-
The Apple Watch Series 8 has a cellular option
Whether it matters depends on your habits, but only one of these two gives you a cellular option: the Apple Watch Series 8. A cellular option lets the watch take calls, receive messages and stream music without your phone nearby.
-
The Apple Watch Series 8 has 24 GB more storage
Big gap, real consequences. The Apple Watch Series 8’s 32 GB versus the Garmin Venu 3’s 8 GB changes how the two compare in daily use. If you run or train without your phone, the Apple Watch Series 8’s extra storage is useful.
Design & Size
- Apple Watch Series 8 45 mm × 0.42 in
- Garmin Venu 3 45 mm
Neither is the “big one” here; the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Garmin Venu 3 are matched on size.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 8 | 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 | 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. Treat display as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
The health & fitness sensors specs are close enough that neither gets the point. On health & fitness sensors alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
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. Point to the Garmin Venu 3 for 1767% more rated battery life. The Garmin Venu 3 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends. So if battery life tops your list, lean toward the Garmin Venu 3.
Rated battery life
Apple Watch Series 8: 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 8 leads
For smart features & connectivity, the verdict is easy: the Apple Watch Series 8 leads, and not by a little. The Apple Watch Series 8 comes with a cellular option. With the Apple Watch Series 8, you can leave your phone at home on a run; the Garmin Venu 3 depends on it for connectivity. The takeaway: on smart features & connectivity, the Apple Watch Series 8 is the stronger watch.
Cellular option
Apple Watch Series 8: 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 8: 32 GB Garmin Venu 3: 8 GB For notifications and fitness tracking alone, storage rarely matters.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 8 | 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 8 | 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 8 | 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 | USB-C magnetic fast charging, 0 to 80% in about 45 min | N/A (not specified) |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 8 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S8 | 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 8 | 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 | 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 8 | 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
Launch prices sit $51 apart, so budget is unlikely to be the deciding factor. The Apple Watch Series 8 saves $51, but the Garmin Venu 3 answers with 1767% more rated battery life.
Launch prices (US) as of August 2023. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Series 8 if…
- you like leaving your phone at home on runs
- you want more on-watch storage (32 GB vs 8 GB)
- you’d put the $51 saving toward something else
Choose the Garmin Venu 3 if…
- you hate charging your watch every day (14 days vs 18 h)
- you’re loyal to Garmin and happy with it
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Apple Watch Series 8 or the Garmin Venu 3?
The Garmin Venu 3 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you need a cellular option, which only the Apple Watch Series 8 offers.
Which has better battery life, the Apple Watch Series 8 or the Garmin Venu 3?
The Garmin Venu 3 does better here. It lists 14 days for rated battery life, while the Apple Watch Series 8 lists 18 h.
Is the Apple Watch Series 8 bigger than the Garmin Venu 3?
Neither by much. The Apple Watch Series 8 and the Garmin Venu 3 have nearly identical dimensions.
Is the Apple Watch Series 8 cheaper than the Garmin Venu 3?
Going by launch prices, the Apple Watch Series 8 costs $51 less than the Garmin Venu 3. Prices as of August 2023; current offers may differ.
Does the Apple Watch Series 8 have more storage than the Garmin Venu 3?
Going by the spec sheets, the Apple Watch Series 8 has the larger figure: 32 GB, against 8 GB.
Executive Summary
The Apple Watch Series 8 and the Garmin Venu 3 come from rival camps, Apple and Garmin, but they’re chasing the same person: you. The Garmin Venu 3 has 1767% more rated battery life, and for most people that’s not a small thing. Credit where it’s due: the Apple Watch Series 8 offers a cellular option.
Fit matters more than scores here. The Apple Watch Series 8 suits buyers focused on smart features & connectivity; the Garmin Venu 3 suits those focused on battery life.
My pick: if it were my money, the Garmin Venu 3, unless you specifically want a cellular option, where the Apple Watch Series 8 has the edge.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.