Apple Watch Series 9 vs Garmin Venu 3
Few matchups in the everyday smartwatch class come up as often as the Apple Watch Series 9 against the Garmin Venu 3. If you only read one line, make it this: the Garmin Venu 3 takes 1 of 4 compared areas, and the battery life gap is the one to look at first.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Garmin Venu 3 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Apple Watch Series 9 wins
- Price Apple Watch Series 9 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
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 9 has a cellular option
The Garmin Venu 3 doesn’t offer this at all, so if you need a cellular option, the choice is made for you. A cellular option lets the watch take calls, receive messages and stream music without your phone nearby.
-
The Apple Watch Series 9 has 56 GB more storage
Big gap, real consequences. The Apple Watch Series 9’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 9 45 mm × 0.42 in
- Garmin Venu 3 45 mm
There’s no meaningful size difference between the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Garmin Venu 3.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 9 | 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
The display specs are close enough that neither gets the point. Either watch will serve you equally well on display.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the health & fitness sensors section. In short, health & fitness sensors is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Battery Life
Garmin Venu 3 leads
This is one of the Garmin Venu 3’s strongest areas. On battery life, the Apple Watch Series 9 falls well short. The Garmin Venu 3 delivers 1767% more rated battery life. Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both. The takeaway: on battery life, the Garmin Venu 3 is the stronger watch.
Rated battery life
Apple Watch Series 9: 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 9 leads
For smart features & connectivity, the verdict is easy: the Apple Watch Series 9 leads, and not by a little. The Apple Watch Series 9 steps ahead thanks to a cellular option. Cellular models usually cost more and need a plan, so it’s only worth it if you’ll use the freedom. Weighing only smart features & connectivity, the Apple Watch Series 9 comes out ahead.
Cellular option
Apple Watch Series 9: yes Garmin Venu 3: no With the Apple Watch Series 9, you can leave your phone at home on a run; the Garmin Venu 3 depends on it for connectivity.
Storage
Apple Watch Series 9: 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 9 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 396 x 484 | 454 x 454 |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 9 | 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 9 | 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 45 min | N/A (not specified) |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 9 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S9 | 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 9 | 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 9 | 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 is almost a tie, with the Apple Watch Series 9 launching $51 below the Garmin Venu 3. Step up by $51 to the Garmin Venu 3 and you gain 1767% more rated battery life.
Launch prices (US) as of September 2023. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Series 9 if…
- you want a cellular option
- 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 want the longer rated battery life (14 days vs 18 h)
- you trust Garmin and want to keep things familiar
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Garmin Venu 3?
We’d point most buyers to the Garmin Venu 3. The main exception is if you care more about a cellular option than anything else.
Does the Apple Watch Series 9 last longer on a charge than the Garmin Venu 3?
On paper, the Garmin Venu 3 has the edge: 14 days of rated battery life against 18 h for the Apple Watch Series 9. Real-world results also depend on how you use it.
Is the Apple Watch Series 9 bigger than the Garmin Venu 3?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Garmin Venu 3 differ only marginally.
Which costs less, the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Garmin Venu 3?
The Garmin Venu 3 launched at $51 more than the Apple Watch Series 9, based on prices as of September 2023.
Which has more storage, the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Garmin Venu 3?
The Apple Watch Series 9 offers more, with 64 GB against 8 GB.
Executive Summary
Let’s set the logos aside for a minute. The Apple Watch Series 9 and the Garmin Venu 3 are close competitors, and their spec sheets tell an interesting story. Honestly, 1767% more rated battery life on the Garmin Venu 3 does a lot of the persuading for me. I’ll admit the Apple Watch Series 9 has a point with a cellular option.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is built for people who weigh smart features & connectivity heavily, and the Garmin Venu 3 for people who weigh battery life.
My pick: the Garmin Venu 3, unless you specifically want a cellular option, where the Apple Watch Series 9 has the edge, in which case the Apple Watch Series 9 earns its place.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.