Apple Watch Series 9 vs Garmin Vivoactive 5
Apple brings the Apple Watch Series 9; Garmin answers with the Garmin Vivoactive 5. Both play in the everyday smartwatch class. This one has a front-runner. The Apple Watch Series 9 wins 2 of 4 compared areas, and health & fitness sensors is where the difference is hardest to miss. It also matters that $99 separates their launch prices, with the Apple Watch Series 9 at the top.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Apple Watch Series 9 wins
- Battery Life Garmin Vivoactive 5 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Apple Watch Series 9 wins
- Price Garmin Vivoactive 5 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors6.7
- Smart Features & Connectivity10.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors3.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity3.3
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 Vivoactive 5 has 1367% more rated battery life
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 11 days for the Garmin Vivoactive 5 versus 18 h for the Apple Watch Series 9. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends.
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The Apple Watch Series 9 has an ECG app
The Apple Watch Series 9 checks this box; the Garmin Vivoactive 5 doesn’t. An ECG reading on a watch isn’t a diagnosis, but it can be a useful record to discuss with a professional.
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The Apple Watch Series 9 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 9. A cellular option lets the watch take calls, receive messages and stream music without your phone nearby.
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The Apple Watch Series 9 has 60 GB more storage
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 lists 4 GB; the Apple Watch Series 9 comes in at 64 GB. That’s not a rounding error. More storage leaves room for offline music, podcasts and maps on your wrist.
Design & Size
- Apple Watch Series 9 45 mm × 0.42 in
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 42 mm
The Apple Watch Series 9 is the larger watch of the two, while the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is the more compact choice.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 9 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 45 mm | 42 mm |
| Available sizes | 41 mm, 45 mm | 42 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
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t display. In short, display is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Apple Watch Series 9 leads
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is outclassed on health & fitness sensors; the Apple Watch Series 9 leads by a clear margin. On the Apple Watch Series 9, you get an ECG app. An ECG app can record a single-lead reading that you can share with your doctor, where regional approval allows it. The health & fitness sensors verdict goes to the Apple Watch Series 9.
ECG
Apple Watch Series 9: yes Garmin Vivoactive 5: no The Apple Watch Series 9 offers ECG; the Garmin Vivoactive 5 doesn’t. That’s a meaningful gap if heart health is a concern for you.
Battery Life
Garmin Vivoactive 5 leads
In this area the Garmin Vivoactive 5 has a lead the Apple Watch Series 9 can’t close. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 answers with 1367% more rated battery life. Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both. If battery life is your priority, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is the watch to pick.
Rated battery life
Apple Watch Series 9: 18 h Garmin Vivoactive 5: 11 days Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Apple Watch Series 9 leads
On smart features & connectivity, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the Apple Watch Series 9. On its side, the Apple Watch Series 9 has a cellular option. With the Apple Watch Series 9, you can leave your phone at home on a run; the Garmin Vivoactive 5 depends on it for connectivity. Anyone shopping mainly on smart features & connectivity should start with the Apple Watch Series 9.
Cellular option
Apple Watch Series 9: yes Garmin Vivoactive 5: 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 9: 64 GB Garmin Vivoactive 5: 4 GB For notifications and fitness tracking alone, storage rarely matters.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 9 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 396 x 484 | 390 x 390 |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 9 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes (winner) | No |
| 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 Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 18 h | 11 days (winner) |
| 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 Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S9 | N/A (not specified) |
| Storage | 64 GB (winner) | 4 GB Least storage in class |
| 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 Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 45 mm | 42 mm |
| Available sizes | 41 mm, 45 mm | 42 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 Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $399 | $300 (winner) |
“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
Money is a real factor here: the launch prices are 33% apart, a difference of $99. The value question is simple: are an ECG app and a cellular option worth $99 to you? If so, the Apple Watch Series 9 makes sense.
These are US launch prices, recorded September 2023; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Series 9 if…
- you want the option to take an ECG reading
- you like leaving your phone at home on runs
- you want more room for music and maps (64 GB vs 4 GB)
Choose the Garmin Vivoactive 5 if…
- you hate charging your watch every day (11 days vs 18 h)
- you want more value for your money ($99 less at launch)
- you value compactness over sheer size
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
For most buyers, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 makes more sense: it launched $99 below the Apple Watch Series 9.
Which has better battery life, the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 comes out ahead on rated battery life, with 11 days compared with 18 h on the Apple Watch Series 9.
Is the Apple Watch Series 9 bigger than the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
Going by the official dimensions, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the bigger of the two at 0.42 in. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 measures 42 mm.
Is the Apple Watch Series 9 cheaper than the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
At launch, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 undercut the Apple Watch Series 9 by $99. These figures are as of September 2023, and street prices can change.
Does the Apple Watch Series 9 have more storage than the Garmin Vivoactive 5?
On storage, the Apple Watch Series 9 leads: 64 GB compared with 4 GB.
Executive Summary
I don’t have a favorite brand in this fight between the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Garmin Vivoactive 5. I just have opinions about the numbers. What I like most about the Garmin Vivoactive 5 here is 1367% more rated battery life. The Apple Watch Series 9 isn’t without merit: an ECG app is a real advantage.
Think about your week. Heavy on health & fitness sensors? The Apple Watch Series 9. More about battery life? The Garmin Vivoactive 5.
My pick: the Garmin Vivoactive 5, since I think the $99 gap buys less than it should.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.