Apple Watch Alternatives: Discover the technical specifications and all the features of the main models of Apple Watch and Garmin watches.
If you are considering buying a new smartwatch For exercising, monitoring your sleep, or taking care of your health, you might want to consider these fantastic Fitbit alternatives to Apple’s latest smartwatch model, the Apple Watch Series 7. But if you’re not convinced, another of the most reliable and prestigious brands in the wearables market is Garmin.
Currently, Garmin markets 7 different models of smartwatches and hybrid GPS watches. Each of them with several versions and sizes. For this reason, differentiating all your technical specifications and features it can get a bit confusing. But don’t worry, from iPadízate we’re here to help and we’re going to do an interesting comparison between the Apple Watch Series 7 and the Garmin family of smartwatches so you can decide which one to buy.
Explore smartwatches vívoactive 4 Series, vívomove Series, Solar Instinct 2 Series, Fenix 7 Series, Epix 2 Series, Venu Sq Series, and Venu 2 Series Garmin and how these alternatives can stand up to the Apple Watch Series 7, the best-selling smartwatch on the market.
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Apple Watch Series vs Garmin watches
We take a detailed look at all the hardware, software, and design features of Garmin’s high-end smartwatches compared to the latest generation Apple Watch to discern the pros and cons of each model. This way, you can decide which smartwatch best suits your tastes and/or needs. Here is the comparison table between Apple Watch Series 7, Phoenix 7X Solar Edition, Venu 2 Plus, and Epix (Gen 2) Series.
Apple Watch Series 7 | Phoenix 7X Solar Edition | Venus 2 Plus | Epix 2 series | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dimensions | 41mm and 45mm | 42mm, 47mm, and 51mm | 40mm, 43mm and 45mm/td> | 47mm |
Filter | LTPO OLED Retina Display | power glass | AMOLED Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | AMOLED Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Screen size | 41mm: 1.30 inch; 45mm: 1.50 inches | 42mm: 1.2 inch; 47mm: 1.3 inches; 51mm: 1.4 inches | 40mm: 1.1 inch; 43mm: 1.3 inch; 45mm: 1.3 inches | 1.3 inches |
Resolution (maximum) | 396 x 484 pixels | 280 x 280 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels |
Processor | S7 chip | NXP Kinetis | – | – |
Memory | 32 GB | 16 GB | 200 hours of activity data | 16 GB |
connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11b, GPS, 4G LTE and UMTS | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi |
Drums | 41mm: 284mAh; 45mm: 309mAh | – | – | – |
Autonomy | 18 hours | 37 days | 11 days | 16 days |
Others | Quick charge, ECG, IP6X water resistance, blood oximeter, heart rate monitor, fall detection | Heart rate sensor, SpO2 sensor, water resistance, GPS, GLONASS, solar charging, LED flashlight | Heart rate sensor, SpO2 sensor, water resistance, GPS | Heart Rate Sensor, SpO2 Sensor, Water Resistance, GPS, Sleep Tracking, Multi-Frequency Positioning (Sapphire) |
Colors | Midnight, Star White, Green, Blue and (Product)RED | Grey, Blue, White, Silver, Black | Black, Gold, Graphite, Gray | Black, White, Silver |
base price | 429 € | €699.99 | €399.99 | €999.99 |
As is very common with many smartphones and smartwatch manufacturers, Garmin does not officially share some important data on the technical specifications of its smartwatches, such as processor or battery capacity. On the other hand, it is imperative to keep in mind that there are different versions of each product (size and special editions) that considerably modify certain aspects of their specifications.
Which model and which brand to choose?
In case you have an iPhone, the most reasonable thing is to go for the Apple Watch Series 7 or any other model from previous generations as they have a large integration into the Apple ecosystem.
In addition, its software is the most reliable on the market with an operating system that year after year continues to bring many new features. In addition, it is also worth mentioning that its price -compared to Garmin smartwatches- is much more affordable and its health monitoring sensors are a bit more precise.
However, Garmin-connected watches have a big advantage over the Apple Watch, their autonomy. Most models have a battery life of up to 16 days, while the Apple Watch Series 7 has a battery life of 24 hours, 48 hours at best. Another of the strengths of Garmin watches is their design, which has great elegance, high-quality materials, and great care for small details. For all these reasons, Garmin watches are a great alternative to the Apple Watch.
The best Garmin smartwatch models
We have selected three models of connected watches that meet the different needs of consumers. We’re talking about the Fenix 7X Solar Edition, the Venu 2 Plus, and the second-generation epic series.
fenix 7X solar edition
The main feature of this special edition smartwatch is that it has solar charge and this allows you to count on an impressive autonomy of up to 37 days. It has a built-in LED flashlight, Garmin Pay function, and a 1.4-inch AMOLED screen.
Venus 2 Plus
This Garmin watch has a screen AMOLED of 1.3 inches with dimensions and GPS technology, and the quality of the company’s maps is another of the great attractions of its clock software. Its autonomy is up to 9 days and is available in Graphite, Beige, White, Black, and Gray versions.
Epix Series (2 generations)
Garmin’s second-generation Epix model is a very attractive alternative to the Apple Watch. It has a screen AMOLED of 1.3 inches size of 47x47x15mm and weighs 85 grams. It has a heart rate sensor, an autonomy of 16 days mode, and iPhone compatibility.
Epix series (2 generations)
As we mentioned earlier, there are a large number of Garmin smartwatch models. It is a very reliable company with great prestige in the watch industry. Their clothes look like small goldsmith works of art in terms of the elegance of small details and overall design.
As for the health functions, they are slightly lower than those of other manufacturers. But they remain very functional and allow you to calibrate different areas of health such as heart rate or the amount of oxygen in the blood. What do you think of Garmin-connected watches? Do you like them better than the Apple Watch?