Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) vs Garmin Venu 2
The Verdict
Apple Watch SE offers seamless iOS integration with watchOS 10 compatibility, solid fitness basics, and an 18-hour battery life suitable for daily charging. Garmin Venu 2 caters to serious athletes with SpO2 monitoring, always-on AMOLED display, and exceptional 11-day battery life for extended adventures. While SE provides superior smartwatch features and app ecosystem through Apple's platform, Venu 2 excels in battery endurance and sports-specific metrics. SE's lighter aluminum build contrasts Venu 2's robust stainless steel construction. For iPhone users prioritizing convenience and wearables ecosystem, SE delivers better value at $279. However, fitness enthusiasts and those seeking multi-week battery performance should invest in Venu 2 despite the $120 premium. Choose SE for everyday wear and notifications; choose Venu 2 for athletic training and remote adventures.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) if…
- →Affordable entry into the Apple Watch ecosystem with core features
- →Same large display as Series 6 — no visible compromise
- →Fall detection and emergency SOS for safety
Buy the Garmin Venu 2 if…
- →Stunning AMOLED display with always-on option
- →11-day battery life outperforms most AMOLED smartwatches
- →Comprehensive fitness tracking with 25+ sport profiles
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple Watch SE (1st Gen)
Pros
- Affordable entry into the Apple Watch ecosystem with core features
- Same large display as Series 6 — no visible compromise
- Fall detection and emergency SOS for safety
- Compass and always-on altimeter for outdoor activities
- Family Setup enables use for kids without an iPhone
Cons
- No Always-On display — must raise wrist to see the time
- Older S5 chip — slower than the 2022 SE's S8
- No ECG, SpO2, or blood oxygen monitoring
- No fast charging — takes about 2.5 hours for full charge
Garmin Venu 2
Pros
- Stunning AMOLED display with always-on option
- 11-day battery life outperforms most AMOLED smartwatches
- Comprehensive fitness tracking with 25+ sport profiles
- Health Snapshot for quick 2-minute wellness checks
- Garmin Pay for contactless payments via NFC
Cons
- No ECG or blood pressure monitoring
- No cellular option — requires phone for notifications
- Limited smart features compared to Apple Watch or Wear OS
- Third-party app ecosystem is limited
- $399 is expensive for a non-cellular watch
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) | Garmin Venu 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 7 (upgradable to watchOS 10) | Garmin proprietary OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 30.49 g (40mm) / 36.2 g (44mm) | 49 g |
| Case material | Aluminum | Stainless steel bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case |
| Water resistance | WR50 (50m) | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 11 days (smartwatch), 8 hrs GPS with music |
| Display | ||
| Size | 40mm / 44mm | 45mm |
| Type | LTPO OLED Retina | AMOLED Always-On |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 324 x 394 / 368 x 448 | 416 x 416 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S5 SiP | Garmin custom SoC |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Apple products or all Garmin products. View full details for the Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) or the Garmin Venu 2.