Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) vs Garmin Venu 2 Plus
The Verdict
Apple Watch SE 1st Gen targets fitness-conscious iPhone users seeking seamless integration, while Garmin Venu 2 Plus appeals to serious athletes prioritizing battery endurance and advanced health metrics. The SE features a lighter 30.49g (40mm) aluminum body with an LTPO OLED display that refreshes efficiently, though its 18-hour battery requires daily charging. Garmin's Venu 2 Plus weighs 51g but delivers exceptional 9-day smartwatch battery life and 24-hour GPS tracking, pairing that with SpO2 monitoring the SE lacks entirely. Display quality favors Apple's higher resolution (324x394 at 40mm vs 416x416 at 43mm), and the SE's always-on option is missing from Venu 2 Plus, which instead offers true always-on AMOLED. Apple excels with ecosystem fluidity, cellular options, and premium design, while Garmin dominates health tracking depth and multi-day autonomy. Price difference of $170 heavily influences decision: the SE justifies cost through iOS integration and immediate responsiveness, yet Garmin's superior battery life and SpO2 sensor provide tangible fitness advantages worth the premium for dedicated athletes. Choose SE for iPhone convenience; choose Venu 2 Plus for athletic performance monitoring and independence from daily charging.
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 Plus if…
- →Built-in speaker and microphone enable phone calls from the wrist
- →Vivid AMOLED display is one of the best on any Garmin
- →Voice assistant support (Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby) via phone
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 Plus
Pros
- Built-in speaker and microphone enable phone calls from the wrist
- Vivid AMOLED display is one of the best on any Garmin
- Voice assistant support (Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby) via phone
- 9-day battery with AMOLED is excellent
- On-watch music storage with Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer
Cons
- No cellular — phone calls require Bluetooth connection to phone
- No multi-band GPS — less precise in urban canyons
- $449 approaches Apple Watch Ultra territory
- Stainless steel bezel adds bulk at 51 g
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) | Garmin Venu 2 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 7 (upgradable to watchOS 10) | Garmin OS (Connect IQ) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 30.49 g (40mm) / 36.2 g (44mm) | 51 g |
| Case material | Aluminum | Stainless steel bezel with 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 9 days (smartwatch), 24 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 40mm / 44mm | 43mm (1.3 inches) |
| Type | LTPO OLED Retina | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 324 x 394 / 368 x 448 | 416 x 416 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S5 SiP | Garmin custom processor |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
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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 Plus.