Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Fenix 8 Pro
The Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 10 and Garmin Fenix 8 Pro sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple Watch Series 10 is the cheaper of the two at $399 versus $1,200, a difference of about $801. The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple Watch Series 10 stands out for thinnest and lightest apple watch ever at just 9.7mm thick, while Garmin Fenix 8 Pro is praised for inreach satellite + cellular connectivity. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch Series 10 if…
- →Thinnest and lightest Apple Watch ever at just 9.7mm thick
- →New wide-angle OLED display is significantly brighter at off-angles
- →Larger 42mm and 46mm case sizes with bigger displays in slimmer body
Buy the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro if…
- →inReach satellite + cellular connectivity
- →Up to 27 days battery (AMOLED)
- →MicroLED display option ($1999)
Pros & Cons
Apple Watch Series 10
Pros
- Thinnest and lightest Apple Watch ever at just 9.7mm thick
- New wide-angle OLED display is significantly brighter at off-angles
- Larger 42mm and 46mm case sizes with bigger displays in slimmer body
- Sleep apnea detection and improved health tracking via watchOS 11
- Faster charging — up to 80% in about 30 minutes
Cons
- Battery life is still just 18 hours, behind most competitors
- Blood oxygen sensing disabled on US units due to patent dispute
- No major performance jump over Series 9's S9 chip
- Cellular model costs an extra $100
- Requires an iPhone, no Android compatibility
Garmin Fenix 8 Pro
Pros
- inReach satellite + cellular connectivity
- Up to 27 days battery (AMOLED)
- MicroLED display option ($1999)
- LTE voice calls and two-way messaging
- Built for extreme outdoor adventures
Cons
- $1199 starting price ($1999 MicroLED)
- No ECG sensor
- Garmin OS lacks app ecosystem of watchOS/Wear OS
- 73g is heavy on the wrist
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Garmin Fenix 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 11 | Garmin OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 30 g (42mm aluminum) | 73 g (47mm AMOLED) |
| Case material | Aluminum (Titanium option available) | Titanium bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Water resistance | WR50 (50m) + IP6X dust resistant | 10 ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours normal use, up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode | Up to 27 days (AMOLED smartwatch mode) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 42mm (1.96") | 47mm / 51mm |
| Type | LTPO3 OLED Always-On Retina with wide-angle OLED, up to 2000 nits | AMOLED or MicroLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 374 x 446 | — |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 1 GB | — |
| Chipset | Apple S10 SiP | Garmin proprietary |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
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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 Series 10 or the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro.