Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Venu Sq 2
Apple's Series 10 delivers a premium smartwatch experience with its brilliant 2000-nit LTPO3 OLED display, comprehensive health suite including ECG and skin temperature monitoring, and seamless iOS integration via watchOS 11. Battery life reaches 18 hours normal use or 36 hours in Low Power Mode. Garmin's Venu Sq 2 counters with exceptional value, offering 11-day battery life in smartwatch mode, robust fitness tracking, and 5ATM water resistance at $150 less. The Venu Sq 2's smaller 1.41-inch AMOLED screen and absence of ECG/skin temperature sensors limit health capabilities, though SpO2 and sleep tracking remain solid. For Apple ecosystem users prioritizing display quality and advanced health metrics, the Series 10 justifies premium pricing. Budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts seeking multi-week battery endurance and proven Garmin reliability should choose the Venu Sq 2. Series 10 wins overall for feature completeness.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Garmin Venu Sq 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 11 | Garmin OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 30 g (42mm aluminum) | 38 g |
| Case material | Aluminum (Titanium option available) | Aluminum bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Water resistance | WR50 (50m) + IP6X dust resistant | 5ATM |
| 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 11 days (smartwatch mode), 26 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 42mm (1.96") | 40 mm (1.41 inches) |
| Type | LTPO3 OLED Always-On Retina with wide-angle OLED, up to 2000 nits | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 374 x 446 | 320 x 360 |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 1 GB | — |
| Chipset | Apple S10 SiP | Garmin proprietary |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
Category Scores
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 Venu Sq 2
Pros
- 11-day battery life destroys Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch endurance
- AMOLED display with always-on mode at an affordable price
- Garmin's best-in-class GPS accuracy for running and cycling
- 25+ built-in sport modes with detailed workout analytics
- NFC for Garmin Pay contactless payments
Cons
- No ECG or skin temperature monitoring
- Square design is polarizing — not as elegant as round watches
- Garmin OS has far fewer third-party apps than Wear OS
- No cellular option — phone must be nearby for notifications
Related Comparisons
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Apple products or all Garmin products. View full details for the Apple Watch Series 10 or the Garmin Venu Sq 2.