Apple Watch Series 11 vs Garmin Venu 3
The Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 11 and Garmin Venu 3 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple Watch Series 11 is the cheaper of the two at $399 versus $450, a difference of about $51. The Apple Watch Series 11 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple Watch Series 11 stands out for hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure, while Garmin Venu 3 is praised for outstanding 14-day battery life with amoled display. 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 11 if…
- →Hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure
- →Sleep score for sleep quality insights
- →24-hour battery life (up from 18h on Series 10)
Buy the Garmin Venu 3 if…
- →Outstanding 14-day battery life with AMOLED display
- →Comprehensive health tracking including ECG and skin temperature
- →Built-in speaker and microphone for calls
Pros & Cons
Apple Watch Series 11
Pros
- Hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure
- Sleep score for sleep quality insights
- 24-hour battery life (up from 18h on Series 10)
- 5G connectivity on cellular models
- 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass
Cons
- Same S10 chip as Series 10
- Starting price increased to $399
- Still limited to one-day battery life
Garmin Venu 3
Pros
- Outstanding 14-day battery life with AMOLED display
- Comprehensive health tracking including ECG and skin temperature
- Built-in speaker and microphone for calls
- Advanced sleep coaching and nap detection
- Multi-band GNSS for accurate GPS tracking
Cons
- No third-party app ecosystem like Wear OS
- Limited smartwatch features compared to Apple/Samsung
- No cellular connectivity option
- Garmin Pay supports limited banks
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 11 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 26 | Garmin OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 34.6 g (42mm) / 43.1 g (46mm) | 47 g |
| Case material | Aluminum or Titanium (Grade 5) | Stainless steel bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case |
| Water resistance | IP6X, 50m WR | 5 ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 24 hours | Up to 14 days smartwatch mode, 26 hours GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 42mm / 46mm | 1.4 inch |
| Type | Retina LTPO3 OLED | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 496 x 416 (46mm) | 454 x 454 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S10 | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
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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 Series 11 or the Garmin Venu 3.