Apple Watch Series 8 vs Garmin Venu 2
The Verdict
Apple Watch Series 8 delivers premium smartwatch capabilities with superior performance, a brighter LTPO OLED display, and comprehensive health sensors including ECG and skin temperature monitoring. Its S8 processor handles apps and workouts smoothly, though battery life maxes out at 18 hours. Garmin Venu 2 prioritizes endurance athletes with exceptional 11-day battery life in smartwatch mode, built-in music storage, and rugged construction. It lacks ECG functionality and skin temperature tracking but excels for multi-sport enthusiasts who value offline navigation and extended battery between charges. Choose Apple Watch Series 8 for daily smartwatch excellence and iPhone ecosystem integration, or select Garmin Venu 2 if you need multi-week battery life and advanced sports tracking.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch Series 8 if…
- →Crash Detection and temperature sensing are genuinely useful safety features
- →Always-On LTPO display is bright and readable even outdoors
- →Dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS provides precise tracking in dense urban areas
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 Series 8
Pros
- Crash Detection and temperature sensing are genuinely useful safety features
- Always-On LTPO display is bright and readable even outdoors
- Dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS provides precise tracking in dense urban areas
- ECG, SpO2, and skin temperature cover comprehensive health monitoring
- Low Power Mode extends battery to 36 hours for travel
Cons
- 18-hour standard battery still requires daily charging
- S8 chip is essentially identical to S7 — minimal performance upgrade
- Stainless steel model pushes price to $699+
- Skin temperature sensing is limited to cycle tracking on launch
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 Series 8 | Garmin Venu 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 9 (upgradable to watchOS 11+) | Garmin proprietary OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 32 g (41mm Al) / 38.8 g (45mm Al) | 49 g |
| Case material | Aluminum / Stainless Steel | Stainless steel bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case |
| Water resistance | WR50 (50m), EN13319 dive certification | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours (36 hrs in Low Power Mode) | Up to 11 days (smartwatch), 8 hrs GPS with music |
| Display | ||
| Size | 41mm / 45mm | 45mm |
| Type | LTPO OLED Always-On Retina | AMOLED Always-On |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 352 x 430 / 396 x 484 | 416 x 416 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S8 SiP | Garmin custom SoC |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 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 Series 8 or the Garmin Venu 2.