Garmin Venu 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
The Verdict
Both watches excel in health tracking with identical core features: ECG, SpO2, skin temperature, heart rate, and sleep monitoring. The Venu 3 commands a $170 premium, justified primarily by its exceptional 14-day battery life in smartwatch mode versus the Galaxy Watch 5's typical 24-hour endurance. Garmin's AMOLED display is sharper at 454x454 resolution compared to Samsung's 450x450 on the 44mm model, though both are vibrant always-on screens. Samsung counters with lighter weight (28.7-33.5g vs 47g), more durable materials including sapphire crystal and MIL-STD-810H certification, and cellular connectivity on select variants. The Galaxy Watch 5 runs Wear OS 3.5 with broader third-party app compatibility, while the Venu 3 uses proprietary Garmin OS optimized for fitness tracking. For fitness enthusiasts prioritizing multi-week battery life and specialized sports metrics, the Venu 3 justifies its cost. Budget-conscious users wanting lighter daily wear with comparable health features and longer smartphone integration should choose the Galaxy Watch 5. The price difference heavily favors Samsung unless extended battery life is essential.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 if…
- →Sapphire crystal display is 60% more durable than Watch 4
- →Comprehensive health suite: ECG, SpO2, skin temp, body composition
- →Dual-frequency GPS for accurate outdoor tracking
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
Pros
- Sapphire crystal display is 60% more durable than Watch 4
- Comprehensive health suite: ECG, SpO2, skin temp, body composition
- Dual-frequency GPS for accurate outdoor tracking
- Faster charging — 30% improvement over Galaxy Watch 4
- MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability rating
Cons
- Removed the beloved rotating bezel — now touch-only
- Battery rarely hits the advertised 40 hours in real use
- Requires a Samsung phone for ECG and blood pressure features
- Wear OS 3 app selection still lags behind Apple watchOS
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Venu 3 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin OS | Wear OS 3.5 (One UI Watch 4.5) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 47 g | 28.7 g (40mm) / 33.5 g (44mm) |
| Case material | Stainless steel bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case | Aluminum with Sapphire Crystal glass |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 14 days smartwatch mode, 26 hours GPS | Up to 40 hrs (typical ~24 hrs) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 1.4 inch | 40mm / 44mm |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 454 x 454 | 396 x 396 / 450 x 450 |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | — | Exynos W920 |
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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 Garmin products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Garmin Venu 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5.