| Garmin vivosmart 5 | Apple Watch | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $149★ | $399 |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 25g★ | 30g |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 50m |
| Battery | 7 days★ | 1 days |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ✅★ |
| GPS | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS only |
| Tier | Fitness Tracker | Smartwatch |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Apr 26, 2022 | Sep 19, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | bad | neutral★ |
| Deals advice | great★ | neutral |
| Next model | Garmin vivosmart 6 (Expected 2026) | Apple Watch Series 12 (Expected fall 2026) |
Body Battery energy monitoring — the feature Garmin is known for — in a wristband that's thinner than most fitness trackers.
Continuous heart rate variability monitoring and all-day stress tracking give a more complete picture of recovery and readiness than step counts alone.
All data syncs to Garmin Connect, compatible with thousands of third-party apps, coaches, and integrations across the Garmin platform.
The Series 11 is the first mainstream smartwatch to offer FDA-cleared hypertension (high blood pressure) detection — a feature that could flag silent health risks.
At 9.7mm, the Series 11 is significantly slimmer than previous models — noticeably lighter on the wrist for all-day and sleep tracking.
On-demand ECG, continuous blood oxygen monitoring, and sleep apnea detection (FDA-cleared) make this one of the most medically relevant consumer wearables available.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$359 vs $399 over 3 years · no required subscription.
7 days vs 1 days battery.
10 sensors.
25g · no required subscription.
Garmin users and health-focused individuals who want Body Battery, HRV, and advanced sleep analytics in a slim, discreet wristband rather than a sports watch. Compatible with both iPhone and Android via Garmin Connect.
Full details →iPhone users who want the most capable smartwatch health experience available. Ideal for anyone who values medical-grade monitoring (ECG, blood pressure, SpO2), a premium always-on display, and the best Apple Watch workout tracking. If health is your priority, this is the one to get.
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