Garmin Vivoactive 5 is the fifth-generation Vivoactive smartwatch released in September 2023. Apple Watch SE 2 was released in September 2022 and is the second-generation Apple Watch SE smartwatch.
We compare the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Apple Watch SE 2 smartwatches below.
Main differences
Garmin Vivoactive 5 Pluses
The main points that work in favor of the Garmin Vivoactive 5 are:
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 has an AMOLED display and Apple Watch SE 2 has a Retina display. Vivoactive 5, therefore, uses a better display technology.
- Vivoactive 5 has a higher display resolution than the Apple Watch SE 2.
- Vivoactive 5 can work with Android smartphones and iPhones. Apple Watch SE 2 can only work with iOS devices i.e. iPhones and iPads.
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 has a higher battery backup (up to 11 days) than the Apple Watch SE 2 (up to 18 hours).
- Vivoactive 5 uses the 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass in the display lens.
- Vivoactive 5 can support ANT+ wireless connectivity in addition to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Apple Watch SE 2 can support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi only.
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 uses a round display. Apple Watch SE 2 has a square or box shape.
Apple Watch SE 2 Pluses
The main points that work in favor of Apple Watch SE 2 are:
- Apple Watch SE 2 has a higher internal storage (32 GB) than Garmin Vivoactive 5 (4 GB).
- Apple Watch SE 2 has a much more robust fall detection feature than the incident detection features of Garmin Vivoactive 5.
- Apple Watch SE 2 also offers a crash detection feature for your car.
- Apple Watch SE 2 comes in GPS and GPS + cellular variants. You can use your Apple Watch SE 2 smartwatch to answer calls directly.
- Apple Watch SE 2 has an in-built speaker and microphone. Garmin Vivoactive 5 lacks both.
- Apple Watch SE 2 has a box or square shape. Garmin Vivoactive 5 has a round screen.
- Apple Watch SE 2 comes with a higher number of options for the type and material of smartwatch bands
We look at some important features and differences between the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Apple Watch SE 2.
Display specifications
Garmin Vivoctive 5 uses an AMOLED display. The AMOLED display offers a much brighter display experience than the retina display offered in the Apple Watch SE 2.
Due to the AMOLED display, the display resolution of Vivoactive 5 is better than the display resolution of an Apple Watch SE 2.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 smartwatch can also support the Always-on-display or the AOD mode.
We compare the core display properties of Vivoactive 5 and Apple Watch SE 2 below.
| Display specifications | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Apple Watch SE 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 1.2″ or 30 mm | 1.53″ and 1.78″ |
| Display technology | AMOLED | Retina LTPO OLED |
| Display resolution | 390 x 390 pixels | 40 mm variant – 324 by 394 pixels 44 mm variant – 368 by 448 pixels. |
| Pixel density | 325 ppi | 326 ppi |
| Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Apple proprietary |
| Always on Display mode | Yes | No |
| Peak brightness | 1000 nits | 1000 nits |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
Physical specifications
A side by side comparison of Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Apple Watch SE 2 is shared here under.
| Physical specifications | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Apple Watch SE 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Watch body | Fiber-enforced polymer | Aluminum body |
| Bezel | Aluminum | Bezel-less |
| Weight | 36 g | 40 mm: GPS: 26.4 grams, GPS + Cellular: 27.8 grams 44 mm: GPS: 32.9 grams, GPS + Cellular: 33.0 grams |
| Watch size | 42 mm | 40 mm and 44 mm |
| Water rating | 5 ATM or 50 meters | 50 meters |
| Android compatible | Yes | No |
| iOS compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Band size | 20 mm | 22 mm and 26 mm |
| In-built speaker | No | Yes |
| In-built microphone | No | Yes |
GPS
Garmin watches offer exceptional GPS performance. These watches get the GPS signals faster than other smartwatches.
By default, Garmin Vivoactive 5 uses single-frequency GPS mode. It supports GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite networks.
Apple Watch SE 2 also supports single-band frequency mode. In addition to GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, the Apple Watch SE 2 supports QZSS satellite networks for GPS connectivity.
Wireless Connectivity
Garmin Vivoactive 5 supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ANT+ wireless connectivity. ANT+ wireless connectivity establishes communication between the Vivaoctive 5 and the ANT+ compatible receiving device.
ANT+ receivers are useful in taking real-time performance and health-related metrics. These parameters are very useful for athletes, triathletes, swimmers, and runners.
Apple Watch SE 2 can only support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It is not compatible with ANT+ connectivity.
Fall detection and crash detection
Apple Watch SE 2 supports a fall detection feature. It has had a proven track record of fall detection features. Upon detecting a hard fall, an Apple Watch SE 2 can notify the designated emergency contacts about the fall.
Apple Watch SE 2 can also seek emergency help in the event of a fall and no response from the watch owner.
The 2nd generation Apple Watch SE also introduced a crash detection feature. Using the accelerometer, a car crash can be detected by the Apple Watch SE 2. Upon detecting a car crash, the Apple Watch SE 2 will notify the designated emergency contacts or seek emergency help for the watch owner.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 does have an incident detection feature. It can notify designated emergency contacts about the fall and share the geographic data of the watch owner.
However, the incident detection feature of Garmin Vivoactive 5 is not as refined, robust, or powerful as the Apple Watch SE 2.
Battery backup
Apple Watch SE 2 has a rated battery backup of up to 18 hours. The backup goes down while using the watch in GPS mode. You need to charge the Apple Watch SE 2 every day.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 has battery backup lasting between 8 hours to 11 days in the different watch modes. A detailed battery backup on various modes in the Garmin Vivoactive 5 chart is given below.
| Watch mode | Garmin Vivoactive 5 backup |
|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 11 days |
| Smartwatch mode with Always on display | Up to 5 days |
| Battery saver mode | Up to 21 days |
| GPS mode | Up to 21 hours |
| All Systems GPS mode | Up to 17 hours |
| GPS mode with music | Up to 9 hours |
| All Systems GPS mode with music | Up to 8 hours |
Both watches support fast charging. You can charge an empty battery fully in less than 2 hours for Vivoactive 5 and Apple Watch SE 2 smartwatches.
Cellular variants
Garmin Vivoactive 5 does not provide a cellular variant.
Apple Watch SE 2 does offer options to get a cellular variant. A cellular variant of the Apple Watch SE 2 allows you to make or answer calls directly from the smartwatch.
Cellular connectivity of the watch is also useful in seeking emergency assistance in supported countries in the event of fall or car crash detection.
Storage
Garmin Vivoactive 5 has an internal memory or storage of 4 GB. This can be used to store personal content, including audio content.
Apple Watch SE 2 offers a higher device storage of 32 GB.
Android and iOS compatibility
Garmin Vivoactive 5 can work with an Android and iOS device. Vivoactive 5 uses the Garmin Connect app to pair and work with the smartphone. Such a smartphone must be compatible with Android 7 or higher operating system. On a similar note, Vivoactive 5 can work with iOS 15 and higher devices.
Apple Watch SE 2 can work with iOS 17 and later iOS devices. It is not compatible with Android smartphones and Android devices.
Price
- Apple Watch SE 2 40 mm GPS costs $249
- Apple Watch SE 2 40 mm GPS + Cellular costs $299
- Apple Watch SE 2 44 mm GPS costs $279
- Apple Watch SE 2 44 mm GPS + Cellular costs $329
Garmin Vivoactive 5 costs $299.99. Usually, you may get discounts on the Garmin Vivoactive 5 smartwatch.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 comes at a list price of $299.99 with a silicone band. The prices do get discounted from time to time.
Heart tracking
Apple Watch SE 2 can give high or low heart rate alerts. The optical heart rate sensor can also help in detecting irregular heart rhythms.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 is not compatible with the Garmin ECG app. So, it cannot be used to detect irregular heart rhythms or Atrial Fibrillation.
Final verdict
Garmin Vivoactive 5 makes for a compelling choice on account of:
- Android compatibility
- AMOLED display
- Higher display resolution
- ANT+ wireless connectivity
- Higher battery backup
Apple Watch SE 2 makes for a compelling choice on account of the following reasons:
- QZSS GPS connectivity in addition to GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo
- Irregular heart rhythm detection
- Better fall detection feature
- Crash detection feature for the cars
- Cellular variants for direct calling from the smartwatch
- Apple Care Extended warranty
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