Home / Technology / Apple vs Garmin: Fitness tracker accuracy showdown
Apple vs Garmin: Fitness tracker accuracy showdown
22 Sep
Summary
- Both wearables logged steps and distance with impressive accuracy.
- Apple Watch provided generous climb data; Garmin was precise.
- Garmin Venu 4 battery drained faster than Apple Watch Series 12.
A recent test comparing the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Garmin Venu 4 for fitness tracking revealed remarkable accuracy from both devices. During a ~50-minute walk in Seattle, Washington, both smartwatches closely matched the manually counted 5,520 steps.
The Apple Watch Series 12 logged steps with a slight overcount of 11, while the Garmin Venu 4 had a minimal undercount of two steps. Distance tracking was also very close, with the Apple Watch being slightly more precise.
Regarding elevation, the Apple Watch Series 12 was noted to be generous, adding approximately 38 feet of climb compared to the control data. Heart rate tracking showed identical results for average and maximum readings on both devices, utilizing their latest sensor technology.
A notable difference emerged in battery consumption. Over the course of the workout, the Garmin Venu 4 depleted its battery four times faster than the Apple Watch Series 12.
Ultimately, while both smartwatches performed exceptionally well, the Garmin Venu 4 was declared the overall winner due to its slightly superior precision in step, climb, and pace tracking. However, the Apple Watch Series 12 is highlighted as potentially more ego-boosting for users focused on uphill activities.
