Apple Watch vs Garmin: Which Is Better for Runners in 2025?

Apple V Garmin

This is one of the most common questions in run clubs and gear chats. Both ecosystems are excellent, but they serve different priorities. Use this guide to compare battery life, GPS accuracy, features, and price, then choose the watch that fits your running and your life.

TL;DR

  • Choose Apple Watch if you want a capable running watch that you will also wear all day. Apple Watch Ultra 3 brings dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) and longer battery life, while Series 11 improves everyday battery and keeps tight iPhone integration.

  • Choose Garmin if you want multi-day battery life, robust on-watch mapping, and advanced training analytics for trail running and ultramarathon use. Models like Forerunner 965 and fēnix 7 Pro excel here.

Battery life you will notice

  • Apple Watch Series 11 lasts up to 24 hours in normal use and up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. Expect daily or near-daily charging if you record outdoor runs often.

  • Apple Watch Ultra 3 lasts up to 42 hours in normal use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. Strong for marathon training weeks, not designed for multi-day ultra events without charging.

  • Garmin Forerunner 965 reaches about 23 days in smartwatch mode and around 31 hours with GPS only. Multi-band reduces that figure but still leads Apple on endurance.

  • Garmin fēnix 7 Pro delivers weeks of smartwatch time and very long GPS sessions, especially in solar models. Ideal for ultramarathon and mountain objectives.

GPS accuracy

  • Dual-frequency and multi-band improve position tracking in city canyons and dense cover. Ultra 3 uses L1 + L5. Higher-end Garmin models use multi-band GNSS. Series 11 is single-band.

  • In current testing, Ultra-class Apple Watch and multi-band Garmin both produce accurate tracks for road running and trail running. Differences are usually small and route dependent.

Features that matter to runners

Apple Watch strengths

  • Hardware and sensors. Dual-frequency GPS on Ultra 3, reliable optical heart rate, motion and elevation sensing.

  • Everyday utility. Messages and calls on the wrist, Apple Pay, Focus modes that mirror iPhone, Find My, unlock your Mac, remote camera control. This is why many runners wear one watch all day.

  • Safety. Fall and crash detection, emergency features, and connectivity options reported for 2025 models add peace of mind. Availability can vary by region.

Garmin strengths

  • Training analytics. Training Readiness, HRV Status, recovery guidance, training load and load focus, suggested workouts.

  • On-watch maps. Full-color topo maps, turn-by-turn style routing on the device, ClimbPro, robust GPX handling, SatIQ power optimization.

  • Accessory ecosystem. Broad ANT Plus and Bluetooth sensor support useful for multi-sport setups.

Pricing in 2025

  • Series 11 from about $399.

  • Ultra 3 from about $799.

  • Forerunner 965 about $600.

  • fēnix 7 Pro about $899 to $999 depending on configuration.

Which ecosystem should you choose

Choose Garmin if you:

  • Need multi-day battery life for long trail runs and ultramarathon training.

  • Rely on advanced training analytics and on-watch topo maps for complex routes.

  • Prefer a sport-first device with broad sensor and accessory support.

Choose Apple Watch if you:

  • Want a running watch that you will wear all day for training and everyday life.

  • Value accurate sensors, clean workout screens, and tight iPhone integration.

  • Prefer a lighter, more discreet device that fits work, travel, and social settings.

Market reality: Among endurance specialists, Garmin still has the edge. Among everyday runners and iPhone users, Apple Watch continues to close the gap, especially with Ultra 3 and Series 11.

Where Milo fits on Apple Watch

Milo is a running companion for Apple Watch that keeps the Apple experience you enjoy and adds the tools runners ask for.

  • Real time navigation on the watch so you feel confident on new routes and race courses.

  • Live stats surfaced at the right moment so you make better decisions mid-run.

  • Structured workouts you can build and execute on the watch for hard and easy days.

  • Easy Route Import from Strava with instant sync to watch.

If you live in the Apple ecosystem and want a focused running experience without losing everyday utility, Apple Watch plus Milo is an excellent fit.

Garmin delivers endurance and depth (sometimes too much). Apple Watch delivers everyday utility. But now with Milo, Apple Watch covers the training essentials runners expect from Garmin - real time navigation, easy route import, live stats, and workouts you can actually follow - then adds the Apple polish that makes every run feel simple.