Apple Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch vs Garmin: which smartwatch should you buy?
The three biggest smartwatch families compared on phone compatibility, battery life, fitness tracking and price, with today's lowest prices at Australian stores.
In this guide
The first question isn't which watch is best. It's which phone you have. Apple Watch only works with iPhone, Samsung's watches work best with Samsung phones, and Garmin works with both. After that, it comes down to battery life versus smart features.
The short answer
- iPhone owner who wants the best smartwatch: Apple Watch.
- Android owner, especially Samsung: Galaxy Watch.
- Runner, cyclist, hiker or anyone who hates charging: Garmin.
Apple Watch
- 1
Apple Watch SE 33 stores · cheapest at Mwavefrom$395.84 - 2
Apple Watch SE 3 GPS3 stores · cheapest at Apple Storefrom$399 - 3
Apple Watch Series 112 stores · cheapest at JB Hi-Fifrom$599 - 4
Apple Watch Series 12 GPS4 stores · cheapest at Costcofrom$619.99 - 5
Apple Watch Series 92 stores · cheapest at digiDirectfrom$625 - 6
Apple Watch Series 123 stores · cheapest at digiDirectfrom$647
The most polished smartwatch: apps, notifications, Apple Pay, health features and fitness tracking all work seamlessly with an iPhone. The SE is the budget option, the Series is the mainstream pick, and the Ultra adds a bigger, tougher case, a brighter screen and much longer battery life. The trade-off for most models is charging every day or so.
Samsung Galaxy Watch
- 1
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 (4 stores · cheapest at BuyMobilefrom$330.95 - 2
Samsung Galaxy Watch94 stores · cheapest at BuyMobilefrom$421.95 - 3
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (20252 stores · cheapest at BuyMobilefrom$474.95 - 4
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 BT2 stores · cheapest at Costcofrom$579.99 - 5
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra LTE5 stores · cheapest at Harvey Normanfrom$648 - 6
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic BT2 stores · cheapest at The Good Guysfrom$674
Runs Wear OS, with Google apps and Samsung Health. It works with most Android phones, but some health features need a Samsung phone. The Classic has a rotating bezel, and the Ultra is the tough, long-battery model. Battery life is similar to Apple Watch on the standard models.
Garmin
Garmin is a fitness company first. Its watches have detailed training metrics, accurate GPS, and battery life measured in days or weeks rather than hours, with some solar models going longer still. Smart features (notifications, Garmin Pay, music on some models) are more basic than Apple's or Samsung's. The Forerunner line is for runners, Venu for everyday wear, and Fenix and Instinct for the outdoors.
Side by side
| Apple Watch | Galaxy Watch | Garmin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works with | iPhone only | Android (best with Samsung) | iPhone and Android |
| Typical battery | About a day or two (Ultra longer) | About a day or two (Ultra longer) | Several days to weeks |
| Apps | Large App Store | Google Play apps | Limited Connect IQ apps |
| Best at | Everyday smartwatch, health | Android smartwatch | Training and the outdoors |
GPS or cellular?
A cellular model has its own mobile connection, so you can call, message and stream without your phone, but it costs more up front and needs a plan add-on from your carrier. Most people are fine with GPS only.
Where to buy
Smartwatches are sold by JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, digiDirect, the brands' own stores and more. Every model is on the smartwatches page, with each store's price.
| Store | Prices compared | Cheapest (or equal cheapest) | Typical gap when not |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | 8 | 88% | +77% |
| Garmin | 8 | 75% | +18% |
| Harvey Norman | 21 | 67% | +8% |
| digiDirect | 29 | 59% | +9% |
| JB Hi-Fi | 51 | 33% | +0.6% |
| Apple Store | 11 | 18% | +0.3% |
Every product variant at least two of these stores had in stock today, at its outright price. Recalculated every morning.
