In depth comparison and review of Garmin Forerunner 235 and Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular). Compare sizes, functions, displays, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right smartwatch for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the watch that will best fit your needs.
| GENERAL | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) |
|---|
| Product Type | Sport watch | Smart watch |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | - | WatchOS |
| Supported Host Device OS | - | iOS 16 or later |
| Activity/Sport | Running, cycling | - |
| Wearing Style | Watch style | Watch style |
| Audio Input | - | Microphone |
| Audio Output | - | Speaker |
| Width | 45 mm | - |
| Height | 45 mm | - |
| Depth | 11.7 mm | - |
| Weight | 42 g | - |
| Body Details | - | Case only: 32 g |
| Body Material | - | Aerospace-grade aluminium alloy |
| Protection | Water-resistant | Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant |
| Colours | Black, marsala red | Black and grey | Frost blue | - |
| Clock Display | Yes | Yes |
| FEATURES | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, optical heart sensor | Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, gyroscope, temperature sensing, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking Data | Distance, time, speed, calories burned, sleep activity, heart rate | Distance, time, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep stages, menstrual cycle, ECG, ovulation phase, rapid eye movement (REM) |
| Goal Setting | Yes | Yes |
| Features | Find phone function, VO2 max, idle alert, HR zones, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Garmin Elevate, LiveTrack, TrueUp, auto pause, auto lap, music playback control, voice instructions | Call handling, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, brightness: 1000 nits, Edge-to-edge display |
| Notifications | - | Calendar, SMS, Email, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm, cardio fitness |
| Vibrating Alert | Yes | Yes |
| Feedback Type | - | Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface |
| Navigation (GPS) | GPS/GLONASS receiver | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS receiver |
| Payment Technology | - | Apple Pay |
| Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible | - | Yes |
| IoT Intelligent Assistant | - | Siri |
| IoT Voice Controlled | - | Direct |
| CELLULAR | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) |
|---|
| Technology | - | WCDMA (UMTS) |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Broadband Generation | - | 4G |
| SIM Card Type | - | Electronic SIM card (e-SIM) |
| CONNECTIVITY | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) |
|---|
| 3M UMTS Band | - | Band 1, Band 2, Band 5, Band 8, Band 10 |
|---|---|---|
| 4G LTE Band | - | Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 7, Band 8, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 66 |
| Wireless Interface | - | IEEE 802.11b/g/n, LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) |
| DISPLAY | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) |
|---|
| Type | Memory-in-Pixel LCD - colour - transflective | Retina LTPO OLED - colour |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 215 x 180 pixels | 352 x 430 pixels |
| Screen Size | 1.23" | - |
| Screen Protection | Chemically strengthened glass | Ion-X glass |
| Always On Display (AOD) | - | Yes |
| INPUT DEVICE | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) |
|---|
| Type | - | Touch sensitive screen |
|---|
| CASE | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) |
|---|
| Case Size | - | 41 mm |
|---|---|---|
| Case Shape | Round | Rectangular |
| Case Back | - | Sapphire crystal and ceramic back |
| Case Details | - | Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Silver stainless steel | Gold stainless steel | Midnight aluminium | Graphite stainless steel | Silver aluminium |
| Crown Type | - | Digital with haptic feedback |
| BAND | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) |
|---|
| Band Type | Strap | Sport band |
|---|---|---|
| Band Size | - | Regular |
| Fits Wrist with Circumference | - | 130-200 mm |
| Changeable | - | Yes |
| Clasp Type | Buckle | Pin-and-tuck |
| Band Material | Silicone | Fluoroelastomer |
| Band Colour | Grey | Starlight | Red | White | Midnight | Silver | Gold | Graphite |
| STORAGE | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) |
|---|
| Storage Capacity | - | 32 GB |
|---|
| CPU | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) |
|---|
| Manufacturer | - | Apple |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Type | - | S8 SiP |
| Features | - | W3 Apple wireless chip, U1 chip |
| BATTERY | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) |
|---|
| Technology | - | Lithium Ion |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | - | 18 hours |
| Battery Life Details | GPS mode - up to 11 hour(s) Smartwatch mode - up to 9 days |
- |
| Rechargeable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | - | Yes |
| MISCELLANEOUS | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) |
|---|
| Included Accessories | Charging/data cable | Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m) |
|---|---|---|
| Preloaded Software | Calendar, Alarm, Weather, Timer, Find My Phone, Garmion Connect IQ | Apple Pay, GymKit |
| Compliant Standards | - | IP6X |
| SAR Value | - | 0.31 W/kg (head), 0.55 W/kg (head) |
| Max Depth of Water Resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Manufacturer Model Number | - | A2773 |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty | 1-year warranty |
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