Garmin Forerunner 30 vs. Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Forerunner 30 and Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS). 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.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Garmin Forerunner 30 vs. Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Forerunner 30 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Product Type Smart watch Smart watch
Operating System - WatchOS
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS 16 or later
Activity/Sport Running, cycling -
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Audio Input - Microphone
Audio Output - Speaker
Width 35.5 mm -
Height 40.7 mm -
Depth 13.4 mm -
Weight 37.3 g -
Body Details - Case only: 32 g
Body Material - Aerospace-grade aluminium alloy
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Forerunner 30 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Sensors Accelerometer, heart rate 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, pace, cadence 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 VO2 max, sunlight readable, HR zones, Move IQ, Garmin Connect compatible, Garmin Elevate, LiveTrack, TrueUp, auto pause, auto lap 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 Vibration alert, visual interface Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS 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
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Forerunner 30 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Wireless Interface Bluetooth IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0
DISPLAY Garmin Forerunner 30 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective Retina LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 128 x 128 pixels 352 x 430 pixels
Screen Size 0.93" -
Dimensions (WxH) 23.5 mm x 23.4 mm -
Screen Protection - Ion-X glass
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Forerunner 30 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Type - Touch sensitive screen
CASE Garmin Forerunner 30 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Case Size - 41 mm
Crystal Type Chemically strengthened glass -
Case Shape Rounded square Rectangular
Case Back - Sapphire crystal and ceramic back
Case Details Black Midnight aluminium | Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Silver aluminium
Crown Type - Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Garmin Forerunner 30 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Band Type Strap Sport band
Band Size - Regular
Fits Wrist with Circumference 140-200 mm 130-200 mm
Changeable - Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Pin-and-tuck
Band Material Silicone Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour Slate grey Midnight | Starlight | Red | White
STORAGE Garmin Forerunner 30 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Storage Capacity - 32 GB
CPU Garmin Forerunner 30 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Manufacturer - Apple
CPU Type - S8 SiP
Features - W3 Apple wireless chip, U1 chip
BATTERY Garmin Forerunner 30 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Technology - Lithium Ion
Battery Life 5 day(s) 18 hours
Battery Life Details GPS mode - up to 8 hour(s)
Smartwatch mode - up to 5 days
-
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
Wireless Charging - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Forerunner 30 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Included Accessories Charging cable Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software Stopwatch, Calendar, Alarm, Timer, Find My Phone, Garmion Connect IQ Apple Pay, GymKit
Compliant Standards - IP6X
SAR Value - 0.17 W/kg (head), 0.28 W/kg (limb)
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 50 m
Manufacturer Model Number - A2770
Warranty 2-year warranty 1-year warranty
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