In depth comparison and review of Garmin Forerunner 30 and Apple Watch Series 9 (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 30 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) |
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Product Type | Smart watch | Smart watch |
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Operating System | - | WatchOS 10 |
Supported Host Device OS | iOS, Android | iOS 17 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: 32.1 g |
Body Material | - | 100% recycled aluminium |
Protection | Waterproof | Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant |
Clock Display | Yes | Yes |
FEATURES | Garmin Forerunner 30 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) |
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Sensors | Accelerometer, heart rate | Digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter, temperature sensor, high-g accelerometer, gyroscope with high dynamic range |
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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, mental wellbeing |
Goal Setting | Yes | Yes |
Features | VO2 max, sunlight readable, HR zones, Move IQ, Garmin Connect compatible, Garmin Elevate, LiveTrack, TrueUp, auto pause, auto lap | Fall detection, Emergency SOS, brightness: 2000 nits, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, fast charge, precision finding for iPhone, elevation view |
Notifications | - | Calendar, SMS, Email, applications, 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 |
CELLULAR | Garmin Forerunner 30 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) |
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Technology | - | WCDMA (UMTS) |
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Mobile Broadband Generation | - | 4G |
SIM Card Type | - | Electronic SIM card (e-SIM) |
CONNECTIVITY | Garmin Forerunner 30 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) |
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3M UMTS Band | - | Band 1, Band 2, Band 5, Band 10 |
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4G LTE Band | - | Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 6, 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 | Bluetooth | IEEE 802.11b/g/n, LTE, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth 5.3 |
DISPLAY | Garmin Forerunner 30 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) |
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Type | Memory-in-Pixel LCD - monochrome - transflective | Retina LTPO OLED - colour |
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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 9 (GPS + Cellular) |
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Type | - | Touch sensitive screen, side button, double tap gesture |
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CASE | Garmin Forerunner 30 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) |
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Case Size | - | 41 mm |
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Crystal Type | Chemically strengthened glass | - |
Case Shape | Rounded square | Rectangular |
Case Back | - | Sapphire crystal and ceramic back |
Case Details | Black | Starlight aluminium | Silver aluminium | Gold stainless steel | Graphite stainless steel | Midnight aluminium | Pink aluminum | Red aluminium | Silver stainless steel |
Crown Type | - | Digital with haptic feedback |
BAND | Garmin Forerunner 30 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) |
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Band Type | Strap | Sport band |
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Band Size | - | M/L |
Fits Wrist with Circumference | 140-200 mm | 150-200 mm |
Changeable | - | Yes |
Clasp Type | Buckle | Pin-and-tuck |
Band Material | Silicone | Fluoroelastomer |
Band Colour | Slate grey | Starlight | Storm blue | Clay | Midnight | Light pink | Red | Silver | Gold | Graphite | Winter blue |
STORAGE | Garmin Forerunner 30 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) |
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Storage Capacity | - | 64 GB |
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CPU | Garmin Forerunner 30 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) |
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Manufacturer | - | Apple |
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CPU Type | - | S9 SiP |
Features | - | W3 Apple wireless chip, second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, 4-core Neural Engine |
BATTERY | Garmin Forerunner 30 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) |
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Technology | - | Lithium Ion |
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Battery Life | 5 day(s) | 18 hours |
Battery Life Details | GPS mode - up to 8 hour(s) Smartwatch mode - up to 5 days |
Typical usage - up to 18 hour(s) Low power mode - up to 36 hour(s) |
Rechargeable Battery | Yes | Yes |
Wireless Charging | - | Yes |
MISCELLANEOUS | Garmin Forerunner 30 | Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) |
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Included Accessories | Charging cable | Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m) |
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Preloaded Software | Stopwatch, Calendar, Alarm, Timer, Find My Phone, Garmion Connect IQ | GymKit |
Compliant Standards | - | IP6X, BFR-free, PVC-free, Beryllium-free, Mercury-free, Arsenic-free |
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) | - | 0.15 W/kg (head) 0.36 W/kg (limb) |
Carbon Footprint | - | 0 kg carbon emissions |
Max Depth of Water Resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
Manufacturer Model Number | - | A2982 |
Warranty | 2-year warranty | - |