Garmin vívoactive 3 Music vs. Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin vívoactive 3 Music and Apple Watch Series 9 (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 vívoactive 3 Music vs. Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Product Type Smart watch Smart watch
Operating System - WatchOS 10
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS 17 or later
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Audio Input - Microphone
Audio Output - Speaker
Width 43.4 mm -
Height 43.4 mm -
Depth 11.7 mm -
Weight 43 g -
Body Details - Case only: 31.9 g
Body Material - 100% recycled aluminium
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Sensors Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, altimeter, heart rate, VO2 max 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
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, pace, stress level 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 Music remote handling, find phone function, listening to music, call alerts, Bluetooth Smart technology, automatic exercise recognition, VIRB control, Move IQ, Side Swipe interface, Find my Device, Downloadable workouts, store & play music 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 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/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS receiver
Payment Technology Garmin Pay Apple Pay
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible - Yes
IoT Intelligent Assistant - Siri
IoT Voice Controlled - Direct
CONNECTIVITY Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Wireless Interface Bluetooth 4.0, ANT+/ANT IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth 5.3
DISPLAY Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Type Colour Retina LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 240 x 240 pixels 352 x 430 pixels
Screen Size 1.2" -
Aspect Ratio Full circle -
Screen Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (scratch resistant glass) Ion-X glass
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Type Touch sensitive screen Touch sensitive screen, side button, double tap gesture
CASE Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Case Size - 41 mm
Case Shape Round Rectangular
Case Back - Sapphire crystal and ceramic back
Case Details Black Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Midnight aluminium | Pink aluminum | Silver aluminium
Crown Type - Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Band Type Band Sport band
Band Size - M/L
Band Width 20 mm -
Fits Wrist with Circumference 127-204 mm 150-200 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type - Pin-and-tuck
Band Material Silicone Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour Black | Blue Starlight | Red | Midnight | Light pink | Storm blue | Winter blue
STORAGE Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Storage Capacity - 64 GB
CPU Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Manufacturer - Apple
CPU Type - S9 SiP
Features - W3 Apple wireless chip, second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, 4-core Neural Engine
BATTERY Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 7 day(s) 18 hours
Battery Life Details Audio playback/GPS - up to 5 hour(s)
Typical usage - up to 7 days
Typical usage - up to 18 hour(s)
Low power mode - up to 36 hour(s)
Rechargeable Battery - Yes
Wireless Charging - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin vívoactive 3 Music Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Included Accessories Charging cable Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software Garmin Pay, Garmin Heartbeat, CONNECT IQ GymKit
Compliant Standards - IP6X, BFR-free, PVC-free, Beryllium-free, Mercury-free, Arsenic-free
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) - 0.12 W/kg (head)
0.29 W/kg (limb)
Carbon Footprint - 0 kg carbon emissions
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 50 m
Manufacturer Model Number - A2978
Warranty 1-year warranty -
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