Apple Watch SE is the smarter watch; Vivoactive 5 is the better fitness coach.
I’ve been stuck between the Apple Watch SE and the Garmin Vivoactive 5 before big training weeks and busy workdays. Both solve a real problem: you want a watch that does health, fitness, and daily life well. In my tests, both shined, but in different ways. The core dilemma in the apple watch se vs garmin vivoactive 5 is this: smarter apps vs longer battery and deeper fitness tools. I’ve worn both for weeks. Here’s what I learned so you can pick with confidence.
TOP PICK
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)…
WHY APPLE WATCH SE — All the essentials to help you be motivated and active, keep connected, track your health, and stay safe. watchOS 11…
(2ndGen)
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RECOMMENDED
Garmin Vívoactive 5, Health and…
Designed with a bright, colorful AMOLED display, get a more complete picture of your health, thanks to battery life of up to 11 days in…
HealthFitness
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Is Apple Watch SE Good?
Yes—for iPhone users who want a smart, fast, and friendly watch. The Apple Watch SE nails notifications, calls, Apple Pay, and smooth apps. Fitness tracking is good. Safety tools like Fall and Crash Detection add peace of mind. Battery is a day or so, but Low Power Mode helps. If you live in Apple’s world, it feels seamless.
On my commute, the SE handled messages, transit taps, and quick timers without a hiccup. During a 5K, GPS and pace were steady, and the haptics were spot-on for intervals. Sleep tracking is decent, though not as deep as Garmin. In short, it felt like a small, helpful assistant on my wrist.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- Smooth iPhone integration for calls, messages, and Apple Pay
- Crash Detection and Fall Detection for added safety
- Fast performance and a rich app ecosystem
- Accurate GPS and heart-rate tracking for daily workouts
- 50m water resistance and swim tracking
What I Like
- Best-in-class notifications and replies on the wrist
- Media controls and Siri make daily tasks quick
- Fitness rings are great for motivation
- Reliable GPS for runs and walks
- Simple setup and clean, bright display
What Could Be Better
- Battery life is about a day in normal use
- No ECG or blood oxygen on the SE
- iPhone only—no Android support
- No always-on display
My Recommendation
If you use an iPhone and want the smartest everyday watch, pick the Apple Watch SE. It’s great value and easy to find.
| Best For | Why |
|---|
| iPhone owners | Tight iOS integration and smooth apps |
| Daily life and safety | Top-tier notifications and Crash/Fall Detection |
| Casual fitness | Accurate GPS and motivating rings |
Is Garmin Vivoactive 5 Good?
It depends—but for training and
recovery, it’s excellent. The Vivoactive 5 delivers long battery life, deep health data, and strong GPS. Sleep score, Body Battery, HRV, and stress tracking help you pace your days. It works with iPhone and Android. It feels like a coach, not just a smartwatch.
On a long weekend hike, I finished with juice to spare. The AMOLED screen was clear in sun. I used Body Battery to plan a tempo run the next day. It flagged low recovery, so I swapped in easy miles and felt better all week. For the apple watch se vs garmin vivoactive 5 debate, this is the fitness-first choice.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- AMOLED display with up to 11 days of battery life
- Body Battery, HRV, Sleep Score, and nap tracking
- Built-in GPS with many sport modes
- On-device music and Garmin Pay
- Works with iPhone and Android
What I Like
- Battery lasts a week-plus in my tests
- Sleep and recovery insights are helpful and clear
- Workout suggestions and training load trends
- Music storage for phone-free runs
- Comfortable band and light case for all-day wear
What Could Be Better
- No mic or speaker for calls
- App ecosystem is smaller than Apple’s
- Interface has a learning curve at first
My Recommendation
If you want deeper fitness data and long battery life, pick the Vivoactive 5. It suits training and recovery.
| Best For | Why |
|---|
| Runners and gym goers | Strong GPS, plans, and recovery metrics |
| Sleep-focused users | Sleep score, HRV, and Body Battery |
| Battery-first buyers | Lasts many days on a charge |
apple watch se vs garmin vivoactive 5: Side-by-Side Test
I wore both watches for work, runs, and sleep. Below is how the apple watch se vs garmin vivoactive 5 stack up in real life.
Smart Features and Apps: Which Feels Smarter?
I looked at calls, texts, payments, and apps.
| Feature | Apple Watch SE | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|
| Calls and replies | Excellent with iPhone | No calls; quick replies (Android) |
| Payments | Apple Pay, very fast | Garmin Pay, works well |
| Apps | Huge App Store | Smaller Connect IQ |
| Voice assistant | Siri onboard | None |
Rating: Apple Watch SE – 9/10 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 – 7/10
Edge: Apple Watch SE for day-to-day smarts and rich apps.
Battery Life: Who Lasts Longer?
I tested both with mixed use.
| Scenario | Apple Watch SE | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|
| Typical day | ~18 hours | Up to ~11 days |
| GPS workout (1 hr) | Notable drop | Small drop |
| Overnight sleep | Needs careful charging | Still plenty left |
| Low Power use | About 2 days | Several days easy |
Rating: Apple Watch SE – 6/10 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 – 9/10
Edge: Garmin Vivoactive 5 by a wide margin on battery life.
Fitness and GPS: Which Tracks Better?
I checked runs, intervals, and heart rate.
| Metric | Apple Watch SE | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|
| GPS accuracy | Very good in city parks | Very good on roads and trails |
| HR during intervals | Stable, quick to lock | Stable, with training tips |
| Sport modes | Plenty for most users | Broader set with coaching |
| Data depth | Solid basics | Deeper metrics and trends |
Rating: Apple Watch SE – 8/10 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 – 9/10
Edge: Garmin Vivoactive 5 for training depth and guidance.
Sleep and Recovery: Who Coaches Better?
I reviewed sleep score, HRV, and daily readiness.
| Feature | Apple Watch SE | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|
| Sleep stages | Basic stages | Detailed with score |
| HRV insights | Limited | HRV and Body Battery |
| Nap tracking | Basic/limited | Automatic naps |
| Actionable tips | Some prompts | Clear guidance daily |
Rating: Apple Watch SE – 7/10 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 – 9/10
Edge: Garmin Vivoactive 5 for sleep and recovery coaching.
Display and Comfort: Which Is Nicer to Wear?
I focused on clarity, brightness, and feel.
| Aspect | Apple Watch SE | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|
| Display | Bright, crisp LCD | AMOLED, vivid colors |
| Always-on option | No | Yes (with battery hit) |
| Weight | Light and comfy | Light and comfy |
| Outdoor visibility | Strong | Strong |
Rating: Apple Watch SE – 8/10 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 – 8.5/10
Edge: Slight to Vivoactive 5 for AMOLED and always-on.
Health Sensors and Safety: What Do You Get?
I compared must-have health tools and alerts.
| Item | Apple Watch SE | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|
| ECG | No | No |
| SpO2 (blood oxygen) | No | Yes (Pulse Ox) |
| Crash/Fall detection | Yes (both) | Incident detection during activities |
| Heart alerts | High/low HR alerts | High/low HR, stress alerts |
Rating: Apple Watch SE – 8/10 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 – 8.5/10
Edge: Vivoactive 5 for SpO2 and stress tools; SE for Crash Detection.
Compatibility and Ecosystem: Where Does It Fit?
I tested phone pairing and services.
| Area | Apple Watch SE | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|
| Phone support | iPhone only | iPhone and Android |
| Music | Controls, Apple Music on phone | On-device music options |
| Third‑party apps | Very large selection | Smaller, focused |
| Payments | Apple Pay | Garmin Pay |
Rating: Apple Watch SE – 8.5/10 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 – 8/10
Edge: Apple Watch SE if you are deep in Apple’s ecosystem.
Value for Money: Which Feels Worth It?
I weighed features against price.
| Consideration | Apple Watch SE | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|
| Everyday smarts | Excellent value | Good |
| Training depth | Good basics | Excellent for the price |
| Battery | Short | Long |
| Longevity | Strong software support | Long battery, durable |
Rating: Apple Watch SE – 8/10 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 – 8.5/10
Edge: Vivoactive 5 for fitness value; SE for smart value on iPhone.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
The apple watch se vs garmin vivoactive 5 comes down to your priorities. If you want the smartest daily watch for an iPhone, choose the Apple Watch SE. It nails messages, calls, and payments, and it’s simple to live with.
If you want longer battery and deeper health and recovery tools, go Garmin Vivoactive 5. It is the better training partner. For mixed needs, choose the one that matches your phone and daily habits.
FAQs Of apple watch se vs garmin vivoactive 5
Which is better for iPhone users in the apple watch se vs garmin vivoactive 5?
Apple Watch SE. It offers calls, replies, Siri, and Apple Pay. It feels seamless.
Which lasts longer on a charge in the apple watch se vs garmin vivoactive 5?
Garmin Vivoactive 5. It can go up to about 11 days. The SE is about a day.
Which is better for training: apple watch se vs garmin vivoactive 5?
Vivoactive 5. It has Body Battery, HRV, sleep score, and rich sport modes.
Can I use them with Android in the apple watch se vs garmin vivoactive 5?
Only the Garmin Vivoactive 5 works with Android. Apple Watch SE needs an iPhone.
Do either support ECG or blood oxygen in the apple watch se vs garmin vivoactive 5?
Neither has ECG. Vivoactive 5 has SpO2. Apple Watch SE does not.
Rubel Miah is the Senior Editor at MyStyleGrid.com, where he brings a sharp editorial eye and an unshakable love for fashion to everything he does. A true style addict, Rubel lives and breathes trends, from streetwear to high fashion, and has a knack for turning inspiration into impactful stories. With years of experience in fashion journalism and digital media, he curates content that empowers readers to express themselves through style. When he’s not editing features or forecasting the next big thing, you’ll find him hunting down vintage pieces or capturing street style moments around the city.
