Apple Watch SE 3
Garmin Vivoactive 6

Apple Watch SE 3 Garmin Vivoactive 6

Common Features

  • Both products have OLED/AMOLED displays.
  • Both products are waterproof.
  • Both products have a 5 ATM water resistance rating.
  • Both products can withstand depths of 50 m underwater.
  • Both products have an always-on display.
  • Both products have replaceable watch bands.
  • Both products have branded damage-resistant glass.
  • Both products have a display.
  • Both products have heart rate monitors.
  • Both products have GPS.
  • Both products have accelerometers.
  • Both products have compasses.
  • Both products have gyroscopes.
  • Both products track sleep.
  • Both products track distance.
  • Both products track steps taken.
  • Both products measure pace.
  • Both products provide sleep reports.
  • Both products can detect activities automatically.
  • Both products have exercise tagging.

Main Differences

  • The Apple Watch SE 3 has a screen size of 1.78″, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 has a smaller screen size of 1.2″.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 has a pixel density of 326 ppi, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 has a higher pixel density of 459 ppi.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 has a resolution of 368 x 448 px, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 has a resolution of 390 x 390 px.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 is 10.7 mm thick, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is 10.9 mm thick.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 weighs 33 g, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 weighs 36 g.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 has a height of 44 mm, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 has a height of 42.2 mm.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 has a width of 38 mm, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 has a width of 42.2 mm.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 can operate at a maximum temperature of 35 °C, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 can operate at a maximum temperature of 60 °C.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 can operate at a minimum temperature of 0 °C, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 can operate at a minimum temperature of -20 °C.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 has a volume of 17.8904 cm³, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 has a larger volume of 19.411156 cm³.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 does not monitor blood oxygenation levels, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 has a temperature sensor, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does not.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 has a barometer, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does not.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 has a route tracker, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does not.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 tracks elevation, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does not.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 has multi-sport mode, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does not.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 does not track calorie intake, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 is not designed for golf, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 has a cellular module, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does not.
  • The Apple Watch SE 3 is not compatible with Android, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is.
Specs Comparison
Apple Watch SE 3

Apple Watch SE 3

Garmin Vivoactive 6

Garmin Vivoactive 6

Design:
screen size 1.78" 1.2"
Display type OLED/AMOLED OLED/AMOLED
water resistance Waterproof Waterproof
ATM rating 5 ATM 5 ATM
waterproof depth rating 50 m 50 m
Always-On Display
pixel density 326 ppi 459 ppi
resolution 368 x 448 px 390 x 390 px
Watch band is replaceable
has branded damage-resistant glass
thickness 10.7 mm 10.9 mm
weight 33 g 36 g
height 44 mm 42.2 mm
width 38 mm 42.2 mm
maximum operating temperature 35 °C 60 °C
lowest potential operating temperature 0 °C -20 °C
Has a display
has a touch screen
Has sapphire glass display
volume 17.8904 cm³ 19.411156 cm³

The Apple Watch SE 3 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 have similar design characteristics, but there are a few differences worth noting. Both watches feature an OLED/AMOLED display type, are waterproof with a 5 ATM rating, and have a waterproof depth rating of 50 meters. They also both support an Always-On Display and include a replaceable watch band. The thickness and weight of the watches are quite close, with the Apple Watch SE 3 being slightly thinner at 10.7 mm and lighter at 33 g, compared to the Garmin Vivoactive 6, which is 10.9 mm thick and weighs 36 g.

In terms of screen size, the Apple Watch SE 3 has a larger display at 1.78″, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 has a smaller 1.2″ display. The Apple Watch SE 3 has a resolution of 368 x 448 px and a pixel density of 326 ppi, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 features a higher pixel density of 459 ppi with a resolution of 390 x 390 px.

The Apple Watch SE 3 has a slightly larger height (44 mm) and width (38 mm) compared to the Garmin Vivoactive 6, which has a height and width of 42.2 mm and 42.2 mm, respectively. The Apple Watch SE 3 also supports a maximum operating temperature of 35°C, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 can handle a significantly higher maximum temperature of 60°C. On the lower end, the Apple Watch SE 3 can operate at temperatures as low as 0°C, whereas the Garmin Vivoactive 6 has a much broader range with a minimum operating temperature of -20°C.

Sensors:
Monitors blood oxygenation levels
Has a heart rate monitor
has GPS
has an accelerometer
Has a temperature sensor
has a compass
Has a barometer
has a gyroscope
Has a cadence sensor
Monitors perspiration

The Apple Watch SE 3 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 share many common sensors, but there are some notable differences. Both watches include a heart rate monitor, GPS, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope. The Apple Watch SE 3 adds a temperature sensor, a compass, and a barometer, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 lacks a temperature sensor and barometer but includes blood oxygenation level monitoring, which the Apple Watch SE 3 does not offer.

Both watches are missing a cadence sensor and do not monitor perspiration. The Apple Watch SE 3 includes more environmental sensors with the barometer and compass, whereas the Garmin Vivoactive 6 focuses on blood oxygenation tracking but lacks the barometer, which could be crucial for certain activities.

Overall, the Apple Watch SE 3 has a slightly broader range of sensors for tracking environmental conditions, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 adds blood oxygenation monitoring, a feature not available in the Apple Watch SE 3.

Activity tracking:
Tracks your sleep
Tracks distance
Tracks steps taken
Measures pace
Provides sleep reports
Detects activities automatically
Has a route tracker
Tracks elevation
Has multi-sport mode
Has exercise tagging
Has a stroke counter for swimming
Tracks calorie intake
Designed for diving
Designed for golf

The Apple Watch SE 3 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 share many core activity tracking features, including sleep tracking, distance tracking, step counting, pace measurement, automatic activity detection, and sleep reports. Both also include exercise tagging and a stroke counter for swimming. However, there are some differences in the additional activity tracking capabilities each watch offers.

The Apple Watch SE 3 stands out with features like a route tracker, elevation tracking, multi-sport mode, and the ability to track calories, which the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does not offer. On the other hand, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 includes a unique feature that the Apple Watch SE 3 lacks: calorie intake tracking. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is also designed for golf, whereas the Apple Watch SE 3 is not.

In terms of activity tracking, the Apple Watch SE 3 provides a broader range of features, including elevation and route tracking, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 focuses on specific features like golf and calorie intake monitoring.

Connectivity:
has a cellular module
Is compatible with iOS
Is compatible with Android
supports Wi-Fi
supports ANT+
has NFC
supports Galileo

The Apple Watch SE 3 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 differ in several connectivity features. The Apple Watch SE 3 includes a cellular module, allowing it to function independently of a phone, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does not have this feature. Both watches are compatible with iOS, but the Apple Watch SE 3 is not compatible with Android, whereas the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is compatible with both iOS and Android.

Both watches support Wi-Fi and NFC, and they also support the Galileo satellite system for GPS functionality. The Garmin Vivoactive 6, however, has additional support for ANT+, which the Apple Watch SE 3 does not offer.

In summary, the Apple Watch SE 3 has cellular support and exclusive iOS compatibility, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 offers broader Android compatibility and supports ANT+ connectivity.

Battery:
battery life 0.75 days 11 days
has wireless charging
has a rechargeable battery
Has a solar power battery
has a removable battery

The Apple Watch SE 3 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 differ significantly in battery performance. The Apple Watch SE 3 offers a battery life of 0.75 days, whereas the Garmin Vivoactive 6 boasts a much longer battery life of 11 days. This makes the Garmin Vivoactive 6 a more suitable option for users seeking extended usage without frequent recharging.

Both watches feature rechargeable batteries and do not support solar power or removable batteries. However, the Apple Watch SE 3 supports wireless charging, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does not.

In summary, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 excels in battery life, providing a much longer duration between charges, while the Apple Watch SE 3 offers the convenience of wireless charging but has a much shorter battery life.

Features:
release date September 2025 April 2025
measures VO2 max
measures resting heart rate
has fast/slow heart rate notifications
shows readiness level
Can be used to answer calls
Locates your phone
Has call control
Has notifications
has irregular heart rate warnings
Has silent alarm
Has vibrating alerts
has fall detection
Has a stopwatch
Has smart alarm
has voice commands
internal storage 64GB 8GB
Has a built-in camera remote control function
Acquires GPS faster
has a front camera

The Apple Watch SE 3 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 come with a variety of features that cater to different needs. Both watches measure resting heart rate, offer heart rate notifications, provide phone location tracking, and support notifications, silent alarms, vibrating alerts, and fall detection. Additionally, both have a stopwatch, smart alarm, and voice commands, though the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does not have voice command functionality.

The Apple Watch SE 3 offers some unique features not found on the Garmin Vivoactive 6, such as the ability to answer calls, call control, and 64GB of internal storage. It also includes a built-in camera remote control function, which the Garmin Vivoactive 6 lacks. Furthermore, the Apple Watch SE 3 has irregular heart rate warnings, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does not.

The Garmin Vivoactive 6, on the other hand, measures VO2 max, which the Apple Watch SE 3 does not. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 also lacks some of the advanced features of the Apple Watch SE 3, like the front camera and faster GPS acquisition, but still provides essential fitness and health tracking functionalities.

App & Software:
Provides activity reports
Has inactivity alerts
Counts how many calories you've burned
Has goal setting
Has achievements
Free app
Has exercise diary
Ad-free
Has coaching
Has temperature tracking
Has period notifications
Has voice feedback
Has music playback
Predicts ovulation
Predicts start date
Can be personalised
Has barcode scanner on app
Tracks water intake
Has weight tracking

The Apple Watch SE 3 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 offer a range of similar features in terms of app and software functionalities. Both watches provide activity reports, inactivity alerts, calorie counting, goal setting, achievements, a free app, an exercise diary, and an ad-free experience. Additionally, both have period notifications, voice feedback, music playback, and the ability to predict ovulation and start dates. Both watches are also highly customizable, allowing for personalization.

However, there are a few differences. The Apple Watch SE 3 includes temperature tracking, which the Garmin Vivoactive 6 lacks. On the other hand, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 offers coaching, a feature not available on the Apple Watch SE 3. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 also tracks water intake, a feature the Apple Watch SE 3 does not have.

Neither product has a barcode scanner on the app or weight tracking. Overall, the Apple Watch SE 3 stands out with temperature tracking, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 adds coaching and water intake tracking to its software suite.

Miscellaneous:
has a battery level indicator
has aptX
Has auto pause
Compatible with smart scales
Compatible with external heart rate monitors
Is compatible with Windows
has an external memory slot
Is compatible with Mac OS X
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack

The Apple Watch SE 3 and the Garmin Vivoactive 6 have several similar features in the Miscellaneous category. Both watches include a battery level indicator, support auto pause, are compatible with smart scales, and can connect with external heart rate monitors. Neither watch has an external memory slot or a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack.

One key difference between the two is that the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is compatible with Windows, while the Apple Watch SE 3 is not. Both watches are compatible with Mac OS X.

In summary, the Apple Watch SE 3 and Garmin Vivoactive 6 share many functionalities, with the main distinction being that the Garmin Vivoactive 6 offers compatibility with Windows, a feature the Apple Watch SE 3 lacks.

Comparison Summary

This is a specification comparison between the Apple Watch SE 3 and Garmin Vivoactive 6. Both watches feature OLED/AMOLED displays and are waterproof with a 5 ATM water resistance rating. They both support GPS and accelerometers. However, the Apple Watch SE 3 has a larger screen size of 1.78″ compared to the Garmin Vivoactive 6's 1.2″. The Apple Watch SE 3 also has a cellular module, while the Garmin Vivoactive 6 does not. The Apple Watch SE 3 offers a shorter battery life of 0.75 days, whereas the Garmin Vivoactive 6 lasts up to 11 days. Additionally, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 tracks calorie intake and is compatible with Android, unlike the Apple Watch SE 3.