Apple Watch vs Garmin: Which Is Better for Runners in 2025?

Apple Watch 2025

This is one of the most common questions in run clubs and gear chats. Use this guide to compare battery life, GPS accuracy, features, and price, then choose the watch that fits your running and your life.

TL;DR

  • Choose Apple Watch if you want a running watch that fits your whole life. The Ultra 3 brings dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) and improved battery life, while the Series 11 keeps all-day comfort and tight iPhone integration. And now, with Milo, Apple gives you the running functionality Garmin built its reputation on, but in a simpler, more delightful package.

  • Choose Garmin if you want a sport-only device built for ultra distances and multi-day battery life.

Battery life you will notice

  • Apple Watch Series 11 lasts up to 24 hours in normal use and up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. Expect daily or near-daily charging if you record outdoor runs often.

  • Apple Watch Ultra 3 lasts up to 42 hours in normal use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. Strong for marathon training weeks, not designed for multi-day ultra events without charging.

  • Garmin Forerunner 965 reaches about 23 days in smartwatch mode and around 31 hours with GPS only. Multi-band reduces that figure but still leads Apple on endurance.

  • Garmin fēnix 7 Pro delivers weeks of smartwatch time and very long GPS sessions, especially in solar models. Ideal for ultramarathon and mountain objectives.

GPS accuracy

  • Dual-frequency and multi-band improve position tracking in city canyons and dense cover. Ultra 3 uses L1 + L5. Higher-end Garmin models use multi-band GNSS.

  • In current testing, Ultra-class Apple Watch and multi-band Garmin both produce accurate tracks for road running and trail running. Differences are usually small and route dependent.

Features that matter to runners

Apple Watch

  • Hardware and Sensors

    Dual-frequency GPS on Ultra 3 for pinpoint accuracy, reliable optical heart rate tracking, motion and elevation sensing - all built on Apple’s tight hardware ecosystem.

  • Everyday Utility

    Messages, calls, Apple Pay, Focus Modes, Find My, and the ability to unlock your Mac or control your camera. It’s a watch you actually want to wear all day, not just on runs.

  • Safety

    Fall and crash detection, SOS features, and new 2025 connectivity updates give runners extra peace of mind wherever they train.

  • What Milo Adds

Together, Apple Watch and Milo deliver everything runners love about a Garmin - navigation, workouts, performance data - wrapped in Apple’s effortless design and usability.

Garmin’s Remaining Edge

  • Battery Life

    Garmin still leads when it comes to ultra-endurance: multi-day GPS tracking and weeks-long smartwatch mode make it ideal for trail epics or multi-day adventures.

Pricing in 2025

  • Series 11 from about $399.

  • Ultra 3 from about $799.

  • Forerunner 965 about $600.

  • fēnix 7 Pro about $899 to $999 depending on configuration.

Which ecosystem should you choose

Choose Garmin if you:

  • Need true multi-day battery life for ultra-distance or multi-day adventures.

  • Don’t mind a bulkier, more utilitarian design built purely for performance.

Choose Apple Watch + Milo if you:

  • Want a running companion that fits seamlessly into your everyday life - from long runs to meetings to nights out.

  • Value precision, simplicity, and design that feels as good as it performs.

  • Want the power of Garmin-style navigation, workouts, and live stats, but with Apple’s clarity and ease.

Closing Summary

In the past, runners had to choose between Garmin’s depth and Apple’s design. Milo changes that. It transforms your Apple Watch into a true training companion - combining the precision and performance runners expect from Garmin with the simplicity, beauty, and ease only Apple can deliver.