The Ultimate Smartwatch Showdown: Garmin Venu 4 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 3
The Garmin Venu 4 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 are both anticipated to secure spots on our lists of the best Garmin and Apple watches, respectively, as we conclude the final wave of 2025 releases and prepare for 2026. As an enthusiast of smartwatches, I’ve recently had the opportunity to strap on the Garmin Venu 4, and my initial impressions are that it’s shaping up to be a remarkable device. Its 45mm model is surprisingly lightweight for its size and features a bright display, which makes it convenient for daily use.
Part of my review process involves directly comparing the heart rate accuracy of the Garmin Venu 4 against a highly-regarded standard, the Polar H10 Bluetooth heart rate monitor. I am also using the precise Apple Watch Ultra 3 as a ‘control’ to gauge reliability during my tests.
Heart Rate Monitoring: The Polar H10 Standard
The Polar H10 has been consistently recognized as one of the best heart rate monitors for accuracy by various experts, including myself. This device is favored by many professional athletes for its reliability. When strapped on, it seamlessly connects with the Polar Flow app via Bluetooth, allowing live heart rate readings directly to my phone.
(Image credit: Lee Bell)
For my testing, I wore both the Garmin Venu 4 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 on separate wrists while using the Polar H10 for accurate heart rate readings throughout a 7km lunchtime run. A gallery of screenshots illustrates how each app recorded my performance, including a pause in the tracking around 10 minutes into the workout.
The Workout Results
Initially, the Garmin Venu 4 showed discrepancies in heart rate accuracy. Between 1km to 2km into my run, the readings were surprising: the Apple Watch reported a heart rate in the 140s, while the Garmin Venu 4 displayed a value in the 120s. This inconsistency prompted me to check the Polar Flow app, which confirmed that the Apple Watch was indeed more accurate.
After restarting the apps, the Garmin Venu 4’s readings improved significantly, aligning much closer with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for the remainder of my run. The subsequent data suggested that this initial dip could have been an anomaly.
By the end of my 7km, the average heart rate from Garmin was recorded as 151 bpm, fairly close to the 156 bpm noted by both Apple and Polar. While I typically wouldn’t raise concerns over a 5 bpm difference, the variation during the initial phase is worth noting. Moving forward, I plan to conduct further accuracy tests with the Garmin Venu 4 to ensure consistent results.
Overall, despite that initial blip, the Venu 4 demonstrated solid performance throughout the remaining distance of my run, suggesting that a longer workout might lead to even more accurate readings. Stay tuned for our comprehensive review of the Garmin Venu 4.
For those interested in the nitty-gritty of smartwatch performance and how they stack against established metrics, check out my detailed examination here.
Image Credit: www.techradar.com
