Comparing Vivoactive 3 and Fenix 5s Plus
Garmin, a renowned brand known for their high-quality GPS technology and wearables, has produced two popular multisport GPS smartwatches: Fenix 5s Plus and Vivoactive 3. These devices provide accurate and comprehensive fitness tracking features, allowing users to monitor their health and achieve fitness goals in a seamless and comfortable manner.
Choosing the right smartwatch can significantly impact your fitness journey, ensuring that your daily activities and exercises are tracked effectively and provide valuable insights. Each device comes with its own unique features and functions, which cater to users with different preferences and requirements.
Garmin boasts an impressive reputation and history for designing and manufacturing premium technology products. In this article, we will delve into an in-depth comparison between the Garmin Fenix 5s Plus and the Garmin Vivoactive 3, discussing their design, build, features, functionality, user interface, user experience, price, and value in order to assist you in making the best decision for your needs.
Design and Build
Garmin Fenix 5s Plus
The Fenix 5s Plus features a rugged and premium design, crafted from stainless steel, fiber-reinforced polymer, and metal materials. It has a weight of 65 grams, making it comfortable to wear for extended periods. Its 1.2-inch color display with a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels is sunlight-visible and boasts a transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) screen, providing excellent visibility even in bright conditions.
Garmin Vivoactive 3
Garmin Vivoactive 3, on the other hand, sports a sleek and lightweight design, with a fiber-reinforced polymer casing and a silicone band. Weighing 43 grams, it is lighter than the Fenix 5s Plus, making it ideal for those who prefer a more subtle smartwatch. It also features a 1.2-inch color display with a 240 x 240-pixel resolution, utilizing the same MIP technology as the Fenix 5s Plus.
Comparison of design and build quality
Both devices showcase Garmin’s commitment to quality design and construction, with the main differences lying in materials used and overall aesthetics. While the Fenix 5s Plus has a more rugged appearance and construction suitable for outdoor enthusiasts, the Vivoactive 3's slender design and lighter weight caters towards a more casual, everyday wearer.
Features and Functionality
Garmin Fenix 5s Plus
The Fenix 5s Plus operates on Garmin’s proprietary operating system, offering numerous sensor capabilities such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, heart rate monitoring, barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, and Pulse Ox (pulse oximetry for oxygen saturation measurement). With up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, it also features built-in music storage and contactless payments through Garmin Pay.
Garmin Vivoactive 3
Vivoactive 3's features include GPS, GLONASS, heart rate monitoring, barometric altimeter, compass, accelerometer, and thermometer, but it lacks the Pulse Ox and Galileo support found in the Fenix 5s Plus. It also offers music storage, Garmin Pay, and 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.
Comparison of features and performance
While both smartwatches are equipped with an array of fitness tracking features and functionalities, the Fenix 5s Plus offers a more comprehensive suite of sensors, including the Pulse Ox and Galileo support, making it an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts or athletes requiring advanced tracking capabilities. The Vivoactive 3, however, provides most of the essential features for everyday users at a more affordable price point.
User Interface and User Experience
Garmin Fenix 5s Plus
Fenix 5s Plus provides a highly customizable user interface, allowing users to download additional apps, widgets, data fields, and watch faces through the Garmin Connect IQ store. It is compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones, enabling notifications and seamless data syncing.
Garmin Vivoactive 3
Similarly, the Vivoactive 3 offers customization options through the Garmin Connect IQ store and is also compatible with Android and iOS devices. Its touchscreen display allows users to easily navigate through the various features and settings provided by the smartwatch.
Comparison of user interface and user experience
Both the Fenix 5s Plus and Vivoactive 3 deliver a user-friendly experience with customizable options and compatibility across multiple smartphone platforms. The primary difference lies in the Vivoactive 3's touchscreen functionality, which provides a simpler and more intuitive interface compared to the button-operated navigation of the Fenix 5s Plus.
Price and Value
Garmin Fenix 5s Plus
As a premium smartwatch, the Fenix 5s Plus is priced at $799, offering a wide range of advanced tracking features and robust build quality geared towards outdoor enthusiasts and athletes.
Garmin Vivoactive 3
The Vivoactive 3, priced at a more affordable $299, provides a sleek design and essential tracking features suitable for casual users who prefer a lightweight, everyday smartwatch.
Comparison of price and value
The Fenix 5s Plus and Vivoactive 3 cater to different user preferences and budgets, with the Fenix 5s Plus offering a more comprehensive feature set and rugged design that justifies its higher price tag. The Vivoactive 3, on the other hand, is an excellent value for those seeking essential fitness tracking features in a stylish and lightweight design.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between the Garmin Fenix 5s Plus and Vivoactive 3 comes down to individual preferences, needs, and budget. The Fenix 5s Plus offers a rugged design with advanced tracking features, suitable for outdoor adventurers and athletes, while the Vivoactive 3 provides a slim and lightweight alternative with essential features at a more affordable price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are both smartwatches compatible with Android and iOS devices?
Yes, both the Fenix 5s Plus and Vivoactive 3 are compatible with Android and iOS devices, allowing for seamless integration and data syncing across multiple platforms.
How do these smartwatches differ in terms of design and build quality?
The Fenix 5s Plus has a rugged and premium design made from stainless steel, fiber-reinforced polymer, and metal materials, whereas the Vivoactive 3 features a sleek and lightweight design with a fiber-reinforced polymer casing and a silicone band.
Is onboard music storage available on both devices?
Yes, both the Fenix 5s Plus and Vivoactive 3 support onboard music storage, allowing users to listen to their favorite tunes directly from their smartwatch without the need for a separate music device.
Which smartwatch offers more comprehensive fitness tracking features and sensors?
The Fenix 5s Plus offers a more comprehensive suite of sensors, such as Pulse Ox and Galileo support, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts or athletes requiring advanced tracking capabilities. The Vivoactive 3, however, provides most of the essential features for everyday users.
Do these smartwatches support Garmin Pay?
Yes, both the Fenix 5s Plus and Vivoactive 3 support Garmin Pay, allowing users to make contactless payments with their smartwatch directly at supported retailers.
