Garmin Vivoactive HR vs. Garmin Vivosmart 3

 
Vivoactive HR
Vivosmart 3
 GarminVivoactive HRBuy NowGarminVivosmart 3Buy Now

Basic Info

Suggested Price$250$139.99
Release20162017

Activity & Fitness

Calories
Cycling (Bicycling)
Distance
Heart
Oxygen
Sleep
Steps
Swim

Battery

Duration13 hours to 8 days5 days
Rechargeable

Compatibility

Android
iOS
Windows Phone
Macn/a
Windowsn/a

Connectivity

Bluetooth
Cellular
GPS
NFC
Wi-Fi

Display

Color
Resolution148 x 20564 x 128
Size1.38 inchesNA
Touch
Typen/aOLED

Functions

Audio Speaker
Clock
Phone
Vibration
Voice

Hardware

Accelerometer
Barometer or Altimeter
Ultraviolet Sensor
Water Resistance5 ATM5 ATM

Notifications

Phone
Emails
Texts

Software

Operating Systemn/a
Apps
Music

Comparing Vivosmart 3 and Vivoactive HR

Garmin Vivoactive HR and Garmin Vivosmart 3 are two popular wearable devices that cater to different fitness and smartwatch users. With varying design, features, and functionalities, it is essential to analyze these products in detail to make an informed decision.

Choosing the right watch is vital for those who rely on fitness trackers and smartwatches to get essential information on their daily activities, exercise performance, and notifications from their smartphones. Both the Garmin Vivoactive HR and the Vivosmart 3 are from Garmin, a well-established brand in the wearables industry that has built its reputation over the years for producing high-quality and reliable devices.

In this article, we will delve deeply into various aspects of these two products, including their design, build, features, functionality, user interface, user experience, prices, value for money, and much more, in order to give you the most comprehensive comparison and facilitate your decision-making process.

Design and Build

Garmin Vivoactive HR

The Garmin Vivoactive HR is built with high-quality materials that resist wear and tear. It has a rectangular-shaped design, weighs 48 grams, and has a screen resolution of 148 x 205 pixels. The 1.38-inch color touchscreen display enhances usability and ensures easy readability, even in bright daylight conditions.

Garmin Vivosmart 3

The Garmin Vivosmart 3 features a sleek and modern design. The lightweight device (21 grams) is made from soft silicone, making it comfortable to wear throughout the day. The Vivosmart 3 has a 64 x 128-pixel resolution, and the OLED display ensures easy navigation and access to essential features.

Comparison of design and build quality

While both devices have a durable design and a focus on user comfort, the Vivoactive HR boasts a larger color touchscreen and a higher screen resolution compared to the Vivosmart 3. In contrast, Vivosmart 3, with its minimalist design and lightweight build, prioritizes the device’s form factor and user discretion.

Features and Functionality

Garmin Vivoactive HR

The Garmin Vivoactive HR uses its proprietary Garmin operating system and comes with an extensive set of features, including a built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, cycling tracking, swimming tracking, sleep tracking, and more. Its battery life ranges from 13 hours to 8 days, depending on usage patterns and GPS tracking.

Garmin Vivosmart 3

On the other hand, the Garmin Vivosmart 3 offers a wide array of fitness tracking features such as sleep, steps, calories, heart rate, and even oxygen tracking, though it lacks built-in GPS functionality. The battery life on the Vivosmart 3 lasts for up to 5 days.

Comparison of features and performance

Both devices share many common features, such as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and steps tracking. However, the Garmin Vivoactive HR offers more advanced features such as GPS tracking and cycling tracking, making it more versatile and better suited for sports enthusiasts. In contrast, the Vivosmart 3 focuses on essential fitness tracking, including oxygen monitoring, and offers a more extended battery life.

User Interface and User Experience

Garmin Vivoactive HR

The Vivoactive HR offers a intuitive user interface and compatibility with Android, iOS, and Windows Phone devices. Additionally, its touchscreen display allows for easy navigation and app customization. However, the device does not support Mac or Windows computer compatibility.

Garmin Vivosmart 3

Similarly, the Garmin Vivosmart 3's OLED display ensures an engaging user experience, along with ease of navigation and app customization. The device is compatible with Android and iOS devices and offers smartphone notifications such as text, call, and email alerts but is not compatible with Mac or Windows computers.

Comparison of user interface and user experience

While both devices provide an engaging user interface and compatibility with major mobile platforms, the Garmin Vivoactive HR has a larger colored touchscreen display, whereas the Vivosmart 3 offers a more minimalist interface with a monochrome OLED display.

Price and Value

Garmin Vivoactive HR

Garmin Vivoactive HR is available at a price of $250, offering an excellent value for money given its extensive features, including GPS functionality, durable build, and compatibility with multiple operating systems.

Garmin Vivosmart 3

With a price of $139.99, the Garmin Vivosmart 3 provides a more affordable option for users seeking a fitness tracker with essential features and a sleek design.

Comparison of price and value

While the Vivoactive HR provides greater functionality at a higher price point, the Vivosmart 3 offers a budget-friendly alternative for those looking for essential fitness tracking features.

Conclusion

In comparing the Garmin Vivoactive HR and Garmin Vivosmart 3, it becomes apparent that the decision ultimately boils down to an individual’s preferences and requirements. The Vivoactive HR offers a more robust set of features, including GPS tracking and advanced sports tracking, making it an ideal choice for fitness enthusiasts. However, the Vivosmart 3, with its minimalist design and lower price point, is better suited to users who prioritize a sleek, lightweight fitness tracker with essential features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which device has a better battery life?

The Garmin Vivosmart 3 offers up to 5 days of battery life, while the Vivoactive HR has a battery life that ranges from 13 hours to 8 days, depending on usage patterns and GPS tracking.

Which device has built-in GPS functionality?

The Garmin Vivoactive HR has built-in GPS functionality, while the Vivosmart 3 does not.

Do both devices offer smartphone notification support?

Both the Garmin Vivoactive HR and Vivosmart 3 offer support for smartphone notifications such as texts, calls, and emails.

Are both devices compatible with Android and iOS platforms?

Yes, both the Garmin Vivoactive HR and Vivosmart 3 are compatible with Android and iOS platforms.

Which device is more affordable?

The Garmin Vivosmart 3 is more affordable, with a price of $139.99 compared to the $250 price tag of the Garmin Vivoactive HR.

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