Comparing Vivosmart 4 and Fenix 3
The Garmin Fenix 3 and Garmin Vivosmart 4 are popular choices for those looking for fitness trackers and wearables that cater to different needs and preferences. Comparing these two diverse products can help you make an informed decision on which one suits your lifestyle the best.
Choosing the right watch is essential as it serves as a reliable accessory for tracking your fitness, and monitoring daily activities. Both devices come from Garmin, a highly reputable company known for producing innovative wearable technology for outdoor enthusiasts and fitness buffs since the 1980s.
This article will delve into the design and build, features and functionalities, user interface and experience, and price and value of the Garmin Fenix 3 and Vivosmart 4. By the end of this comparison, you will have a clear understanding of which device best meets your requirements.
Design and Build
Garmin Fenix 3
The Garmin Fenix 3 boasts a rugged design with a stainless-steel bezel and a high-strength, scratch-resistant domed sapphire lens<. It has a 1.2-inch Chroma LED color display with a resolution of 218 x 218 pixels. The watch is also water-resistant up to 10 ATM, making it ideal for swimming and other water-related activities.
Garmin Vivosmart 4
The Garmin Vivosmart 4 has a sleek and stylish design with aluminum accents, and a slim profile perfect for those who prefer a more subtle presence on their wrist. It has a 0.74-inch OLED touchscreen display with a 48 x 128-pixel resolution. Its water resistance rating is 5 ATM, which means it can also be used for swimming.
Comparison of Design and Build Quality
The major differences between the Fenix 3 and Vivosmart 4 lie in their designs: the Fenix 3 is a rugged, adventure-ready watch, while the Vivosmart 4 has a sleek and minimalist look. The Fenix 3 also has better water resistance, making it more suitable for water-based activities. The Vivosmart 4's slim profile and touchscreen display, on the other hand, adds to its appeal as a discreet fitness tracker.
Features and Functionality
Garmin Fenix 3
Fenix 3 runs on Garmin’s own software and comes with a variety of features, such as GPS, multi-sport tracking, a barometer, heart rate monitoring (with an external HRM accessory), and even navigation apps. Its battery life can last from 50 hours in GPS mode to 6 weeks in watch mode.
Garmin Vivosmart 4
The Vivosmart 4 focuses primarily on everyday fitness tracking, including heart rate, sleep, and stress monitoring. It also has a Pulse Ox feature for monitoring blood oxygen levels during sleep. The slim device is compatible with both Android and iOS, and has a battery life of up to 7 days.
Comparison of Features and Performance
Both the Fenix 3 and Vivosmart 4 offer comprehensive fitness tracking features, but the Fenix 3 stands out with its GPS and multi-sport tracking options. Vivosmart 4, however, has unique features, such as Pulse Ox and stress monitoring. In terms of battery life, the Fenix 3 outperforms the Vivosmart 4 significantly.
User Interface and User Experience
Garmin Fenix 3
The Fenix 3 has a color display and the user interface is controlled with buttons. The watch’s compatibility with a wide range of sports and navigation apps provides customization options, and it can also sync and display notifications from both Android and iOS smartphones.
Garmin Vivosmart 4
The Vivosmart 4's touchscreen OLED display provides easy navigation through menus and tracking features. It is compatible with Android and iOS devices for displaying notifications and allowing access to smartphone features. However, it does not have support for third-party apps.
Comparison of User Interface and User Experience
While the Fenix 3 uses button navigation and the Vivosmart 4 opts for a touchscreen display, both devices provide intuitive user interfaces. The key difference lies in the Fenix 3's support for third-party apps and the Vivosmart 4's more limited functionality in terms of app support.
Price and Value
Garmin Fenix 3
At a price point of $500, the Fenix 3 offers a wide range of features and robust performance geared towards outdoor enthusiasts and those who need advanced tracking capabilities.
Garmin Vivosmart 4
The Vivosmart 4 is more affordable, with a price tag of $130, and provides a wealth of fitness tracking features for daily use, making it an excellent value for those primarily focused on everyday health and wellness.
Comparison of Price and Value
While the Fenix 3 boasts more features and better build quality, it comes at a higher price. The Vivosmart 4, on the other hand, offers a sleek design and essential tracking features at a more budget-friendly price, making it an attractive option for everyday fitness enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The Garmin Fenix 3 and Vivosmart 4 cater to different preferences and needs, each offering a unique blend of features and design. If you’re an outdoor adventurer who requires advanced tracking capabilities, the Fenix 3 is the ideal choice. However, if you’re seeking a sleek, affordable fitness tracker for daily health monitoring, the Vivosmart 4 is an excellent alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are both the Fenix 3 and Vivosmart 4 suitable for swimming?
Yes, both devices are water-resistant and can be used for swimming. The Fenix 3 has a water resistance rating of 10 ATM, while the Vivosmart 4 is rated at 5 ATM.
2. How do I choose between the Garmin Fenix 3 and Vivosmart 4?
Your choice will depend on your requirements and preferences, with the Fenix 3 being more suitable for outdoor enthusiasts, and the Vivosmart 4 catering to everyday fitness tracking.
3. Do both devices support smartphone notifications?
Yes, both the Fenix 3 and Vivosmart 4 can sync with Android and iOS devices to display notifications and provide access to smartphone features.
4. How long is the battery life for each device?
The Fenix 3 has a battery life ranging from 50 hours in GPS mode to 6 weeks in watch mode, while the Vivosmart 4 has a battery life of up to 7 days.
5. Do both Garmin devices support third-party apps?
The Fenix 3 supports third-party apps, while the Vivosmart 4 does not offer such support.
