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Apple Watch (1st generation) vs Garmin Forerunner 920XT

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleWatch (1st generation)GarminForerunner 920XT
Overview
ReleasedApril 2015October 2014
Display
Case sizes38 mm or 42 mm48 mm
PanelOLEDMemory-in-pixel
Always-on displayNoYes
Display detailRetina display with Force Touch; OLED panel, 272 x 340 pixels on 38mm or 312 x 390 pixels on 42mm (iFixit)1.1 x 0.8-inch (29 x 21 mm) rectangular colour MIP display, 205 x 148 pixels, with button controls.
Screen protectionIon-X glass on Sport; sapphire crystal on stainless steel, Hermès and Edition–
Health and fitness
ECGNoNo
Blood oxygenNoNo
Skin temperatureNoNo
Sleep apnoea alertsNoNo
High blood pressure alertsNoNo
Body compositionNoNo
Fall detectionNoNo
Crash detectionNoNo
GPSNoneSingle-band
Water resistance–50 m
SensorsOptical heart-rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope and ambient light sensor; Digital Crown, Taptic Engine, speaker and microphoneGPS, GLONASS, barometric altimeter and accelerometer. Heart rate requires an optional ANT+ sensor.
Health featuresHeart-rate monitoring and Activity ringsSteps, distance, calories and sleep tracking; no wrist optical heart-rate sensor.
Fitness featuresWorkout tracking; route and distance measurements use the paired iPhone's GPS (TechRadar)Running, cycling, pool and open-water swimming, and multisport activities; swim stroke and SWOLF metrics, race predictor and VO2 max with an external heart-rate sensor. Running dynamics require an HRM-Run strap.
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 18 hoursUp to 24 hours
Mobile data optionNoNo
Works withiPhoneiPhone and Android
ChipS1–
Storage8 GB–
Battery life detailRechargeable battery; maker's up-to-18-hour rating varies with use and configurationUp to 24 hours using GPS alone, 20 hours with GPS and GLONASS or 40 hours in UltraTrac. Garmin's manual also says up to one month in watch mode with activity tracking and over four months in watch-only mode; the main battery figure uses the exact 24-hour GPS claim because a month has no fixed hour count.
ChargingMagnetic charging cableRechargeable lithium-ion battery with charging/data cradle.
ConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4GHz; Bluetooth 4.0; Apple Pay; requires iPhone 5 or laterBluetooth, ANT+ and Wi-Fi; smart notifications, Garmin Connect automatic uploads, LiveTrack through a paired phone and VIRB camera control. Connect IQ support arrived in a later software update.
Storage8 GB onboard storage and S1 system-in-package identified by iFixitStores 100 hours of activity history and up to 100 waypoints.
Design
Weight (lightest version)25 g61 g
SoftwarewatchOSGarmin
Case materialsAnodised aluminium with composite back (Sport), stainless steel with ceramic back (including Hermès), or 18-carat yellow/rose gold with ceramic back (Edition); IPX7 splash and water resistance under IEC 60529, not for submersionHinged band and 5 ATM water rating.
Size38mm case is 38.6 x 33.3 x 10.5 mm; 42mm is 42.0 x 35.9 x 10.5 mm. Case weights are 25/30 g (Sport), 40/50 g (stainless steel), 55/69 g (yellow-gold Edition) or 54/67 g (rose-gold Edition), for 38/42mm respectively48 x 55 x 12.7 mm; 61 g.
BandsSport Band, leather straps, Link Bracelet and Milanese Loop; Hermès Single Tour, Double Tour and Cuff joined the range in 2015–
ColoursSport in Silver, Space Grey, Gold or Rose Gold; stainless steel in polished steel or Space Black; Edition in yellow or rose goldWhite case with red band.
In the boxWatch, band, 2 m magnetic charging cable, 5W USB power adapter and quick start guide; Edition also includes a magnetic charging case and Lightning to USB cable–

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