Garmin fēnix 3 vs Garmin fēnix 5 Plus

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

fēnix 3 compared with fēnix 5 Plus
Garminfēnix 3Garminfēnix 5 Plus
Overview
Released2015June 2018
Display
Case sizes51 mm47 mm
PanelMemory-in-pixelMemory-in-pixel
Always-on displayYesYes
Display detail1.2-inch (30.4 mm) sunlight-readable transflective colour MIP display, 218 x 218 pixels, with button controls.1.2-inch (30.4 mm) colour transflective MIP display, 240 x 240 pixels, with button controls.
Screen protection–Domed chemically strengthened glass or sapphire crystal, depending on configuration.
Health and fitness
ECGNoNo
Blood oxygenNoNo
Skin temperatureNoNo
Sleep apnoea alertsNoNo
High blood pressure alertsNoNo
Body compositionNoNo
Fall detectionNoNo
Crash detectionNoNo
GPSSingle-bandSingle-band
Water resistance100 m100 m
SensorsGPS, GLONASS, barometric altimeter, three-axis compass and accelerometer. Heart rate requires an optional ANT+ sensor.GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate, barometric altimeter, three-axis compass, gyroscope, accelerometer and thermometer.
Health featuresSteps and sleep tracking; no built-in optical heart-rate sensor.Wrist heart rate and daily activity tracking; wrist Pulse Ox is reserved for the distinct fēnix 5X Plus.
Fitness featuresRunning, cycling, pool and open-water swimming, triathlon, hiking and skiing profiles; breadcrumb courses, TracBack, VO2 max estimate, recovery advisor and race predictor when paired with a heart-rate sensor. Running dynamics require an HRM-Run strap.Running, cycling, swimming and outdoor multisport profiles, VO2 max and recovery metrics, preloaded colour TOPO maps and Trendline popularity routing.
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 42 daysUp to 10 days
In low-power mode–Up to 38 days
Mobile data optionNoNo
Works withiPhone and AndroidiPhone and Android
Storage–16 GB
Battery life detailUp to six weeks in watch mode, 20 hours in GPS training mode or 50 hours in UltraTrac mode, according to the grey model's specification.Up to 10 days in smartwatch mode, 18 hours with GPS, seven hours with GPS and music, or 38 hours in UltraTrac mode.
ChargingRechargeable 300 mAh lithium-ion battery with USB charging cable.Rechargeable battery with Garmin charging cable.
ConnectivityBluetooth and ANT+; smart notifications, Connect IQ apps, Garmin Connect, LiveTrack through a paired phone and phone music controls.Bluetooth, ANT+ and Wi-Fi; smart notifications, Garmin Pay, Connect IQ, Garmin Connect, LiveTrack and GroupTrack with a paired phone. Stores up to 500 songs for Bluetooth headphone playback.
Storage32 MB built-in memory, with 23 MB available; stores up to 1,000 waypoints, 50 routes and 100 saved tracks.16 GB of memory/history, including map and music storage.
Design
Weight (lightest version)82 g (better)86 g
SoftwareGarminGarmin
Case materialsStainless steel EXO antenna/bezel and fibre-reinforced housing with silicone band; 10 ATM water rating.Fibre-reinforced polymer case with stainless-steel bezel and metal rear cover; 10 ATM water rating.
Size51 x 51 x 16 mm; 82 g.47 x 47 x 15.8 mm; 86 g for the standard version.
Bands–QuickFit 22 mm interchangeable band.
ColoursGrey case with black band.Black case with dark metal bezel and black silicone band.

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