Apple Watch 12 vs Garmin Venu 4: Which Is Better?

When putting the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Garmin Venu 4 head-to-head on a 5,520-step hilly walk in Seattle, Washington, testing by Tom’s Guide reviewer Dan Bracaglia reveals that both fitness trackers deliver remarkably close step and heart rate data, though they differ significantly in battery efficiency and design philosophy. According to Tom’s Guide, the Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399, while the tested 46mm 5G+GPS model costs $549—matching the exact price of the Garmin Venu 4. Both smartwatches pack onboard GPS, barometric altimeters, and advanced heart rate sensors, but choosing between them depends heavily on whether you prioritize a smartwatch first or a dedicated GPS tracking device first.

Step Tracking Accuracy: Apple vs. Garmin

During a roughly 50-minute outdoor workout recorded in the Strava app on an iPhone 16 Plus, a manual click tally counter registered exactly 5,520 steps, matching Strava’s logged total. According to Tom’s Guide testing, the Apple Watch Series 12 logged 5,531 steps—overcounting by just 11 steps—while the Garmin Venu 4 recorded 5,518 steps, undercounting by only two steps. Distance metrics followed a similar tight margin. Tom’s Guide reports that the Apple Watch measured 2.91 miles and the Garmin measured 2.89 miles, compared to the control distance of 2.95 miles, showing that both wearables deliver impressive real-world location tracking.

Climb and Elevation Data Differences

Elevation tracking remains an area where brand algorithms show distinct tendencies. According to Tom’s Guide, the Apple Watch Series 12 added an extra 38 feet of climb to the walk, recording 448 feet compared to the control measurement of 410 feet. Meanwhile, the Garmin Venu 4 logged 417 feet of climb, coming slightly closer to the manual control. Tom’s Guide notes that while Apple’s altimeter data leans on the generous side, it remains consistently in the right ballpark for uphill efforts.

Heart Rate Accuracy and Sensor Technology

Heart rate monitoring yielded an identical match between the two flagship devices. According to Tom’s Guide, the Garmin Venu 4 utilizes the brand’s latest Elevate V5 heart rate sensor, whereas the Apple Watch Series 12 employs Apple’s newest holistic sensor arrays. Despite the differing hardware architectures, both smartwatches recorded the exact same average heart rate of 131 beats per minute (bpm) and the exact same maximum heart rate of 160 bpm during the Seattle walk, according to Tom’s Guide.

Battery Drain and Power Efficiency

Power consumption during active workouts highlights a major divergence in how these devices manage energy. According to Tom’s Guide, the Garmin Venu 4 burned through 4% of its battery during the 50-minute outdoor workout, while the Apple Watch Series 12 consumed just 1% of its charge. While Garmin models traditionally hold a reputation for outlasting Apple hardware across extended daily use, this specific outdoor test showed a fourfold difference in active workout battery drain, according to Tom’s Guide data.

Design Philosophy: Smartwatch First vs. GPS Watch First

Beyond raw workout numbers, the long-term user experience depends on software intent. According to reporting from Overland Girl, the Apple Watch focuses heavily on keeping users connected throughout the day, integrating workouts seamlessly into a broader smart ecosystem. Conversely, Overland Girl notes that the Garmin Venu 4 focuses primarily on continuous tracking, making it well-suited for users moving through multiple activities like running or riding without stopping to manage settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do the Apple Watch Series 12 and Garmin Venu 4 cost?

According to Tom’s Guide, the Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399, with the tested 46mm 5G+GPS model priced at $549. The Garmin Venu 4 matches that price point at $549 for the tested configuration.

Which watch is more accurate for step counting?

Both devices offer exceptional accuracy. According to Tom’s Guide, out of a control count of 5,520 steps, the Apple Watch Series 12 overcounted by 11 steps while the Garmin Venu 4 undercounted by just two steps.

Why did the Garmin Venu 4 use more battery than the Apple Watch in this test?

According to Tom’s Guide, the Garmin Venu 4 used 4% of its battery during the 50-minute walk compared to 1% for the Apple Watch Series 12, though overall battery life depends on how each device manages its background sensors and display tech over full multi-day periods.