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The right smartwatch here depends on what you value most: iPhone compatibility and an Always-On display, longer stated battery life, GPS and training tools, or a broad range of workout modes. This comparison focuses on the supplied specifications for display, battery, water rating, sports and positioning features, and compatibility—while keeping different manufacturers’ battery-use estimates in context.
Quick comparison
| # | Product and use | Feature illustration | Amazon link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple Watch SE 3 GPS, 40mm, Starlight Aluminum iPhone users wanting an Always-On display |
 |
(paid link) |
| 2 | Garmin vívoactive 5, Ivory/Cream Gold (010-02862-11) Everyday use with a varied sports menu |
 |
(paid link) |
| 3 | Garmin Forerunner 165, Black/Slate (010-02863-20) Runners wanting GPS and guided training |
 |
(paid link) |
| 4 | Amazfit Bip 6 Smartwatch, Black A large display and many workout modes |
 |
(paid link) |
| 5 | CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro, Dark Grey Dual-band GPS with a long stated battery maximum |
 |
(paid link) |
How we compared these products
This comparison uses the documented facts supplied for each product. It includes no firsthand testing, and does not treat manufacturers’ battery estimates as directly comparable when their stated use conditions differ.
The #1–#5 numbers follow the selected product order; they are not a measured performance ranking.
1. Apple Watch SE 3 GPS, 40mm, Starlight Aluminum
(paid link)
The Apple Watch SE 3 GPS, 40mm, Starlight Aluminum combines an Always-On Retina OLED display with an S10 chip, a 4-core Neural Engine and 64GB capacity. Its 40mm case measures 40 × 34 × 10.7 mm and weighs 26.3 g. Apple specifies up to 18 hours of normal use, or up to 32 hours in Low Power Mode, and a 50-meter water-resistance rating. The key practical constraint is compatibility: it requires an iPhone 11 or later (or iPhone SE, second generation or later) running iOS 27 or later. It is a specifically documented option for buyers already using a compatible iPhone.
Documented facts
- The 40mm GPS case measures 40 × 34 × 10.7 mm and weighs 26.3 g.
- It has an S10 chip, a 4-core Neural Engine, and 64GB capacity.
- The display is an Always-On Retina OLED with LTPO and up to 1,000 nits peak brightness.
- Apple specifies up to 18 hours of normal use and up to 32 hours in Low Power Mode.
- Compatibility requires an iPhone 11 or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), with iOS 27 or later.
Who it may suit
Consider this model if you have a compatible iPhone and value its Always-On display, stated storage capacity and compact 40mm case. Check the iPhone and iOS requirements before choosing it; the supplied battery estimate is up to 18 hours for normal use.
Pros from documented features
- Always-On Retina OLED display with up to 1,000 nits peak brightness.
- S10 chip, 4-core Neural Engine and 64GB capacity.
- Water resistant to 50 meters.
Cons and tradeoffs
- Requires an iPhone 11 or later, or iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), with iOS 27 or later.
- Apple specifies up to 18 hours of normal use; the longer 32-hour figure is for Low Power Mode.
2. Garmin vívoactive 5, Ivory/Cream Gold (010-02862-11)
(paid link)
The Garmin vívoactive 5, Ivory/Cream Gold (010-02862-11) is identified by Garmin as the Ivory-case version with a Cream Gold bezel. Its documented features include a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, a 5 ATM water rating and more than 30 built-in sports apps. Garmin lists up to 11 days of smartwatch-mode battery life, reduced to up to 5 days with the display always on. That makes the display setting an important part of interpreting its battery estimate. It may suit someone looking for a sports-oriented everyday smartwatch with a documented colorway and a choice between longer listed battery life and an always-on display.
Documented facts
- Garmin identifies part 010-02862-11 as the vívoactive 5 with an Ivory case and Cream Gold bezel.
- The manufacturer lists a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen for this model.
- Garmin rates smartwatch-mode battery life at up to 11 days, or up to 5 days with the display always on.
- The watch has a 5 ATM water rating and more than 30 built-in sports apps.
Who it may suit
This is a reasonable match if you want an AMOLED touchscreen and a broad built-in sports-app selection, and you value a longer stated battery estimate with the display not always on. If you plan to keep the display always on, use the separate up-to-5-days figure when setting expectations.
Pros from documented features
- More than 30 built-in sports apps.
- Garmin lists up to 11 days in smartwatch mode.
- 5 ATM water rating.
Cons and tradeoffs
- The listed battery maximum falls to up to 5 days with the display always on.
3. Garmin Forerunner 165, Black/Slate (010-02863-20)
(paid link)
The Garmin Forerunner 165, Black/Slate (010-02863-20) is the option here with both built-in GPS and Garmin Coach training features specifically listed. It has a 1.2-inch AMOLED display, and Garmin specifies up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. Note the exact version: Garmin identifies this part number as the model without onboard music storage. That makes it a more targeted fit for someone whose priorities are GPS and training guidance rather than carrying music on the watch. The supplied details do not establish other training metrics or performance outcomes, so those should not be assumed from the listed features alone.
Documented facts
- Garmin identifies part 010-02863-20 as the Forerunner 165 in Black/Slate without onboard music storage.
- The manufacturer lists a 1.2-inch AMOLED display for the Forerunner 165.
- Garmin specifies up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.
- The watch includes built-in GPS and Garmin Coach training features.
Who it may suit
Look at this model if built-in GPS and Garmin Coach are central to your running or training routine. It is explicitly the Forerunner 165 version without onboard music storage, so it is a less suitable choice if storing music on the watch is a requirement.
Pros from documented features
- Built-in GPS and Garmin Coach training features.
- AMOLED display.
- Up to 11 days of smartwatch-mode battery life is specified.
Cons and tradeoffs
- This version has no onboard music storage.
4. Amazfit Bip 6 Smartwatch, Black
(paid link)
The Amazfit Bip 6 Smartwatch, Black pairs a 1.97-inch AMOLED display with more than 140 workout modes and five satellite-positioning systems, according to its listed specifications. Amazfit rates battery life at up to 14 days in typical use and up to 6 days with heavy use; those are different use scenarios, not interchangeable guarantees. The watch also has a listed 5 ATM water-resistance grade. Its documented combination of a relatively large stated display size and an extensive workout-mode count may appeal to buyers who want those features in one watch. The supplied facts do not describe individual workout modes or positioning accuracy.
Documented facts
- Amazfit lists a 1.97-inch AMOLED display for the Bip 6.
- The manufacturer rates typical-use battery life at up to 14 days and heavy use at up to 6 days.
- The official product specifications list a 5 ATM water-resistance grade.
- The maker lists more than 140 workout modes and five satellite-positioning systems.
Who it may suit
Consider the Bip 6 if a 1.97-inch AMOLED display and a large selection of workout modes are priorities. Its battery estimate is up to 14 days for typical use but up to 6 days for heavy use, so choose expectations based on your likely usage.
Pros from documented features
- 1.97-inch AMOLED display.
- More than 140 workout modes and five satellite-positioning systems.
- 5 ATM water-resistance grade.
Cons and tradeoffs
- The listed battery estimate varies from up to 14 days in typical use to up to 6 days with heavy use.
5. CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro, Dark Grey
(paid link)
The CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro, Dark Grey has a 1.43-inch AMOLED display and built-in dual-band GPS, according to Nothing. The maker advertises up to 13 days of battery life under its stated use conditions, so that figure is a maximum tied to those conditions rather than a promise for every routine. Dark Grey is one of the options on the official product page. These notes give a concise picture of the display, positioning feature and battery claim, but do not specify workout-mode counts, water resistance or GPS accuracy. It may fit buyers who specifically want dual-band GPS and an AMOLED screen, provided they check any other feature requirements separately.
Documented facts
- Nothing lists a 1.43-inch AMOLED display for the CMF Watch 3 Pro.
- The maker lists built-in dual-band GPS for this watch.
- Nothing advertises up to 13 days of battery life under its stated use conditions.
- Dark Grey is an option on the official product page.
Who it may suit
This is a candidate if built-in dual-band GPS and a 1.43-inch AMOLED display match your priorities. Treat the up-to-13-day figure as conditional on the maker’s stated use conditions; the supplied details do not specify a water-resistance rating or workout-mode count.
Pros from documented features
- Built-in dual-band GPS.
- 1.43-inch AMOLED display.
- Up to 13 days of battery life is advertised under stated use conditions.
Cons and tradeoffs
- The battery maximum depends on the maker’s stated use conditions.
- The supplied specifications do not document a water-resistance rating or workout-mode count.
How to choose
For an iPhone user who wants an Always-On display and accepts an 18-hour normal-use estimate, consider the Apple Watch SE 3. The vívoactive 5 lists over 30 sports apps and up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, while the Forerunner 165 adds built-in GPS and Garmin Coach but has no onboard music storage. The Bip 6 stands out in the supplied notes for its 140-plus workout modes and five positioning systems. The CMF Watch 3 Pro pairs dual-band GPS with a stated battery maximum of up to 13 days. Choose among them by the features and usage estimates that match your needs, rather than treating unlike battery figures as a direct ranking.
Common questions
Can the battery-life figures for these watches be compared directly?
Not as a like-for-like ranking. The manufacturers give different use contexts: Apple lists normal use and Low Power Mode, Garmin’s vívoactive 5 has separate smartwatch-mode and always-on figures, Amazfit distinguishes typical and heavy use, and Nothing ties its maximum to stated use conditions. Actual expectations depend on those conditions.
Sources
- Apple Watch SE 3 GPS, 40mm, Starlight Aluminum: Product specifications source; Model identification source
- Garmin vívoactive 5, Ivory/Cream Gold (010-02862-11): Product specifications source; Model identification source
- Garmin Forerunner 165, Black/Slate (010-02863-20): Product specifications source; Model identification source
- Amazfit Bip 6 Smartwatch, Black: Product specifications source; Model identification source
- CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro, Dark Grey: Product specifications source; Model identification source