When comparing Apple Watch vs Garmin Forerunner 235, the Slant community recommends Apple Watch for most people. In the question“What are the best fitness trackers that pair with iPhones?” Apple Watch is ranked 6th while Garmin Forerunner 235 is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose Apple Watch is:
Health apps downloaded on iPhone can be integrated with Apple Watch
Specs
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Pros
Pro Works well with iPhone
Health apps downloaded on iPhone can be integrated with Apple Watch
Pro Haptic feedback for notifications
Pro Heart rate sensor
Pro First -rate app support
Pro Digital Crown
The Digital Crown allows you to zoom in and out with various applications and can be used as a button.
Pro Sensitive touch
Allows for taps and presses to be registered as two different types of input.
Pro Standalone phone calls
Series 3 can make and receive phone calls by itself, without the need to connect to a smartphone.
Pro Can unlock your Mac
If you have a Mac with sufficient Bluetooth chip support the Apple Watch can be used in place of your password or touch ID to login/unlock the system when in proximity.
Pro Customizable watch faces
Can customize the watch faces with "complications" such as weather forecast, traffic, meeting schedule, etc… or your own photos.
Pro Great fitness app support
The Apple Watch integrates with virtually every well-known fitness and calorie tracking app out there.
Pro Siri / Digital Assistant Support
You can use Siri directly from the Apple Watch, allowing you to call or text, but also to get directions, and more.
Pro Ideal tracker for runners
It's quite lightweight at 1.6oz and has a large bright display for easy reading while on the move in all types of lighting conditions. It's water resistant up to 50 meters so you're safe to wear it running in all types of weather.
Pro Quickly picks up a GPS signal
It picks up the GPS signal much faster than most other GPS fitness trackers available, so there is little waiting around for it to connect before you start your run.
Pro Customize the display screen to display the data most important to you
The display screens are fully customizable so you can control which stats you want to see.
Pro Extremely lightweight and comfortable
Despite the amount of hardware this tracker contains and it's large size, it's very lightweight and comfortable to wear.
Cons
Con Expensive
Apple Watch is said to cost $349 USD.
Con Works only with iPhones
You need to have an iPhone (5 or later) to pair this smartwatch. It will not work with any other device, and has limited capabilities on its own (and still require the iPhone for the initial setup).
Con Has trouble tracking heart rate during intervals
During interval training when there is a frequent change of exertion, the Forerunner 235 has trouble continuously providing accurate readings. It's better suited for running with a sustained pace.
Con Needs to be recharged often
Garmin states the watch has a battery life of 11 hours training and 9 days of use as a watch, which is a fairly short charge compared to other fitness trackers.
However many people have found the actual charge to be much less, often needing to be recharged every couple of days.