Garmin Venu 3 vs Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5

Garmin Venu 3 vs Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5: differences explained

January 5, 2024 Ivan Jovin Device matchup, Smartwatch 11 min read

Are you looking for a smartwatch and have heard good things about the Garmin Venu 3 and Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5? The first was launched in August 2023, the second four months earlier. Both are top of the line. But the two devices are quite different in terms of what they offer.

This comparison delves into the nuances of these two smartwatches, exploring their features, functionalities, and overall value proposition. Read on to find out if one of these is a good fit for your preferences and lifestyle.

Key takeaways

The Garmin Venu 3, at $450, excels in health and sleep tracking, ideal for health-focused users. The Mobvoi TicWatch 5 Pro, priced at $350, offers versatility with its dual-display, extensive GPS, and WearOS 3, appealing to those who prioritize durability, functionality, and app variety. Both watches offer good value for money.

View on Garmin / Mobvoi; View on Amazon (Garmin Venu 3, Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5).

Jump to

Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Bottom line

Garmin Venu 3 vs Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5: Hardware

Look & feel

Both the Garmin Venu 3 and the TicWatch 5 Pro feature a round shape, aligning with the classic watch aesthetic. The Garmin is available in a choice of two sizes, the TicWatch is a one-size-fits all affair.

As far as build, the Venu is encased in a fiber-reinforced polymer, offering a lightweight yet durable build. This material choice contributes to its comfort for extended wear. The TicWatch 5 Pro, on the other hand, boasts a robust construction with aerospace-grade aluminum and a high-strength metal bezel, providing a more rugged and sturdy feel. It’s designed to withstand tough conditions, as evidenced by its upgraded military certification (MIL-STD-810H).

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The Garmin Venu 3 series includes three physical buttons, providing tactile feedback and ease of navigation. The TicWatch 5 Pro, however, features a unique combination of one rotating crown and one flat button. The rotating crown, in particular, offers a novel way to interact with the watch, allowing for smooth scrolling and selection, enhancing the user experience.

TicWatch Pro 5 — Garmin Venu 3 vs Mobvoi Ticwatch 5 Pro

Display, colour options, water-resistance

Both watches boast AMOLED displays, known for their bright, vivid colors and sharp contrasts. The TicWatch 5 Pro steps up with a dual-layer display, incorporating an Evolved Ultra Low Power Display (ULP Display) for efficient battery usage. This feature is particularly useful in conserving battery life while still providing essential information at a glance. Basically, when you are interacting with the device it switches on the AMOLED display. When you are not, it reverts to the low-power display.

The Garmin Venu 3 offers a range of color options, including Whitestone and Black, catering to traditional tastes. The TicWatch 5 Pro, however, provides more variety with five 24mm watch bands in different colors and materials, including “Go Wild” silicone bands and “Go Urban” genuine leather bands. This provides users with the flexibility to personalize their device to match their style.

The models are rated at 5 ATM for water resistance, making them suitable for swimming and exposure to water. This feature is essential for users who engage in water-based activities or simply want the peace of mind that their watch can withstand the elements.

Sensor technology

Moving below the surface, and the Garmin Venu 3 is equipped with lots of tech. This includes a heart rate monitor (HRM), accelerometer, altimeter, compass, gyroscope, Pulse Ox, thermometer, ambient light sensor, ECG, and temperature sensor. This extensive sensor array is tailored for detailed health monitoring, including some advanced features. For GPS connectivity, the Venu 3 supports GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO, ensuring reliable location tracking.

In contrast, the Mobvoi TicWatch 5 Pro includes a PPG heart rate sensor, SpO2, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, and an Off-body sensor. While it shares several sensors with the Venu 3, it lacks the ECG and temperature sensor. However, it compensates with a broader range of GPS connectivity, supporting GPS, Beidou, Glonass, Galileo, and QZSS, which might offer slightly more versatility in location tracking. This may be especially useful in regions where certain satellite systems have stronger coverage.

Both watches feature NFC for contactless payments, a convenient addition for modern lifestyles. They also offer music storage, allowing users to enjoy their favorite tracks directly from their wrist, a boon for those who prefer to exercise without their phone.

Battery life

The Mobvoi TicWatch 5 Pro excels with its remarkable battery performance, offering up to 45 days in Essential Mode and up to 80 hours in Smart Mode. This endurance is a significant leap for WearOS watches, which are not typically known for long-lasting batteries.

On the other hand, the Garmin Venu 3 also shows strong battery performance, providing up to 14 days in smartwatch mode with the display always-on, a notable improvement over its predecessor. This is largely due to its lightweight operating system.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5: Technical specs

Here’s a tech specs comparison table for the Mobvoi TicWatch 5 Pro, Garmin Venu 3, and Garmin Venu 3s.

Specification	Mobvoi TicWatch 5 Pro	Garmin Venu 3	Garmin Venu 3s
Release Date	May 2023	Aug 2023	Aug 2023
Case Material	Aerospace-grade aluminum, surgical-level metal bezel, Corning Gorilla Glass, fluoro-rubber strap	Stainless steel	Stainless steel
Physical Buttons	1 rotating crown + 1 flat button	3	3
Shape	Round	Round	Round
Size	50.15 x 48 x 12.2 mm	45 x 45 x 12 mm	41 x 41 x 12 mm
Display Type	Dual-layer with Evolved ULP Display	AMOLED	AMOLED
Resolution	466 x 466 pixels	454 x 454 pixels	390 x 390 pixels
Screen Size	1.43 inch	1.4 inch	1.2 inch
Weight (w/o strap)	44.35 grams	47 grams	40 grams
Sensors	PPG heart rate, SpO2, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, Off-body sensor	HRM, accelerometer, altimeter, compass, gyroscope, Pulse Ox, thermometer, ambient light sensor, ECG, temperature sensor	HRM, accelerometer, altimeter, compass, gyroscope, Pulse Ox, thermometer, ambient light sensor, ECG, temperature sensor
Water-Resistance	5 ATM	5 ATM	5 ATM
Positioning	GPS, Beidou, Glonass, Galileo, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
Built-in Speaker	Yes	Yes	Yes
Microphone	Yes	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes	Yes
Music Storage	Yes	Yes	Yes
Connection	Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 802.11bgn 2.4GHz	WLAN 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.3 & BLE, ANT+	WLAN 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.3 & BLE, ANT+
Cellular Connectivity	No	No	No
Battery Type	628 mAh Li-po	Li-po	Li-po
Battery Life	Smart Mode: up to 80 hrs, Essential Mode: up to 45 days, 65% charge in 30 mins, Wireless fast charging	Up to 14 days (Smartwatch mode), 26 days (Battery Saver mode), 26 hrs (GPS-Only GNSS mode), 20 hrs (All-Systems GNSS mode), 11 hrs (GNSS mode with music)	Up to 10 days (Smartwatch mode), 20 days (Battery Saver mode), 21 hrs (GPS-Only GNSS mode), 15 hrs (All-Systems GNSS mode), 8 hrs (GNSS mode with music)
Operating System	Wear OS 3.+	Garmin OS	Garmin OS
Colors	Jungle Green, Bonfire Orange, Twilight Blue, Tuxedo Black, Smart Casual Blue	Whitestone, Black	French Grey, Pebble Grey, Sage Grey, Dust Rose, Ivory
Typical RRP	$350	$450	$450

Garmin Venu 3 vs Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5: Features

When comparing the health and fitness functionalities of the Garmin Venu 3 and the Mobvoi TicWatch 5 Pro, each brand’s distinct approach to wellness tracking becomes evident.

The Garmin Venu 3, with its comprehensive suite of sensors, excels in detailed health monitoring. It offers advanced sleep tracking with new features like Sleep Coach, Nap Detection, and Jet Lag Adviser. These features provide actionable insights and personalized advice, enhancing the user’s sleep quality and overall wellness. The Venu 3 also includes the latest generation heart rate sensor and supports a wide range of activity profiles, making it a versatile tool for fitness lovers. And let’s not forget the ECG and skin temperature tracking.

In contrast, the TicWatch 5 Pro brings its own set of strengths. It includes a PPG heart rate sensor, SpO2 monitoring, and a comprehensive list of sensors for tracking various health metrics. While it may not have the specialized sleep coaching features of the Venu 3, it compensates with robust fitness tracking capabilities.

Smartwatch-type features

As smartwatches, both the Garmin Venu 3 and the Mobvoi TicWatch 5 Pro offer a range of features. The Garmin Venu 3 includes features like on-device music storage, contactless payments, and smart notifications. Its Morning Report feature provides a summary of daily activities and wellness metrics, adding convenience to daily usage.

The TicWatch 5 Pro, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset, offers a seamless and fast user experience. It supports Google’s Wear OS 3, providing access to a vast ecosystem of apps and services. This includes Google Wallet for contactless payments, Google Maps for navigation, and the ability to control smart home devices.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5: Price

In terms of pricing, the Mobvoi TicWatch 5 Pro is positioned at a competitive $350, offering a robust set of features at a mid-range price point. The Garmin Venu 3, on the other hand, is priced slightly higher at $450. This price reflects its advanced health monitoring features and the brand’s reputation in the fitness and outdoor activity market. Both watches offer good value for their respective price points.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5: Final thoughts

In this side-by-side comparison of the Garmin Venu 3 and the Mobvoi TicWatch 5 Pro, we see two distinct approaches to smartwatch design and functionality, each catering to different user needs. The Garmin Venu 3, priced at $450, stands out with its advanced health and sleep monitoring features, making it an ideal choice for health-conscious users.

On the other hand, the Mobvoi TicWatch 5 Pro, with a more accessible price point of $350, appeals to those seeking a versatile, feature-rich smartwatch experience. Its unique dual-display technology, extensive GPS connectivity, and the integration of WearOS 3 make it a strong contender for users who value a blend of durability, functionality, and access to a wide range of apps.