Garmin vívoactive 3 vs. Garmin fēnix 5S Plus

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin vívoactive 3 and Garmin fēnix 5S Plus. Compare sizes, functions, displays, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right smartwatch for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the watch that will best fit your needs.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Garmin vívoactive 3 vs. Garmin fēnix 5S Plus Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin fēnix 5S Plus
Product Type Smart watch Sport watch
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS, Android
Activity/Sport Multisport Multisport
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Width 43.4 mm 42 mm
Height 43.4 mm 42 mm
Depth 11.7 mm 15.4 mm
Weight 43 g 65 g
Body Material - Stainless steel, fibreglass reinforced polymer
Protection Waterproof Waterproof
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin fēnix 5S Plus
Sensors Accelerometer, digital compass, thermometre, altimeter, heart rate, VO2 max Accelerometer, 3-axis gyro sensor, digital compass, thermometre, barometric altimeter, optical heart sensor
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, pace, stress level Distance, time, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, steps taken, floors climbed, blood oxygen saturation, pace, stress level, temperature
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Music remote handling, find phone function, call alerts, Bluetooth Smart technology, automatic exercise recognition, VIRB control, Move IQ, Side Swipe interface, Find my Device, Downloadable workouts Music remote handling, find phone function, call alerts, Bluetooth Smart technology, automatic exercise recognition, VIRB control, inactivity alert, Move IQ, Side Swipe interface, Find my Device, Downloadable workouts, store & play music, sunrise/sunset times, LiveTrack, Live Event Sharing, Live Delta Time, auto lap splits, dual grid coordinates format
Notifications Calendar, SMS, Email Calendar, SMS, Email
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type Vibration alert, visual interface Vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) - GPS/GLONASS/Galileo receiver
Payment Technology Garmin Pay Garmin Pay
CONNECTIVITY Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin fēnix 5S Plus
Wireless Interface Bluetooth 4.0, ANT+/ANT Bluetooth, ANT+/ANT
Bluetooth Profiles - Heart Rate Monitor (HRM)
DISPLAY Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin fēnix 5S Plus
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - colour - transflective Memory-in-Pixel LCD - colour - transflective
Resolution 240 x 240 pixels 240 x 240 pixels
Screen Size 1.2" 1.2"
Aspect Ratio Full circle -
Screen Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (scratch resistant glass) Sapphire glass
INPUT DEVICE Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin fēnix 5S Plus
Type Touch sensitive screen Touch sensitive screen
CASE Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin fēnix 5S Plus
Case Size - 42 mm
Crystal Type - Domed sapphire crystal
Case Shape Round Round
Bezel Stainless steel Stainless steel
Case Back Glass fibre reinforced polymer -
Case Details Stainless steel | Rose gold | Gunmetal White | Rose gold | Silver
BAND Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin fēnix 5S Plus
Band Type Band Band
Band Width 20 mm 20 mm
Fits Wrist with Circumference 127-204 mm 145-217 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Buckle
Band Material Silicone Silicone
Band Colour Black | White White | Black | Sea foam
STORAGE Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin fēnix 5S Plus
Storage Capacity - 16 GB
BATTERY Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin fēnix 5S Plus
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 8 day(s) 7 day(s)
Battery Life Details Navigation tracking - up to 13 hour(s)
Typical usage - up to 8 days
GPS mode - up to 11 hour(s)
GPS with Music mode - up to 4.5 hour(s)
UltraTrac mode - up to 25 hour(s)
Smartwatch mode - up to 7 days
Rechargeable Battery - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin vívoactive 3 Garmin fēnix 5S Plus
Included Accessories Charging cable Charging/data cable
Preloaded Software Garmin Pay, Garmin Heartbeat, CONNECT IQ Calendar, Chronograph, Alarm Clock, Weather, Timer, Find My Phone, Fitness Age, Move IQ, Garmin Pay, CONNECT IQ, Spotify, Find My Watch, Race App
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 100 m
Warranty 1-year warranty 1-year warranty
Other projects: