Apple Watch SE 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 170
Get the Forerunner 170. Unless you want a smartwatch for messages, payments and apps on your iPhone — then the SE 3 costs less.
Apple Watch SE 3
The best value Apple Watch: the same fast chip as Apple's pricier watches, an always-on screen and sleep and fitness tracking. No ECG or blood oxygen.
Garmin Forerunner 170
The best running watch for less: light, accurate, with an AMOLED screen, daily suggested workouts and about 10 days of battery. Single-band GPS and no triathlon mode.
We earn a commission from these links.
The Forerunner 170 lasts about 10 days, works with iPhone and Android and suggests a workout each day based on how recovered you are. The SE 3 is the better smartwatch, with payments and fall detection, but lasts about 18 hours and only works with an iPhone.
- —You want a smartwatch for everyday use with your iPhone.
- —You want payments and fall detection.
- —You want to spend less.
- —You run a few times a week and want to improve.
- —You want days between charges.
- —You have an Android phone.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +Same chip as Apple's pricier watches
- +Always-on screen
- +Sleep and fitness tracking
- −No ECG, blood oxygen or hypertension notifications.
- −Older design with wider borders round the screen.
- −Battery lasts about 18 hours.
- +Daily suggested workouts
- +About 10 days of battery
- +Light, with a sharp screen
- −Single-band GPS, less precise among tall buildings and trees.
- −No triathlon mode, maps, microphone or Wi-Fi.
- −Uses Garmin's older heart-rate sensor.
Ready to choose?
- Is the Apple Watch SE 3 worth it?
- Is the Forerunner 170 worth it?
- Apple Watch Series 12 vs Apple Watch SE 3
- Apple Watch Series 12 vs Apple Watch Ultra 4
- Apple Watch Series 12 vs Pixel Watch 5
- Pixel Watch 5 vs Galaxy Watch9
- Best smartwatches
How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Tom's Guide, TechRadar, TechRadar, manufacturer specifications.