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With matching $299 price tags, each of these smartwatches boasts impressive onboard fitness and location tracking tech.

But only one can win this showdown.

Close-up of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 on a user�s wrist next to the Garmin Vivoactive 6

Other datapoints like distance, climb, pace and heart accuracy were also considered.

So, which unit will come out on top in this bout?

While both start at $299, only the Galaxy Watch 7 comes with (optional) cellular connectivity.

Close-up of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 on a user’s wrist next to the Garmin Vivoactive 6

On the flip side, all thebest Garmin watchesplay nicely with both Android and iOS.

Another downside of the Samsung is battery life.

I averaged roughly24 hours per chargewhen testing it.

Garmin Vivoactive 6

The Garmin Vivoactive 6, meanwhile, consistently lasts for an entireweek per chargein my testing.

(The full review coming soon.)

You also get useful safety tools on either model, including fall/crash detection.

Samsung  Galaxy Watch 7

There are some differences in the build quality.

The Galaxy Watch 7 boasts a metal case, while the case on the Vivoactive 6 is mostly plastic.

The Samsung also has a brighter screen.

Close-up of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 on a user’s wrist next to the Garmin Vivoactive 6

Finally, the Galaxy Watch 7 and Vivoactive 6 each track a huge variety of workout types.

The Vivoctive 6 is Garmin’s freshest wearable.

It’s also easy-wearing, well-built, and available in two sizes, with or without cellular connectivity.

Close-up of the Garmin Vivoactive 6 smartwatch in green

In this case, the Garmin was on my left wrist and the Samsung was on my right.

As a control for distance, pace and elevation data, I also runStravaon my trustyiPhone 12 mini.

Next, the fun begins.

![Apple Watch Series 10 GPS…

I head home and put all the deets into the chart you see below and figure out a winner.

Both devices were within 100 steps of my actual total, which is quite impressive.

Still, either result iswellwithin an acceptable margin for error.

Prime

Strava, meanwhile, placed my total at 6,506 steps, besting both wearables.

Elevation data is less consistent.

This is a bit more than I expected, but still in a reasonable realm of accuracy.

Apple Watch Series 10 GPS…

The Garmin watch, however, is off by a more significant 34 feet.

Fortunately, pace data is remarkably similar across the board.

I know I am, at least, a little.

Staples

But alas, I was wrong.

Apple Watch Series 10

The Samsung Galaxy Fit3 on a user�s wrist next to the Amazfit Active 2 with each device showing a step-count total for the day; a green plant is out of focus behind the watches

The Samsung Galaxy Fit3 next to the Fitbit Inspire 3 on a user�s wrist with each screen showing the total step count for the day

Close-up of the Amazfit Active 2 and Apple Watch SE next to each other on a user�s wrist

a photo of the Garmin Forerunner 265 and the Apple Watch 10 on the wrist

Close-up of the Garmin Instinct 3 in teal on a user�s wrist next to an all-black Apple Watch Series 10m on a dark blue band

The Apple Watch Series 10 on display at the device�s launch in September 2024

Apple Watch Series 10 lowest price

Garmin Vivoactive 6 in emerald green with the Morning Report shown on the screen

Close-up of the Bark Smartwatch for kids

Fitbit Sense 2 on a person�s wrist

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