The Garmin Lily 2 and Apple Watch both belong to the class of smartwatches but target somewhat different users and use cases, with distinct design philosophies, feature sets, and performance characteristics. Here's a detailed comparison touching on all major aspects:
Design and Size:
The Garmin Lily 2 is Garmin's smallest smartwatch with built-in GPS, designed for users who prefer a compact, lightweight, and elegant device. It features a petite metal watch case with a patterned lens that conceals the touchscreen until activated. Available in subtle colors like Lunar Gold, Bone, Silver, and Purple Jasmine, the Lily 2 has a classic, jewelry-inspired look that blends easily as a fashion accessory. By contrast, the Apple Watch, such as Series 10 or SE models, has a more tech-centric design with a square display and larger case size. It looks more contemporary and "techy," which some users favor but others may find bulkier or more noticeable on the wrist.
Display and Interaction:
The Apple Watch typically offers a larger, brighter screen with a high-resolution color display and a responsive touchscreen that supports a broad range of gestures. It also includes a rotating digital crown facilitating precise control. Meanwhile, the Garmin Lily 2 has a smaller display and a patterned lens, which some users find less vibrant, and it hides the touchscreen until needed, lending to a more subtle usage experience. This design is less flashy but might feel less engaging for those wanting a vivid screen experience.
Health and Fitness Tracking:
Both smartwatches provide health and fitness tracking, but with different emphases. The Garmin Lily 2 offers tailored features such as Body Battery energy monitoring, detailed sleep tracking with a sleep score, and women's health tracking. Garmin's Body Battery metric estimates energy levels throughout the day by combining heart rate variability, stress, and activity data. The Lily 2 also includes heart rate monitoring and steps tracking and provides training plans with Garmin Coach and on-screen workouts. However, its sleep tracking, while solid, may not be as detailed or intuitive as some competitors, including Apple's.
In contrast, the Apple Watch is known for its comprehensive health suite that goes beyond basic fitness metrics. It includes medical-grade sensors offering ECG (electrocardiogram), blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, and fall detection. It supports a variety of fitness apps and workout types, providing detailed metrics for running, swimming, cycling, and strength training. Its wide app ecosystem and deep integration with Apple's Health and Fitness platforms give users access to advanced analytics and third-party apps tailored to many health and fitness needs.
Battery Life:
One of Garmin's prominent advantages is battery longevity. The Lily 2 offers around five days of battery life in smartwatch mode, with 9 days claimed in some cases, and approximately 9 hours in GPS mode. Its slower charging speed is offset by the fact that it seldom needs daily recharging. Apple Watch models like Series 10 generally require daily charging, lasting about 18 to 24 hours on a single charge under typical usage. This shorter battery life means users often charge the Apple Watch nightly, which is a tradeoff for its more advanced display and features.
Smart Features and Ecosystem:
Apple Watch excels as a full-featured smartwatch with extensive capabilities beyond fitness. It supports phone calls, messaging, playback playback, Apple Pay for contactless payments, Siri voice assistant, and a wide selection of third-party apps via the App Store. Deep integration into the Apple ecosystem allows seamless syncing with iPhones, Macs, and other Apple devices. Cellular models permit standalone connectivity for calls and data. Garmin Lily 2 includes smart notifications such as calls, texts, and app alerts, as well as Garmin Pay on the Classic edition, but the app ecosystem and broad smart functionality are more limited compared to Apple. Garmin's system focuses more on fitness and wellness with safety features like Assistance and Incident Detection for outdoor activity security.
Durability and Water Resistance:
Garmin watches, including the Lily 2, generally feature a 5 ATM water resistance rating, which means they are rated for swimming and showering without damage. Apple Watch models also support water resistance, typically rated at 50 meters, suitable for swimming and water exposure but not high-impact water sports. Both watches are designed to withstand daily wear and exercise environments, but Garmin emphasizes durability with its sports-oriented build.
User Interface and App Experience:
Garmin's user interface is functional and straightforward, focusing on fitness metrics and essential notifications. It provides useful data right on the wrist and syncs with Garmin Connect for detailed analysis. However, Garmin's OS is not as versatile or smooth as Apple's watchOS, which offers richer animations, a more interactive experience, and a wider range of complications and apps. Apple Watch owners benefit from numerous specialized fitness, wellness, and productivity apps, enhancing the watch's utility beyond exercise.
Pricing:
The Garmin Lily 2 is positioned as a mid-range smartwatch costing around $299.99, offering a balance between style, fitness tracking, and battery life at a more affordable price point. Apple Watch models, particularly the latest Series 10, tend to be priced higher, often starting above $399 depending on configuration and model choice, reflecting their advanced features, brand premium, and richer app ecosystem.
Target Audience:
The Garmin Lily 2 targets users who want a simple, elegant, fitness-focused smartwatch with strong battery life and enough smart features to support a wellness lifestyle without overwhelming complexity. It's ideal for everyday wear, casual exercisers, and those prioritizing style and battery life.
Apple Watch is better suited for users looking for an all-encompassing smartwatch experience with advanced health monitoring, full app support, and deep integration with Apple's ecosystem. It appeals particularly to tech-savvy individuals and fitness enthusiasts who want more detailed metrics and smart features beyond fitness tracking.
Summary:
- Garmin Lily 2 is a compact, elegant smartwatch with strong battery life, basic but focused health features, and moderate smart functionality. It hides the screen until interaction, appealing to fashion-conscious users who prefer subtlety.
- Apple Watch offers a larger, more interactive display, comprehensive health and advanced metrics including ECG and blood oxygen, extensive app support, phone and messaging integration, and seamless connectivity within Apple's ecosystem.
- Battery life heavily favors Garmin, with multiple days per charge versus about a day for Apple.
- Both are water-resistant and durable but differ in style and usage approach.
- Price is generally lower for Garmin Lily 2 compared to Apple Watch Series 10 models.
- User choice depends on priorities: fitness simplicity and battery life (Garmin) versus advanced health features and smartwatch capabilities (Apple).