Looking for an in depth comparison between Vivoactive 3 VS Forerunner 235?
Well, this article is all about finding the differences and similarities between the two models and figuring out which one you should pick.
I am going to show you a solid hand in hand comparison for Forerunner 235 & Vivoactive 3. By the end of this article, I also recommend which one you should pick and why.
Garmin has had a good reputation for providing the market with amazing gadgets for a wide variety of functions. Among their line of products are smart GPS watches that are created and fashioned to keep track of your daily activity.
The functions from their smartwatches get you an accurate estimation of where you stand in terms of a healthy lifestyle. With over a dozen watches to choose from their store, we’ve picked two that almost anyone can find handy - Garmin vívoactive 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 235.
Which one is better than the other? Let’s find out.
Quick Summary
If you do not want to read the whole comparison and need a quick verdict, here it is -
Go with the 235 model if you do not care anything else apart from tracking running data. But if you're like me who would prefer more than tracking stuff, go with vivoactive 3. First of, it looks more modern in terms of design. Second, it has more features like music storage that makes my life really easy and fun.
Check Vivo Active 3 Below -
- Garmin Pay contactless payment solution lets you pay for purchases with your watch (available for supported cards from participating banks)
- Personalize your watch with thousands of free watch faces, apps and widgets from our Connect IQ store
Comprehensive Match Up: Garmin vivoactive 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 235
General Differences
Description
Forerunner 235
vivoactive 3
Lens Material
Chemically strengthened glass
Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Strap Material
Silicone
Silicone
Bezel Material
silicone
stainless steel
Physical Size
45 x 45 x 11.7 mm
43.4 x 43.4 x 11.7 mm
Display Size
1.23" (31.1 mm) diameter
1.2" (30.4mm) diameter
Display Resolution
215 x 180 pixels
240 x 240 pixels
Display Type
Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
Touchscreen
No
Yes
Weight
42 G
43 G
Battery Life
Smartwatch Mode: Up to 9 days
GPS mode: Up to 11 hours
Smartwatch mode: Up to 7 days
GPS mode: Up to 13 hours
Water Rating
5 ATM
5 ATM
Color Display
Yes
Yes
Memory / History
200 hours of activity data
7 timed activities, 14 days of activity tracking data
Clock Features
Description
Forerunner 235
Vivoactive 3
Time / Date
Yes
Yes
GPS Time Sync
Yes
Yes
Automatic DST
Yes
Yes
Alarm Clock
Yes
Yes
Stopwatch
Yes
Yes
Timer
No
Yes
Sunrise / Sunset Times
No
Yes
Sensors
Description
Forerunner 235
Vivoactive 3
GPS
Yes
Yes
GLONASS
Yes
Yes
Garmin Elevate Wrist Heart Rate Monitor
Yes
Yes
Accelerometer
Yes
Yes
Galileo
No
Yes
Barometric Altimeter
No
Yes
Compass
No
Yes
Thermometer
No
Yes
Daily Smart Features
Descriptions
Forerunner 235
Vivoactive 3
Connect IQ (Downloadable watch faces, data fields, widgets, and apps
Yes
Yes
Smart Notifications
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Yes
Bluetooth® Smart and ANT+®
Calendar
Yes
Yes
Weather
Yes
Yes
Controls Smartphone Music
Yes
Yes
Find My Phone
Yes
Yes
Find My Watch
No
Yes
Virb Remote
Yes
Yes
Smartphone Compatibility
iPhone, Android
iPhone, Android
Compatible with Garmin Connect Mobile
Yes
Yes
Garmin Pay
No
Yes
Activity Tracking Features
Description
Forerunner 235
Vivoactive 3
Step Counter
Yes
Yes
Move Bar (Alert after a period of inactivity)
Yes
Yes
Auto Goal
Yes
Yes
Sleep Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Calories Burned
Yes
Yes
Floors Climbed
No
Yes
Distance Traveled
Yes
Yes
Intensity Minutes
Yes
Yes
Trueup
Yes
Yes
Move IQ
No
Yes
Fitness Age
No
Yes ( In-App )
All-day Stress Tracking
No
Yes
Training, Planning and Analysis Features
Description
Forerunner 235
Vivoactive 3
GPS Speed and Distance
Yes
Yes
Customizable Data Pages
Yes
Yes
Customizable Activity Profiles
Yes
Yes
Auto Pause
Yes
Yes
Interval Training
Yes
No
Advanced Workouts
Yes
Yes
Downloadable Training Plans
Yes
Yes
Auto Lap
Yes
Yes
Manual Lap
Yes
Yes
V02 Max
Yes
Yes
Training Effect
Yes
No
Custom Alert
Yes
No
Audio Prompts
Yes
No
Finish Time
Yes
No
Touch / Button Lock
Yes
Yes
Auto-Scroll
Yes
Yes
Activity History on Watch
Yes
Yes
Physio Trueup
No
Yes
Heart Rate Features
Description
Forerunner 235
Vivoactive 3
HR Zones
Yes
Yes
HR Alerts
Yes
Yes
HR Calories
Yes
Yes
% HR Max
No
Yes
Recovery Time
Yes
No
HR Broadcast
Yes
Yes
Running Features
Description
Forerunner 235
Vivoactive 3
Available Run Profiles
Yes
Yes
GPS-Based Distance, Time, and Pace
Yes
Yes
Cadence
Yes
Yes
Run Workouts
Yes
Yes
Race Predictor
Yes
No
Foor Pod Capable
Yes
Yes
Why Should You Pick Garmin Vivoactive 3?
Garmin vívoactive® 3 feels more modern than Garmin Forerunner® 235, mainly because of the touchscreen features and sleeker design, aside from the fact that Garmin vívoactive® 3 was just released 2018 vs Garmin Forerunner® 235 that was from 2015.
Garmin vívoactive® 3 stands as a newer technology for Garmin for about the same price. It features a music storage function that you can connect to your Bluetooth headphones. The heart rate monitor for this watch is also easier to wear as it doesn’t protrude like that of Garmin Forerunner® 235.
There are also numerous features this watch has that are not included in Garmin Forerunner® 235. These functions include tracking data during activities like golfing and swimming.
Overall, Garmin vívoactive® 3 is a versatile wearable GPS sports tracking watch that appeals mainstream. It is subtle, circular, and stylish. Plus, it has good GPS and heart rate monitor and can track wide ranges of activities.
- Garmin Pay contactless payment solution lets you pay for purchases with your watch (available for supported cards from participating banks)
- Personalize your watch with thousands of free watch faces, apps and widgets from our Connect IQ store
Why Should You Pick Garmin Forerunner 235?
Garmin Forerunner® 235 latches immediately to GPS signal unlike Garmin vívoactive® 3. This is essential, after all, you want a GPS watch that tracks your position accurately at any given time.
While it doesn’t have touchscreen features, it works well during days when you have to wear gloves and a touchscreen isn’t really working with gloves. It also comes with a recovery advisor that advises you on the amount of rest and efforts you should take after a strenuous activity. A race predictor that projects race times based on your runs.
Generally, despite its age, Garmin Forerunner® 235 still manages to stand out. The lower price helps. But, more than that, its depth and breadth of its tracking abilities and training acumens make it a better competition against newer watches.
- GPS running watch with wrist based heart rate and display type is sunlight visible, transflective memory in pixel (MIP)
- Customize your watch and your training, larger screen a 44 percentage larger screen than the 225 but the same physical size
Conclusion:
Judging by today’s lifestyle where fitness enthusiasts don’t just use the sports watch for tracking daily fitness activities, the winner between the two is Garmin vívoactive® 3.
Fitness buffs, no longer just count calories, they want something that is advanced enough to give them what they need, like music, alarm clocks, good battery life. Most people have also gotten used to the idea that everything works when you touch the screen. And, that is what this watch features.
But, if you are a runner who doesn’t care about anything else but tracking your running data, Garmin Forerunner® 235 is still a better choice.
Last update on 2020-07-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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