SIDE BY SIDE
See prices, running costs, specifications and trade-offs side by side. Choose two to four products of the same type.
Smartwatch
Slate with Black Band (part 010-02985-00), 42.2 mm case. All seven color and band versions share one price
$299.99US price, checkedGPS smartwatch with no required subscription and up to 11 days of battery
Check price at Garmin for Garmin Vivoactive 6 Full review →
Smartwatch
40mm, Bluetooth (no LTE), Graphite
$379.99US price, checkedAndroid smartwatch with an ECG app and a sleep apnea alert Samsung says is FDA-cleared
Check price at Samsung for Samsung Galaxy Watch9 Full review →| Criterion | Garmin Vivoactive 6 | Samsung Galaxy Watch9 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $299.99Checked Oct 23, 2026 · Price details in the review | $379.99Checked Oct 16, 2026 · Price details in the review |
| Three-year ownership estimate | $299.99 Incomplete known subtotal. Not included: energy use. | $379.99 Incomplete known subtotal. Not included: energy use. |
| Choose if | You want a screen, GPS and Garmin's sleep and recovery scores for $299.99, without a monthly fee. | You have an Android phone on Android 13 or later and want a sleep apnea alert and an ECG app without a listed monthly fee. |
| Main trade-off | The 11-day battery drops to 5 days with the always-on display, and food logging and AI insights need the paid Connect+ plan. | Samsung rates the 40mm battery at up to 30 hours, so plan to charge it daily. Samsung's Galaxy Watch support page also says blood pressure estimates need a cuff calibration at least every 28 days. |
| Key specifications |
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| Exact variant | Slate with Black Band (part 010-02985-00), 42.2 mm case. All seven color and band versions share one price | 40mm, Bluetooth (no LTE), Graphite |
| Dimensions | The case is 42.2 x 42.2 x 10.9 mm. Garmin lists 23 g for the watch and 36 g with the included silicone band. The band fits wrists from 125 to 190 mm around. The display is 1.2 inches (30.4 mm) across at 390 x 390 pixels. | Samsung's launch release lists the 40 mm at 42.7 x 40.4 x 8.6 mm and 31.5 g. The 44 mm is 46.0 x 43.7 x 8.6 mm and 34.0 g. The 40 mm comes in Cream or Graphite, and the 44 mm in Silver or Graphite. The Galaxy Watch9 page lists a 14 g band. |
| Installation | No installation. You pair the watch with the Garmin Connect app on an iPhone or Android phone. The box holds the watch, a USB-C charging and data cable, and documentation. Garmin lists the charging method as a proprietary plug charger. Garmin doesn't publish minimum phone versions. | No installation. It runs Google Wear OS. Samsung lists sleep apnea, Bedtime Guidance and Energy Score as available on Android phones running Android 13 or above. The Galaxy Watch9 page doesn't mention iPhone. Neither that page, the buy page nor the launch release lists what's in the box, so it's unclear whether a charger or power adapter comes with it. |
| Materials | The case is fiber-reinforced polymer with an anodized aluminum bezel. The lens is Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and the included band is silicone. It takes standard 20 mm quick-release bands. | Samsung says the case is aluminum and the display is sapphire crystal. It doesn't say what the band is made of. |
| Warranty | One year from the date of purchase, per Garmin's Consumer Limited Warranty. Garmin can repair or replace the device, or refund the purchase price, at its option, and you pay shipping to Garmin. The warranty excludes cosmetic damage, batteries unless a defect damaged the product, and damage from accident, abuse, misuse or water. A repaired or replaced device is covered for 90 days or the rest of the original year, whichever is longer. In the US, the warranty covers products bought from Garmin or an authorized reseller, under terms revised Dec 30, 2025. | Samsung's US warranty page gives no length for a watch bought in the US. An FAQ on international service mentions a 'standard warranty 12-month period' for watches launched in 2023 or later, and a 1-year limited warranty for service outside the country of purchase. The Standard Limited Warranty that Samsung links for this model doesn't state the period either. It covers the battery only if capacity falls below 80% of its rating. |
| Returns | 30 days from receiving your order, for a refund if the item is in its original condition. That applies to Garmin.com orders. Garmin says opened software, downloadable items and custom products are nonrefundable, and you start a return online. Its page doesn't say who pays return shipping. Orders from other stores follow that store's return policy, and restocking fees may apply. | Watches bought on Samsung.com or the Shop Samsung app can be returned within 15 days of delivery. Samsung charges a 5% restocking fee unless the return is for damage or a defect. Damage or defect claims are due within 5 days of delivery. Return shipping is free. The watch must be like new, factory reset and in its original packaging with everything that came in the box. Watches bought elsewhere follow that retailer's policy. |
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These comparisons use published specifications, not head-to-head tests. Prices and terms are dated. Unknown costs are not zero. Check the exact variant before you buy.