Apple Watch 11 vs Garmin Forerunner 170: Step Counting Accuracy Tested

A recent challenge involving 11,000 steps brought surprising results regarding the step-counting accuracy of the Apple Watch 11 and the Garmin Forerunner 170. Both devices, equipped with internal accelerometers to track movement, demonstrated impressive precision, recording nearly identical step counts during the test.

Testing Methodology

The test involved manually counting steps with a clicker tool, providing a reliable baseline for comparison. The Apple Watch 11 was worn on the left wrist, while the Garmin Forerunner 170 was placed on the right. Each watch counts steps based on the swing of the user’s arm, translating movements into step data regardless of the user's dominant hand or whether they are holding objects.

Data was collected over two separate walks, allowing for a thorough performance comparison. The first walk yielded 6,689 manually counted steps, with the Apple Watch 11 reporting 6,769 steps and the Garmin Forerunner 170 at 6,674 steps. The second walk produced similar results, with the manual count at 4,424, the Apple Watch at 4,419, and the Garmin at 4,498.

Overall Results

Summing the total steps from both walks, the Apple Watch 11 recorded 11,118 steps, while the Garmin Forerunner 170 counted 11,172 steps, resulting in a difference of just 54 steps. This performance positions both watches as highly effective in step tracking, especially since the Garmin model slightly over-counted by only 59 steps—an insignificant margin in the context of daily activity.

Feature Comparison

Beyond step counting, each watch serves distinct purposes tailored to various user needs. The Apple Watch 11 excels in the smartwatch category, featuring extensive app integration and communication capabilities that enable users to respond to messages and make calls directly from their wrists. In contrast, the Garmin Forerunner 170 shines in fitness-specific metrics, offering tools like Garmin Coach, Body Battery, and training readiness assessments, appealing to serious fitness enthusiasts.

From a pricing perspective, the Apple Watch 11 retails for $399/£369, while the Garmin Forerunner 170 comes in two models: one with music storage for $349/£299 and a base model priced at $299/£259.

Conclusion

Both smartwatches exhibit exceptional performance in their respective categories. The Apple Watch 11 may not have led in step count this time, but the minor variance showcases Apple’s commitment to accuracy. As fitness tracking becomes increasingly essential, both devices cater to a wide range of users with their unique strengths. Ongoing testing will further reveal the capabilities of these competing wearables, ensuring potential buyers understand what each device offers.