Garmin

fenix 3 Sapphire

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Overall

#51 in

Fitness Trackers

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

Sentiment score52% positive
12
7
4

Top Pros

Top Cons

Last updated: Apr 28, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit Iconpasco356
8 months ago

Fenix 3 (no HR) still gets some time on the wrist now and then when I feel nostalgic. Battery lasts about 5-7 days. https://preview.redd.it/advrns6bcekf1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fd8815430270b08c1211bfb2ed69c237f8164b57

Reddit Iconbenjaminbjacobsen
4 months ago

I went fenix 3 -> AWU -> fenix 6 -> fenix 6 & AWU2. Garmin is the better watch. Better for recording outdoor stuff. Battery is once or twice a month with running every day. It’s great. You never sweat it. But half the days it won’t connect to my iPhone. I miss calls and can’t reply to texts. Syncing to my phone is also a hassle (have to turn the watch on and off half the time). AW is an extension of my phone and a distraction. But I can reply to texts without my phone. It helps reduce screen time because I can leave my phone across the room. It has better complications for the most part and the ultra at least matches my fenix. I had to add apps to get heart rate and steps on my main screen but they update and work. The dive app is cool (visiting my parents in the keys and snorkeling). I ski a lot and the ability to unlock my phone with goggles and a mask on is huge. Also Apple Pay. Picking one? Hard choice. But I bought my fenix 6 used for $300 a few years ago and added the AWU2 refurbished from Apple (so 100% battery). I’m keeping both.

Reddit Iconcoachdad6676
11 months ago

Garmins are amazing. I bought the Fenix 3 probably 7 years ago (it was used then) and it still works very well! Very durable and lots of options. I’d like to upgrade mine but it still works so well. They have other good options as well but I’ve just used the Fenix series

10 months ago

Some of us usually have our phone for all of the above and don’t use the watch for that. We are old dinosaurs. I’ve had a garmin Fenix 3 for 6+ years that can do those things and I have not ever used it for the things you mentioned that aren’t workout related.

Reddit IconDerk_Diggler_2012
4 months ago

I've owned a Fenix 3, Fenix 5 and Fenix 6. Each one glitched and died at about the 2 year mark. I've given up on the Fenix line entirely.

Reddit IconDualPassions
8 months ago

i had my fenix 3 since 2013: * battery life is so good. i can still get 10-15 days on a charge (no gps) or about 15 hours continuous outdoor cycling (with gps) * extremely tough (i had the fenix 3 since 2013, no scratches on the glass, just minor scratches and disoloration on the bezel) * does what it is supposed to do

Reddit Icondws2384
8 months ago

Ya. The only thing that’s kept me in the garmin ecosystem (Fenix 3,5,8) is the battery life and simplicity. I weighed out my last purchase of the 47mm fenix 8 AMOLED vs the Apple Watch Ultra and literally the only thing that made me buy the 8 was the battery life, it was more expensive and had less features. Honestly though, it will be my last. They’re creeping up into the bottom end of quality Swiss watch range, I have a handful of nice mechanical watches that have all went up in value as I’ve owned them. I know it’s not the same thing but I’m not buying a 2k watch every 3 years where the old one is going to become a paperweight after 6-7 years

Reddit IconHV_Conditions
6 months ago

I use a garmin fenix 3. Works great. Make sure to get the sapphire glass. It’s basically indestructible.

Reddit IconIllustrious-Ape
7 months ago

I’m getting like ~36 hours charge out of mine. No it doesn’t have the battery life of the Fenix but I get basically a fully charge while I’m in the shower/changing so I don’t think it’s going to be issue.

7 months ago

I literally did the same thing with my fenix 3/6 and tactix but being able to run without a phone and still have access to emergency services or family through the watch is far superior than battery life during my 20-25 hours/week training.

6 months ago

You have to realize that the Garmin Reddit community is a bunch of fan boys and will fail to consider any rational argue ment against the product. Garmin has its pros and its cons. AWU has its pros and its cons. You need to choose what works best for you. I personally switched from Garmin Fenix (3 models over a decade) to AWU3 simply because the benefit of battery life doesn’t outweigh mobile capability. I no longer need to run or ride with a phone for emergencies. I get all the same training functionality that I find useful from the Garmin through apps which are imo better than Garmins. Only downside on AWU is the lack of buttons as it relies on touch screen. If someone’s says “battery” they’re probably idiots as they’re most likely desk warriors and not back packing the wilderness for weeks at a time.

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