The UNA Watch vs Garmin matchup shouldn’t be a good struggle. One is a $199 watch from a younger Scottish startup; the opposite comes from the corporate that virtually owns the GPS working watch. And but…right here we’re.
UNA Watch is a newly launched modular smartwatch. You’ll be able to restore it with a single screwdriver, and it prices over USB-C. It runs on a platform builders can tinker with, and the battery is swappable—which is attention-grabbing.
Its closest Garmin rival is the Forerunner 70 ($249.99), Garmin’s most inexpensive working watch proper now. Garmin has the deeper health ecosystem. However after digging into each, it is a shut name. And the reply relies upon completely on what sort of runner you’re.
Fast verdict: What do you need to personal?
UNA wins if you’d like higher GPS {hardware} for $50 much less and also you care about repairability. It additionally has USB-C charging (you gained’t have to tug Garmin’s proprietary cable in every single place), and it lasts for years. Within the Una Watch Vs Garmin debate, it’s the look ahead to individuals who really need to personal their wearable—not simply lease it.
Garmin Forerunner 70 wins if you’d like a watch that coaches you, tracks dozens of sports activities, and survives the pool. It plugs into Garmin’s established app ecosystem with none additional work.
| Value | $199 | $249.99 |
| Show | 1.2″ MIP LCD, 240×240 | 1.2″ AMOLED touchscreen, 390×390 |
| Battery (on a regular basis) | As much as 10 days | As much as 13 days |
| Battery (GPS) | As much as 20 hours (dual-frequency) | As much as 23 hours (GPS solely) |
| Water resistance | IPX5 (no swimming) | 5 ATM (pool swim monitoring) |
| Barometric altimeter/compass | Sure/Sure | No/No |
| Charging | USB-C | Garmin proprietary cable |
| Weight | ~50g | ~40g |
| Replaceable battery | Sure | No |
| Constructed-in actions | 5 (extra coming) | 80+ |
UNA Watch health monitoring vs Forerunner 70 coaching options: How a lot teaching would you like?
Would you like a watch that tells you what to do tomorrow, or one which simply data what you probably did in the present day? That’s the break up right here.
Garmin Forerunner 70’s coaching options are why individuals purchase Garmin. You get Garmin Coach adaptive plans, day by day urged exercises, HRV standing, coaching readiness—the works. It additionally covers 80+ actions.
The UNA Watch coronary heart charge monitor handles 24/7 HR, resting HR, and SpO2. However the exercise modes cease at working, treadmill, biking, climbing, and basic exercise. Engadget’s assessment lists “restricted exercise monitoring choices” as a con and notes there’s no automated exercise detection.
That mentioned, loads of runners don’t need a coach—myself included. Should you already comply with your personal plan or use Strava, UNA’s core knowledge (tempo, distance, coronary heart charge, elevation, route) covers what you’ll have a look at after a run.
My verdict: The Forerunner 70 wins for coaching options. I’d choose it for newer runners who need a plan personalized for them—however I wouldn’t pay additional for teaching I’d ignore.
UNA Watch GPS: Which tracks your route higher?
Ever end a metropolis run and discover your map zigzagging via buildings? That’s the issue dual-frequency GPS fixes.
UNA has a dual-frequency GPS (L1+ L5) throughout six satellite tv for pc methods. It’s a function you often see on pricier watches. The Una Watch dual-frequency GPS locked on in beneath 30 seconds in Engadget’s testing.
The Forerunner 70 is single-frequency solely, although the5KRunner nonetheless referred to as it the “finest single-frequency GPS accuracy I’ve measured.”
UNA additionally has a barometric altimeter and a compass—the Forerunner 70 has neither—on hilly path runs and hikes, that’s the type of {hardware} I’d need on my wrist.
My verdict: UNA wins for GPS and out of doors sensors. Should you run trails, hike, or run downtown, it has the higher {hardware} for $50 much less.
UNA Watch battery life vs Garmin Forerunner 70 battery life: Which is simpler to reside with?
The Garmin Forerunner 70’s battery life is rated at as much as 13 days in smartwatch mode and 23 hours of GPS—however the5krunner averaged 18.6 hours of GPS throughout 4 checks. Un guarantees as much as 10 days and 20 hours of dual-frequency GPS. Engadget received about 7 days with a number of GPS exercises blended in.
I like the thought of upgrading a watch reasonably than sending it to the recycling bin after just some years. The Forerunner 70 is sealed like nearly each different health watch, so repairs are Garmin’s job, not yours.
My verdict: UNA edges it. Garmin lasts just a few days longer on paper, however USB-C charging and a $40 battery swap make UNA the better watch to reside with long-term.
Repairable smartwatch vs sealed Garmin: Do you personal your watch?
Say your display screen cracks three years from now. With most smartwatches, you’d have to begin purchasing.
Except you personal the UNA, it’s repairable within the truest sense. Held along with Torx T3 screws, Engadget’s Daniel Cooper swapped the show in simply over three minutes. He described the components becoming collectively “like barely fancier LEGO.” The alternative show prices $50. UNA additionally sells a Torx device and plans new sensor modules you’ll be able to add later.
My verdict: UNA goes for the win right here. That is its primary promoting level.
Show: MIP vs AMOLED
Does a watch must appear like a telephone? Possibly not on a run.
UNA makes use of a 1.2-inch, 240×240 MIP LCD with backlight. MIP is simpler to learn in direct solar and is simpler on battery life–that’s why it’s a favourite on out of doors watches.
The Forerunner 70’s 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen is brighter, extra colourful, and far sharper at 390×390. The touchscreen and 5-button controls guarantee it’s intuitive to make use of.
My verdict: The Forerunner 70 has the higher show for on a regular basis put on. Mid-run in shiny solar, although? I’d be completely proud of UNA’s MIP display screen.
UNA Watch water resistance: A serious compromise
Should you swim, this part might resolve it for you.
The UNA Watch water resistance ranking is IPX5. Meaning it’s splash- and shower-proof, nevertheless it’s not designed for swimming. Rain, sweat, and showers are high-quality—swimming pools, lakes, and paddleboarding should not.
The Forerunner 70 is rated 5ATM and tracks pool swims (although not open water).
My verdict: Garmin wins. If swimming is a part of my routine, UNA Watch isn’t as much as the duty.
Open-source smartwatch vs Garmin Join: Which ecosystem wins?
Would you like freedom, or would you like issues to simply work?
UNA is an open-source smartwatch platform with a software program growth equipment and {hardware} growth equipment. Impartial builders are already constructing mapping, yoga, and sleep monitoring—and the companion app syncs to Strava. Open doesn’t imply polished, although. Engadget discovered the software program “fundamental,” and notifications ignore your telephone’s Do Not Disturb.
Garmin Join is the alternative: mature, deep, and filled with years of coaching historical past. Plus, it’s received LiveTrack, incident detection, and Google Maps instructions on Android.
My verdict: Garmin wins on polish in the present day. However in case you’d get pleasure from including the options you’re lacking, UNA’s platform provides you management over the watch itself.
Who can buy the UNA Watch?
The UNA Watch is the perfect Garmin different in case you:
- Need a GPS watch beneath $250
- Care about repairability
- Like tinkering with software program
- Don’t want a working coach
- Don’t observe swims recurrently
Who can buy the Garmin Forerunner 70?
The Garmin Forerunner 70 makes extra sense in case you:
- Prepare for races
- Need restoration recommendations
- Monitor lots of sports activities
- Swim
- Don’t need to tinker
I’d choose the Forerunner 70 if I need a watch that’s largely a coaching device. I’d get the UNA Watch if I like taking part in round with software program and like setting my very own tempo throughout runs.
UNA Watch vs Garmin: Closing verdict
There’s no winner-takes-all right here. Every is the appropriate purchase for a special purchaser.
Purchase the Forerunner 70 in case you’re a more moderen runner who desires a coach in your wrist, you swim, otherwise you’d reasonably Garmin Join do some considering for you.
Purchase UNA in case you already understand how you want to coach, and also you need a watch you’ll be able to nonetheless repair in 5 years.
As a tech journalist, I’ve seen too many good wearables find yourself in a drawer over one drained battery. UNA is the primary GPS watch I’ve seen that treats that as a design downside. For the appropriate buyer, that’s extra significant than one other coaching metric.
