vs
3.8Display5.3
7.9Battery life2.7
4.9Health tracking4.9
5.2Sports & outdoor3.2
2.3Build & durability3.9
Dimensions
Size comparison
NomadApproach S50
| Nomad | Approach S50 | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 47.8 mm | 43 mm | +4.8 mm |
| Width | 47.8 mm | 43 mm | +4.8 mm |
| Thickness | 14.8 mm | 11.4 mm | +3.4 mm |
| Weight | 61 g | 29 g | +32 g |
Drawn to the same scale from the official dimensions (front and side).
Why is Nomad better than Approach S50?
- Battery life (smartwatch mode)22 days vs 10 days2.2×
- GPS battery life50 h vs 15 h3.3×
- Storage32 GB vs 4 GB8×
- Screen size1.3″ vs 1.2″+8%
Why is Approach S50 better than Nomad?
- Weight61 g vs 29 g2.1×
- AMOLED / OLED displayNo · Nomad: Yes
- Pixel density200 ppi vs 325 ppi+62%
- Resolution (width)260 px vs 390 px+50%
- Thickness14.8 mm vs 11.4 mm+30%
- Sport profiles43 vs 46+7%
Specifications
Side by side
| Design & durability | ||
| Case size | 48 mm | 43 mm |
| Weight | 61 g | 29 g |
| Thickness | 14.8 mm | 11.4 mm |
| Height | 47.8 mm | 43 mm |
| Width | 47.8 mm | 43 mm |
| Case material | Aluminium | Aluminium |
| Sapphire crystal | No | No |
| Lens / cover glass | Hardened Mineral Glass | Corning ® Gorilla ® Glass 3 |
| Strap material | Silicone / Nylon | ComfortFit nylon band |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Water rating (maker) | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 1.3″ | 1.2″ |
| Display technology | Memory-in-pixel (transflective) | AMOLED |
| Panel | 3rd Generation Memory-in-Pixel touch screen | AMOLED |
| AMOLED / OLED display | No | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Resolution (width) | 260 px | 390 px |
| Resolution (height) | 260 px | 390 px |
| Pixel density | 200 ppi | 325 ppi |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life (smartwatch mode) | 22 days | 10 days |
| GPS battery life | 50 h | 15 h |
| GPS battery life (dual-band) | 34 h | — |
| Wireless charging | — | No |
| Charging | — | Garmin proprietary plug charger |
| Health sensors | ||
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | — |
| Temperature sensor | Yes | — |
| HRV tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Sensors | Dual-Microphone with Noise Reduction, Optical Heart Rate Monitor, Barometric Altimeter, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, 3D Compass, Thermometer ), Optical Pulse Oximeter, Electrical Heart Rate Sensor for HRV and Wellness Checks | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Elevate wrist heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor, Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor |
| Sports & navigation | ||
| Built-in GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-band GPS | Yes | — |
| Satellite systems | GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Offline maps | Yes | — |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes | — |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
| Multisport / triathlon mode | Yes | — |
| Sport profiles | 43 | 46 |
| Connectivity | ||
| NFC payments | — | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 4 | Wi-Fi 4 |
| ANT+ sensors | — | Yes |
| Smart features | ||
| Microphone | Yes | — |
| Music on the watch | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | 32 GB | 4 GB |
| Third-party apps | — | Yes |
| Platform | ||
| Operating system | — | Garmin OS |
| Platform | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Works with | — | iOS, Android |
