If you've spent years strapped to a Garmin and rolled your eyes at anyone who suggested an Apple Watch could compete, it might be time to reconsider. A new review from GQ makes a compelling case that the Apple Watch Series 11 has matured into something that even hardcore fitness tracker devotees should pay attention to.
More than a smartwatch
The Apple Watch has long carried a reputation as a lifestyle accessory that happens to track your steps - pretty to look at, but not quite serious enough for people who actually train. Garmin built its loyal following on the back of deep fitness data, long battery life, and a no-nonsense approach to performance metrics. Apple, meanwhile, was selling something that felt more at home on a brunch table than a running trail.
But the Series 11 appears to be shifting that perception. According to the GQ review, the watch now offers enough in the way of fitness functionality to genuinely challenge what dedicated fitness trackers bring to the table - which is a meaningful step forward for a device that has sometimes felt like it was coasting on brand appeal.
The crossover appeal is real
What makes this interesting isn't just the hardware improvements - it's the audience Apple is now speaking to. If someone who has only ever used a Garmin is being told the Apple Watch is worth a look, that signals something has meaningfully changed. These are users who prioritize accuracy, workout tracking depth, and reliability over aesthetics or app ecosystems.
Apple's tight integration between hardware and software has always been a strength, and for fitness use it means things like health data syncing, workout detection, and recovery insights can feel remarkably seamless. For people already living inside the Apple ecosystem - iPhone, AirPods, the whole setup - adding an Apple Watch to the mix creates a level of connectivity that a standalone Garmin simply can't replicate.
So should you switch?
That depends on what you value most. If battery life is your dealbreaker, Garmin still has a strong argument - some of their devices run for weeks between charges, while Apple Watch remains a daily-charge situation. But if you want a device that handles fitness tracking seriously while also keeping you connected, looking good, and integrating with the rest of your digital life, the Series 11 is a genuinely strong option.
The fact that GQ - a publication that knows its audience cares about both performance and style - is recommending it to fitness-first users says a lot. The Apple Watch is no longer just for people who want a watch that matches their outfit. It's for people who want to actually use it.
