Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Full details →| Apple Watch | Polar Vantage V | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $399★ | $699 |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 32g★ | 39g |
| Water resistance | 50m | 5ATM |
| Battery | 1 days | 8 days★ |
| Always-on display | ✅ | ✅ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ✅★ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS only | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Smartwatch | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Sep 18, 2026 | Oct 4, 2023 |
| Cycle advice | good★ | bad |
| Deals advice | good | great★ |
| Next model | — | — |
The new health sensing system samples heart rate every five seconds all day — 60x more often than the Series 11 — and measures HRV every five minutes.
A daily 0–10 readiness score combines sleep, vitals, training load, and activity to suggest how hard to push.
On-demand ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep apnea detection, and hypertension notifications carry over from the Series 11.
Polar Vantage V3 is one of the few sports GPS watches with on-demand ECG — usually only found on lifestyle smartwatches.
Running power measurement without a foot pod or chest strap — a significant training metric for pacing effort on hills and varied terrain.
The most detailed training load analysis in any sports watch: muscle groups targeted per session, recovery status per muscle, and long-term load trends.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$399 vs $699 over 3 years.
8 days vs 1 days battery.
10 sensors · 0.2 Hz HR sampling.
32g.
iPhone users who want the most capable smartwatch health experience available. Ideal for anyone who values medical-grade monitoring (ECG, blood pressure, SpO2), a premium always-on display, and the best Apple Watch workout tracking. If health is your priority, this is the one to get.
Full details →Serious endurance athletes — particularly runners and triathletes — who want Polar's unmatched training load science and recovery guidance, combined with ECG health monitoring and running power in a premium package.
Full details →