Strava results differ between phone and watch?

[Runrum]

Does anyone else find the Strava app inconsistent with data between if you use the app on different platforms?

A few weeks ago I did a run and went to set Strava going on my Apple watch but it hadn't charged and was dead so I just got it going on my phone, shoved phone in pocket and didn't look again until I'd finished my run. I was joyous to see a new PB and assumed the fact I wasn't looking at the time made some difference to my mentality so I did a couple more runs just on my phone in pocket - using the Strava app - and was getting very consistent timings/paces.

Then I decided I wanted to go back to my watch so it was easier to pause, see distance, etc. Realised my avg pace was about 30 seconds per km slower. So I've tried it out a few times now. The other day I tracked my run on my watching using the Apple Fitness app and at the same time on my phone using Strava. Start and finish and the same point. Result was different on both devices.

I used my watch with the Strava app this morning and the avg page was 26 seconds slower than all the average paces I've been running with Strava on my phone recently.

Your phone GPS is less accurate

It doesn't need to be as precise as a running watch and will ping much less often to a location

Most watches will get GPS data every second for example. Your phone won't do this, it doesn't need to.

When I run with a phone the GPS track is much more wiggly than the same done with a watch.

Basically came here to say the same as the first commenter. Your phone is a lot less accurate so go by your watch. It’ll be a more accurate representation of your distance and pace.

Oh that's so depressing. I was really hopeful it would be the other way around. I'm actually a lot further away from my next goal than I'd thought. 😭

Sorry! I had the same a few years back when my watch broke. Suddenly getting all these personal bests.

At least there's a way on Strava to disregard them from your stats. One day you'll break them for real.

Haha I had this! I was using my phone when I first started running then treated myself to a Garmin and quickly got humbled by the reality of how much slower I was running than I thought!