The flagship outdoor watches from Apple and Garmin represent different philosophies. Apple Watch Ultra brings premium build quality with smartwatch capabilities, while Garmin Fenix offers extensive athletic features and battery life.
Comparison Overview
| Category | Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Garmin Fenix 8 |
|---|---|---|
| HRV Features | Basic HRV in Health app, third-party apps available | HRV Status, Training Readiness, Body Battery ✓ |
| Garmin provides deeper HRV insights natively | ||
| Battery Life | 36-72 hours | Up to 29 days (48 with solar) ✓ |
| Garmin wins decisively for multi-day adventures | ||
| Training Features | Basic workout tracking, third-party apps | Training load, recovery advisor, performance metrics ✓ |
| Garmin is built for serious training | ||
| Smart Features | Full iOS integration, apps, payments, calls ✓ | Notifications, Garmin Pay, limited apps |
| Apple Watch is a full smartwatch | ||
| Build Quality | Titanium, sapphire crystal, 100m water | Titanium/steel options, sapphire, 10ATM |
| Both are extremely durable | ||
| Navigation | Good maps, basic navigation | Full topo maps, multi-band GPS, advanced routing ✓ |
| Garmin excels for backcountry navigation | ||
| Price | $799 ✓ | $999-1,199 |
| Apple Watch Ultra costs less | ||
| Ecosystem | iPhone required | Works with iOS and Android ✓ |
| Garmin is platform agnostic | ||
The Bottom Line
Choose Apple Watch Ultra 2 if you want a premium smartwatch that handles outdoor sports well and you're already in the Apple ecosystem. Choose Garmin Fenix 8 if you prioritize training analytics, HRV insights, battery life, and don't need a full smartwatch.
Detailed Reviews
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The premium Apple Watch for serious athletes and adventurers. If you need extreme durability, extended battery, and...
Full reviewGarmin Fenix 8
The ultimate multisport GPS watch with excellent HRV integration. Garmin's HRV Status feature provides 7-day trend...
Full review