Looking at the Garmin Fenix 8 versus Apple Watch Ultra 2, notice that each one fills in for the needs of a different circle of users, carrying strengths on their own. The Garmin Fenix 8 will be more in demand for all those who spend a great amount of time outdoors and take part in a lot of sports, where it needs an extra-large watch case with scratch-resistant material and the ability to bear very extreme environmental conditions. Durable housing made of metal, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass, and a transflective MIP display make it ideal for readability even in the most brilliant sunlight. The battery life of Fenix 8 is really great-it can work for several weeks with a single charge in standard use and several days with the GPS mode turned on. That is why it is perfect for long adventure applications.
On the contrary, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers a premium experience with ease of use, supported by sleek design and a bright OLED display in aerospace-grade titanium to make this strong yet light. While the battery life is a little bit shorter than that of the Fenix 8, it can still provide up to 36 hours with typical use and up to 72 hours with power-saving mode. The richly colored display and high resolution make for a much more graphically impressive device, especially for those who want things to look nice.
The Garmin Fenix 8 goes a long way in fitness and health tracking, with a number of advanced metrics and multi-GNSS support. Therefore, it can provide accurate tracking for everything from running to swimming. This watch can be a powerhouse among serious athletes who need detailed performance data. On the other hand, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 keeps pace with across-the-board health monitoring through ECGs, blood oxygen tracking, and advanced sleep analysis. That’s especially attractive to people who are already deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, where the seamless integration of other devices and services from the same company is featured.
Which one is better, the Garmin Fenix 8 or the Apple Watch Ultra 2? That depends on what you might need. If you need a sturdy and long-lasting outdoor activities device with advanced fitness tracking, then Fenix 8 is your better choice. However, if your aim goes toward a smartwatch-a device that can balance smart features, health tracking, and premium design, especially if you are into Apple-then the Ultra 2 is more suitable.
Table of Contents
Garmin Fenix 8 VS Apple Watch Ultra 2
Garmin Fenix 8
Garmin’s top sports watch has some useful upgrades
Pros
- AMOLED and solar-charging options
- Improved water resistance
- Mic and speaker
- Improved navigation features
Cons
- More expensive than Fenix 7 Pro range
- Not a huge upgrade on Epix Pro and Fenix 7 Pro
For the first time, an AMOLED screen is available on a Garmin Fenix, thanks to the Garmin Fenix 8 which unites the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and Garmin Epix Pro under one roof. The Garmin Fenix 8 solar still offers the choice of a conventional memory-in-pixel display and features sun charging to extend battery life.
The Fenix 8 has also been upgraded with a new speaker and microphone, as well as a more waterproof construction that can be used for 40-meter dives. Along with improving the watches’ battery life, Garmin also upgraded the UI and navigation functions.
After putting the Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED 51mm watch through its paces, I can say with certainty that it’s among the best smartwatches for athletes. The majority of the capabilities of the Fenix 8 are still available on older Garmin models, such as the Epix Pro and Fenix 7 Pro, which may offer superior value. Likewise, the more reasonably priced Garmin Fenix E, which was released concurrently with the Fenix 8, might be a possibility.
Garmin Fenix 8: price and availability
On August 27, the Garmin Fenix 8 was released and is currently in stock. The price of the watch varies according on the model and size you choose, from $999.99 to $1199.99. A less expensive Fenix E variant is also available; it costs $799.99.
The Fenix 8 series offers two display options: AMOLED and solar-charging. The latter has a memory-in-pixel display that is less brilliant than AMOLED but extends battery life. The Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED is available in three different sizes: 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm. The Garmin Fenix 8 solar is available in two sizes: 47mm and 51mm.
The cost has increased in comparison to the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and Garmin Epix Pro, and those who do not require the Fenix 8’s dive capabilities or its upgraded microphone and speaker may find that the previous Garmin watches are still a better deal. Additionally, its cost surpasses that of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (starting at $799) and the Galaxy Watch Ultra ($640).
Garmin Fenix 8: design
Even with the titanium variant, the Fenix 8 AMOLED 51mm watch I’ve been testing is very big and hefty, but you do grow used to the size of the watch even on my narrow wrists. Though it’s important to note that the smaller, lighter 47mm watch has the same size screen as the 51mm, the larger model boasts exceptional battery life for an AMOLED watch. The silicone band that comes with the watch is something I would replace with a lighter Garmin UltraFit nylon band.
The vivid AMOLED display is the same as that of the Epix Pro watch, and I do think it’s a significant improvement over the traditional Garmin screens with memory-in-pixels, especially indoors and outside under cloud or tree cover. The AMOLED screen is still readable in direct sunlight, and if you put on the raise-to-wake option to extend the battery life, the display quickly goes on when you move your wrist.
With the Fenix 8, you may choose from a variety of new watch faces and greatly personalize the colors and data displayed. Garmin has added more color options specifically with this new watch. The Connect IQ app store allows you to add additional watch faces as well.
The Fenix 8’s new leakproof buttons feel a little different from earlier iterations, but they nonetheless click consistently and satisfyingly, and you get a little haptic buzz when you press one. Although I haven’t used the diving sports modes, I appreciate the improved water resistance.
The watch’s options allow you to turn on the new microphone, or you can configure it as a shortcut so that it will begin recording as soon as you press a button. When you give the Fenix 8 orders, it will process them, including establish a timer. Although it takes a bit longer than other smartwatches such as the Apple Watch Ultra 2, this update is still beneficial.
With the addition of a speaker, your watch can now answer calls and provide speech updates during activities, such as your lap times during a run. Don’t worry, though—you can disable this feature if you’d prefer not to have your watch chat to you during group activities.
The included flashlight found in all of the new Fenix 8 models is incredibly helpful both indoors and outside of nighttime activities. The Epix Pro and Fenix 7 Pro ranges come with this flashlight as well, although the smaller Fenix 7 variants and the Garmin Epix 2 do not.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Small tweaks to a big watch
Pros
- New S9 chipset
- Double Tap gestures
- Apple’s brightest display ever
Cons
- Very few new features
- No battery life extension
The most drastic watch overhaul Apple has ever tried was with the original Apple Watch Ultra. It was the greatest Apple Watch we had ever seen, completely unique, a huge breakthrough, and something to be applauded. Since the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is essentially the same watch, it is likewise excellent.
Although the screen is brighter—Apple’s brightest screen ever, in fact—the majority of the improvements are being brought about by the watchOS 10 operating system and Apple’s new S9 SiP chip. Similar to the Apple Watch Series 9, the S9 chip enables a number of additional functions, including the remarkable hands-free Double Tap functionality. With the help of this creative new gesture, you may take calls, end timers, begin exercises, and more—all without using your hands.
Other features like Siri are no longer required to establish a cloud connection, and the Depth app has undergone a few tweaks to round out the updates. Utilizing recycled materials both inside and outside the watch, it has also strengthened its environmental credentials. This philosophy is also embraced by young bands, who place more of an emphasis on sustainability and innovative design.
But not much has changed in terms of the main objective of the Apple Watch Ultra 2—to be an Apple Watch you can carry with you underwater and into the wild. Thanks to watchOS 10, there hasn’t been any advancements in navigation, additional workout features, or extended battery life compared to the original Ultra. It’s still a fantastic Apple Watch—possibly the greatest in terms of specs, and a strong candidate for our guide to the best smartwatches—but it gets the same minor yearly updates as the other Apple Watch models.
Apple Watch Ultra 2: Price and availability
$799 / AU / £799$1,399
Now there’s just one model available.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 may be purchased right now. Compared to the Apple Watch Series 9, your shopping experience is more simpler: the latter offers a plethora of options associated with it (such as color). What dimensions? Which musical group? GPS or mobile?) There is only one Apple Watch Ultra 2 available.
It comes in one size (49mm) and one color (normal Titanium), in spite of the claims that a Black or Midnight edition would also be available. It comes pre-configured with LTE cellular connectivity. The only significant decision you have to make when purchasing it is the band that it comes with, but we’ll go into more depth about those in the section below on design.
Of course, you may also consider the Apple Watch 9 line if the $799 / £799 / AU$1,399 price tag of the Watch Ultra 2 is too much for you or if you don’t require the additional functions geared for adventure. Because it is priced similarly to the original Ultra, there isn’t a significant, depreciating markup.
It’s a pricey gadget, but considering that it costs around the same or less than many high-end Garmin devices made for similar kinds of activities and has a premium titanium build, LTE connectivity, and additional capabilities not found in other Ultra series models, it’s not bad value.
Apple Watch Ultra 2: Design
Similar to the Series 9, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 appears to be nearly identical to its predecessor at first glance. Both have the same sturdy titanium body, the now-iconic orange Action button, and the protruding shell that houses the side button and digital crown. Speaker and microphone locations are also precisely the same as the original.
The two main distinctions to note are the bands and the screen. To begin with, the screen is even more stunning than it was on the original model and can produce an astounding 3,000 nits of brightness when used at maximum intensity. The screen is the brightest Apple has ever made, the refresh rate is as fast as water off a duck’s back, and this is unquestionably Apple at its best. From a purely technical perspective, it’s perhaps the greatest smartwatch screen I’ve ever seen in person.
With a new customisable Ultra-exclusive watch face, this world-beating screen comes to life and cleverly displays the passing of time as it circles the screen. You can mix and match your preferred complications to appear on the watch face itself, such as temperature, a compass setting, movement rings, and weather widgets.
Though, if I had to choose right now, I still think the Wayfinder watch face looks better, it’s a clever substitute that looks especially good in Night Mode.
From the standpoint of software design, though, that’s about all we have to say because the majority of the advancements seen here are part of watchOS 10, which is also compatible with existing Apple Watches. Regrettably, watchOS 10 and the Ultra 2’s Action button don’t provide anything novel or distinctive. The button can still be programmed to perform various tasks, but this time around there isn’t a compelling new feature to use it for.
The bands are motivated by the same green theme that dominated Apple releases this year. The Ultra 2 comes with three strap options, much like the original: an Ocean band for diving, a nylon Trail strap, and an Alpine strap with a g-hook fastening.
When I handled the Trail strap, I noticed that the design had been somewhat altered to have a cleaner, more rounded end. Now, the nylon band is constructed with some recycled wool, just like the Series 9 sport loops. The packaging of the Alpine and Trail bands features a circle of green leaves to indicate their participation in Apple’s carbon neutral program. This information will also be made available on the company’s website. If nothing else, the watch’s titanium case is composed of 95% recycled titanium, which is an excellent percentage.
Garmin Fenix 8 VS Apple Watch Ultra 2 : FAQs
Q. What are major differences between the Garmin Fenix 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
Those are the fundamental differences between the Garmin Fenix 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2-target, features, and design. Garmin Fenix 8 targets those who are into outdoor activities and sports, while Apple Watch Ultra 2 targets people seeking a high-class smartwatch user experience. The Garmin Fenix 8 houses advanced GPS tracking combined with very long battery life and rugged durability, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 relies on an extremely bright Retina display, perfect integration into the ecosystem of Apple devices, and health monitoring features.
Q. Which one is better in terms of GPS accuracy?
Generally speaking, the Garmin Fenix 8 is much better with regard to GPS accuracy for hiking and trail running, among other outdoor sporting events. It comes with multi-band GNSS support, so it would be able to track position more precisely in hard conditions, for example.
3. How does the battery life for Garmin Fenix 8 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2 compare?
The Garmin Fenix 8 has far longer battery life than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Depending on how one uses it, the Fenix 8 can go several weeks before needing to be charged, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 should generally be charged every 1-2 days if one uses the features in an active manner.
Q. Which one is better for fitness tracking?
While both offer great fitness tracking, Garmin Fenix 8 does provide more detailed information for outdoor and endurance sports with advanced metrics, thus making it more durable. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 shall be better for general fitness tracking and daily activity monitoring, integrated seamlessly with fitness apps across the Apple ecosystem.
Q. Are both smartwatches water-friendly?
Both the Garmin Fenix 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 are water-resistant, fit for swimming, and even other water sports. Generally speaking, the Fenix 8 offers higher ratings in water resistance and would therefore be more durable for longer water activities.
Q. Which is the better watch when it comes to health monitoring?
On the whole, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 would have more all-encompassing health tracking, including ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and advanced heart rate tracking. The Garmin Fenix 8 also does a great job of health tracking, including heart rate, VO2 max, and stress tracking; however, it’s more focused on fitness and performance metrics.
Q. Does either of these watches support your smartphone?
Yes, the Garmin Fenix 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are compatible with your smartphone; however, the best experience for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with an iPhone. Garmin Fenix 8 supports both iOS and Android devices, offering great app support through Garmin Connect.
Q. Which one is more durable?
The Garmin Fenix 8 comes with increased durability, scratch-resistant materials, and a rugged build structure. It also comes with high water resistance and resists shock. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 also comes with a solid design; more in tune with giving it a look and feel of a premium product, with its metallic casing and ceramic back.
Q. What is the price difference between Garmin Fenix 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 2?
The prices for both the Garmin Fenix 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 can change according to models and features that one wants, but generally, the Garmin Fenix 8 is higher-priced because it contains advanced features and has a rugged design while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is considered a more premium smartwatch with top-tier health and connectivity features.
Q. Where can I get the Garmin Fenix 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
You can order either smartwatch through online retailers, electronic shops, or directly from the websites of the brands. You will find links to trusted retailers in this article, courtesy of Bestfluencer.
If you have any more questions, feel free to contact us at Bestfluencer through our website.
