Garmin Fenix 8 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3
Verdict: Garmin Fenix 8 outperforms on battery and training-specific metrics with 29-day life cited in Garmin documentation versus Apple Watch Ultra 3's 36-hour rating from Apple. Apple Watch Ultra 3 wins for iOS users needing seamless notifications and health apps per CNET reviews. The Fenix 8 is the stronger pick for non-iPhone athletes prioritizing endurance data.
Winner: Garmin Fenix 8
Garmin Fenix 8: 8.5/10
Apple Watch Ultra 3: 8/10
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Garmin Fenix 8 | Apple Watch Ultra 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| display | 1.4-inch AMOLED, 2000 nits | 1.9-inch Retina LTPO OLED, 3000 nits |
| battery_life | Up to 29 days | Up to 36 hours |
| gps | Multi-band GNSS | Dual-frequency GPS |
| water_resistance | 10 ATM | 100m dive-rated |
Garmin Fenix 8
What works
- 29-day battery life in smartwatch mode (per Garmin specs)
- Advanced multi-sport training metrics including endurance score
- Built-in flashlight and solar charging option on some variants
What doesn't
- No native third-party app ecosystem like Apple Watch
- Heavier at 67g compared to competitors
Apple Watch Ultra 3
What works
- Seamless integration with iPhone and Apple ecosystem apps
- Precision dual-frequency GPS with 36-hour battery (per Apple)
- Advanced health sensors including ECG and blood oxygen
What doesn't
- Requires daily charging for most users
- Limited to iOS devices only
Bottom line
Our pick: Garmin Fenix 8.
View full comparison on GoodPickr
Related Comparisons
- COROS Vertix 2S vs Garmin Fenix 8
- Garmin Fenix 9 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3
- Withings Body Comp vs Garmin Index S2
- Garmin Approach S70 vs Bushnell Ion Elite GPS Watch
- Oura Ring 4 vs Apple Watch Series 10
- Apple Watch SE 3 vs Apple Watch Series 10
- Garmin Vivomove Trend vs Withings ScanWatch 2
- Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 47MM vs Polar Vantage V3
- Bowflex SelectTech 552 vs Apple Watch Series 9
- Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 265
- Garmin Forerunner 970 vs Garmin Forerunner 965
- Garmin Forerunner 970 vs Apple Watch Ultra 4
People also compared
Affiliate disclosure: GoodPickr may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through partner links on this page. Verdicts are editorially independent and never influenced by affiliate relationships.
GoodPickr · Data-backed product comparisons