The Garmin Fenix 8 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 3: A Comprehensive Comparison
The Garmin Fenix 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 are, respectively, Garmin and Apple’s premium adventure watches. They’re both packed with accurate GPS and powerful navigation features to ensure you don’t get lost on the trail, advanced workout tracking capabilities that deliver a load of useful metrics, and cool lifestyle features.
• Black Friday Garmin deals
Below, I’ve broken down my decision-making process, along with which features are most important to me, to determine which one I’d buy on Black Friday. Let’s start by looking at the specs:
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| Header Cell – Column 0 | Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Garmin Fenix 8 |
|---|---|---|
Price | $799 / £749 / AU$1,399 | From $999 / £849 / AU$1,699 |
Size options | 49mm | 43mm, 47mm, 51mm |
Touchscreen | Yes, LTP3 OLED | Yes, AMOLED |
Battery life | Up to 42 hours | Up to 48 days |
Onboard storage | 64GB | 32GB |
Speaker/mic | Yes | Yes |
Operating system | watchOS 26 | Garmin OS |
Compatible with | iPhone | Android, iPhone |
Dive mode? | Yes | Yes |
Right away, you can see there are some clear advantages the Fenix has over the Apple Watch Ultra 3. For one thing, it works with iPhone and Android devices: it only needs the Garmin Connect app to function, which can be installed on any smartphone. The Apple Watch Ultra 3, on the other hand, requires an iPhone.
Battery life is another significant advantage for the Fenix. The most powerful Fenix watches can last up to 48 days, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 operates for approximately 42 hours on average. This advantage becomes especially vital for runners and hikers on multi-stage trips off-grid, as they don’t need to constantly worry about recharging their watches.
(Image credit: Future)
However, it’s important not to overlook the prowess of watchOS 26, Apple’s operating system, which is significantly more advanced than Garmin’s. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 features buttery-smooth performance, remote operations via gesture controls, and integration with Siri for voice commands. It also supports LTE capabilities, making it possible to add it to your phone’s data plan.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers a seamless user experience for iPhone owners, packed with AI features and a wide array of third-party apps. Additionally, its display is brighter and clearer compared to Garmin’s.
When it comes to accuracy, testing has shown that Apple’s heart rate sensor slightly outperforms Garmin’s Elevate V5 sensor, which is a crucial factor for many fitness enthusiasts.
(Image credit: Future)
Yet, the Garmin Fenix 8 offers quality-of-life features that are hard to overlook. While I may not frequently go on multi-day camping excursions, the convenience of longer battery life is always appealing. One of the standout features is the ability to follow running routes directly within the Workout app, which is simpler than the Apple Watch’s approach of switching between different applications.
Moreover, the Garmin Fenix 8 features a dedicated LED flashlight that’s battery-efficient compared to the Ultra 3’s screen-oriented flashlight mode. This is particularly useful for night runs or when visibility is low.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is indeed a remarkable device, but after careful consideration, the Garmin Fenix 8 is the watch I would purchase.
(Image credit: Future / Matt Evans)
While the recommended retail price of the Garmin Fenix 8 is higher than that of the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the latter does offer a more attractive price point at first glance. The Fenix 8 starts at $999 / £849 / AU$1,699 for its base model, whereas the Apple Watch Ultra 3 costs $799 / £749 / AU$1,399.
Currently, discounts for the Fenix 8 are gradually appearing, especially as it was released last year, making it likely to be more affordable soon. Conversely, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is relatively new in the market, having launched in September, which may limit its discount availability.
In conclusion, if you spot a Garmin Fenix 8 priced similarly to the Apple Watch Ultra 3’s RRP of $799 / £749 / AU$1,399, it would be a wise decision to take advantage of that offer. For those interested in checking current prices, refer to our deals-checking widget below.
Today’s best Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Garmin Fenix 8 deals
Not satisfied with the deals on either model? Below are some alternatives to consider on similar watches in both the US and UK:
More Black Friday deals in the US
- Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
- Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $119
- Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
- Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
- Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
- Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
- Lowe’s: up to 30% off appliances, holiday decor & tools
- Samsung: up to $2,000 off appliances, TVs & phones
- Target: 40% off Christmas decor, clothing & furniture
- Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs & vacs from $69
- Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor
Shop more of today’s best UK Black Friday sales
For further information on the latest reviews and deals, be sure to check the source link Here.
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