Apple Watch Ultra vs Garmin Fenix 7 – Which Should You Buy?
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When choosing a smartwatch, it is important to find a model that aligns with your lifestyle, whether you need advanced fitness tracking, rugged outdoor performance, or reliable everyday features. The Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Fenix 7 are two high-end wearables that cater to very different types of users. The Apple Watch Ultra is designed for tech enthusiasts and iPhone users who want a powerful smartwatch with premium design and smart features. The Garmin Fenix 7 is built for serious athletes and adventurers who prioritize durability, navigation, and multi-sport tracking. This article will outline the key differences to help you choose the right one.
Side by Side Comparison
| Feature | Apple Watch Ultra | Garmin Fenix 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.92″ Retina LTPO OLED, Always-On | 1.3″ or 1.4″ Transflective MIP, Always-On |
| Resolution | 502 × 410 pixels | 260 × 260 (Fenix 7) or 280 × 280 (Fenix 7X) |
| Display Protection | Sapphire crystal | Power Sapphire or Gorilla Glass |
| Battery Life | Up to 36 hrs (normal), 60 hrs (low power) | Up to 18 days (Smartwatch), 57 hrs (GPS) |
| GPS Accuracy | Dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) | Multi-band GNSS (depending on model) |
| Water Resistance | WR100 + EN13319 certified (up to 100m) | 10 ATM (up to 100m) |
| Durability | MIL-STD 810H, titanium case | MIL-STD 810H, fiber-reinforced case with steel |
| Health Sensors | HR, SpO2, ECG, skin temp, ambient light | HR, SpO2, VO2 max, respiration, hydration |
| Activity Features | Running, diving, triathlon, sleep tracking | Over 60 sports, advanced training & recovery |
| Music Storage | Yes (up to 32GB total device storage) | Yes (model-dependent, up to 32GB) |
| Mapping & Navigation | Basic route tracking, Backtrack | Topo maps, ski maps, turn-by-turn nav |
| Smart Features | Cellular, Siri, App Store, crash detection | Basic notifications, music, Garmin Pay |
| OS / Ecosystem | watchOS (Apple ecosystem only) | Garmin OS (Android and iOS compatible) |
Detailed Feature Comparisons
Design and Construction
The Apple Watch Ultra features a titanium case, flat sapphire front crystal, and a larger Digital Crown for easy control. Its rugged build is designed for outdoor use but retains a sleek Apple aesthetic. In contrast, the Garmin Fenix 7 has a more traditional, rugged design with a fiber-reinforced polymer body and stainless steel or titanium bezel, built to withstand tough conditions. The Fenix 7X variants also include solar charging for extended battery life outdoors.
Display Technology
Apple uses a high-resolution Retina OLED display that is sharp, vibrant, and easy to read in sunlight. The Ultra supports Always-On Display and reaches up to 2000 nits brightness. Garmin’s Fenix 7 uses a transflective MIP display that excels in bright sunlight and consumes less power, though it lacks the clarity and color depth of Apple’s OLED panel.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery performance is a major difference. The Apple Watch Ultra offers up to 36 hours in standard mode and 60 hours in low-power mode. The Garmin Fenix 7 easily outlasts this with up to 18 days in smartwatch mode and extended GPS tracking time, especially in solar models. This makes the Fenix 7 better suited for multi-day expeditions without charging.
Navigation and Outdoor Features
Garmin dominates in navigation with built-in topo maps, ski maps, and turn-by-turn directions. It supports multiple satellite systems and multi-band GPS for high accuracy. The Apple Watch Ultra includes dual-frequency GPS and Backtrack for retracing your route but lacks full offline mapping and topographic detail.
Fitness and Sports Tracking
Garmin offers a wider range of sport modes and deeper fitness metrics, including recovery time, training load, and stamina tracking. The Fenix 7 supports ultra-marathon, multi-sport events, and tactical modes. Apple Watch Ultra supports triathlon mode, detailed running metrics, and underwater features for diving up to 40m, but it still relies more on third-party apps for advanced training plans.
Health Monitoring
Apple shines in wellness monitoring with ECG, temperature sensing, fall and crash detection, and a more user-friendly interface. Garmin includes heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep tracking, and respiration but lacks Apple’s ECG and skin temperature sensors. Garmin offers more endurance-focused features like Body Battery and HRV Status for training readiness.
Smart Features and Ecosystem
The Apple Watch Ultra provides a rich smartwatch experience with cellular connectivity, the App Store, and tight integration with the iPhone. It supports messaging, music streaming, and Siri. The Fenix 7 supports smart notifications, music, and Garmin Pay, but app support is more limited and geared toward fitness users.
Software and Compatibility
Apple Watch Ultra only works with iPhones and runs watchOS, offering regular updates and a premium app ecosystem. Garmin Fenix 7 is compatible with both iOS and Android and uses Garmin’s own software with a strong focus on training, analysis, and syncing with Garmin Connect.
FAQ
Is the Apple Watch Ultra better than the Garmin Fenix 7 for outdoor adventures?
The Garmin Fenix 7 is better suited for long expeditions due to its longer battery life, topo maps, solar charging, and rugged multi-sport tracking. The Apple Watch Ultra is more focused on short-term outdoor use with smart features and high-precision GPS.
Can I use the Apple Watch Ultra with an Android phone?
No, the Apple Watch Ultra only works with iPhones. It requires iOS to set up and use its features.
Does the Garmin Fenix 7 have a touchscreen?
Yes, the Garmin Fenix 7 includes a touchscreen along with traditional buttons for easy navigation, even while wearing gloves or underwater.
Which watch has better battery life overall?
The Garmin Fenix 7 has significantly better battery life, lasting up to 18 days in smartwatch mode and even more in battery saver modes. The Apple Watch Ultra lasts up to 36 hours in standard mode.
Can I make phone calls with either watch?
The Apple Watch Ultra supports cellular connectivity, allowing users to make calls, send texts, and stream music independently. The Garmin Fenix 7 does not have a built-in speaker or mic for calls.
Is the Apple Watch Ultra suitable for diving?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra supports recreational diving up to 40 meters and complies with the EN13319 dive standard. It also includes a dedicated Depth app.
Does the Garmin Fenix 7 offer solar charging?
Some models of the Garmin Fenix 7, such as the Fenix 7 Solar and Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar, offer solar charging to extend battery life when exposed to sunlight.
Which is more accurate for GPS tracking?
Both offer dual-band or multi-band GPS for higher accuracy. The Garmin Fenix 7 may have an edge in multi-environment use, particularly with its mapping and navigation software.
Do both watches support music playback?
Yes, both watches allow for music storage and playback. The Apple Watch Ultra supports Apple Music and Spotify streaming. The Garmin Fenix 7 allows you to download music from services like Spotify and Amazon Music.
Which watch is better for training and recovery insights?
The Garmin Fenix 7 offers more detailed data for training load, recovery time, HRV status, and endurance metrics. It is better suited for serious athletes who need deeper performance analysis.