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If you want a tough new watch, you might be deciding between the Apple Watch Ultra and the Garmin Instinct 2. Both watches came out in 2022 and are aimed at hikers, divers, and runners, who are also the same people who buy the other watch. But there are some important differences to think about before making your choice.
The Apple Watch Ultra is new to the market, but Garmin is a pro at making tough watches, and the Instinct 2 is made for going on adventures. Also, iWatch Ultra costs almost twice as much as iWatch 2. So, which should you pick? It depends on what you want and what you need. Here’s a quick look at the differences between the Apple Watch Ultra and the Garmin Instinct 2 to help you decide.
Garmin Instinct 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra Comparison Table
| Garmin Instinct 2 | Apple Watch Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 45mm: 0.9” x 0.9” (23 x 23 mm) | 40mm: 0.79” x 0.79” (20 x 20 mm) | 1.8 inches |
| RAM | — | 1GB RAM |
| Processor | Garmin Instinct | Apple Watch 7 |
| Sensors | Garmin Elevate heart rate sensor, GPS, GLONASS Galileo, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Pulse OX blood oxygen saturation monitor | Ambient light sensor, High dynamic range Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Emergency SOS, Third-generation optical heart sensor, Electrical heart sensor, Blood oxygen sensor, altimeter, Compass, Water temperature sensor |
| Price | $300-$500 | About $799 |
Garmin Instinct 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra: Design and display
The design of a watch is a big part of how rugged it is as a whole, and this is especially important if we need a watch for outdoor activities. The design of the Garmin Instinct 2 is similar to that of its predecessor, the first Garmin Instinct. It still has a big watch case with a big bezel. The watch is pretty big, which shows that it will last.
The strap is made of silicone, and the case is made of fiber-reinforced polymer. Even though the watch looks like it is made of plastic, it has a Military Standard 810 rating of 10 ATM for thermal, shock, and water resistance.
The Apple Watch Ultra is almost the same thickness as the Apple Watch (about 14.4 mm), but it has the famous squircle shape. Even though it has a ceramic back and a titanium shell, it is almost 10g heavier than the Instinct 2.
It has the same MIL-STD-810 certification as Instinct 2, which makes it resistant to water, shocks, and high and low temperatures. Apple said that the watch can go to a depth of 100 metres, which makes it perfect for diving. You get this watch from its official website.
Garmin Instinct 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra: Smart features
Apple Watches are first and foremost smartwatches, and they also track your fitness. Even when compared to the best Android device (right now, we’d say a Samsung Galaxy Watch), the Apple Watch is a strong device with a lot of features and smooth software. If you want the best smartwatch features, the Apple Watch is the only one you need.
Garmin’s operating system is one of the better RTOS-based platforms for smartwatches, but compared to watchOS, its basic menus and lack of animations leave a lot to be desired. Overall, Garmin watches are just easier to use. Garmin smartwatches can also run apps from Garmin and other companies. You can download these apps using a separate app called Connect IQ.
Garmin Instinct 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra: Companion apps
A big part of each ecosystem is the apps and services that go with it. After all, it’s how you’ll look at the data your fitness watch collects. Both Garmin and Apple have apps that work well with their devices. If you have a Garmin device, you can get to your data through Garmin Connect.
There are apps for Android and iOS, as well as a web version. On all three versions of Garmin Connect, you can see all of your stats, from steps to training plans. There are some things that are easier to see on a full-fledged computer, like your heart rate and GPS data.
We’ve had some bad things to say about the Garmin Connect app. It has a lot of features, and there’s not much difference between the web version and the mobile version, so the app can be hard to use.
Once you get used to it, though, you’ll like how the home screen has a lot of information, the monthly calendar view is helpful, and you can make your own workouts right in the app. Garmin also has an app called Connect IQ that lets you download watch faces, apps, and widgets.
Garmin Instinct 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra: Price
On February 9, 2022, the Garmin Instinct 2 came out. Prices for the standard edition start at $349.99/£299.99/AU$549 and go up to $499.99/£429.99/AU$749 for the solar tactical and surf editions. This puts it in the middle of the price range for running watches.
The Ultra is priced well for this category, and you can buy it today at Apple’s online and physical stores, as well as at third-party stores. It costs $799, which is expensive, but not as much as the Garmin Fenix 7 line, which starts at $699. The Garmin Epix 2 starts at $899 and has an OLED screen and a battery life of seven days.
Which one should you buy?
The best Garmin watches are made to keep track of your location for a very long time. Most, like the Instinct 2, have different battery modes to help you get the most out of your trips, even if they last for several days. And that’s before you add the option to use solar power. The Apple Watch won’t last more than 6 hours if the GPS is on all the time, and it won’t last much longer if you also use it to get notifications and play music.
But if your normal activities don’t need GPS all the time and you have an iPhone and want to use it as an extension of your wrist, the Apple Watch can’t be beat. As long as you know how to use the Apple Watch, there are a lot of ways to communicate and more than enough tools for the average gym-goer to track their activities.
Apple Watch Ultra pros and cons
Pros:
- Durably built
- Extra buttons and dual speakers
- Excellent battery life
Cons:
- No offline maps
- No recovery metrics
Garmin Instinct 2 pros and cons
Pros:
- Choice of sizes
- Slimmer, but still tough
- Advanced training tools
Cons:
- Limited sport types
FAQs
Is Apple Watch Ultra better than Garmin?
Apple Watch Ultra vs. Garmin Fenix 7 (and Epix/Enduro 2) (both wearables) The new Apple Watch Ultra has a lot of improvements, like a bigger screen, better GPS tracking, an action button, and a longer-lasting battery.
Is Garmin watches better than Apple Watch?
If you want accurate GPS tracking, Garmin is the better option. Both the Apple Watch 7 and the Apple Watch 8 are more accurate than the Apple Watch 3, but they are still not as good as Garmin.
Is the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar worth the money?
The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is a great watch for people who like to work out outside and for people who want to start sports like running, cycling, or triathlons. It’s a pricey watch, but it’s accurate and reliable and has features to track your health.