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Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm — 2023 · Fitness + health
Apple

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm

2023 · Fitness + health

93
/ 100
From $799
VS
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm wins by 3
Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular — 2024 · Fitness + health
Garmin

Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular

2024 · Fitness + health

90
/ 100
From $1,099
Specdex verdict

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm lands at 93 and Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular at 90. That puts Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm if…

  • ✓Multi-day fitness tracking
  • ✓GPS + heart rate
  • ✓Notification mirroring

Pick Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular if…

  • ✓Multi-day fitness tracking
  • ✓GPS + heart rate
  • ✓Notification mirroring
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Fitness

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm

Compared on the fitness sub-score

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm leads on fitness (93 vs 90).

Health

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm

Compared on the health sub-score

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm leads on health (91 vs 88).

Display

Tie

Compared on the display sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm more score per dollar ($799 vs $1,099).

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm 93
vs
90 Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular

Score breakdown

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm
93
battery 72
display 88
fitness 93
health 91
durability 86
Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular
90
battery 94
display 88
fitness 90
health 88
durability 86

Specs side-by-side

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm versus Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular — full spec comparison
Spec Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular
Release year
2023
2024

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm

Pros
  • +Multi-day fitness tracking
  • +GPS + heart rate
  • +Notification mirroring
Cons
  • −Battery life varies dramatically
  • −Companion phone required
  • −Screen-on drains battery

Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular

Pros
  • +Multi-day fitness tracking
  • +GPS + heart rate
  • +Notification mirroring
Cons
  • −Battery life varies dramatically
  • −Companion phone required
  • −Screen-on drains battery

FAQ: Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm vs Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular

Which is better, Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm or Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular? +

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm worth the price? +

At $799, Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in fitness.

Is Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular worth the price? +

At $1,099, Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in battery.

Does Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm or Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for fitness, Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm or Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular? +

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm — leads on fitness (93 vs 90). Compared on the fitness sub-score.

Which is better for health, Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm or Garmin fenix 8 · Compact · GPS + Cellular? +

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Aluminum 45mm — leads on health (91 vs 88). Compared on the health sub-score.