Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm
2023 · Fitness + health
Garmin fenix 8 · Sport Band
2024 · Fitness + health
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm lands at 93 and Garmin fenix 8 · Sport Band at 90. That puts Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm if…
- ✓Multi-day fitness tracking
- ✓GPS + heart rate
- ✓Notification mirroring
Pick Garmin fenix 8 · Sport Band if…
- ✓Multi-day fitness tracking
- ✓GPS + heart rate
- ✓Notification mirroring
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testFitness
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mmCompared on the fitness sub-score
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm leads on fitness (93 vs 90).
Health
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mmCompared on the health sub-score
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm leads on health (91 vs 88).
Display
TieCompared on the display sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Value for money
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mmSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm more score per dollar ($829 vs $1,019).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm | Garmin fenix 8 · Sport Band |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2023 | 2024 |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm
- +Multi-day fitness tracking
- +GPS + heart rate
- +Notification mirroring
- −Battery life varies dramatically
- −Companion phone required
- −Screen-on drains battery
Garmin fenix 8 · Sport Band
- +Multi-day fitness tracking
- +GPS + heart rate
- +Notification mirroring
- −Battery life varies dramatically
- −Companion phone required
- −Screen-on drains battery
FAQ: Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm vs Garmin fenix 8 · Sport Band
Which is better, Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm or Garmin fenix 8 · Sport Band? +
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) 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 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm worth the price? +
At $829, Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in fitness.
Is Garmin fenix 8 · Sport Band worth the price? +
At $1,019, Garmin fenix 8 · Sport Band delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in battery.
Does Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm or Garmin fenix 8 · Sport Band 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 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm or Garmin fenix 8 · Sport Band? +
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm — leads on fitness (93 vs 90). Compared on the fitness sub-score.
Which is better for health, Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm or Garmin fenix 8 · Sport Band? +
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Sport Band) Aluminum 45mm — leads on health (91 vs 88). Compared on the health sub-score.