Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm
S11 SiP · Stainless 45mm · 2025
Garmin fēnix 8
Multi-sport GPS · AMOLED · 16-day battery
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm lands at 95 and Garmin fēnix 8 at 90. That puts Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm if…
- ✓Satellite connectivity (Ultra 3)
- ✓Blood pressure trends (Series 11)
- ✓watchOS 12
Pick Garmin fēnix 8 if…
- ✓Two-week battery even with AMOLED
- ✓Best-in-class GPS tracking
- ✓Mic + speaker for calls
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testFitness
Garmin fēnix 8Compared on the fitness sub-score
Garmin fēnix 8 leads on fitness (96 vs 94).
Durability
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mmCompared on the durability sub-score
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm leads on durability (96 vs 92).
Display
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mmCompared on the display sub-score
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm leads on display (95 vs 90).
Value for money
TieSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm | Garmin fēnix 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S11 SiP | — |
| Case | Stainless 45mm | — |
| Release year | 2025 | — |
| Display | — | AMOLED, 1.4″ |
| Battery | — | Up to 16 days |
| Water | — | 10 ATM |
| GPS | — | Multi-band GNSS |
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm
- +Satellite connectivity (Ultra 3)
- +Blood pressure trends (Series 11)
- +watchOS 12
- −iPhone-required
- −Battery ~18 h on Series, ~48 h on Ultra
- −Premium pricing
Garmin fēnix 8
- +Two-week battery even with AMOLED
- +Best-in-class GPS tracking
- +Mic + speaker for calls
- −Dated companion app
- −Expensive
- −Android notifications limited
FAQ: Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm vs Garmin fēnix 8
Which is better, Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm or Garmin fēnix 8? +
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm worth the price? +
At $999, Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in health.
Is Garmin fēnix 8 worth the price? +
At $999, Garmin fēnix 8 delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in battery.
Does Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm or Garmin fēnix 8 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 3 Stainless 45mm or Garmin fēnix 8? +
Garmin fēnix 8 — leads on fitness (96 vs 94). Compared on the fitness sub-score.
Which is better for durability, Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm or Garmin fēnix 8? +
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm — leads on durability (96 vs 92). Compared on the durability sub-score.