Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm
S11 SiP · Stainless 45mm · 2025
Garmin Forerunner 965
2023 · Fitness + health
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 Forerunner 965 at 88. That puts Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm ahead by 7 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 Forerunner 965 if…
- ✓Multi-day fitness tracking
- ✓GPS + heart rate
- ✓Notification mirroring
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testDisplay
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mmCompared on the display sub-score
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm leads on display (95 vs 88).
Fitness
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mmCompared on the fitness sub-score
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm leads on fitness (94 vs 88).
Health
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mmCompared on the health sub-score
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm leads on health (96 vs 86).
Value for money
Garmin Forerunner 965Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Garmin Forerunner 965 more score per dollar ($599 vs $999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm | Garmin Forerunner 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S11 SiP | — |
| Case | Stainless 45mm | — |
| Release year | 2025 | 2023 |
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 Forerunner 965
- +Multi-day fitness tracking
- +GPS + heart rate
- +Notification mirroring
- −Battery life varies dramatically
- −Companion phone required
- −Screen-on drains battery
FAQ: Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm vs Garmin Forerunner 965
Which is better, Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm or Garmin Forerunner 965? +
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 7. 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 Forerunner 965 worth the price? +
At $599, Garmin Forerunner 965 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in battery.
Does Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm or Garmin Forerunner 965 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 display, Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm or Garmin Forerunner 965? +
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm — leads on display (95 vs 88). Compared on the display sub-score.
Which is better for fitness, Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm or Garmin Forerunner 965? +
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Stainless 45mm — leads on fitness (94 vs 88). Compared on the fitness sub-score.