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Apple Watch Ultra 3 — S10 chip · 49 mm titanium · 3000 nits
Apple

Apple Watch Ultra 3

S10 chip · 49 mm titanium · 3000 nits

94
/ 100
From $799
VS
Apple Watch Ultra 3 wins by 4
Garmin fēnix 8 — Multi-sport GPS · AMOLED · 16-day battery
Garmin

Garmin fēnix 8

Multi-sport GPS · AMOLED · 16-day battery

90
/ 100
From $999
Specdex verdict

Apple Watch Ultra 3 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Apple Watch Ultra 3 lands at 94 and Garmin fēnix 8 at 90. That puts Apple Watch Ultra 3 ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Apple Watch Ultra 3 if…

  • ✓49 mm titanium chassis
  • ✓3000 nit peak display
  • ✓Up to 42 hours normal use

Pick Garmin fēnix 8 if…

  • ✓Two-week battery even with AMOLED
  • ✓Best-in-class GPS tracking
  • ✓Mic + speaker for calls
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Winner by scenario

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

Fitness

Tie

Compared on the fitness sub-score

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

Durability

Apple Watch Ultra 3

Compared on the durability sub-score

Apple Watch Ultra 3 leads on durability (96 vs 92).

Display

Apple Watch Ultra 3

Compared on the display sub-score

Apple Watch Ultra 3 leads on display (96 vs 90).

Value for money

Apple Watch Ultra 3

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Apple Watch Ultra 3 more score per dollar ($799 vs $999).

Apple Watch Ultra 3 94
vs
90 Garmin fēnix 8

Score breakdown

Apple Watch Ultra 3
94
battery 84
display 96
fitness 96
health 96
durability 96
Garmin fēnix 8
90
battery 96
display 90
fitness 96
health 88
durability 92

Specs side-by-side

Apple Watch Ultra 3 versus Garmin fēnix 8 — full spec comparison
Spec Apple Watch Ultra 3 Garmin fēnix 8
Chip
Apple S10 chip
—
Case
49 mm titanium
—
Display
▲ Up to 3000 nits
AMOLED, 1.4″
Water resistance
100 m (ISO 22810:2010)
—
Battery
▲ Up to 42 hours; up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode
Up to 16 days
Starting price
$799
—
Water
—
10 ATM
GPS
—
Multi-band GNSS

Apple Watch Ultra 3

Pros
  • +49 mm titanium chassis
  • +3000 nit peak display
  • +Up to 42 hours normal use
Cons
  • −Same chassis as Ultra 2
  • −Expensive at $799
  • −Battery only extends to 72 h in low-power

Garmin fēnix 8

Pros
  • +Two-week battery even with AMOLED
  • +Best-in-class GPS tracking
  • +Mic + speaker for calls
Cons
  • −Dated companion app
  • −Expensive
  • −Android notifications limited

FAQ: Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Garmin fēnix 8

Which is better, Apple Watch Ultra 3 or Garmin fēnix 8? +

Apple Watch Ultra 3 scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Apple Watch Ultra 3 worth the price? +

At $799, Apple Watch Ultra 3 delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in display.

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 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 durability, Apple Watch Ultra 3 or Garmin fēnix 8? +

Apple Watch Ultra 3 — leads on durability (96 vs 92). Compared on the durability sub-score.

Which is better for display, Apple Watch Ultra 3 or Garmin fēnix 8? +

Apple Watch Ultra 3 — leads on display (96 vs 90). Compared on the display sub-score.