Garmin
Garmin Vivoactive 5
2023 · Fitness + health
82
/ 100
From $299
VS
Apple Watch Ultra 2 wins by 11
Apple
Apple Watch Ultra 2
S9 SiP · 49mm titanium · 3000 nits
93
/ 100
From $799
Specdex verdict
Apple Watch Ultra 2 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Garmin Vivoactive 5 lands at 82 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 at 93. That puts Apple Watch Ultra 2 ahead by 11 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Garmin Vivoactive 5 if…
- ✓Multi-day fitness tracking
- ✓GPS + heart rate
- ✓Notification mirroring
Pick Apple Watch Ultra 2 if…
- ✓Brightest smartwatch display
- ✓Excellent health sensors
- ✓Rugged titanium build
Garmin Vivoactive 5 82
vs 93 Apple Watch Ultra 2
Score breakdown
Garmin Vivoactive 5
82 battery 94
display 88
fitness 82
health 80
durability 86
Apple Watch Ultra 2
93 battery 78
display 96
fitness 94
health 95
durability 94
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2023 | — |
| Chip | — | Apple S9 SiP |
| Display | — | 49 mm LTPO OLED, 3000 nits |
| Battery | — | Up to 36 h (72 h low-power) |
| Water | — | 100 m |
| GPS | — | Dual-frequency L1/L5 |
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Pros
- +Multi-day fitness tracking
- +GPS + heart rate
- +Notification mirroring
Cons
- −Battery life varies dramatically
- −Companion phone required
- −Screen-on drains battery
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Pros
- +Brightest smartwatch display
- +Excellent health sensors
- +Rugged titanium build
Cons
- −~36h battery still short
- −Requires iPhone
- −Large for small wrists
FAQ: Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2
Which is better, Garmin Vivoactive 5 or Apple Watch Ultra 2? +
Apple Watch Ultra 2 scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 11. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Garmin Vivoactive 5 worth the price? +
At $299, Garmin Vivoactive 5 delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in battery.
Is Apple Watch Ultra 2 worth the price? +
At $799, Apple Watch Ultra 2 delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in display.
Does Garmin Vivoactive 5 or Apple Watch Ultra 2 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.