Apple Watch Ultra vs Garmin Fenix 7x - An EXPENSIVE Mistake

Comparison of the Apple Watch Ultra vs the Garmin Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar. As I try to find a suitable watch for my Android phones!
Being a lifetime iPhone fanboy, I was excited to pitch the Ultra and the Fenix, which are similarly priced, against each other in the categories of performance, battery life, fitness tracking, payments, etc. The big question is, is any $800 smart watch worth your cash?

Thanks to @AlexGTech and @ShervinShares for their contributions to this video! Go give them some love!

And thanks to @JamesKellyStudio for his feedback and tips on the thumbnail for this one!

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My name is Pete and from 2011, I started and grew an IT Support and Services Company from £0 to over £1m in turnover before selling the business in 2020. New video's every Wednesday and Saturday! I upload vlogs, tech reviews, how-to / behind the scenes technology videos.

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Disclosures: All opinions are my own. Some links in the descriptions are affiliate links that if you click on, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

--SMPOST--Which $800 Smart Watch is Worth Your Money?

[PeteMatheson]

What do you think about the Apple Watch Ultra? Best smart watch ever? Should I try a different Garmin?

[nukerecoil]

The problem with these reviews of Garmin vs Apple. It is like comparing an off-road 4x4 truck "Garmin" and a daily use truck "apple". A tool watch vs a smart watch not the same.

[TPoorthuis]

Garmin watches aren’t ‘Android watches’. They are fully compatible with iOS

[Thedoctorjosh]

The battery life alone is the deciding factor for me. I don't need a second phone on my wrist. I already have one in my hand

[joemikeska]

You nailed it: Fenix for fitness, Apple for smart features. A couple of things you left out though: for full functionality, the Apple Watch requires a cell network subscription. Also, part of the reason Garmin is difficult to sync is because Apple is the one making it difficult. If they opened up all the features to Garmin, they would lose a huge market share from people switching from AW to Garmin. Personally, I already have a phone, I don’t need a duplicate on my wrist. The Garmin fits my needs for fitness and outdoors tracking better but I understand others have different priorities.

Great and honest review.

[serpadu]

I was a AW user from series 3 to series 7, but recently switched to a fenix 7s, and it’s WAY better for my use. I do road cycling and casually hike. I prefer the MIP screen, because it doesn’t need backlight to be seen, which saves tons of power. And in general, the apps are better, since they are more focused on the healthy and training side than connectivity and iPhone integration.

[pauloconnor]

I’ve had a Fenix 3 for 8 years and hardly change the watch face it’s not an issue about charging the screen as far as I’m concerned. And been using it with a iPhone without problems

[teamriggs]

I think it’s important to note that Garmin watches do come with touch screens which makes it easier to navigate everything

[marcelopadilla]

I have had every Apple Watch since series 3, when the ultra released I didn’t hesitate to get it, but almost immediately felt scammed, it is basically the same old Apple Watch but with an armor jacket and an extra day of battery (can’t even go away for a weekend without a charger). I ditched the ultra and got a Garmin Epix, I loved it and made me realize I didn’t want another phone in my wrist, I never replied messages on it since it is still a small screen and I have my iPhone with me always anyway. The health and fitness data Garmin provides is amazing, not just HR, calories and time. Eventually decide to trade my Epix for the Fenix 7X and loved it even more, the screen feels more like a regular watch, and that also made me realize I don’t need an amoled screen on my wrist, plus charging only once a month makes it already worth it to me over the AWU. I did wear both at the same time for 2 weeks and every time I glanced at my wrists, the AWU looked like a toy compare to the amazing look of the Garmin.

[AlexGTech]

Congrats on 100K Pete!! amazing work mate! And thanks for having me join you for this one!

[GeorgeGeo]

The Garmins solar ability and battery life ability makes it much more reliable if you actually go hunting or do things in the woods.. or just are lazy and dont want to take off your watch all the time to charge it. Both are really nice options. I think Garmin over the next few years will be a force in smart/fitness watches.

[adamprint]

Garmin is not an android watch. It’s neither Apple or android. It’s compatible with both and runs on its own software.

[bartoszkawecki]

I was always not in favor of comparing Apple Watch and Garmin Fenix since they seem to be direct competitors but that's not true. Apple Watch is primarily a lifestyle smartwatch with fitness-related capabilities, whereas Garmin Fenix is 100% sports watch with smartphone fuctions. Really happy that you made that point. I wouldn't call Fenix or any Garmin product line a "smart watch" but a "sports watch".

Every single feature of Garmin Fenix is included having in mind that it's going to be used by people who run/swim/bike/do any other sport (almost) every single day. Not having OLED is helping to maintain the 2 weeks battery (also makes sleeping while wearing it not a hassle -> helps you measure the sleep quality -> take advatage of that data when it comes to general strain of your body), sturdy buttons - to set anything during in-activity on purpose not by swiping your hand accidentally. Garmin Connect platform is sublime when it comes to having all the necessary information and also export that data to training planning platforms such as Training Peaks.

Whereas imo Apple Watch Ultra is wrongfully being positioned as ultra watch (with the release clip of hikers climbing something of a Himalayan peak), having 36h battery in the same time...

[dems_mtb]

There is a way to customize watch faces for Garmin in the ConnectIQ app on your phone. I have done it many times.

[nealweber]

I absolutely Love my Garmin, Apple has some nice features however until they can make a battery that lasts more than 1-2 days, I will stick with Garmin 👍🏻

[aabsc]

Even though you preferred the Apple watch, this video convinced me to get the Fenix 7x Pro Solar, the features you like of the Apple watch aren't important to me and the features of the Garmin that aren't as important to you are more important to me.

[thebonchavez]

Hey, Pete! Love your videos! You did a great job comparing the two watches. It ultimately comes down to what you’re after. I prefer Garmin due to fitness analytics vs smartwatch features.

The only thing I would say is that I consistently use maps on my forerunner 945 to navigate around places (just used it in Africa last week) and it has not disappointed. Perhaps the Apple Watch maps function is faster to get to, but the Garmin’s is not far behind it but equally (if not more) reliable. Thanks, man!

[PurposeTravel]

One thing I never see Apple Watch users do is actually use their watch.

[joretoGT]

Great video, just one thing that you didn't mention or maybe I missed, is that the screen is a touch screen with which you can also operate/navigate the watch .

[Mdogbrown]

From someone that has an Apple Watch 7 and fenix 7 pro solar… I will say I ultimately prefer the 7 pro. It’s a REALLY difficult decision. For anyone that does a lot of hiking, uses maps and needs better battery, the Garmin is a no brainer. If you want most of your smartphone features on your watch just get an Apple Watch. The only thing I miss since switching is weightlifting apps. Garmin has them, but they are less intuitive. I was hiking in the Rockies last week. I took a trail that was more difficult to navigate and the Garmin safely navigated me through and notified me when I was about 100ft off the trail. I would’ve never attempted it with the Apple Watch. Last year my Apple Watch died before my hike was over and I lost my data.

Side note: I got the 7 pro because I wanted a flashlight on smaller model, updated HR sensor and a brighter backlight.