Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Garmin Epix 2 – Which Should You Buy?

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin epix Gen 2 are two top smartwatches for outdoor adventurers, advanced tracking, rugged durability, and long-lasting performance in extreme environments. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is newer and more advanced, featuring a rugged titanium build, precision dual-frequency GPS, and longer battery life. On the other hand, Garmin epix Gen 2 also brings strong outdoor and fitness capabilities with a sleek AMOLED display and long battery life. This comparison will help you decide which one fits your lifestyle best.

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Processor:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 has the S9 Chip for faster performance and better battery efficiency, and responsive animations.
Garmin Epix 2 uses a custom low-power chipset optimized for battery efficiency rather than speed.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Dual Frequency GPS:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports precision dual-frequency GPS (L1+ L5) with better location accuracy for mountain hikes and dense city streets.
Garmin Epix Gen 2 includes multi-band GNSS and SatIQ for adaptive precision.

Winner:

Tie

Display Size:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a larger 1.92-inch display with a flat edge design to provide more space for complications, text, and animations.
Garmin epix Gen 2 has smaller 1.3-inch AMOLED screen.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Display Brightness:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 provides up to 3000 nits brightness to ensure better visibility in bright environments.
Garmin epix Gen 2 reaches only 1000 nits brightness.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Dual Speaker System:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 includes a dual speaker setup for louder, clearer audio sound output for improving call quality and Siri interactions or alerts.
Garmin epix Gen 2 has no dedicated speaker for calls.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Internal Storage:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with 64GB of internal storage, which allows for extensive app installations, playlists, and offline data.
Garmin epix Gen 2 includes 32GB of storage.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Battery Life:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 delivers up to 36 hours of battery life and 72 hours in Low Power Mode for extended usage.
Garmin epix Gen 2 can run up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and 42 hours in GPS mode.

Winner:

Garmin Epix Gen 2

Microphone:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a three-microphone array with wind noise reduction for clearer voice calls in outdoor environments.
Garmin epix Gen 2 includes a mic for emergency alerts but not for calls or voice commands.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Water Resistance:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 has 100m water resistance with EN13319 certification for scuba diving and deep-water activities.
Garmin epix Gen 2 is rated 10 ATM which is strong but not dive-specific.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Emergency Siren:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 has an 86dB emergency siren for alerting others in case of distress.
Garmin epix Gen 2 lacks an audible siren but supports live tracking and assistance alerts.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

LTE Connectivity:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports GPS + Cellular by default for standalone use.
Garmin epix Gen 2 does not support LTE or cellular connectivity.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Fitness Features:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports ECG, blood oxygen, heart rate, and temperature tracking to monitor detailed health metrics.
Garmin epix Gen 2 adds advanced training readiness, VO2 Max, load focus, and HRV status.

Winner:

Garmin Epix Gen 2

Action Button:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a programmable Action Button for workouts or custom shortcuts.
Garmin epix Gen 2 does not include a dedicated quick-action button.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Higher Resolution:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 delivers 502 x 410 resolution for sharper display with increased pixel density, text and graphics.
Garmin epix Gen 2 has lower 416 x 416 resolution.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Check Apple Watch Ultra 2 Best Price
Check Garmin Epix 2 Best Price

Specs at a Glance

Feature	Apple Watch Ultra 2	Garmin Epix 2
Display Type	Retina LTPO OLED, Always-On	AMOLED, Always-On
Display Size	1.92 inches	1.3 inches
Resolution	410 x 502 pixels	416 x 416 pixels
Brightness	Up to 3000 nits	Up to 1000 nits
Case Material	Black Titanium	Stainless Steel
Built-in GPS	Dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5)	Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ™
Battery Life	Up to 36 hrs (72 hrs low power)	Up to 16 days (42 hrs GPS mode)
Storage	64GB	32GB
Microphone & Speaker	Dual speakers, 3-mic array	Microphone only (no speaker output)
LTE / Cellular	Yes (GPS + Cellular)	No
Buttons	Digital Crown + Action Button	5 Physical Buttons + Touchscreen
Water Resistance	WR100, EN13319 (Dive-certified)	10 ATM
Emergency Features	Siren, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS	Incident Detection, Assistance
Sensors	SpO2, ECG, HR, Depth, Compass, Altimeter, Temperature	SpO2, HR, Altimeter, Compass, Gyroscope, Thermometer
Operating System	watchOS 10	Garmin OS
Voice Assistant	Siri (on-device)	None

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if you:

Want a rugged smartwatch with a brighter display and premium titanium build.
Need built-in cellular for phone-free calls, messaging, and streaming.
Prefer voice control with Siri and advanced features like on-device processing.
Want dive-certified water resistance, emergency siren, and loudspeaker alerts.
Are already part of the Apple ecosystem and own an iPhone.

Check Apple Watch Ultra 2 Best Price

Buy the Garmin Epix 2 if you:

Want longer battery life for multi-day adventures and extended GPS usage.
Prefer a round watch face and a more traditional outdoor look.
Use Android or prefer a device that works with multiple platforms.
Don’t need LTE, voice assistants, or a speaker for your routine.
Value Garmin’s training metrics, maps, and fitness tracking platform.

Check Garmin Epix 2 Best Price

Winner by Category

Category	Winner
Processor	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Dual Frequency GPS	Tie
Display Size	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Display Brightness	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Dual Speaker System	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Internal Storage	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Battery Life	Garmin epix Gen 2
Action Button	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Microphone	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Water Resistance	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Emergency Siren	Apple Watch Ultra 2
LTE Connectivity	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Rugged Titanium Case	Apple Watch Ultra 2

FAQ

Is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 compatible with Android phones?
No, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 only works with iPhones. It requires an iPhone for setup and daily operation, including syncing health data and notifications.

Can the Garmin epix Gen 2 make phone calls?
No, the Garmin epix Gen 2 does not support phone calls. It lacks a speaker for voice output and does not have LTE connectivity, so it cannot function independently for communication.

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 2 support dive tracking?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is EN13319 certified for recreational diving. It includes a depth gauge and works with the Oceanic+ app to track dive metrics such as depth, water temperature, and dive time.

How long does the battery last on the Garmin epix Gen 2?
The Garmin epix Gen 2 can last up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and up to 42 hours in continuous GPS mode, making it ideal for extended outdoor adventures without frequent charging.

Can I use Siri on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 without an internet connection?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports on-device Siri thanks to the S9 SiP. This allows you to perform tasks like setting timers or starting workouts without needing a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.

Does the Garmin epix Gen 2 work with both Android and iOS devices?
Yes, the Garmin epix Gen 2 is compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones. Users can sync data, receive notifications, and use the Garmin Connect app across platforms.

Is there an emergency siren on the Garmin epix Gen 2?
No, the Garmin epix Gen 2 does not include a physical siren. However, it supports safety features like incident detection and live location sharing for emergencies.

How bright is the display on the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a display that reaches up to 3000 nits, making it highly readable in bright outdoor environments such as direct sunlight or snow glare.

Can I store music on the Garmin epix Gen 2?
Yes, the Garmin epix Gen 2 includes 32GB of internal storage, allowing you to store music, podcasts, and maps for offline use during workouts or outdoor activities.

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 2 support fast charging?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports fast charging and can reach about 80 percent charge in 45 minutes, making it convenient for daily use with minimal downtime.

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