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

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin epix Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro includes a custom Garmin chip for efficient GPS tracking and low-power performance.

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 Pro features multi-band GNSS with SatIQ to intelligently switch.

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 Pro has smaller 1.4-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 Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro includes 32GB for maps, workouts, and limited offline media.

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 Pro (Gen 2) can last up to 31 days in Ultratrac or 11 days in smart mode.

Winner:

Garmin Epix Pro

Microphone:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a three-microphone array with wind noise reduction for clearer voice calls in outdoor environments.
Garmin epix Pro includes a basic microphone used mostly for voice assistant or phone connection.

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 Pro (Gen 2) supports 10 ATM water resistance.

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 Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro adds advanced training readiness, VO2 Max, load focus, and HRV status.

Winner:

Garmin Epix Pro

Action Button:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a programmable Action Button for workouts or custom shortcuts.
Garmin epix Pro 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 Pro has lower 454 x 454 resolution.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

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

Specs at a Glance

Feature	Apple Watch Ultra 2	Garmin Epix Pro
Display Type	Retina LTPO OLED	AMOLED Sapphire Crystal
Display Size	1.92 inches	1.4 inches
Display Resolution	410 x 502 pixels	454 x 454 pixels
Brightness	Up to 3000 nits	Up to 1000 nits
Processor	Apple S9 SiP dual-core	Garmin Custom Chip
Storage	64GB	32GB
RAM	1GB+	Unknown
Battery Life	Up to 36 hrs (72 hrs Low Power)	Up to 31 days (Ultratrac), 11 days smart mode
GPS	Dual-frequency (L1 + L5)	Multi-band GNSS + SatIQ
LTE Connectivity	Yes (eSIM support)	No
Microphone	Dual	Yes
Speakers	Dual	No
Buttons	Digital Crown + Action Button	5 Physical Buttons + LED Flashlight
Build	Titanium case, ceramic/sapphire back	Titanium bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer
Water Resistance	WR100 + EN13319 certified	10 ATM
Emergency Siren	Yes (86 decibels)	No
Flashlight	No	Yes (multi-level, red light included)
Weight	61.4g	98g

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if you:

Want full iPhone integration with LTE, Siri, and Apple services.
Prefer a smartwatch that combines fitness tracking and productivity tools.
Need top-tier brightness, sharp visuals, and a rugged lightweight titanium design.
Want built-in safety features like an emergency siren and dual speakers.
Appreciate deep app support and on-wrist calling, texting, and streaming.

Check Apple Watch Ultra 2 Best Price

Buy the Garmin Epix Pro if you:

Want extreme battery life for multi-day adventures without charging.
Need advanced training readiness tools, recovery metrics, and navigation features.
Prefer a rugged circular design with full physical button control.
Want a built-in flashlight with red light and adjustable brightness.
Don’t need LTE or tight integration with the Apple ecosystem.

Check Garmin Epix Pro 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 Pro (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

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 2 support Android phones?
No, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is only compatible with iPhones. It requires an iPhone with iOS 17 or later for setup and use.

Can the Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition make phone calls?
No, the Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) does not have built-in LTE or cellular support and cannot make standalone phone calls. It can show call notifications when paired with a smartphone.

Is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 suitable for scuba diving?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is EN13319 certified and supports recreational dives up to 40 meters using the Oceanic+ app.

Does the Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) have a touchscreen?
Yes, it has a full-color AMOLED touchscreen, which works alongside its five physical buttons for versatile control.

Can the Apple Watch Ultra 2 store music offline?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 includes 64GB of internal storage and can store music, podcasts, and audiobooks for offline playback.

Does the Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) support voice assistants?
It supports voice assistant integration when paired with a compatible smartphone, but it does not feature a native assistant like Siri.

How long does the Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) battery last in GPS mode?
In GPS-only mode, the Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) can last up to 58 hours, and in multi-band mode it lasts up to 30 hours.

Can I send text messages from the Apple Watch Ultra 2 without my iPhone nearby?
Yes, if you have the cellular model activated with an eSIM plan, you can send texts and use apps without your iPhone nearby.

Does the Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) include detailed maps?
Yes, it includes preloaded TopoActive maps, ski maps, and golf course maps, and it supports turn-by-turn navigation.

Is the flashlight on the Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) adjustable?
Yes, the built-in LED flashlight offers multiple brightness levels and includes a red safety light mode for visibility in low-light conditions.

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