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Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin Forerunner 965 are two premium multisport smartwatches designed for outdoor adventurers, advanced tracking, rugged durability, and long-lasting performance in extreme environments. This comparison will help you decide which one fits your lifestyle best.
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Processor:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 features the S9 SiP processor that delivers faster app launches and smoother navigation for daily use.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 uses a Garmin chipset which is optimized for efficiency but less responsive.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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Dual Frequency GPS:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) that improves location accuracy in challenging environments.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 has multi-band GNSS with SatIQ that balances accuracy and battery use.
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Display Size:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a larger 1.92-inch display with a flat edge design to provide more space for complications, text, and animations.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 has smaller 1.4-inch AMOLED screen.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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Display Brightness:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a peak brightness of 3000 nits that improves visibility in direct sunlight.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 reaches 1000 nits.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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Dual Speaker System:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a dual speaker system that enhances call clarity and makes alerts louder in noisy environment.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 includes a single speaker for audio prompts and basic sounds.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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Internal Storage:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 has 64GB of storage to store more apps, music, and podcasts.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 has 32GB of storage.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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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 Forerunner 965 can run up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours in GPS mode.
Winner:
Garmin Forerunner 965
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Action Button:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a customizable action button that provides quick access to workouts or tools.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 does not include a dedicated action button.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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Microphone:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a three-microphone array with wind noise reduction for clearer voice calls in outdoor environments.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 includes a microphone for voice prompts but not for calls.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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Water Resistance:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 has 100m water resistance with EN13319 certification for scuba diving and deep-water activities.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 is water-resistant to 50 meters.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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Fast Charging:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports fast charging that reaches 80% in about one hour for quick top-ups.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 uses standard charging.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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Emergency SOS:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports Emergency SOS that contacts help directly from the watch.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 provides assistance alerts through a paired phone.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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LTE Connectivity:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports GPS + Cellular to make calls and send messages without a phone.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 does not support cellular connectivity.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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Health Features:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 includes ECG, SpO2, temperature sensing, heart rate, sleep tracking, and cycle tracking to monitor a wide range of health metrics.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 includes SpO2, heart rate, sleep tracking, training readiness, and recovery metrics but no ECG or temperature tracking.
Winner:
Garmin Forerunner 965
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Higher Resolution:
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 provides 502 x 410 resolution for sharper display with increased pixel density, text and graphics.
- Garmin Forerunner 965 has a 454 x 454 pixel resolution.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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Specs at a Glance
| Feature |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
Garmin Forerunner 965 |
| Display |
1.92-inch Always-On Retina OLED |
1.4-inch AMOLED |
| Resolution |
502 x 410 pixels |
454 x 454 pixels |
| Brightness |
Up to 3000 nits |
Up to 1000 nits |
| Case Material |
Titanium |
Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium bezel |
| Weight |
61.4g |
52g |
| Processor |
Apple S9 SiP |
Garmin Proprietary Chipset |
| GPS |
Dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) |
Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ |
| Water Resistance |
100m |
50m |
| Health Sensors |
Optical HR, ECG, SpO2, temp, compass |
Optical HR, SpO2, compass, thermometer |
| Battery Life |
Up to 36 hrs (normal) / 72 hrs (low power) |
Up to 23 days (smartwatch) / 31 hrs (GPS) |
| Charging |
Fast charging |
Standard USB charging |
| Connectivity |
LTE (optional), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi |
| Internal Storage |
64GB |
32GB |
| OS |
watchOS 10 |
Garmin OS |
Who Should Buy What?
Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if you:
- Want the brightest and sharpest display with 3000 nits brightness.
- Need deep integration with iPhone, LTE calling, and UWB features.
- Prefer advanced health tracking including ECG and temperature sensing.
- Value fast charging and a more premium titanium build.
- Require added safety tools like an emergency siren and crash detection.
Check Apple Watch Ultra 2 Best Price
Buy the Garmin Forerunner 965 if you:
- Need multi-week battery life for long trips and endurance events.
- Prefer a lighter watch for all-day wear and intense training.
- Want Garmin’s advanced training metrics and recovery insights.
- Do not need cellular connectivity or ECG.
- Prioritize GPS accuracy with power-saving SatIQ technology.
Check Forerunner 965 Best Price |
Winner by Category
| Category |
Winner |
| Processor |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
| Dual Speaker System |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
| Water Resistance |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
| Emergency Siren |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
| Higher Resolution |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
| Brightness |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
| Connectivity |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
| Health Features |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
| Internal Storage |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
| UWB (Ultra-Wideband) |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
FAQ
Is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 better for everyday use than the Garmin Forerunner 965?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is better suited for everyday use because it has advanced smart features, seamless iPhone integration, LTE connectivity, and a bright OLED display. The Garmin Forerunner 965 is more focused on sports and training, with fewer lifestyle functions.
Which watch has better battery life, Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Garmin Forerunner 965?
The Garmin Forerunner 965 has better battery life, lasting up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours in GPS mode. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 lasts up to 36 hours in standard use or 72 hours in low power mode.
Does the Apple Watch Ultra 2 have better GPS than the Garmin Forerunner 965?
Both watches have highly accurate GPS, but the Garmin Forerunner 965’s multi-band GNSS with SatIQ optimizes accuracy while extending battery life. The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s dual-frequency GPS delivers excellent precision, especially in challenging environments.
Can both watches track advanced health metrics?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 tracks ECG, SpO2, heart rate, temperature, and sleep, along with cycle tracking. The Garmin Forerunner 965 tracks SpO2, heart rate, sleep, and advanced training readiness metrics but lacks ECG and temperature tracking.
Which is more durable, Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Garmin Forerunner 965?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a titanium case and 100-meter water resistance, making it suitable for diving. The Garmin Forerunner 965 has a lightweight polymer body with a titanium bezel and 50-meter water resistance, ideal for swimming but not deep diving.
Does either watch support music storage and playback?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports 64GB of internal storage for apps, music, and podcasts. The Garmin Forerunner 965 has 32GB of storage and can store music for offline playback.
Can I make calls without a phone on both watches?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has GPS + Cellular versions that allow calling and messaging without a phone. The Garmin Forerunner 965 does not have cellular capability and requires a paired phone for such functions.
Which is better for athletes, Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Garmin Forerunner 965?
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is better for athletes and endurance training due to its longer battery life, advanced training metrics, and lightweight build. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is more balanced for both fitness and lifestyle use.
Do both watches have safety features?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has crash detection, emergency SOS, and an emergency siren. The Garmin Forerunner 965 includes assistance alerts and incident detection but does not have an onboard siren or crash detection.