ApplevsGarmin
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 965: comparison
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 965 using the data from our reviews: score, who each one is for, and their strengths and weaknesses.
Summary of both reviews
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Garmin Forerunner 965 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 82/100 | 84/100 |
| Who it is for | iPhone users who train outdoors and want a watch with accurate GPS, ECG and health alerts with FDA clearance, with no monthly fee and no need for more than two days of battery. | Runners and triathletes who want a watch with multi-band GPS, maps and HRV and readiness metrics for training, and who prefer weeks of battery to phone features. |
| Skip it if | You do not have an iPhone, you do ultras or multi-day outings without charging, or you want a daily recovery score (none was found in Apple's documentation for this model). | You want a watch with voice calls, ECG or the brightest display in the range, or you would rather use a ring or band for sleep with nothing bulky on your wrist. |
| Check price | Check price on Amazon | Check price on Amazon |
Each score comes from its full review, with its sources and criteria. The two scores are only comparable within the same type of product.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Pros
- • Very accurate GPS in one specialist outlet test (exactly 2.0 miles on a 2-mile reference loop) and heart rate within ±1 bpm of a Polar H10 chest strap on average.
- • ECG, hypertension alert and apnea alert with FDA clearance (Apple lists them as available in Spain, although it does not detail which clearance supports them in the EU); the ECG also has a clinical trial from Apple (98.3% sensitivity for atrial fibrillation and 99.6% specificity in sinus rhythm, in classifiable readings).
- • No mandatory fee: data and health features are viewed in the iPhone Health app.
Cons
- • Short battery for an adventure watch: Apple states 42 hours and a specialist outlet measured 16 hours of continuous GPS.
- • Works only with iPhone, and the sleep, HRV and temperature features have no published validation for this model.
- • It is the previous generation: the Ultra 4 is already on sale with a higher stated battery life and renewed sensors.
Garmin Forerunner 965
Pros
- • Battery of up to 23 days in watch mode and up to 31 hours of GPS, according to Garmin's manual, although the figure drops with multi-band GPS and the always-on display.
- • Multi-band GPS with SatIQ, which switches modes to save battery; in DC Rainmaker’s test the running and cycling tracks came out clean.
- • Overnight HRV and a daily training readiness score with no mandatory fee: existing Garmin Connect features remain free, according to Garmin.
Cons
- • It is the previous model: the Forerunner 970 adds a brighter sapphire display, flashlight, speaker and microphone, and ECG.
- • No ECG sensor, and in specialist tests the optical HR failed in very short intervals.
- • With the always-on display, battery life falls well below the advertised 23 days, and Garmin also offers an optional subscription (Connect+) that covers new features.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
What the Apple Watch Ultra 3 measures, which health features have FDA clearance, how long its battery really lasts and who it suits compared with the Ultra 4.
Garmin Forerunner 965
What the Garmin Forerunner 965 measures, how long its battery really lasts, what remains free in Garmin Connect and whether it beats the Forerunner 970.