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Battle of the Adventure Smartwatches: Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs. Garmin Fenix 8 Pro – Which Reigns Supreme?
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Smartwatch Showdown 2025: Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs. Garmin Fenix 8 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

15 September 2025
49 mins read

Key Differences at a Glance

  • Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) – Apple’s rugged flagship adds built-in satellite texting, 5G, a larger edge-to-edge wide-angle OLED display, and 42-hour battery life – the longest of any Apple Watch apple.com theverge.com. It offers new hypertension alerts and AI-powered coaching, but is iPhone-only and maintains a $799 price theverge.com.
  • Garmin Fenix 8 Pro (2025) – Garmin’s ultimate multisport watch introduces two-way satellite messaging and LTE calling for standalone use off-grid androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. Available in 47mm ($1,199) and 51mm ($1,299) titanium models dcrainmaker.com, plus an exclusive 51mm MicroLED version ($2,000) boasting the brightest smartwatch display ever at 4,500 nits dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. It delivers multi-week battery life (up to ~30 days on standard models) far beyond Apple or Samsung dcrainmaker.com, but at a steep cost and requires a Garmin subscription for LTE/SOS features dcrainmaker.com.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2024) – Samsung’s first “Ultra” watch (47mm, ~$649) is a Wear OS device built for Android users. It features a robust titanium build with 10ATM water resistance, a 1.5″ AMOLED sapphire display (480×480) at 3,000 nits phonearena.com phonearena.com, and the company’s longest-lasting battery (~2 days typical use) phonearena.com. It adds dual-band GPS, an extra Quick Button for sport modes, advanced metrics like triathlon tracking, sleep apnea detection and body composition, but lacks the deep expedition battery life or native satellite link of its rivals phonearena.com phonearena.com.

Design and Build Quality

Apple Watch Ultra 3: The Ultra 3 retains Apple’s bold 49mm case design in aerospace-grade titanium (now in natural or black finish) apple.com. Apple even uses an innovative 3D-printed case manufacturing process with 100% recycled titanium apple.com. It’s built to be tough – rated to 100m water resistance (10 ATM) and certified for recreational scuba dives to 40m with the Oceanic+ app apple.com. The case meets MIL-STD durability tests (for shock, temp, etc.) and includes the signature Orange Action Button, dual speakers, and a loud 86 dB siren for emergencies. Apple kept the same dimensions as previous Ultras, but shaved the display borders 24% thinner to maximize screen area apple.com apple.com. At ~61 g, it’s hefty but balanced by a broad strap. The Ultra’s aesthetic is rugged yet premium, straddling a “sports watch” and an elegant smartwatch look apple.com, suitable for both mountain trails and daily wear.

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro: The Fenix line has long been synonymous with durability, and the Fenix 8 Pro continues that tradition. It comes in 47mm and 51mm case sizes (Garmin dropped the smaller ~43mm size this generation) dcrainmaker.com. The housing is titanium (with sapphire lens) on the higher-end models, built to withstand serious abuse. It’s tested to MIL-STD-810 standards and 10 ATM water resistance (100m), sufficient for swimming, surfing, and heavy rain (though not a full dive computer like the Apple). Garmin’s design is utilitarian: a chunky bezel (especially on the standard transflective model) protects the screen and holds the GPS antenna. All versions have five physical buttons around the case for reliable control with gloves or wet hands, and a touchscreen as well for convenience. The new MicroLED 51mm variant stands out with a slightly thicker case to accommodate its display tech and larger battery dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. At ~79 g (51mm titanium), the Fenix is heavier on the wrist, but many endurance athletes accept that for its tank-like build and large battery.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Samsung’s Ultra adopts a 47mm round titanium case with a modern, robust style clearly inspired by its competitors. It features a raised bezel lip to protect the flat sapphire crystal and an additional programmable “Quick Button” (painted orange, echoing Apple’s Action Button) for launching workouts or tools dcrainmaker.com phonearena.com. Unlike the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic’s traditional lugs, the Ultra uses proprietary rugged strap attachments for its new Marine, Trail, and Alpine bands phonearena.com – underscoring its adventure-focused intent. It is 10 ATM water resistant (tested to 100m for 10 minutes) dcrainmaker.com and compliant with MIL-STD-810H for drop and extreme environment resistance. Design-wise, PhoneArena noted the Galaxy Watch Ultra looks and feels bulkier and sportier than the sleeker Watch 6 Classic, trading some comfort for toughness phonearena.com phonearena.com. At ~64 g, it’s similar in weight to Apple’s Ultra. With three color options (Titanium Gray, Silver, or White) and bold styling, Samsung clearly “dressed for the job” of an outdoor watch, even if it’s a bit less refined for formal wear phonearena.com.

Display and Interface

One of the most noticeable differences is in the display technology:

  • Apple Ultra 3: Sports the largest display ever on an Apple Watch, thanks to that edge-to-edge design. It’s a LTPO3 OLED panel that’s brighter at angles due to a new wide-angle pixel design apple.com. While Apple hasn’t quoted a nit figure in press materials, it’s believed to reach around 3000 nits peak (similar to the Ultra 2) for sunlight readability. Resolution is roughly 502×410, around 338 ppi, providing crisp detail on the ~2-inch diagonal screen. The Ultra 3’s display can dynamically drop to 1 Hz refresh in always-on mode – and now even update once per second (vs once per minute previously) so you can see a ticking second hand without raising your wrist apple.com. Reviewers note the screen “goes closer to the edges” than before theverge.com, making maps and metrics easier to see. The touch interface is fluid with watchOS, complemented by the Digital Crown and side button for scrolling and app switching. A new Waypoint watch face leverages the bigger screen with a live compass and quick-toggle Night Mode for low-light navigation apple.com. Overall, Apple delivers a bright, vibrant display that’s as at home showing a text or email as it is a detailed contour map.
  • Garmin Fenix 8 Pro: Garmin offers two display options in the Fenix 8 Pro family. The standard Pro models use a brightened Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) transflective display (now estimated up to ~2000 nits with backlight, matching the Forerunner 970 and Venu X1 AMOLED on brightness) dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. This always-on MIP screen excels in direct sunlight and draws minimal power – a key to the Fenix’s multi-week battery life. It’s not as high resolution or contrasty as an OLED, but it’s highly practical for outdoor use. Garmin also introduced a cutting-edge MicroLED display in a special Fenix 8 Pro model. This 1.4″ MicroLED panel (454×454) can blast 4,500 nits peak, making it “the brightest smartwatch display ever” dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. MicroLED promises OLED-like color but with better efficiency and no burn-in; however, in this first-gen implementation it actually reduced battery life (more on that below). The Fenix’s interface is Garmin’s proprietary OS, navigable with button clicks or swipes. It’s not as graphically slick as Apple’s or Google’s, but it’s highly customizable and widget-based, showing metrics at a glance. The map interface on the Fenix is a standout – especially on the 51mm model’s larger screen – allowing pan and zoom of topo maps using the touchscreen. Both Apple and Samsung have higher pixel density, but Garmin’s focus is legibility in extreme conditions (even a dim red backlight mode for night). As Android Central summarized, MicroLED is the “battery-guzzling cherry on top” of the Fenix 8 Pro’s new features androidcentral.com androidcentral.com – optional, expensive, but demonstrating Garmin’s display tech leadership.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: The Galaxy Watch Ultra uses a 1.47-inch AMOLED display at 480×480 resolution (~327 ppi) t-mobile.com, protected by sapphire glass. It’s vibrant and sharp, with Always-On capability. Samsung pushed brightness to 3,000 nits peak here, matching Apple’s and ensuring visibility in harsh sunlight phonearena.com phonearena.com. In fact, the 47mm Ultra’s screen is the same size and resolution as the 47mm Galaxy Watch 6 Classic – but notably 50% brighter (the Classic peaked around 2000 nits) phonearena.com phonearena.com. The Ultra also drops the physical rotating bezel of the Classic in favor of touch rotation and on-screen swipes (the bezel is fixed). Interacting with Samsung’s watch is very similar to other Wear OS 4/5 devices: you have a rich color UI, smooth animations, and One UI Watch customizations. Both the touchscreen and two side buttons + new Quick Button are used for navigation. The Quick Button (programmable) can, for example, launch a favorite workout or trigger the 85 dB siren mode for emergencies – yes, Samsung added a loud siren alarm much like Apple’s dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. Overall, Samsung’s display and UI bring the polish of a modern smartwatch with the information density needed for fitness. The Wear OS ecosystem means you can download advanced watch faces or apps to take full advantage of that bright, round screen.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery endurance is a major differentiator in this trio:

  • Apple Watch Ultra 3: Apple achieved a modest boost in longevity – up to 42 hours on a full charge (versus 36 hrs on the previous Ultra 2) apple.com macrumors.com. This is with “regular use” (mixed apps, always-on display on by default). In a low-power setting (limited connectivity and dimmed screen), it can stretch to 72 hours apple.com. For continuous exercise tracking, Apple quotes 20 hours with GPS + heart rate active in Low Power Workout mode apple.com apple.com – sufficient for an ultramarathon or a long hike. These figures are impressive by Apple’s standards (the Ultra 3 has the longest battery of any Apple Watch macrumors.com), but they still fall far short of Garmin’s multi-day runtimes. In real-world terms, the Ultra 3 is typically a 2-day smartwatch: reviewers have managed “about two days or so” with continuous heart-rate and a night of sleep tracking, if the always-on display is off phonearena.com. Use all features (bright AOD, cellular, heavy apps) and you might need to charge nightly. Fortunately, it supports fast charging – about 1.2 hours for 0–100%, and a quick 15-minute top-up gives ~12 hours use apple.com apple.com. This fast charge is handy if you need to refill during a multi-day outing. Still, serious expeditions will require carrying a charger or battery pack for the Apple Watch, as its battery is measured in hours, not days, under active use.
  • Garmin Fenix 8 Pro: Battery life is where Garmin plays in a different league. Even with the new power-hungry features, the Fenix 8 Pro offers multi-day to multi-week endurance. The standard 47mm Fenix 8 Pro (with AMOLED screen) is rated around 13 days with always-on display (and up to ~20 days with AOD off, based on Fenix 8 base model data) dcrainmaker.com. The 51mm version lasts even longer thanks to a bigger battery – for example, a Fenix 8 (51mm MIP) could do ~30 days smartwatch mode dcrainmaker.com, while the 51mm Pro AMOLED might manage ~12–13 days in always-on mode (or longer if you let the display sleep) dcrainmaker.com. The MicroLED 51mm model is ironically the shortest-lived Fenix: Garmin claims 10 days smartwatch use (4 days with always-on) dcrainmaker.com. And in full GPS activity, MicroLED model gets up to 44 hours (GPS-only) or ~17 hours with max GPS + LTE tracking dcrainmaker.com. By comparison, the non-MicroLED Fenix 8 Pro can likely get significantly more GPS time (the prior Fenix 7X could exceed 60 hours GPS, or even 100+ in lower precision modes). In any case, even at its worst, the Fenix is a true multi-day device. Many users only charge their Fenix once every 1–2 weeks in normal use, a huge advantage for adventures. It also features solar charging on some editions (except MicroLED) to extend life a bit in sunlight. Charging is via Garmin’s proprietary cable and is slower (usually a full charge takes a couple of hours, not as fast as Apple’s). Nonetheless, in exchange for bulk, Garmin gives you freedom from the charger. As one Fenix owner lamented in a DCR review comment comparing to AMOLED rivals: “I want a watch that always shows the time… and a battery life over a week…So frustrating.” dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. The Fenix 8 Pro addresses that need, especially if you stick to the classic transflective display. Even the top MicroLED model, while relatively short-lived for a Garmin, still beats the Apple and Samsung in pure runtime (e.g. ~10 days vs ~2 days).
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Samsung advertises the Ultra as having a battery “built for endurance… so you can go to the extreme for days on end without needing to recharge” t-mobile.com t-mobile.com. In practice, its 590 mAh battery (same capacity as the older Galaxy Watch 5 Pro) yields about 2 days of use under typical conditions phonearena.com. PhoneArena’s reviewer managed roughly “two days or so, with continuous heart rate and sleep tracking, AOD off” phonearena.com. With heavier use or always-on display, expect closer to 1.5 days. In other words, it’s similar to Apple’s realm – a significant improvement for Samsung (the prior Watch 6 often barely hit 24–30 hours), but not a Garmin-like marathon. The Ultra does include various power-saving modes: e.g. a Workouts power saving that Samsung claims can stretch training time (Ray Maker noted 48 hours in a workout power-save mode, likely with GPS rate reduced) dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. In pure GPS usage, independent tests found the Ultra can handle long runs but will not outlast dedicated sports watches. One Reddit user reported ~16–18 hours of GPS tracking on a Galaxy Watch Ultra in real conditions reddit.com – well short of Garmin’s dozens of hours, but enough for most single-day activities. Like Apple, Samsung uses fast wireless charging (via a puck) – about 1.25 hours for a full charge. For an Android-compatible smartwatch with a rich AMOLED screen, two-day battery life is actually quite good, but it is the limiting factor for using the Ultra on multi-day treks without power. Samsung’s claims of “days on end” assume disabling many features phonearena.com, which most users won’t want to do. Thus, prospective buyers should view the Galaxy Watch Ultra as a charge-every-other-day device in real use, markedly better than older Wear OS watches but still far behind Garmin’s endurance champ.

Fitness and Health Tracking

All three watches are loaded with fitness and health features, but with different strengths:

Activity Tracking and Sports Modes:

  • Garmin Fenix 8 Pro: Garmin’s heritage is fitness, and the Fenix 8 Pro supports a massive array of sport modes – running (with advanced dynamics), cycling, swimming, triathlon (auto multisport), hiking, climbing, skiing, strength, golf, surfing, mountain biking, and many more. It has all of Garmin’s training analytics: VO2 max, training load and Training Readiness, recovery time, performance condition, and personalized daily workout suggestions. It also connects to virtually any external sensor (ANT+ & BLE) – heart rate straps, cycling power meters, cadence sensors, foot pods, temperature sensors, etc. Navigation during activities is a strong suit (turn-by-turn on loaded routes, back-to-start, “ClimbPro” for hills). Runners and triathletes especially get very deep data. For example, with a compatible HRM strap or Running Dynamics Pod, the Fenix provides advanced running metrics (ground contact time, vertical oscillation, stride length, etc.). The Apple Ultra 3 now touts similar metrics natively apple.com apple.com, but Garmin has offered and refined these for years. The Fenix 8 Pro also adds native Triathlon mode (also present on Apple and Samsung now) and tools like PacePro strategies, Virtual Partner, Live Segments for races. In short, for the hardcore athlete who wants all their performance stats and training guidance on their wrist, Garmin is often considered the gold standard.
  • Apple Watch Ultra 3: Apple significantly closed the gap in advanced fitness features with the Ultra line and watchOS updates. The Ultra 3’s Workout app now supports multisport/triathlon tracking, interval workouts, custom workout views (e.g. splits, zones), and new advanced running metrics (Apple uses the accelerometer/gyro and machine learning to estimate vertical oscillation, ground contact time, stride length, etc. without any extra pod apple.com apple.com). Apple also offers Race Route (race your past runs), Pacer mode, and Precision Start (to start runs only when GPS is ready, using the Action Button) apple.com apple.com. Hikers benefit from the Ultra 3’s Compass Waypoints and Backtrack, plus the big new addition: on-device Offline Maps with turn-by-turn directions for trails apple.com. (Footnote: offline topographic maps on Apple Watch require a paired iPhone to download regions, and watchOS 10+; Apple Maps data is used apple.com.) The Ultra has a rich set of sensors – precise dual-frequency GPS, barometric altimeter (with elevation alerts), compass, gyroscope, etc., so its raw tracking accuracy is excellent. In fact, Apple claims Ultra 3 delivers “the most accurate GPS in a sports watch” based on testing in urban canyons apple.com apple.com, comparing favorably to industry-leading multi-band GPS watches. This is a bold claim, but reviewers like The Verge note the Ultra’s route accuracy and quick lock are indeed top-tier phonearena.com phonearena.com. For everyday activity, Apple covers all the basics (steps, floors, calories, distance) and offers motivation through the famous Activity Rings and Fitness+ integration. Where Apple still lags Garmin slightly is in training load/recovery analytics – Apple’s Fitness app doesn’t prescribe recovery times or readiness scores (apart from the new sleep-related score, discussed below). Athletes who want insights like “your training load is unproductive” or “body battery” still lean on Garmin or others. That said, Apple’s new Workout Buddy is an AI coach that provides “personalized, spoken motivation throughout sessions” based on your heart rate, pace, and even past workout history apple.com apple.com. It’s like having a coach in your ear, encouraging or pushing you. This is a unique approach using Apple’s on-device intelligence (requires an iPhone nearby for processing) apple.com. Overall, the Ultra 3 can now satisfy many serious fitness users, though extremely data-driven athletes (especially in endurance sports) may still prefer Garmin’s platform for its granular metrics and planning tools.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Samsung made a big leap with the Galaxy Watch Ultra to appeal to fitness enthusiasts. It introduced features previously missing on Galaxy wearables: Triathlon mode (track run-bike-swim sequentially) phonearena.com, new multi-sport tracking, and a Race feature to compete against previous workouts phonearena.com. The Ultra also added support for pairing Bluetooth cycling power meters and performing an FTP (Functional Threshold Power) test – a niche but important feature for cyclists dcrainmaker.com. This shows Samsung’s intent to compete with Garmin on serious sports metrics. Additionally, the Watch Ultra has a built-in Running Coach that can create a personalized 4-week program and give real-time coaching prompts (similar to Apple’s AI coach) t-mobile.com t-mobile.com. For runners, it analyzes your fitness level and guides you at an appropriate intensity. Samsung’s GPS accuracy improved greatly by using dual-frequency L1+L5; testers found it “more precise and locks location faster” than prior Galaxy watches phonearena.com phonearena.com. The watch can also import GPX routes for hiking or cycling and offer turn-by-turn guidance and a backtrack feature (these debuted with the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro). However, Samsung’s platform (S Health) historically hasn’t offered as deep training analytics as Garmin. There’s no training load or recovery advisor akin to Garmin’s, and integration with third-party services (like Strava, TrainingPeaks) is available but not as seamless as Garmin/Apple (though Samsung Health can sync to Strava). Still, Galaxy Watch Ultra covers all fundamental health tracking and most sport modes that 95% of users need. It continuously tracks steps, floors, active minutes, and auto-detects common exercises. One strength is its detailed sleep and recovery coaching (see next section) which ties into fitness by helping you optimize rest for better training performance t-mobile.com t-mobile.com. In summary, Samsung is now much closer to Apple and Garmin for sports – it has the multisport modes and even some novel metrics (like the “Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) Index” that attempts to gauge your biological aging and risk of age-related diseases phonearena.com). This particular AGEs metric (in beta) is quite unique to Samsung, using sensor data to estimate internal health – it shows Samsung exploring new health frontiers beyond standard fitness metrics.

Health Monitoring:

  • Apple Ultra 3: Apple continues to expand its health monitoring suite. The Ultra 3 introduces Hypertension Notifications, a groundbreaking feature that passively looks for signs of chronic high blood pressure using the optical heart sensor’s data apple.com apple.com. Essentially, Apple uses pulse wave analysis and machine learning (trained on huge datasets) to detect patterns over 30 days that correlate with hypertension apple.com apple.com. If the watch consistently sees signs of high blood pressure, it will alert the user to possibly get checked – potentially notifying many wearers who are undiagnosed apple.com apple.com. (Apple is seeking FDA clearance for this feature, expected soon apple.com.) This is a big step because, unlike Samsung’s approach of a manual cuff-calibrated blood pressure reading, Apple’s is passive and long-term focused. The Ultra 3, like other Apple Watches, offers ECG (electrocardiogram) on demand (FDA-cleared for AFib detection) and alerts for irregular heart rhythm. It has a PPG-based blood oxygen (SpO₂) sensor for spot checks and nightly monitoring, and a skin temperature sensor (introduced in Series 8) which it uses for ovulation tracking insights and now possibly more general health insights. Apple added a new Sleep Score metric that summarizes sleep quality each night apple.com. While Apple already tracked sleep stages, the score gives users an easier gauge of how well they slept (catching up to what Fitbit and others have done). The Sleep app and Mindfulness app encourage healthy routines, and Apple Health will coach users if metrics like resting heart rate or cardio fitness are trending poorly. Apple’s strength is tying these health features into an integrated app ecosystem – data syncs to the iPhone’s Health app where you can share it with doctors or third-party apps. Also, Apple’s health features are generally very well validated and regulated (e.g. the new hypertension algorithm was studied on over 100k people, per Apple apple.com). One limitation: Apple does not measure blood pressure directly (cuff needed) or blood glucose (still sci-fi tech for wearables). But for heart health, the Ultra 3 is an excellent guardian. It also keeps safety features like Fall Detection and Crash Detection, which can call emergency services if you take a hard fall or car accident. Now, with satellite SOS, these can work even off-grid (automatically sending location via satellite if needed) apple.com apple.com, which is a huge safety net for backcountry users.
  • Garmin Fenix 8 Pro: Garmin devices focus on fitness metrics and overall wellness, though they are not FDA-cleared for medical features like ECG. The Fenix 8 Pro does 24/7 heart rate monitoring, can alert on abnormally high/low heart rate, and tracks HRV (heart rate variability) nightly to fuel its Stress and Body Battery calculations. It also has a Pulse Ox sensor for blood oxygen saturation – useful at high altitudes or for sleep apnea risk indication (Garmin shows your SpO₂ and breathing rate overnight). There’s no ECG or atrial fibrillation detection on the Fenix; Garmin only offers ECG on a couple of specialty models (not Fenix series). Likewise, no blood pressure feature in Fenix. However, Garmin has some unique health insights: Body Battery, which is a holistic energy/resilience score (0-100) based on HRV, stress, sleep, and activity – similar conceptually to Samsung’s new Energy Score phonearena.com and something Apple doesn’t explicitly have. Garmin also gives a Sleep Score and sleep stage breakdown. It will flag acute stress events during the day and can prompt you to relax/breathe. For recovery, Garmin’s Training Readiness metric combines your recent sleep, recovery time, HRV status, acute load, etc., to tell you each morning how ready you are to train hard. Serious athletes value this to avoid overtraining. Another plus: Garmin’s data plays well with third-party health platforms; for instance, you can sync all Garmin data to Apple Health or Google Fit if desired. In terms of accuracy, Garmin’s latest Elevate optical HR sensor is improved, but historically Apple and even Samsung have had edges in pure heart rate accuracy for casual wear. With the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Ray Maker found Samsung “finally delivered a mostly accurate smartwatch” after years of spotty sensor performance dcrainmaker.com – implying Garmin and Apple have been leaders in reliability. Still, Fenix 8 Pro provides solid heart rate tracking for most workout scenarios (and athletes often pair a chest strap for maximum accuracy). One health area Garmin shines is recovery and performance metrics, but it doesn’t do the on-watch “medical” assessments (no ECG, no FDA sleep apnea detection, etc.). Garmin assumes the user will use it as a training tool and perhaps use other devices for medical diagnostics.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Samsung’s BioActive sensor suite is one of the most comprehensive: it measures heart rate (PPG), ECG, blood oxygen, and even body composition. The Galaxy Watch Ultra, like Watch 5/6, has a Bio-Electrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) feature that can estimate body fat percentage, muscle mass, and body water by running a small current through the body (you place fingers on the buttons) – unique among these three brands. It also supports blood pressure monitoring via the PPG sensor, but note this requires monthly calibration with a real cuff and is only approved in certain regions (not FDA-approved in the U.S.). Still, it’s a feature Apple and Garmin lack. Samsung received FDA clearance for its Sleep Apnea monitoring on the Watch Ultra – it can analyze blood oxygen and snoring patterns to assess if you might have sleep apnea risk phonearena.com phonearena.com. This is a big differentiator: The Galaxy Watch can effectively screen for potential apnea and prompt users to seek a diagnosis, a feature currently exclusive to Samsung. Additionally, the Ultra tracks skin temperature (useful for menstrual cycle tracking and general wellness insights) and provides an “Energy Score” each morning (just like Garmin’s Body Battery) telling you how recovered you are from your sleep phonearena.com. Heart rate accuracy on the Galaxy Watch Ultra has improved with a new optical sensor, but early reviews (PhoneArena) did catch some irregular HR data spikes in workouts, suggesting it wasn’t perfect out of the box phonearena.com phonearena.com. Samsung will likely refine this via software updates. The ECG on Galaxy Watch is done through the Samsung Health Monitor app and can detect AFib; however, it (and the blood pressure feature) only work when the watch is paired to a Samsung Galaxy phone – a limitation to note phonearena.com phonearena.com. Overall, Samsung’s health platform covers many bases: heart health (ECG/HR), metabolic health (BIA, VO₂max from workouts), sleep health (apnea, sleep coaching), and it provides Advanced Sleep Coaching tips to improve your rest and recovery t-mobile.com t-mobile.com. It lacks only the deep training load analysis of Garmin, but combines some of the best of Apple (polished apps, FDA approvals) and Garmin (holistic metrics like Energy Score). If you’re an Android user, the Galaxy Watch Ultra serves as a powerful health companion on your wrist – just remember its most advanced health features demand a Samsung phone to unlock fully phonearena.com.

Outdoor Navigation and Endurance Features

For outdoor adventurers – hikers, ultrarunners, backcountry explorers – the capabilities to navigate and survive off-grid are crucial. Here’s how the trio compare:

  • Garmin Fenix 8 Pro: This is arguably the king of standalone navigation. The Fenix 8 Pro comes preloaded with topographic maps (region-specific, with options to download others via Wi-Fi/Garmin Express). On-wrist, you can see contour lines, trails, geographic points, and even search for POIs (like campsites, water sources). The watch supports turn-by-turn navigation on courses you load or routes it calculates, and a rich bread-crumb trail mode. Features like TracBack will direct you back to your start point along the same route. The multi-band GPS ensures excellent accuracy even in tricky environments (deep woods, canyons). Fenix also integrates with Garmin’s Expedition Mode – a setting that significantly stretches GPS battery (by recording more infrequently) for multi-day trekking while still logging a basic track for weeks. With the new LTE and satellite messaging, the Fenix 8 Pro becomes even more valuable outdoors: it can send an SOS via satellite (inReach) to emergency rescue services anywhere in the world, and allow two-way messaging with rescuers dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. It also can do peer-to-peer satellite texting (or check-ins with location) to family via Garmin’s network dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com – essentially a built-in Garmin inReach mini. All of this works without a phone, which is huge for remote expeditions. Garmin’s LiveTrack feature can broadcast your live location to friends (now even without phone, via LTE). There’s also Incident Detection: if you crash or fall and are unresponsive, the Fenix can automatically send out an SOS (now possible via cellular/satellite as well) dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. No other watch matches the Fenix in sheer navigation tools – it even has features like NextFork (trail junction alerts) and Up Ahead waypoints for race courses. The downside is complexity: using maps on a tiny screen and managing subscriptions (Garmin’s satellite plans cost $8–$10/month dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com) require commitment. But for those who venture off-grid, a Fenix on the wrist is like a mini navigation computer and safety device all in one.
  • Apple Watch Ultra 3: With this third-gen Ultra, Apple made major strides for outdoor use. The Offline Maps feature (new in watchOS 10/11) means you can have area maps stored on the watch – including trails and turn-by-turn directions for walking/hiking apple.com. This addresses one of the biggest prior gaps for Apple in the wilderness. While Apple Maps may not (yet) be as detailed as Garmin’s topo maps in all regions, it will show trails, elevation, and even allow navigation without cell service. Additionally, Ultra 3’s dual-frequency GPS and on-device compass make for accurate tracking of routes. The Backtrack function in the Compass app lets you retrace your steps if you get lost (it automatically starts recording a backtrack when it detects you’re away from known Wi-Fi or cell coverage). The Waypoints feature enables you to mark key locations (e.g., trailhead, campsite) and navigate to them with the compass dial. And unique to Apple, the Night Mode on the Wayfinder face turns the interface red for night vision preservation – helpful for stargazers or pre-dawn climbers. However, the most game-changing addition is two-way satellite communication built into Ultra 3 apple.com apple.com. Now, like the iPhone 14/15, the watch itself can connect to satellites when out of cellular range. It supports Emergency SOS via satellite – with a few taps you can send an emergency text to local rescue services, including your location and situation apple.com apple.com. It can also share your location or send check-in messages to friends/family via satellite when you’re off-grid apple.com apple.com. This essentially closes the gap with Garmin’s inReach: Ultra 3 wearers can feel safer on remote adventures, knowing they can call for help even without a phone. Apple even integrated crash/fall detection with satellite SOS – if you have a hard fall in the wilderness and don’t respond, the watch can automatically dispatch help via satellite apple.com. All this is extremely impressive, especially given Apple is offering the SOS satellite service likely for free for at least two years (as they did with iPhones) dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. Where Apple still trails Garmin is in battery longevity – the Ultra 3 can’t last multiple days without charge, which limits it in multi-day treks unless you carry a power bank. Also, the depth of mapping detail and on-watch route planning is still behind Garmin’s dedicated topographic maps. But for many users, Apple now offers 80% of what they need: high accuracy tracking, offline maps, compass, altimeter, and emergency comms. It truly “allows users to text emergency services, message friends and family, and share their location, all while off the grid,” Apple says of Ultra 3 apple.com apple.com. That’s a huge leap for a general-purpose smartwatch, effectively turning the Ultra 3 into a hybrid smartwatch + safety device for explorers.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Samsung’s Ultra, running Wear OS, doesn’t have built-in satellite SOS – that’s a feature currently unique to Apple (among mainstream smartwatch makers). So if you’re beyond cellular coverage, the Galaxy Watch can’t contact emergency services unless it reconnects at some point. That aside, for navigation, it leverages Google Maps and Samsung Health routes. You can download offline maps to the paired phone (and now certain Wear OS watches can also store Google Maps offline for phone-free navigation). The Galaxy Watch Ultra will do turn-by-turn navigation for driving, cycling, or walking via Google Maps when you have a connection (or offline data). For hiking specifically, Samsung Health lets you import GPX routes on the watch; during a hike, the watch can give turn alerts and show your breadcrumb trail and route line (similar to what the older Watch 5 Pro offered). There’s also a Track Back function to guide you back along a path. These features are quite useful – essentially leveraging third-party maps (like Komoot, etc.) or downloaded GPX files, the Galaxy Watch can function as a basic hiking navigator. The dual-band GNSS improves its tracking accuracy in tough environments, which outdoor users will appreciate phonearena.com phonearena.com. Moreover, Samsung’s Ultra has a barometer for elevation data and storm alerts (it will warn you if pressure drops rapidly). Its compass app can work offline to give bearings. Another nifty addition is the Ultra’s 85 dB siren, which can be heard from afar if you need to signal for attention (Apple has a similar siren). Where the Galaxy Ultra falls short of Garmin/Apple for outdoors is battery (again, ~2 days vs multi-week or vs Apple’s ~2 days plus a phone charger requirement). If you’re doing a weekend camping trip, you’ll likely need to ration features or bring a charger for the Samsung. Also, without a true satellite link, it doesn’t provide that ultimate safety net. That said, for casual hikes, trail runs, and outdoor workouts, the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s combination of Google Maps, GPX support, and improved durability (10ATM, MIL-STD) makes it a capable adventure watch for Android users. It’s effectively Samsung’s answer to the Apple Ultra, aimed at the same “outdoor fitness” demographic dcrainmaker.com. In Ray Maker’s view, both Apple and Samsung’s Ultra watches ended up “locked into their own phone ecosystems… both directly compete more with Garmin than with each other” when it comes to these outdoor features dcrainmaker.com. Each offers their platform’s best shot at an adventure smartwatch – Apple for iPhone owners, Samsung for Android – but Garmin still stands as the specialized tool for the most demanding expeditions.

Smart Features and Ecosystem

Beyond fitness, these devices differ in how they function as smartwatches in daily life and how they integrate with broader ecosystems:

  • Apple Watch Ultra 3: As part of the Apple ecosystem, the Ultra 3 excels in seamless integration with the iPhone and Apple services. You get the full watchOS experience: rich notifications that you can act on (reply to messages by voice or scribble, for example), Siri assistant (now capable of many on-device requests without internet), and the largest third-party app selection among smartwatches. You can download apps from the App Store – everything from Starbucks to Strava – and they tend to be well-optimized for Apple Watch. Features like Apple Pay (contactless payments), music streaming/download (Apple Music, Spotify), podcasts, and controlling smart home devices are all polished. The Ultra 3 having a 5G cellular modem means if you get a cellular model with a carrier plan (it’s $10/month typically), you can make calls, send texts, and stream music on the watch even if your phone is far away or off apple.com dcrainmaker.com. With the new dual-antenna system, Apple even improved call reliability in spotty areas by boosting signal strength when needed apple.com apple.com. Essentially, the Ultra 3 can act as a tiny standalone smartphone on your wrist in many scenarios. The catch: it only pairs with iPhones. If you don’t use an iPhone, an Apple Watch is not an option at all. But for iPhone users, the tight integration is a huge plus – for instance, your watch can unlock your Mac, or hand off a phone call from watch to phone seamlessly. The interface on watchOS 10/11 uses widgets (Smart Stack) and has been refined for quick glances, and the Ultra’s large screen can even display full-color maps or message threads comfortably. In terms of exclusive smart features, Apple leverages its ecosystem: you can use Siri to log workouts or dictate messages, have Apple Maps navigation on the watch with haptic turn alerts, and even use the Ultra 3 as a dive computer via third-party app. Another differentiator is app quality – many developers target Apple Watch first (e.g., you’ll find more high-quality watch faces and apps in Apple’s sphere, albeit Apple doesn’t allow completely custom watch face designs for branding reasons). For everyday use – messages, calls, email, calendar, reminders – the Apple Watch Ultra is top-notch. It’s also the only one of the three with an LTE model that can share your phone number (calls from your regular number) and do services like iMessage. Garmin’s LTE is a different animal (no phone number integration) androidcentral.com androidcentral.com, and Samsung’s LTE works like a phone extension but only with Android. Thus, the Ultra 3 is ideal if you want to occasionally leave your phone behind but not be cut off (you can stream Apple Music on a run with just the watch + Bluetooth earbuds, for example).
  • Garmin Fenix 8 Pro: Garmin’s platform is more specialized and a bit more basic on general “smart” features. It does show notifications from your phone (supports both iOS and Android phones via Garmin Connect app). You can read texts, see caller ID, and respond with quick replies or voice (note: replies only work when paired with Android, as iOS restrictions prevent third-party devices from sending messages). The Fenix 8 Pro’s new LTE connectivity is not like Apple’s or Samsung’s where it ties into your phone’s plan – instead, it’s a Garmin service. You cannot take phone calls from your regular number on the Fenix, but interestingly Garmin did add a feature to make voice calls over LTE to your emergency contacts through their system dcrainmaker.com androidcentral.com. It’s not a general phone replacement; it’s meant for safety (calling a predefined contact or emergency center). For texts, similarly, you can send messages to friends via Garmin’s Messenger app, but it will come from a Garmin server number, not your phone number androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. So, purely as a “smartwatch” in the urban sense, the Garmin is limited. You won’t be browsing social media or using a rideshare app on it. Garmin does have an Connect IQ app store, but apps are often niche (data fields, watch faces, maybe a news headline app or simple games). Don’t expect the breadth of apps that Apple/Google have. On the other hand, Garmin provides helpful built-ins: Garmin Pay for contactless payments (accepted many places, though not as ubiquitous as Apple Pay), music storage for thousands of songs plus Spotify/Amazon Music offline syncing (so you can play music on Bluetooth headphones phone-free), and calendar/weather widgets. The Fenix 8 Pro also has a speaker and mic now, so you can hear audio prompts and use voice assistant (Siri or Google Assistant) when paired to your phone – essentially it triggers your phone’s assistant. It can also play back voicemail or voice messages in some cases. Another noteworthy feature: Garmin’s watches can share data with other Garmin devices – e.g., if you have a Garmin bike computer, the watch can broadcast heart rate to it. Garmin’s ecosystem (Garmin Connect) on phone and web is fantastic for data analytics and community challenges, but it’s not about general productivity or smart home integration. In short, if you want your smartwatch to be an extension of your smartphone for everyday convenience, the Fenix is the weakest of the three. It’s built to be an extension of your fitness life. That said, many Fenix users are fine with that trade-off – as one long-time Garmin user remarked about the Fenix 8 Pro’s strategy: “Garmin…can charge whatever they want” because no one else offers the same hardcore features dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com, but you must accept some smartphone compromises. Importantly, Garmin works with both iPhone and Android (more fully with Android). If you carry an iPhone but want Garmin’s benefits, you can do that (unlike trying to use a Galaxy Watch).
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: As a Wear OS 4/One UI 5 watch, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is second only to Apple in general smart capabilities – and in some ways offers more flexibility due to the Google ecosystem. It only pairs with Android phones (there’s no iPhone support for Samsung watches now phonearena.com). If used with a Samsung Galaxy phone, you get the best experience: all features (ECG, BP, etc.) enabled and the watch integrates with Samsung’s ecosystem (e.g., you can use Samsung Pay, or control Samsung SmartThings devices from the watch). With non-Samsung Android phones, most features still work, except a few health apps like ECG/BP that are officially Samsung-only phonearena.com. The watch runs Google’s Play Store apps, meaning you have access to a wide range of apps and watch faces – Google Maps, Google Assistant (or Bixby if you prefer), Spotify, YouTube Music, Google Wallet, Strava, and many more. Notably, being the first watch on Wear OS 5 phonearena.com, it’s up to date with improved performance and potentially better battery optimizations. You can receive and respond to all your notifications (including with voice dictation, a keyboard, or quick replies). You can take calls on-wrist – the Ultra’s speaker and mic quality are generally good for short calls. If you activate LTE with your carrier, the Galaxy Watch can share your phone number (via eSIM) and allow calls/texts even when your phone is off, just like Apple’s solution. Samsung also integrated unique gestures (some mimicking Apple’s AssistiveTouch): e.g., Double Pinch or “Knock knock” gesture to answer calls or dismiss alarms without touching the screen phonearena.com. It even has a “Now Bar” in One UI Watch, a widget showing frequent info (weather, timers, music) at a glance t-mobile.com. Another plus: deep Google integration – you can use Google Assistant for queries, control Google Home/Assistant-enabled smart devices, and use Google services on the watch seamlessly. On the flip side, because it’s a full-featured smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch Ultra demands more charging and maintenance (frequent app updates, etc.) than a Garmin. But many users enjoy that richness. For example, you can stream YouTube Music while on LTE, or even watch a short YouTube video on your wrist (not that you’d want to often). The app selection and customization (e.g., thousands of watch faces on Play Store) far exceed Garmin’s offerings. When comparing Apple vs Samsung in smart features: Apple is slightly more cohesive and smooth with an iPhone, while Samsung offers more customization and Google’s ecosystem benefits for Android users. Both support contactless payments (Apple Pay vs Google/Samsung Pay) and both can store music and run third-party apps. Samsung’s advantage is being the only real choice for a premium smartwatch if you’re on Android and want an ecosystem equivalent to Apple’s. And now with the Ultra model, Android users who want a “proper outdoor smartwatch with brains” have a solid option.

Unique Features and Notable Extras

Each of these watches brings some special capabilities that the others don’t, which might tip the scales for certain buyers:

  • Apple Watch Ultra 3:
    • Dive Computer Mode: With the third-party Oceanic+ app (subscription), the Ultra acts as a full-fledged recreational dive computer up to 40m depth apple.com. It measures depth, water temp, dive time, ascent rates, etc., according to dive tables. Neither Garmin Fenix nor Samsung Ultra offers scuba dive functions out of the box (Garmin has separate Descent dive watches). For scuba enthusiasts who are also Apple users, this is huge – it means one less device to carry on dive trips.
    • Satellite + Cellular Integration: Ultra 3 is the first to combine 5G cellular and satellite in a smartwatch. If you’re in a remote area with no cell signal, the watch automatically offers to use satellite for SOS or location sharing apple.com apple.com. And when you have cell coverage, 5G gives faster data (the Ultra 3 is one of the first watches with 5G – Apple claims higher throughput for downloads of music or maps) apple.com apple.com. This seamless communication versatility is cutting-edge.
    • Apple’s App Ecosystem and AI: The Ultra 3 benefits from Apple’s foray into on-device AI. The Workout Buddy (AI coach) is one example, but also Siri can now access health data to answer queries (“How was my sleep last night?”). Later in 2025, one can expect Apple’s ecosystem to leverage the new Apple Intelligence engine for more personalized insights. Additionally, the Ultra can tap into the vast array of App Store apps – from controlling a GoPro camera to using navigation apps like Gaia GPS or AllTrails, etc. Many such apps either aren’t available or aren’t as refined on Garmin/Samsung.
    • Polished User Experience: Little things like the Taptic Engine’s strong haptic feedback, the ultra-responsive fluidity of watchOS, and integration with AirPods (audio from the watch auto-routes to AirPods) make the experience pleasant. Apple also supports Family Setup, allowing an Ultra to be used by a family member without their own iPhone (useful if you want to give, say, an older parent an Apple Watch for safety).
    • Emergency Siren: While Samsung copied this, Apple’s siren (first introduced in Ultra gen1) is extremely loud and distinct, with a sound pattern designed to carry far and signal distress. It’s a niche feature you hope to never use, but could be life-saving if you’re injured off-trail and need people to locate you by sound.
  • Garmin Fenix 8 Pro:
    • MicroLED Display (51mm model): Garmin scored a world-first by incorporating a MicroLED display. This technology promises OLED-level clarity and brightness without burn-in. The 4,500 nit brightness is unparalleled dcrainmaker.com – useful for direct sun and perhaps for flashlight mode. Although it hurts battery in this gen, it’s a glimpse of the future of wearables. Early adopters who want the brightest, most cutting-edge screen on a rugged watch might gravitate to this (despite the $2k price).
    • InReach Satellite Messaging: The Fenix 8 Pro is essentially an inReach communicator on your wrist. You can send custom text messages from anywhere on Earth (via Iridium satellite) and receive replies – not just SOS, but even casual messages if you have a plan dcrainmaker.com androidcentral.com. Neither Apple nor Samsung allow sending non-emergency texts via satellite to friends (Apple’s system on iPhone/Watch is limited to emergency or preset check-ins, not chatting with friends freely). Garmin’s integration with the Garmin Messenger app means you could keep in touch off-grid (e.g., update family “made camp, all OK”). For explorers who venture truly off the grid for days or weeks, this two-way communication is a killer feature that can’t be matched by the others yet.
    • Extensive Sensor Support: Garmin supports ANT+ protocol devices, which Apple and Samsung do not. This means you can connect things like a chest heart strap, cycling power meters, cadence/speed sensors, running footpods, Garmin’s bike radar, temperature pods, you name it. Samsung added Bluetooth sensor support for some cycling metrics, but Garmin still supports the widest array of external sensors – critical for triathletes, ultra cyclists, or skiers (Garmin even connects to Garmin’s ski resort beacon for auto-detection of runs).
    • Ultra-Long Battery & Solar: As covered, Garmin can go weeks. It also offers Solar charging on some editions, which can add a few extra days in sunny conditions. Plus, Garmin has Battery Manager options – you can create custom power modes (turn off certain sensors, etc.) to extend life on the fly. For an expedition runner or thru-hiker, the ability to get, say, 20+ days with reduced tracking is invaluable.
    • Navigation Extras: Garmin’s ecosystem includes Garmin Explore app for planning adventures, and the Fenix can store courses, points of interest, and even display coordinates in various grid systems (useful for search-and-rescue, orienteering). It also has mode-specific navigation; for example, a round-trip routing feature can generate a suggested loop run or ride of a given distance using known roads/trails. These kinds of features are a result of Garmin’s long focus on outdoor athletes.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra:
    • Body Composition and Blood Pressure: These health features stand out – body fat % measurements on demand, and the ability to check blood pressure (when calibrated) using just the watch. For users focused on weight loss or bodybuilding, the body comp feature (while not as precise as DEXA, of course) gives added insight beyond weight alone. Apple and Garmin don’t do this.
    • FDA-cleared Sleep Apnea Alerts: Samsung is currently unique in having a consumer watch that can effectively warn you of sleep apnea risk (using blood oxygen and heart rate patterns overnight) phonearena.com phonearena.com. Considering how common and underdiagnosed sleep apnea is, this is a very impactful health feature that could genuinely improve lives by prompting medical follow-up.
    • One UI and Gesture Controls: Samsung’s One UI adds some thoughtful touches like the “Now Bar” for quick info and new gestures like snapping your fingers or shaking your wrist to perform actions phonearena.com. They even allow using the watch camera controller app to preview and snap photos on your phone remotely. These are fun conveniences for everyday life that Garmin doesn’t aim to provide.
    • Integration with Android Ecosystem: If you’re a heavy Google user, the Galaxy Watch Ultra gives you things like Google Assistant, Gmail/Calendar native apps, Google Maps nav, etc., on your wrist – which Apple Watch won’t do (it uses Siri and Apple Maps, etc.). Also, Samsung’s watch can interface with Android features like SmartThings (control smart home) or even act as a shutter button for Samsung phone cameras. It’s not a single “feature” per se, but the cumulative effect of the watch being part of an open ecosystem means you can tinker more – e.g., sideload apps, use alternative app stores, customize watch faces extensively. Tech enthusiasts might appreciate this flexibility.
    • Price Advantage: At $649 (LTE 47mm) samsung.com, the Galaxy Watch Ultra undercuts Apple’s $799 and Garmin’s much higher prices by a good margin. For someone who wants a high-end smartwatch experience with some durability but doesn’t need extreme expedition features, the Samsung offers a lot of bang for the buck. It’s not a technical spec, but it’s a selling point: you get a titanium, sapphire, dual-band GPS, sensor-packed watch for significantly less money than Apple/Garmin’s flagships.

Intended Audience and Use Cases

Each of these watches targets a slightly different core user, although there is overlap in the “outdoor enthusiast” category:

  • Apple Watch Ultra 3: Aimed at active professionals, athletes, and adventurers who are already in Apple’s ecosystem. This is for the person who might be training for a marathon or triathlon, hiking on weekends, diving on vacation, but also wants a single device to wear to work or dinner. It blends into both lifestyles. As The Verge notes, Apple’s Ultra watches are “targeted toward athletes and sporty types” with big battery and bright display, yet also serve as comprehensive smartwatches day-to-day theverge.com. If you are an iPhone user who does serious fitness or backcountry activities, the Ultra 3 is built for you. It’s also for safety-conscious folks – e.g., parents who want the added emergency features while hiking, or older adventurers who want fall detection and SOS handy. Casual users with money to spend might buy it simply as the “best Apple Watch” for its larger screen and battery, even if they don’t use the depth gauge or siren much. But its price and size likely keep it mostly in the hands of enthusiasts and professionals (e.g., pilots, search-and-rescue volunteers, etc., have adopted Ultra for its GPS accuracy and ruggedness). Importantly, if you’re not an iPhone user, Apple Watch is not even on the table – so the Ultra’s audience is inherently iPhone owners.
  • Garmin Fenix 8 Pro: Squarely aimed at hardcore athletes, ultra-endurance folks, and outdoor adventurers/explorers. This is the watch for the Ironman triathlete tracking every metric, the ultrarunner traversing mountain ranges, the backcountry hiker who might be off grid for a week, the skier, the mountaineer, the high-altitude climber – anyone who needs reliability and extensive features more than a flashy touchscreen interface. It’s also popular in the military and tactical community (there are often “Tactix” variants of Fenix) due to its robust build and features like night-vision mode and coordinates. The Fenix 8 Pro, especially with LTE/inReach, is perfect for someone who might otherwise carry a satellite communicator – it consolidates that into the watch. However, its high cost and complexity mean it’s overkill for casual users. In fact, new buyers can be confused by Garmin’s “Pro” naming and price jumps dcrainmaker.com – it’s really meant as Garmin’s next-gen flagship for those who demand the best and will use those satellite/LTE features. If you just jog a couple times a week and go to the gym, a Fenix 8 Pro would be under-utilized (and you might prefer a cheaper Garmin or an Apple/Samsung with more smart features). Another segment is data geeks – people who love to analyze their training and health trends deeply often prefer Garmin’s platform. And since Garmin works with both Android and iOS, it captures those who use, say, an iPhone but want a more fitness-optimized device than an Apple Watch (maybe to avoid being distracted by apps, or to get better battery and ruggedness). With the MicroLED $2k model, Garmin might also be appealing to the luxury/enthusiast market – akin to how some buy high-end mechanical watches, there are those who will splurge on Garmin’s top tech for bragging rights and passion, even if it’s not “necessary.” Overall, intended users are serious about adventure and performance, willing to invest in the most capable tool.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Aimed at Android users who want a premium, rugged smartwatch for both fitness and daily wear. Samsung clearly created the Ultra in response to Apple’s Ultra – it’s for the outdoor fitness enthusiast in the Android camp. Think hikers, runners, cyclists, gym-goers who use Android phones and want a watch that can track their endeavors but also handle notifications, apps, and media control. It’s also likely popular among Samsung’s loyal user base who always buys the “top Samsung” device – e.g., someone with a Galaxy S or Z series phone, a Galaxy Tab, and now wants the best Galaxy Watch. The Ultra is a bit large, so it’s mainly targeting men or those comfortable with big watches (the lack of a smaller size might exclude some female or small-wristed users; Garmin’s decision to drop the small size drew similar criticism dcrainmaker.com). It’s priced much lower than the others, so it could attract more casual users who simply want a cool looking, durable smartwatch with a great screen – perhaps people who considered a TAG Heuer Connected or other luxury smartwatch. However, some dedicated athletes might still go for Garmin even if they use Android, due to the extreme battery and data. Samsung is trying to meet them halfway by adding triathlon and power meter support; this will appeal to many mid-level athletes who weren’t satisfied with earlier Galaxy Watches. The presence of lifestyle features like body composition and the polished look means it’s also for those who want one watch for work and workouts but prefer a round, classic style (the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s round face can more easily pass as a normal watch, whereas Apple’s big rectangle screams gadget). In essence, Galaxy Watch Ultra’s audience is the Android equivalent of Apple’s Ultra audience: people who do tough workouts or adventures on the weekend, but also wear the watch every day for its smart capabilities and style. Or as Ray Maker pointed out, Apple and Samsung Ultras don’t really steal each other’s customers – each one targets their own ecosystem’s users, and both target many would-be Garmin users by adding more outdoor features dcrainmaker.com.

Price and Availability

All three devices are widely available as of September 2025, but their prices differ dramatically:

  • Apple Watch Ultra 3 – Price: Starts at $799 in the U.S. for the single 49mm GPS+Cellular model apple.com apple.com. Unlike other Apple Watches, there’s no cheaper GPS-only variant – Ultra is cellular by default. It comes with your choice of trail, alpine or ocean band (various colors). Apple kept the price same as previous Ultra models, which is high but competitive given its high-end materials and features. Availability: Pre-orders began Sep 9, 2025, and it released on Sept 19, 2025 in over 50 countries including US, Canada, UK, most of EU, Japan, India, UAE, Australia, etc. apple.com. It’s sold via Apple Stores and many carriers (since it has cellular). We can expect Apple to continue selling it for at least a year until a potential Ultra 4. It’s worth noting that Apple offers an excellent support network and premium service (and AppleCare+) which some buyers factor into the cost.
  • Garmin Fenix 8 Pro – Price: Premium pricing to match its pro status. The 47mm Fenix 8 Pro (AMOLED) is $1,199/€1,199 base dcrainmaker.com. The 51mm Fenix 8 Pro is $1,299. The top-end Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED (51mm) costs a hefty $1,999/€1,999 dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. These prices are $200 higher than the Fenix 8 (non-Pro) series that launched earlier, due to added LTE/satellite hardware dcrainmaker.com. It’s an expensive device – one Android Central article bluntly called it out, noting Garmin’s “exploding prices” even as popularity grows androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. You’ll also need a subscription for the connectivity: Garmin’s plan runs about $8–$10 per month which covers LTE features and emergency satellite SOS dcrainmaker.com (messaging beyond SOS may incur higher tier fees). Availability: Announced Sept 3, 2025, it’s available immediately (Garmin tends to launch and ship). It can be bought from Garmin’s site, Amazon, and outdoors retailers (REI, etc.). However, note that the LTE functionality is only supported in 30+ countries currently (mainly NA, EU, Aus/NZ, Japan) due to regional cellular agreements androidcentral.com. If you’re outside those regions, the Fenix 8 Pro will still work as a watch, but you can’t use the LTE/SOS unless in a supported area. The high price means it’s a deliberate purchase – many users might wait for sales or opt for the standard Fenix 8 (if available) or even older Fenix 7 if budget-conscious. But for those who need its unique features now, it’s available and represents the cutting edge of Garmin’s offerings.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra – Price: Officially $649.99 (Bluetooth+LTE, 47mm) in the U.S. samsung.com. There might be variants (e.g., in some markets a Bluetooth-only could exist slightly cheaper, but Samsung’s site shows LTE as standard). Street prices have sometimes been lower due to promotions (Samsung often bundles trade-in deals). Compared to Apple and Garmin, Samsung undercuts significantly – you’re getting a lot of hardware for the money. Availability: Launched in late July 2024 (it was announced alongside Samsung’s foldable phones that summer). By Sep 2025, it’s widely available globally and often discounted as the product is over a year old. It’s sold through Samsung’s official store, carriers (who love selling it with phone plans), and retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, etc. There are multiple color options (Titanium Gray, Silver, White) and many strap options. One thing to watch: Samsung typically releases new Galaxy Watch models yearly. Rumors and leaks by late 2025 suggest a Galaxy Watch 8 series (with possibly a refreshed Ultra) at IFA 2025 or later androidcentral.com. Indeed, an AndroidCentral report mentioned “Galaxy Watch 8 series launches with a thinner Ultra design” androidcentral.com – implying a newer model might be coming or has come, possibly called Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. If so, the 2024 Ultra might see price cuts or be phased out in 2026. But as of September 2025, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is Samsung’s top model and readily in stores.

When considering price, also consider ecosystem lock-in and device longevity: Apple and Samsung will have yearly or bi-yearly upgrades, whereas Garmin’s cycles are longer (and a Garmin can function well for many years due to battery longevity and replaceable bands etc.). The Fenix is an investment often kept for 3-5 years by users. Apple Watches often might be upgraded in 2-3 years as tech improves (though the Ultra is built tougher than regular Apple Watches, so it could last longer physically). Samsung’s Wear OS watch may get updates for a couple of years (they promised 4 years of software updates on recent models), but the battery will degrade faster since you charge it more often than a Garmin. These are factors the intended audiences typically consider alongside sticker price.

Industry Reception and Expert Opinions

All three watches have garnered significant attention in the tech and fitness communities. Here’s a summary of the reception and expert commentary:

  • Apple Watch Ultra 3: The Ultra 3 was generally praised for addressing previous omissions and pushing the envelope on connectivity. The inclusion of satellite SOS was seen as a big win. “Apple Watch Ultra 3 debuts innovative satellite communications that will offer users more safety and connectivity off the grid,” said Apple’s VP in the press release apple.com apple.com, and media outlets echoed that sentiment. The Verge highlighted the bump to 42-hour battery and satellite messaging, noting the case size stayed same while the screen got larger edge-to-edge theverge.com. Many experts appreciated that Apple kept the price the same as last year’s model while adding features. Reviewers lauded the display improvements and the new health features like hypertension alerts, though some pointed out that much of Ultra 3’s software goodies (offline maps, Workout Buddy) also come to older models via watchOS – meaning the hardware upgrades (satellite, 5G, screen) are the main reason to buy. Battery life still got some critique in context: MacRumors called the 42h life “the longest ever for Apple Watch” but still noted it’s a modest 6h gain over Ultra 2 macrumors.com. Hardcore adventurers remain a bit skeptical if 42h is enough for true wilderness outings unless carrying a charger. Nonetheless, Apple’s positioning of Ultra 3 as a versatile device “shifting between a powerful sports watch, an elegant smartwatch, and a comprehensive health companion” apple.com resonated with reviewers – basically, it’s the best all-around smartwatch if you live in Apple-land. Early hands-on reviews were positive about the incredibly bright and clear screen, and the snappy performance (the S9/S10 chip inside makes interactions very smooth). Some reviewers tested the GPS claim in cities and indeed found slightly better route traces than Garmin in downtown areas – Apple’s leveraging of sensor fusion and perhaps map data gives it an edge in city “urban canyon” scenarios apple.com apple.com. There was excitement about the hypertension feature, seen as Apple’s next big health push, though cautious optimism until it’s FDA-approved. In summary, the Ultra 3 was received as a meaningful iteration that solidifies Apple’s lead in the high-end smartwatch segment – not a radical redesign, but adding enough to maintain buzz. It has essentially zero competition in the iOS world (the only alternative for an iPhone user wanting a rugged watch is to use an older Ultra or switch to a limited Garmin experience). Sales are expected to be strong among enthusiasts; Apple doesn’t release exact numbers, but analysts note the Ultra line has been a success in expanding Apple Watch’s average selling price and appeal.
  • Garmin Fenix 8 Pro: This launch generated a mix of excitement and controversy in the community. On one hand, finally having LTE and two-way satellite in a Garmin watch was widely celebrated. Android Central headlined it as Garmin fans “waiting for inReach messaging, calling, and satellite SOS for phone-free journeys” and that the Fenix 8 Pro sets a new standard for Garmin androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. Reviewers like Ray Maker were impressed that Garmin managed to integrate so much tech, but also didn’t shy away from pointing out the downsides: significantly higher price and shorter battery life for the Pro models dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. Many longtime Garmin users voiced concerns: dropping the smaller size was a blow especially to women athletes – Ray quipped that Garmin skipped the one size “where the female audience wants LTE emergency features more than any other group” dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. The pricing was a hot topic: at $1200+, plus subscription, some said Garmin was testing how much its loyal users will pay. In DCRainmaker’s comments, a user wrote “really hard to see how they’re playing the long game… I have bought zero Apple Watches, but wow, $2000 plus a monthly fee?” dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com, highlighting that Garmin’s approach might push some to reconsider alternatives. Ray himself noted the irony that Apple and Google (Pixel) offer emergency satellite for free for at least a couple years, whereas Garmin is charging monthly dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com – albeit Apple/Google don’t offer open texting, just SOS. Still, many reviewers concluded that no other device combines what Fenix 8 Pro does: it’s literally a top-tier training watch + inReach communicator. For the target audience, it may be expensive but there’s no direct substitute. The MicroLED model was seen as an early adopter’s tech demo; some loved the idea of its insane brightness, others felt it betrays Garmin’s core strength (battery life) and that 4 days AOD is too short for a Fenix. In a NotebookCheck article, it was even dubbed “the brightest smartwatch ever built” but notes that it comes “amid rumoured September 2025 release” and presumably with a cost to battery notebookcheck.net. Accuracy: Preliminary tests showed Garmin’s multi-band GPS remains excellent (Garmin is typically top-tier for open sky and trail accuracy, though Apple now rivals it in city scenarios). Heart-rate accuracy on Garmin is generally good but in heavy workouts still bested by a chest strap – same as Apple and Samsung. Summing up reception: Fenix 8 Pro is lauded as an “ultimate adventure watch” but with caveats that it’s “shockingly expensive” (AndroidCentral even had an op-ed on Garmin’s rising prices androidcentral.com). This could potentially drive some more casual Garmin fans to look at cheaper models or competitors, but serious athletes largely applauded the feature set. The consensus is that Garmin delivered what many had requested (LTE, satellite, brighter screen) but at the cost of what others feared (price, size, battery trade-offs). It’s a bold move that keeps Garmin at the forefront of the extreme smartwatch market.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: When released in 2024, the Galaxy Watch Ultra was met with interest as Samsung’s most ambitious watch yet. Tech reviewers immediately drew comparisons to Apple’s Ultra. Many noticed the “striking similarities in name, looks, band, buttons, siren, or more” between the two, as DCRainmaker quipped dcrainmaker.com. But they also pointed out that Samsung’s Ultra, being on Wear OS, competes more directly with Garmin for Android users than with Apple (since ecosystems are separate) dcrainmaker.com. Ray Maker’s review titled “Finally Accurate?” highlights that Samsung addressed a decade-old issue: sensor accuracy. He found the Galaxy Watch Ultra “finally delivered a mostly accurate smartwatch… it took a decade, but the eagle has probably landed. Mostly.” dcrainmaker.com. That’s a notable endorsement that Samsung closed the gap in fitness tracking quality, making it a serious contender. Experts praised the addition of dual-band GPS and new fitness modes – things that in the past you’d only see on Garmin or Polar. The FDA-approved features like sleep apnea detection also earned kudos as a real differentiator in health monitoring phonearena.com phonearena.com. The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s design and display were universally lauded – a “gorgeous display, fast performance, and great feature set”, as one Samsung promo put it samsung.com. Reviewers like PhoneArena loved the screen brightness and clarity outdoors phonearena.com phonearena.com, and also the classic round aesthetic. Criticism did come for battery life not meeting some expectations – despite Samsung’s marketing of multi-day use, some users reported barely getting 24-30 hours with everything on (though others got closer to 48h with tweaking). There were also some early software bugs: e.g., as PhoneArena noted, heart rate spiking errors phonearena.com and some initial backlash to reviews (anecdotally, MKBHD’s review sparked debate with some claiming he was too harsh). However, over the months, firmware updates smoothed many issues. The inclusion of Wear OS means a lot of the experience is dictated by Google’s improvements. Many commentators liked that it was the first with Wear OS 5, bringing new features sooner to users phonearena.com. From an audience perspective, the Galaxy Watch Ultra was seen as giving Android users what they’d envied in Apple’s Ultra: a top-tier durable smartwatch. And Samsung did it at a lower price, which got positive remarks. For example, some reviews pointed out you get 95% of Apple Ultra functionality at a much lower cost – “hold off on upgrading [from Watch 6]” if you don’t need the rugged extras, as one article advised, but if you do, the Ultra is a compelling choice phonearena.com phonearena.com. Overall, Samsung’s Ultra has been successful in establishing a new “Ultra” category in their lineup – it likely attracted more serious fitness users to Samsung and maybe pulled some who were considering a Garmin but decided they prefer smartwatch features. Looking forward, expectations are that Samsung will continue this Ultra line (with perhaps a slimmer design in future as hinted by leaks androidcentral.com). So the first-gen Ultra did well enough to warrant a sequel. Industry-wise, it validated that there is a market for premium, rugged smartwatches beyond Garmin’s niche, and that competition is heating up – good news for consumers.

Conclusion: Choosing among the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra ultimately comes down to your ecosystem and specific needs. iPhone users who want a blend of smart features, robust health tracking, and improved outdoor capabilities will find the Ultra 3 a superb all-rounder that now even handles off-grid emergencies apple.com apple.com. Serious outdoor athletes or multi-day explorers may lean towards the Fenix 8 Pro for its unparalleled battery life, rich mapping, and survival tools, accepting the high cost as the price of ultimate independence androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. Android users seeking a high-end watch will likely find the Galaxy Watch Ultra hits the sweet spot, delivering a bit of everything – style, smarts, and decent durability – at a far lower price, even if it can’t quite match Garmin’s endurance or Apple’s deep integration. The good news is, as of late 2025, we have these three excellent choices pushing each other. As one expert aptly summarized, each of these “Ultra” watches is “taking their own path, borrowing ideas, but ultimately locked in their ecosystems – and in most ways, both are directly competing more with Garmin than each other” dcrainmaker.com. Competition breeds innovation, and all three of these wearables are proof of that – making 2025 an exciting time to be a tech-savvy adventurer shopping for the perfect smartwatch companion.

Sources:

Apple Watch 11 vs Ultra 3 vs SE 3: BUYER GUIDE, Which Should You Buy?
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Marcin Frąckiewicz

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