Garmin Reacts to Apple Watch Ultra: 'We Measure Battery Life in Months. Not Hours.'

[satchmo]

From the sounds of it, Apple seeked the advice of experts in specific extreme sports and worked towards addressing their needs. So an ultramarathoner might not need weeks of battery life, but rather hours. Same with a scuba diver.

Frankly, I’m rather surprised Apple went after this very niche market.
But perhaps this is just the beginning and we’ll see iterations of the Ultra.

 

[DeepIn2U]

learned and struggled for a few years here figuring out how to make a decent smartwatch

Sounds VERY similar to Jim Ballsilie of BlackBerry/aka RIM back in the day in response to Apple coming to smartphones.
I cannot WAIT to see what old car manufacturers do when AppleCar UI comes into production.

They're really trolling a smart watch? 😂

^ Fear of going out of business tends to do this.

 

[RickDEGH]

My trusted Junkers Bauhaus says, “hold my years”.

 

[asopublic]

I just can’t tolerate the user interface on the Fenix 5 watch. It is difficult to use.
I don’t like the interface on the inReach Explorer. I’ll turn off my subscription and use Emergency SOS and wait for Starlink over 5G.
I don’t like the interface on Garmin bike computers. It’s difficult to change settings, etc. I switched to a Karoo 2 (Android based)

 

[johnnygee]

That’s why I gave up on the AW. It was on the bedside table every night

Apple Watch charges quickly so you can charge it or top it off before bed. It uses very little power during sleep.

 

[msackey]

Regarding Garmin's tweet to Apple on the Apple Watch Ultra:

I don't think one can make a 1:1 comparison between the Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Enduro 2. A major difference is the Apple Watch Ultra connects to an iPhone. In addition, Enduro 2 has solar charging. A better comparison might be between the GPS accuracies and other functions like that.

If Garmin wants to do a comparison of battery life, maybe they should try preventing the Enduro watch from solar charging, and should find a way to turn off Apple Watch Ultra connection with the iPhone (which in this case I think means turning off bluetooth?). Then, the comparison is more on a analogous level.

 

[DamFu]

Sounds VERY similar to Jim Ballsilie of BlackBerry/aka RIM back in the day in response to Apple coming to smartphones.
I cannot WAIT to see what old car manufacturers do when AppleCar UI comes into production.


^ Fear of going out of business tends to do this.

More than likely Garmin was just having a little fun. If you think they are close to going out of business then you obviously do not know anything about Garmin.


While Apple has certainly made gains in athletic tracking with the Ultra, they are still hovering around the recreational usage category. No way am I trusting an AW as my primary tracker on a century ride, multi-day hike or even a rec dive. The Ultra is neat though.

 

[johnnygee]

Reminds me of when Blackberry users would brag of physical keyboards.

Reminds me of when internet know-it-alls said, "Apple hain't gonna sell none 'cause hain't nobody wears no watches no more" soon after Apple introduced the first Apple Watch.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

I don't know, if I'm hanging off the side of a mountain - the amount of days my watch will hold a charge seems to be more important than how bright the screen gets or how many complications I can fit on the screen at one time.

When your watch doesn't support Memoji ...

 

[kevinof]

Regarding Garmin's tweet to Apple on the Apple Watch Ultra:

I don't think one can make a 1:1 comparison between the Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Enduro 2. A major difference is the Apple Watch Ultra connects to an iPhone. In addition, Enduro 2 has solar charging. A better comparison might be between the GPS accuracies and other functions like that.

If Garmin wants to do a comparison of battery life, maybe they should try preventing the Enduro watch from solar charging, and should find a way to turn off Apple Watch Ultra connection with the iPhone (which in this case I think means turning off bluetooth?). Then, the comparison is more on a analogous level.

Here you go. I have a Quatix 6 (not solar) and sailed from the Cape Verde islands to Martinique 2000 miles across the Atlantic on a single charge - A 13 day trip. That was in smartwatch mode and gave me 14 days charge but could have gone 40+ days in eco mode.

 

[msackey]

Still rather have an Apple Watch over a Garmin. I find Garmins software a mess.

Yeah, I agree.

I first started with a Garmin Forerunner 205 (I think it was the 205) and then at some point upgraded to either the 305 or 405 (something like that; it was really a long time ago, like about 2 decades!). I did use Garmin GPS watches for many years for tracking my running activity and did continue to use them when I first got the iPhone 4 (hand-me-down from my spouse) up until I think upgraded to the iPhone Xs and also bought an Apple Watch.

 

[arkitect]

@arkitect show me an Apple screen w functionality where I can see the time elapsed, distance ran, avg pace for the run, avg pace for that mile I am on, my cadence, and my HR and the zone I am in. Overkill? Nope, these are all the metric while I train and run a marathon.

Then show me a simple one where it shows time elapsed , distance, current pace and be able to stop start w a button, plus another button where I can click to start a new lap.

Then give me all these metrics via an app so I can see the details.

All this while wearing gloves because it’s 20-30 degrees and don’t have to worry about the screen not working.

So go ahead and laugh, but this is why it doesn’t even compare.

Yes, making calls, listening to music, text.. those three is all I need to make. garmin perfect but it won’t happen. Same as the stuff I need to make the Apple Watch perfect. It won’t happen

Tow total different target audiences. For the social runner or someone who doesn’t get into all that, yes Apple Watch is fine.

Hi, not sure why you are quoting me here? 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[msackey]

Should have included, 'we can measure power meters and other athlete tools because we support Ant+'.

There are Bluetooth footpods that measure power etc. that one can get and connect with the iPhone and/or Apple Watch. For example: Stryd. Now, how well it integrates with the Apple ecosystem and metrics I'm not sure but I think probably not as well as one would like, but I haven't looked into this for many years now.

 

[Slo Pesci]

Not gonna lie, that's a pretty good response lol.

 

[msackey]

Here you go. I have a Quatix 6 (not solar) and sailed from the Cape Verde islands to Martinique 2000 miles across the Atlantic on a single charge - A 13 day trip. That was in smartwatch mode and gave me 14 days charge but could have gone 40+ days in eco mode.

Nice! What does the Smartwatch mode entail? Did you actively use GPS tracking for 13 days?

I wonder how long an Apple Watch Ultra under the same circumstances you sailed and with bluetooth disconnected would last.

 

[msackey]

It really is. Apple is getting too smug for the little they innovate. It's all pretty smoke and mirrors.

Well...is Apple being smug or are some Apple enthusiasts being smug? ;-)

I think Apple probably still has some things it can learn from Garmin. I used to be a serious competitive runner (definitely not any more). I currently use an Apple Watch to measure my very leisurely run (and I don't compete any more). I think I would actually hate to use my Apple Watch for training on the track or for any serious run workouts. It's very hard to accurately mark when a lap starts and stops with the Apple Watch. I find just pressing a button much easier.

With the Apple Watch Ultra, that may change some things because isn't there an extra button that is programmable to whatever function you need it to be? I don't need the capabilities of the Ultra (nor do I want to afford the price), but that extra button on a regular Apple Watch would be GREAT!!

All this to say that I think for certain activities, a Garmin Watch may still be easier to manage and use.

 

[msackey]

Speak for yourself. I go there on the daily!!!














Via documentaries

I can imagine it now. You're sitting there outdoors (on a deck chair) with your iPad on the deck table and wearing the Apple Ultra Watch clocking how much time you're spending watching documentaries AND taking snoozes every now and then. There ya go, that's what sleep tracking functions are for! ;-)

 

[stu.h]

Apple's response:

"We measure unit sales in millions, not thousands".

I hope you tweeted that to theirs 😁

 

[Billistan]

Still rather have an Apple Watch over a Garmin. I find Garmins software a mess.

Yup, my wife has a Garmin and while it looks nice and has a better design (my preference) the software is trash and buggy. Half the time its stuck on a screen trying to record her blood oxygen level and the battery doesn't last half as long as it advertised (I turned off the constant blood oxygen readings, but it still tries to make measurements occasionally and gets hung up).

 

[Realityck]

While Apple has certainly made gains in athletic tracking with the Ultra, they are still hovering around the recreational usage category. No way am I trusting an AW as my primary tracker on a century ride, multi-day hike or even a rec dive. The Ultra is neat though.

Apple focus on a smart watch for explorers is likely misdirected marketing compared to more casual athletic usage as you say recreation.

“Inspired by explorers and athletes from around the world, we created an entirely new category of Apple Watch designed for new and extreme environments — it’s the most rugged and capable Apple Watch yet,”

This is typical Apple trying to sell their fact that their longer Apple Watch Ultra battery life is enough for professionals.

Apple Watch Ultra has the best battery life of any Apple Watch, reaching up to 36 hours during normal use.1 Additionally, a new low-power setting, ideal for multi-day experiences, can extend battery life to reach up to 60 hours.

With the bigger, brighter display and rugged design, Apple Watch Ultra is the perfect technical tool for adventurers and explorers in a range of environments, from the every day to the extreme.

I really like to hear from people that have to work in very hostile, remote locations for extended periods whether they would ever use something like the Apple Watch Ultra, compared to the gear they use now. It would be valuable feedback.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Garmin is a great brand that makes great products and has been for decades. They’re optimized for different people and different use cases. The Ultra is aimed at people who what an Apple Watch that does more. I’d expect a lot of the Ultra sales will be to people who will never find themselves in the places it’s advertised for.

I expect a lot of the Garmin sales are to people who never find themselves in the places it’s advertised for. Garmin must be absolutely terrified to see the Ultra come out.

 

[BuddyTronic]

Typical Apple stans here have never used a Garmin device to compare and don't know what it offers.

Their devices are still FAR more dedicated fitness trackers than the Ultra, but okay, I guess they suck because they aren't Apple. Their features are well above and beyond what Apple is capable of doing currently.

This forum is an echo chamber in the worst way.

Well yeah I get it. Much Respect for Garmin - I even own the stock!

I had a forerunner big red garmin Watch long ago.

The months of battery life versus the hours of battery life tweet came across as a fearful insult.

Opinions on this forum are always cash-based is what I see. Smart consumers. For those who want to really compare - go buy both of them and see. I would do so if I cared but I just don’t have time for fiddling around and I’m sure the Apple Watch is going to be more than enough for my needs these days.

If a guy is going to do some monumental event like an Iron Man definitely go for a Garmin probably right? Maybe for the guy who has done eight iron mans already he wouldn’t even care that much. I don’t know.

I think it’s cool that the Apple Watch is intruding on the elite athletic market. Garmin could’ve figured out to use Bluetooth and ant plus together a decade ago instead of forcing me to use a dumb dongle. But they didn’t. And I think Apple Fought against Ant+ standards.

These days when I buy a car I won’t buy it unless it has wireless Apple CarPlay. Some makers lost sales because of it.

Garmin I don’t think is an every day watch. At least not when compared to an every day Apple Watch

 

[GigabitEthernet]

Garmin is objectively much better for running than an Apple Watch. But that gap is getting smaller

 

[cannaqueers]

I see a lot of Garmin users raving about how great their battery life is but to me it feels like a weird thing place so much value in...

I know quite a lot of people with an Apple Watch, and I've not once heard the complaint about battery life.

That's when the battery is new/new-ish though. Come back in 2 years & the Garmin will still be getting good battery life & the Apple Watch will be not as good as it use to be. Apple should be aiming for longer battery as it means less waste in some ways. Then again apple wants people to buy a new watch at least every 2 years or so.

 

[brofkand]

If you make a habit of hanging off sides of mountains, then the Garmin might be a better tool for that activitiy.
But it's Garmin that is calling out Apple and comparing themselves to a general purpose smartwatch, that honestly, can do so much more than the Garmin can. Where do you get apps for the Garmin? The Garmin Store? Uh, no thanks.

If you're not hanging off sides of mountains, you can certainly charge your watch while you're sleeping. Who cares how many DAYS your watch can last?

The last time I looked in the app store for Apple watch there were like 5 apps.