Ultra 3 vs Garmin Fenix 8 pro features

[chiefs1968]

Help me out here, I have the Apple watch Ultra 3 and my best friend has the Garmin Fenix 8 pro with satelite and Lte capability and ofcourse there is a monthly subscripton for both services and they are hefty. Ultra 3 cellular for me is $10.00 a month and satelite service ( when there is no cell service) is free. So what am I missing?

 

[dblissmn]

Ultra 3 has full iMessage compatibility including ability to swipe-type texts (or if you're really dextrous, just regularly type them); fully seamless on-device phone service that's good enough to consider it a spare phone; seamless integration with iPhone not just on the usual suspects but stuff like multimedia and music. Automated Afib notification and ongoing monitoring and a high degree of trust by medical professionals -- my Ultra has gotten me off multiple medications. Full satellite coverage.

Both watches; huge array of running, swimming and crossfit features. Very good navigation. Next level GPS. Top-tier sleep monitoring. Strong bluetooth voice assistant features mean you don't really need a subscription if you have your phone around.

Garmin Fenix; far superior support for cycling, integration with Garmin Connect without having to resort to third-party translators like HealthFit; power-dynamics with VO2 inference not just for running but fully native with cycling too and even for unusual sports like XC skiing; a generally better and more seamless experience for triathlon; much better battery life if you don't use every feature all the time; ANT+ support for those sensors and devices that don't do Bluetooth; more controls on watch. Garmin's cheaper Forerunner 970 has the vast majority of Fenix features, though not quite the looks or the water resistance.

Intangibles -- wrist comfort. I find Apple watch better with its smoother backside and what I think is a better strap design, but others have a different experience.

Those are some of the highlights. Check dcrainmaker.com for more details. Hard to think of a better sports tech site.

 

[chiefs1968]

Thank you....I appreciate your comments

 

[Psdn]

I have both watches 🫣
My experience during winter here in Denmark 🇩🇰, i prefer the Garmin. The physical buttons (when wearing gloves) is easier to press. I wear the watch on the jacket and use a HRM strap.
Navigation wise - Garmin is way ahead. You can be in a totally unfamiliar place, make a route on the watch (no need for a phone) and go for a run. I use that mainly on holidays in different countries.
I also find the Garmin to be more accurate. For example when I run in a group, and I wear my Apple Watch, and doing intervals with my running club, then we don’t stop the same place. Apparently Apple only measures distance in blocks/intervals to save battery. The same when Apple measures Heart rate, and the reason why everyone should wear a HRM.

Apple is definitely catching up, and I’m excited to see what the AWU4 can/will do.

No matter what watch you are using, it’s the training that makes you faster or better.