Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: A Detailed Comparison

Top Compras Updated: December 31, 2024

Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar

7.8/10
Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar
$749.99
Exceptional battery life with solar charging
Rugged and durable build with titanium bezel and sapphire glass
Advanced multi-band GPS for highly accurate location tracking
vs

Apple Watch Ultra 2

7.8/10
Apple Watch Ultra 2
$719.99
Exceptionally bright display (up to 3000 nits)
New S9 chip for faster processing
Double tap feature for convenient interaction

Quick Overview

A detailed comparison between the Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, covering design, features, performance, and more.
## Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Detailed Comparison

Choosing between the Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar and Apple Watch Ultra 2 is like choosing between a rugged mountain goat and a sophisticated city cat. It can feel like choosing between the two. Both devices are premium smartwatches, but cater to different needs and lifestyles. Let’s compare them in detail to see which is right for you.

Design and Build Quality

The Garmin fēnix 7X Pro is built like a tank. Its titanium bezel and sapphire crystal are rugged and perfect for outdoor activities. They’re big, bold and built to withstand the elements. The two-tone silicone strap is comfortable and the overall design is adventure-oriented.

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 also has a titanium case and sapphire crystal, but has a more modern look. The watch is still rugged, but it has a more urban feel to it. It has a flat display and orange control buttons. Despite its noticeable size, it feels like a small rugged computer when worn on the wrist.

Display

The Garmin fēnix 7X Pro uses a memory-in-pixels (MIP) display that’s always on and energy efficient; it’s not as bright as AMOLED screens, but it’s perfectly readable in direct sunlight. The diffused light ensures the image is clear in bright conditions.

However, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a very bright AMOLED display with up to 3000 nits of brightness. This makes it incredibly easy to read even in all lighting conditions, including direct sunlight. It’s bright and crisp, so it’s a pleasure to use.

Battery Life

This is where the Garmin fēnix 7X Pro really shines. Thanks to solar charging, it can run for weeks on a single charge. Even with regular workouts and GPS tracking, you can expect 4-8 days of battery life. If you use the watch simply as a smartwatch, it will last for about 20 days.

While the battery life of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is significantly improved over other Apple Watches, it will only last two days in normal use. This is a significant improvement over previous models, but not as long as Garmin’s.

Performance and Features

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 features the new S9 chip, which is amazingly fast and responsive. The dual-touch feature is revolutionary and allows you to interact with the watch without using the screen. The Garmin fēnix 7X Pro watch is perfect for answering calls or skipping songs when your hands are full. They’re packed with features like multi-band GPS, comprehensive health and fitness tracking, and a built-in flashlight. It’s designed for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. However, the user interface is a bit clunky and not as intuitive as the Apple Watch.

Fitness and Health Tracking

Both devices offer detailed fitness and health tracking, but have different strengths: the Garmin fēnix 7X Pro does a great job tracking outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and running; the Garmin fēnix 7X Pro does a great job tracking VO2 Max and Heart Rate Variability and other detailed metrics. Tracking weightlifting, however, is basic and doesn’t accurately calculate calories burned in resistance training.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 provides top-notch fitness tracking with accurate GPS and heart rate monitoring. They are ideal for running, cycling and swimming. However, sleep tracking is choppy, especially when it comes to tracking time spent in bed. In addition, the new models sold in the US have the blood oxygen sensor disabled.

The Garmin fēnix 7X Pro has offline maps and a waypoint feature, making it ideal for hiking and hunting. The small screen can make it difficult to use the device as a primary navigation tool, but it is useful for capturing GPS coordinates and plotting them on a paper map.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has limited access to offline maps, and some advanced features are limited to certain regions. This can be a drawback for those who need reliable navigation in remote areas.

User Interface and Smart Features

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a smooth, intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate and use; it integrates easily into the Apple ecosystem; the Garmin fēnix 7X Pro has a more functional user interface, but can be clunky and unintuitive. It lacks some of the Apple Watch’s smart features, such as a keyboard for text responses.

Pros and Cons of Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar

  • Pluses:
    • High battery life with solar charging extending usage time up to a month.
    • Rugged and durable case with titanium bezel and sapphire crystal.
    • Highly accurate location tracking with advanced multi-band GPS.
    • Comprehensive health and fitness tracking with detailed metrics and information.
    • Built-in flashlight with adjustable brightness and SOS mode.
    • Offline maps and music storage for phone-free activities.
  • Cons:
    • High price makes it out of reach for many users.
    • The touchscreen can be slower and less responsive than other smartwatches.
    • Unintuitive interface with unintuitive menus and hidden options.
    • Smart features are limited compared to the Apple Watch, for example, there’s no keyboard for text responses.
    • Weightlifting tracking is basic and lacks detailed calorie burn calculations.

Pros and Cons of Apple Watch Ultra 2

  • Benefits:
    • Extremely bright display (up to 3000 nits), readable even in direct sunlight.
    • Faster processing and improved performance with the new S9 chip.
    • Convenient dual-touch interaction.
    • Longer battery life (up to 2 days) than other Apple Watches.
    • Titanium case and sapphire crystal display provide superior durability.
    • Siren, dive computer and dual-frequency GPS for outdoor activities.
  • Cons:
    • Blood oxygen sensor is disabled on new models sold in the US.
    • High price, making it a significant investment.
    • Size and volume may not be convenient for all users.
    • GPS accuracy may be unstable in dense urban environments.
    • Additional features such as offline maps are limited.
    • Sleep tracking is inaccurate.

Final Thoughts

The Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are great smartwatches, but they fulfill different needs. The Garmin is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes who need long battery life and a rugged design. While the Apple Watch is for those who want a smooth running smartwatch with a bright display and useful features. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities and lifestyle.

Specification

FeatureGarmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire SolarApple Watch Ultra 2

Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar

Pros

  • Exceptional battery life with solar charging, extending usage up to a month.
  • Rugged and durable build with titanium bezel and sapphire glass.
  • Advanced multi-band GPS for highly accurate location tracking.
  • Comprehensive health and fitness tracking with detailed metrics and insights.
  • Built-in flashlight with adjustable brightness and SOS mode.
  • Offline maps and music storage for phone-free activities.

Cons

  • High price point makes it inaccessible for many users.
  • Touchscreen can be slow and less responsive compared to other smartwatches.
  • User interface is clunky, with non-intuitive menus and buried options.
  • Limited smart features compared to Apple Watch, such as no keyboard for text replies.
  • Weightlifting tracking is basic, lacking detailed caloric burn calculations.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Pros

  • Exceptionally bright display (up to 3000 nits) and readable in direct sunlight.
  • New S9 chip for faster processing and improved performance.
  • Double tap feature for convenient interaction.
  • Long battery life (up to two days), significantly better than other Apple Watches.
  • Titanium case and sapphire crystal display for excellent durability.
  • Siren, dive computer, and dual-frequency GPS for outdoor activities.

Cons

  • Blood oxygen sensor is disabled on new units sold in the US.
  • High price, making it a significant investment.
  • Size and bulk may not be comfortable for all users.
  • GPS accuracy can be inconsistent in dense urban environments.
  • Limited availability of some advanced features like offline maps.
  • Inaccurate sleep tracking, particularly in-bed time.

Quick Verdict

Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar

Read Full Review

The Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar is a feature-rich premium smartwatch with excellent battery life, outdoor tracking, and overall durability. It's ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and those who value long battery life.

8.5/10
Features
8.2/10
Performance
6.5/10
Value
9/10
Quality
7.8/10
Overall

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Read Full Review

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a great choice for those who want a seamless smart experience with a bright display and convenient features. It's ideal for outdoor enthusiasts or those who just want a watch that can accommodate their busy lifestyles.

8.5/10
Features
9/10
Performance
6.5/10
Value
9.2/10
Quality
7.8/10
Overall

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to Buy

Garmin fēnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar

$749.99
7.8/10

Apple Watch Ultra 2

$719.99
7.8/10