Apple Watch SE 2 (2023) vs Garmin Epix Gen 2
The Verdict
Apple Watch SE 2 targets casual fitness enthusiasts with a sleek, lightweight design at $249, while Garmin Epix Gen 2 serves serious athletes and outdoor adventurers at $899. The SE 2 weighs just 26.4g with a Retina LTPO OLED display, though it lacks always-on capability and critical health sensors like SpO2 and ECG. Battery reaches 18 hours standard or 36 hours in Low Power Mode. Garmin's Epix Gen 2 is substantially heavier (70-76g) but built rugged with fiber-reinforced polymer construction and 10ATM water resistance versus WR50. Its 1.3-inch AMOLED screen features true always-on display, and battery life dramatically exceeds Apple's with up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and 42 hours with continuous GPS tracking. Health tracking diverges significantly: Epix includes SpO2 monitoring while SE 2 omits both SpO2 and ECG despite Apple's reputation in health tech. SE 2 excels in everyday usability, ecosystem integration, and price accessibility. Epix dominates multisport training, endurance activities, and battery longevity. Choose SE 2 for casual daily wear and iPhone integration, or select Epix if you're serious about detailed fitness metrics and multi-day adventures without charging.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch SE 2 (2023) if…
- →Best value Apple Watch — all core features at a significantly lower price
- →Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite
- →Lightweight recycled aluminum case is comfortable all day
Buy the Garmin Epix Gen 2 if…
- →Fenix 7 features with a stunning AMOLED display — best of both worlds
- →16-day battery life with AMOLED is remarkable engineering
- →Multi-band GPS with full TopoActive maps for serious navigation
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple Watch SE 2 (2023)
Pros
- Best value Apple Watch — all core features at a significantly lower price
- Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite
- Lightweight recycled aluminum case is comfortable all day
- Compatible with all Apple Watch bands
- Gets latest watchOS features including Siri and Maps
Cons
- No always-on display
- No ECG, SpO2, or skin temperature sensor
- Same battery life as pricier models — still needs daily charging
- S8 chip is not the latest — misses Double Tap gesture
Garmin Epix Gen 2
Pros
- Fenix 7 features with a stunning AMOLED display — best of both worlds
- 16-day battery life with AMOLED is remarkable engineering
- Multi-band GPS with full TopoActive maps for serious navigation
- 10ATM water resistance and flashlight for extreme conditions
- Touchscreen plus 5-button interface for flexible navigation
Cons
- $899 starting price — Sapphire edition exceeds $1,000
- Heavy at 70-76 g — noticeable compared to lighter smartwatches
- 14.5mm thickness is very chunky under shirt cuffs
- No cellular or phone call capability despite the premium price
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch SE 2 (2023) | Garmin Epix Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 10 | Garmin OS (Connect IQ) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 26.4 g | 76 g (steel) / 70 g (titanium) |
| Case material | Recycled aluminum | Fiber-reinforced polymer with stainless steel / titanium bezel |
| Water resistance | WR50 | 10ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hrs, up to 36 hrs Low Power Mode | Up to 16 days (smartwatch), 42 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 44 mm | 47mm (1.3 inches) |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 368 x 448 | 416 x 416 |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 1 GB | — |
| Chipset | Apple S8 SiP | Garmin custom processor |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Apple products or all Garmin products. View full details for the Apple Watch SE 2 (2023) or the Garmin Epix Gen 2.