Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) vs Garmin Forerunner 965
The Verdict
Apple Watch Ultra 1st Gen commands premium pricing at $799 with its titanium construction, LTPO OLED display, and comprehensive health tracking including ECG. Battery endurance reaches 36 hours standard or 60 hours in Low Power Mode, sufficient for most users. Garmin Forerunner 965 presents exceptional value at $599, delivering up to 23 days of smartwatch battery life and 31 hours of continuous GPS tracking, ideal for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. While Apple excels in display technology and ecosystem integration with cellular connectivity, Garmin's fitness-focused features and dramatically superior battery longevity appeal to endurance athletes. Apple offers broader lifestyle appeal with app support and seamless iPhone integration, whereas Garmin dominates for dedicated training and multi-day adventures. For fitness-first users prioritizing battery life and running metrics, Forerunner 965 delivers superior value. General consumers seeking a premium smartwatch experience should choose the Ultra.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) if…
- →Titanium case is exceptionally durable for extreme sports and diving
- →36-hour battery life (60 hrs in Low Power Mode) is longest for Apple Watch
- →2000-nit peak brightness is readable in any outdoor condition
Buy the Garmin Forerunner 965 if…
- →23-day battery life in smartwatch mode for serious endurance athletes
- →First Forerunner with AMOLED display — bright and easy to read
- →Multi-band GPS with SatIQ for highly accurate outdoor tracking
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen)
Pros
- Titanium case is exceptionally durable for extreme sports and diving
- 36-hour battery life (60 hrs in Low Power Mode) is longest for Apple Watch
- 2000-nit peak brightness is readable in any outdoor condition
- Dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS provides precise tracking even in canyons
- Action Button is customizable for workouts, compass, and more
Cons
- 49mm case is very large — may be too bulky for smaller wrists
- Heavy at 61.3 g compared to standard Apple Watch models
- $799 is expensive for a first-generation product
- S8 chip is the same as Series 8 — no processing advantage
- Only one 49mm size option with no smaller variant
Garmin Forerunner 965
Pros
- 23-day battery life in smartwatch mode for serious endurance athletes
- First Forerunner with AMOLED display — bright and easy to read
- Multi-band GPS with SatIQ for highly accurate outdoor tracking
- Advanced running metrics: running power, VO2 max, race predictor
- Garmin Pay NFC and music storage for offline playback
Cons
- No ECG sensor
- No cellular connectivity
- Garmin OS app ecosystem is very limited compared to Wear OS or watchOS
- Expensive at $599 for a running-focused device
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) | Garmin Forerunner 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 9 (upgradable to watchOS 11+) | Garmin OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 61.3 g | 53 g |
| Case material | Titanium | Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium bezel |
| Water resistance | WR100, EN13319 (certified for recreational scuba diving to 40m) | 10 ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 36 hours (60 hrs in Low Power Mode) | Up to 23 days smartwatch mode, 31 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 49mm | 1.4 inch |
| Type | LTPO OLED Always-On Retina | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 410 x 502 | 454 x 454 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S8 SiP | Garmin proprietary |
| 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 Ultra (1st Gen) or the Garmin Forerunner 965.