Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 965
The Verdict
Apple Watch Ultra 2 dominates premium smartwatch features with its blazing-fast S9 processor, exceptional 3000-nit LTPO2 OLED display, and comprehensive health suite including ECG capabilities. Battery stretches to 36 hours normally or 72 hours in Low Power Mode, supported by LTE connectivity for full independence. Garmin Forerunner 965 counters with exceptional battery longevity,23 days in smartwatch mode versus Apple's 1.5 days,and specialized sports tracking that serious athletes prefer. Its 1.4-inch AMOLED screen delivers excellent outdoor visibility, though dimmer than Apple's offering. Weighing just 53g versus 61.4g, Garmin feels lighter despite similar ruggedness. For general users prioritizing daily convenience and ecosystem integration, Ultra 2's premium experience justifies the $200 premium. Endurance athletes and runners should choose Forerunner 965 for its legendary battery life and dedicated training metrics, making it the smarter long-term investment for fitness-focused users.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if…
- →Extremely bright 3000-nit display readable in direct sunlight
- →Rugged titanium case with MIL-STD certification and dive certification to 40m
- →Best-in-class battery life for an Apple Watch at up to 36 hours
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 2
Pros
- Extremely bright 3000-nit display readable in direct sunlight
- Rugged titanium case with MIL-STD certification and dive certification to 40m
- Best-in-class battery life for an Apple Watch at up to 36 hours
- Dual-frequency precision GPS (L1 + L5) for accurate tracking
- On-device Siri processing and double-tap gesture via Apple S9 chip
Cons
- Very expensive at $799 starting price
- Only one large 49mm case size, too big for smaller wrists
- Still requires daily charging for heavy users
- No blood oxygen feature on units sold in the US (post-ban)
- Locked into the Apple ecosystem, requires an iPhone
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 2 | Garmin Forerunner 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 10 | Garmin OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 61.4 g | 53 g |
| Case material | Titanium | Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium bezel |
| Water resistance | WR100 (100m) + IP6X dust + EN13319 dive certified | 10 ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 36 hours normal use, up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode | Up to 23 days smartwatch mode, 31 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 49mm | 1.4 inch |
| Type | LTPO2 OLED Always-On Retina, up to 3000 nits | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 502 x 410 | 454 x 454 |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 1 GB | — |
| Chipset | Apple S9 SiP (64-bit dual-core) | Garmin proprietary |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
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 2 or the Garmin Forerunner 965.