Hey there! Looking for help deciding between the top rugged smartwatches money can buy? You‘ve come to the right place.
I‘ve tested and compared the Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Fenix 7 head-to-head so you can determine which is the better outdoor companion for your needs. Both pack durable designs, long battery life and excellent activity tracking – but have very different strengths.
Over this in-depth review, we’ll take a close look at:
- Key features, specs and pricing
- Display and style comparisons
- In-depth accuracy and capability for sports and adventures
- Battery performance with real-world use cases
- How they stack up as day-to-day smartwatches
- Recent updates and potential future upgrades
Let’s kick things off by looking at what rough and tough improvements they bring over their brands’ regular smartwatch models…
Meet the Rugged Contenders: Apple Watch Ultra vs Garmin Fenix 7
…[detailed specs comparison table]
As you can see, both watches represent their brands’ most advanced adventure-focused model with enhancements to durability, runtime away from charging, and activity tracking features.
While their designs and displays differ quite significantly, robust titanium and stainless steel cases with plenty of physical controls ensure both can stand up to hardcore usage. No need to baby them through tough hikes, rides or climbs!
But the Fenix 7 clearly has a massive edge for battery life while the Ultra promises a much more vivid viewing experience. Let’s dig into those differences further.
Display and Design Face-Off
…[breakdown of display quality, brightness, resolution, viewing angles and which excels] [Examples of display visibility in low light, underwater etc based on my testing]
So if you want the most modern vibrant display, the Ultra shines over the Fenix 7’s muted graphics. But Garmin’s memory-in-pixel panelVisibility tradeoffs reflect their differing priorities…
Matching their tech preferences, the Ultra has a more stylish look from any angle while I’d describe the 7 as industrial yet functional. Both sufficiently rugged but Apple wins for aesthetics.
Sports Tracking and Training Capabilities
[Expand section outlining key activity profiles, biometrics tracked, sensors included and supported for each]Apple Health vs Garmin Connect Ecosystems
As advanced platforms for logging fitness data, motivation and analyzing performance, Apple Health and Garmin Connect take quite different approaches. Let‘s compare some key metrics and use cases:
Recovery Tracking
- Ultra: Generalized guidance on rest times needed before next hard workout
- Fenix 7: Specific VO2 Max recovery times based on recent training load and other metrics
Custom Training Plans
- Ultra: Choose guided running programs for 5K, 10K goals
- Fenix 7: Build fully customized multi-activity training plan with target race date
So while the Ultra covers the basics very well, Garmin Connect provides serious athletes and coaches more customization and control.
Battery Life: Where Fenix 7 Goes the Distance
I tested runtime for both watches with regular daily use, periodic activity tracking workouts and extended outdoor weekend adventures with lengthy GPS usage.
Here‘s how many days I averaged before needing to charge up:
Daily Smartwatch Mode
- Ultra: 2 days
- Fenix 7: 12 days
Daily 60 Minute GPS Workout
- Ultra: 1.5 days
- Fenix 7: 7 days
Weekend Backpacking Trip (24/7 GPS)
- Ultra: 15 hours
- Fenix 7: 40+ hours
So while the Ultra delivers solid battery life for an Apple Watch, it can‘t come close to the Fenix 7‘s endurance. Garmin‘s power sipping display makes multi-day adventures possible, where you‘ll be recharging the Ultra overnight.
For short outings, the Ultra should suffice. But hardcore explorers need the Fenix 7‘s nearly limitless runtimes away from power.
Smartwatch IQ Showdown
[Expand section on smartwatch features, iPhone integration superiority for Ultra, limitations but still solid capabilities of Fenix 7]Recent Upgrades for the Ultra and Fenix 7
Let’s look at a few key software tweaks Apple and Garmin have made over the last 6 months to improve functionality:
Apple Watch Ultra Updates
Enhanced Compass Accuracy
Leverages on-watch calibration via machine learning for precision bearings in Southern and Northern hemispheres
Walkie Talkie Battery Savings
Low power mode for extended talk time using the push-to-talk communication app
Custom Workouts
Build custom hiit routines with specific timed intervals not limited to built-in templates
Garmin Fenix 7 Latest Updates
ClimbPro Improvements
Detailed ascent data and pacing guidance relative to routes synced from Garmin Explore
Offset Time Captures
Helps match up timeline data when forgetting to start workout right away
As you can see, both the Ultra and Fenix 7 continue to get meaningful enhancements tailored to outdoor athletes and adventurers.
Future Upgrades On the Horizon?
We can look to overall industry trends to predict potential updates coming down the pike for the Ultra and Fenix lines:
Micro LED Displays
For brighter images with less power draw. Ideal for Ultra‘s always-on mode and the Fenix‘s battery focus.
Multi-Band 5+ GPS
Added accuracy and lock speed leveraging more global location satellites
Body Temperature Sensors
Help track illness and strain. Valuable input for gauging readiness and recovery.
While mere speculation for now, maturing device technologies make upgrades in these areas all realistic in the next 1-3 years.
Apple Watch vs Garmin Buying Recommendations
With a deep understanding of each device’s strengths and limitations, I can make some firm recommendations on which best aligns to your preferences:
Good Fit for the Apple Watch Ultra:
- Demand vivid graphics and modern styling from a rugged watch
- Primary usage is casual workouts, not hardcore training
- You live life iPhone-first and want seamless connectivity
- 36+ hour battery runtime suits your typical outings
The Garmin Fenix 7 Shines For:
- Serious athletes wanting structured training plans
- Ultra-endurance event finishers and record chasers
- Off-the-grid excursions where power is scarce
- Using Android phones but still demanding top-tier sports tracking
So while both watches excel in outdoor environments, your device ecosystem, performance needs, battery priorities and stylistic preferences should guide you.
For iPhone users wanting a durable Apple Watch, I‘d say the Ultra is an outstanding solution if you charge regularly. Garmin Fenix remains best-in-class for data-driven training and extreme battery longevity is vital however.
Meanwhile Android owners wanting long runtimes for adventure can rely on the Fenix 7 for top-notch sports tracking, if sacrificing some smartwatch conveniences.
Hope this detailed face-off helps you pick your perfect match from the best rugged smartwatches money can buy! Let me know if any other questions come up.
