Wearables have surged in popularity thanks to smartwatches and fitness trackers that provide actionable health insights, smartphone notifications, navigation and more right from your wrist. With sophisticated sensors and features packed into durable hardware, today‘s wearables have evolved into helpful tools for athletes, adventurers and busy professionals.
But the sheer variety of models now available from Apple, Garmin, Fitbit and Samsung poses a challenge: Which device actually best fits your needs, interests and budget?
That’s why I put together this comprehensive comparison guide. As a long-time wearable enthusiast and analyst, I’ll analyze the latest top models across all the factors that matter most:
Apple Watch Ultra – Apple’s brand new ruggedized adventure watch
Garmin fēnix/Epix – Garmin’s advanced GPS sport watches
Fitbit Sense 2 – Fitbit’s flagship health and wellness tracker
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro – Samsung‘s premier smartwatch
If you’re trying to decide between these industry leaders, read on! By the end you‘ll have all the details to select the perfect smart companion for your wrist. Let’s dive in to see how they compare.
At a Glance: Apple Watch Ultra vs Garmin and Others
Before jumping into the full analysis across 10+ categories, here’s a high-level cheat sheet on the key differences and target consumers for the watches in this matchup:
Apple Watch Ultra
- Rugged titanium adventure watch packed with sensors
- Geared toward outdoor explorers and endurance athletes
- Promises over-the-top durability for wilderness expeditions
- Captures comprehensive fitness metrics augmented by adventure-centric features
- Stainless steel models cost a hefty $799
Garmin fēnix Series
- Serious GPS sport watches for athletes focused on performance
- Advanced training insights, recovery metrics and in-depth data breakdowns
- Rugged enough for adventures with solid scratch/impact protection
- Broad set of metrics across 80+ sport profiles
- Range from $699 (fēnix 7S) to $899 (Solar editions)
Fitbit Sense 2
- Sleek smartwatch with a heavy focus on all-day health monitoring
- Actionable insights powered by 6+ days of battery in typical usage
- A wearable coach for improving wellness through heart health, sleep and stress checks
- Premium features but costs just $299.95
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
- Blends notifications, apps and wellness tracking into a capable smartwatch
- Sleek circular OLED touchscreen with durable sapphire crystal face
- Third-party apps like Spotify, Strava and Microsoft Outlook
- Costs $449-499 for Bluetooth-only and LTE models
Now let’s break down how these wearable titans compare across the various features that matter most to the average smartwatch buyer.
Detailed Side-by Side-Comparison
Design and Durability
Prospective smartwatch buyers place high importance not just features but day-to-day wearability and durability. How do these options stack up?
Apple Watch Ultra – With its 49mm titanium case and flat sapphire crystal display, the Ultra provides unprecedented resilience against scratches, cracks and impacts. Apple pulled design cues from its cutting-edge MacBook Pro laptops translating them into a rugged yet sophisticated timepiece.
At nearly 50mm wide the Ultra overwhelms small wrists. But that expansive real estate makes viewing sensor readouts a breeze during activities. Rest assured it meets MIL-STD 810H certification against dust, shock and extreme temperatures.
Garmin fēnix – Constructed from strong polymer or lightweight titanium, Garmin’s high-performance lines resemble a classic analog watch shape but withstand years of regular use. Sapphire editions add scratch protection for the lens. Size options from 42mm to massive 51mm cases suit more wrist sizes.
Fitbit Sense 2 – The Sense 2 adopts sleek rounded case milled from corrosion-resistant aluminum in soft gold, platinum or graphite tones. With 12.3mm thickness it maintains a trim figure. The durable high-grade resin strap stays comfortable during workouts and daily wear.
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro – Recognizable circular styling with a premium sapphire glass face characterize Samsung’s best effort yet. The titanium casing measures 45.4 x 45.4 mm with a relatively svelte 10.8mm thickness given the internal hardware. Way more polished than a rugged Garmin yet durable as a daily driver.
| Specs | Apple Watch Ultra | Garmin fēnix 7X | Fitbit Sense 2 | Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case Size | 49 x 44 x 14.4mm | 51 x 51 x 14.9mm | 40.5 x 40.5 x 12.3mm | 45.4 x 45.4 x 10.8mm |
| Weight (w/o band) | 61.3g | 96.7g | 48g | 46.5g |
| Display Size | 1.92” | 1.4” | 1.58” | 1.36” |
| Display Material | Sapphire Crystal | Power Sapphire | Gorilla Glass | Sapphire Crystal |
| Water Resistance | 100m | 10ATM | 50m | 50m |
The bottom line? While slimmer models suit petite wrists better, the Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin fēnix lines offer unrivaled resilience for active users prone to bumps and scrapes. Casual users appreciate the sleeker Samsung and Fitbit designs that better blend with business or formal attire when needed…
Health Sensors and Fitness Tracking
Today‘s wearables come packed with sensors to measure health metrics ranging from heart rate to blood oxygen levels, sleep patterns, stress and more. How fully-featured are these options?
Let‘s analyze the sensor suites inside each model…
