Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Garmin users and health-focused individuals who want Body Battery, HRV, and advanced sleep analytics in a slim, discreet wristband rather than a sports watch. Compatible with both iPhone and Android via Garmin Connect.
Full details →Early in release cycle
Best for: Serious athletes, trail runners, triathletes, and outdoor adventurers who need the most durable, most accurate GPS watch Apple makes. Also for iPhone users who simply want the best Apple Watch regardless of sport, and value the extra battery life over the Series 11.
Full details →| Garmin vivosmart 5 | Apple Watch Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Fitness Tracker | Sports GPS |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS only |
| Battery | 7 days | 1.75 days |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ✅ |
| GPS | ❌ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ✅ |
| Health sensors | hr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, pulse ox | ecg, spo2, skin temp, hrv, blood pressure |
| Released | Apr 26, 2022 | Sep 19, 2025 |
| Cycle length | 700 days | 727 days |
| Cycle advice | bad | good |
| Deals advice | good | neutral |
| Next model | — | Apple Watch Ultra 4 (Expected fall 2026) |
Body Battery energy monitoring — the feature Garmin is known for — in a wristband that's thinner than most fitness trackers.
Continuous heart rate variability monitoring and all-day stress tracking give a more complete picture of recovery and readiness than step counts alone.
All data syncs to Garmin Connect, compatible with thousands of third-party apps, coaches, and integrations across the Garmin platform.
The Ultra 3 nearly doubles the Series 11 battery life, and satellite emergency SOS works even without cellular or WiFi coverage.
More precise GPS tracking in urban canyons and dense forests — critical for trail running, mountaineering, and triathlon.
The 49mm titanium case and 3000-nit display make this watch usable in full direct sunlight and water depths up to 100m (EN13319 certified for diving).