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Head-to-head · Best Smartwatches

Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Garmin Venu 4

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Apple Watch Ultra 3 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 4.1). Apple Watch Ultra 3 is best for: Outdoor adventurers needing robust features. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Apple Watch Ultra 3
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Smartwatches
Apple Watch Ultra 3
2 sources$649as of Oct 16

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 brings a larger LTPO3 display, 5G connectivity, and visible seconds to the wrist, making it well-suited for adventurers and fitness enthusiasts. PCMag's Andrew Gebhart notes its enhanced battery life and cellular performance, while a YouTube reviewer found the screen improvements subtle in daily use. The device is ideal for those seeking a premium smartwatch with robust outdoor features, though it doesn't drastically outpace its predecessor in core functionality.

Strengths
  • — Larger LTPO3 display with improved off-angle viewing
  • — Seconds are visible on the screen without raising wrist, per Birchtree
  • — Enhanced battery life compared to previous models, per OutdoorGearLab
Watch-outs
  • — Sold in only one 49mm case size and one titanium configuration, unlike cheaper Apple Watch models
$649 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Garmin Venu 4
Ranked #6 in Best Smartwatches
Garmin Venu 4
4 sources$549as of Oct 14

The Garmin Venu 4 represents Garmin's strongest attempt to bridge the gap between traditional smartwatches and dedicated sports watches. It offers a polished circular design with advanced fitness and recovery metrics that help users understand how their training metrics impact performance. While it provides comprehensive health tracking including Body Battery and Training Readiness, reviewers noted that the software can feel sluggish and the UI lacks intuitiveness compared to competitors. The watch supports multi-band GPS for accurate tracking and offers week-long battery life in smartwatch mode, making it suitable for serious fitness enthusiasts who want detailed training insights.

Strengths
  • — Polished circular design
  • — Advanced fitness and recovery metrics including Body Battery and Training Readiness
  • — Multi-band GPS for accurate location tracking
Watch-outs
  • — Software can feel sluggish, per CNET
  • — UI is not as intuitive as other smartwatches
$549 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Apple Watch Ultra 3

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 features a larger LTPO3 display and 5G connectivity, which the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 11 don't offer, but it lacks the advanced fitness metrics found in the Garmin Venu 4 and doesn't provide the same level of battery life as the OnePlus Watch 3. Compared to the Google Pixel Watch 4, it offers more comprehensive health tracking but lacks the built-in Gemini AI. The Apple Watch SE 3 provides better value with its updated design and speaker capabilities.

Garmin Venu 4

The Garmin Venu 4 provides advanced fitness metrics like Body Battery and Training Readiness, which the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 11 don't match, but it lacks the battery life of the OnePlus Watch 3 and Xiaomi Watch 5. While it offers more comprehensive health tracking than the Amazfit Balance 2, it's less user-friendly in terms of UI compared to the Google Pixel Watch 4 and lacks the smart features of the OnePlus Watch 3. The Apple Watch SE 3 offers better value with its updated design and speaker capabilities.

Specs side-by-side

SpecApple Watch Ultra 3Garmin Venu 4
Display TypeLTPO3 OLEDAMOLED
Connectivity5GBluetooth
Water Resistance100m5 ATM
OSWatchOS 26Garmin's newest in-house OS
CompatibilityiOSiPhone and Android smartphones
MaterialTitaniumSteel case and bezel
BatteryBuilt-in rechargeable lithium-ion batteryup to 12 days battery life
Dimensions8.4 x 4.6 x 1.5 inches45 mm case with metal design
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