Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 970
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Garmin Forerunner 970 compete for the same spot on your shortlist, with Apple and Garmin each making its case. On the overall scorecard, the Garmin Forerunner 970 is ahead: 1 of 4 areas, with battery life doing the heavy lifting.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Garmin Forerunner 970 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Apple Watch Ultra 2 wins
- Price Garmin Forerunner 970 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors10.0
- Smart Features & Connectivity10.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors10.0
- Smart Features & Connectivity3.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Garmin Forerunner 970 has 900% more rated battery life
It’s a lopsided result (15 days for the Garmin Forerunner 970, 36 h for the Apple Watch Ultra 2) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier.
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The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has water resistance to 100 m
The spread here is large: 100 m on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 versus 50 m on the Garmin Forerunner 970. Expect to notice it. Depth ratings describe lab pressure, not actual dive depth, so check what activities each watch is approved for.
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The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a cellular option
It’s a simple yes-or-no difference: the Apple Watch Ultra 2 includes it, the Garmin Forerunner 970 does without. With the Apple Watch Ultra 2, you can leave your phone at home on a run; the Garmin Forerunner 970 depends on it for connectivity.
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The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has 32 GB more storage
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Apple Watch Ultra 2 makes its strongest case: 64 GB against 32 GB. For notifications and fitness tracking alone, storage rarely matters.
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The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a 0.04 in slimmer case
On thickness, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 edges out the Garmin Forerunner 970, 0.47 in to 0.51 in. A slimmer case sits closer to the wrist, slides under shirt cuffs and feels better during sleep.
Design & Size
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 49 mm × 0.47 in
- Garmin Forerunner 970 47 mm × 0.51 in
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is physically larger, so the Garmin Forerunner 970 will be the easier fit wherever space is limited. Thickness goes to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, with an advantage of 0.04 in.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Garmin Forerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 49 mm | 47 mm |
| Available sizes | 49 mm | 47 mm |
| Water resistance | 100 m (winner) | 50 m |
| Case material | Titanium | Titanium bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case, sapphire lens |
| Thickness | 0.47 in (winner) | 0.51 in Thickest in class |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 2.17 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Too close to call
On display, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Garmin Forerunner 970 are effectively level. Both cover display well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on health & fitness sensors; the numbers are close throughout. If health & fitness sensors was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Battery Life
Garmin Forerunner 970 leads
The battery life numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the Garmin Forerunner 970. The Garmin Forerunner 970 scores with 900% more rated battery life. The Garmin Forerunner 970 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends. Weighing only battery life, the Garmin Forerunner 970 comes out ahead.
Rated battery life
Apple Watch Ultra 2: 36 h Garmin Forerunner 970: 15 days Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Apple Watch Ultra 2 leads
If smart features & connectivity is high on your list, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 makes the stronger case by a wide margin. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 makes its case with a cellular option. Cellular models usually cost more and need a plan, so it’s only worth it if you’ll use the freedom. Net result: the Apple Watch Ultra 2 leads this part of the comparison.
Cellular option
Apple Watch Ultra 2: yes Garmin Forerunner 970: no A cellular option lets the watch take calls, receive messages and stream music without your phone nearby.
Storage
Apple Watch Ultra 2: 64 GB Garmin Forerunner 970: 32 GB If you run or train without your phone, the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s extra storage is useful.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Garmin Forerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO2 OLED, flat sapphire | AMOLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 410 x 502 | 454 x 454 |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Garmin Forerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | L1 + L5 dual-frequency GPS (GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou) | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ |
| Dual-frequency GPS | Yes | Yes |
Battery Life
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Garmin Forerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 36 h | 15 days (winner) Longest battery life in class |
| Rated life in low-power modeManufacturer rating | 3 days | N/A (not specified) |
| Charging | 0 to 80% in about 1 h | N/A (not specified) |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Garmin Forerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S9 | N/A (not specified) |
| Storage | 64 GB (winner) | 32 GB |
| Cellular option | Yes (winner) | No |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone only | iPhone and Android |
| Software | watchOS | Garmin proprietary |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Garmin Forerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 49 mm | 47 mm |
| Available sizes | 49 mm | 47 mm |
| Water resistance | 100 m (winner) | 50 m |
| Case material | Titanium | Titanium bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case, sapphire lens |
| Thickness | 0.47 in (winner) | 0.51 in Thickest in class |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 2.17 oz | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Garmin Forerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 | $750 (winner) Lowest price in class |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Only $49 separated these two at launch, in favor of the Garmin Forerunner 970. Paying $49 more for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 doesn’t buy you the better overall package.
Based on US launch pricing as of May 2025. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if…
- you swim or spend a lot of time around water (100 m vs 50 m)
- you want a cellular option
- you want more on-watch storage (64 GB vs 32 GB)
- you want something that slides under a shirt cuff more easily (0.47 in vs 0.51 in)
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 970 if…
- you want the longer rated battery life (15 days vs 36 h)
- you’d rather keep $49 in your pocket
- you like a watch that takes up less room
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or the Garmin Forerunner 970?
We’d point most buyers to the Garmin Forerunner 970. The main exception is if you know that water resistance to 100 m would make a real difference in your routine.
Which has better battery life, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or the Garmin Forerunner 970?
On paper, the Garmin Forerunner 970 has the edge: 15 days of rated battery life against 36 h for the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Real-world results also depend on how you use it.
Is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 bigger than the Garmin Forerunner 970?
Going by the official dimensions, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the bigger of the two at 0.47 in. The Garmin Forerunner 970 measures 0.51 in.
Is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 cheaper than the Garmin Forerunner 970?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 launched at $49 more than the Garmin Forerunner 970, based on prices as of May 2025.
Does the Apple Watch Ultra 2 have more storage than the Garmin Forerunner 970?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers more, with 64 GB against 32 GB.
Executive Summary
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Garmin Forerunner 970 are aimed at each other, and I think the gaps between them are more interesting than the headlines. Honestly, 900% more rated battery life on the Garmin Forerunner 970 does a lot of the persuading for me. The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s strongest argument is water resistance to 100 m.
Think about your week. Heavy on smart features & connectivity? The Apple Watch Ultra 2. More about battery life? The Garmin Forerunner 970.
My pick: the Garmin Forerunner 970; the one scenario where I’d reach for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is if you’d trade the rest for water resistance to 100 m.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.