Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) vs Garmin Forerunner 970
The Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) and the Garmin Forerunner 970 are direct rivals in the rugged & outdoor watch class, one from Apple and one from Garmin. Count the areas and a pattern appears. The Garmin Forerunner 970 is ahead in 1 of 4, led by a clear margin in battery life.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Garmin Forerunner 970 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) wins
- Price Garmin Forerunner 970 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors10.0
- Smart Features & Connectivity6.7
- 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
Among all the differences on this page, 15 days against 36 h is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Garmin Forerunner 970. Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier.
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The Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) has water resistance to 100 m
The Garmin Forerunner 970 gives up a lot on water resistance: 50 m, compared with 100 m on the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen). The Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) is rated for deeper water, which matters if you swim often.
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The Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) has a cellular option
It’s a clear yes for the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) and a clear no for the Garmin Forerunner 970. With the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen), 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 (1st gen) has a 0.04 in slimmer case
Only a little separates them: 0.47 in on the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen), 0.51 in on the Garmin Forerunner 970. A slimmer case sits closer to the wrist, slides under shirt cuffs and feels better during sleep.
Design & Size
- Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) 49 mm × 0.47 in
- Garmin Forerunner 970 47 mm × 0.51 in
The Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) is the larger watch of the two, while the Garmin Forerunner 970 is the more compact choice. Pick the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) and you get a profile 0.04 in thinner.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | 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) | 2.16 oz Lightest in class | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if display was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. In short, display is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on health & fitness sensors. Both cover health & fitness sensors well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Battery Life
Garmin Forerunner 970 leads
Look at the battery life table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Garmin Forerunner 970. The Garmin Forerunner 970 brings 900% more rated battery life. The Garmin Forerunner 970 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends. For anyone who cares most about battery life, the Garmin Forerunner 970 is the safer choice.
Rated battery life
Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen): 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 (1st gen) leads
On balance, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) leads the smart features & connectivity section, just not by much. On the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen), you get a cellular option. Cellular models usually cost more and need a plan, so it’s only worth it if you’ll use the freedom. Prioritize smart features & connectivity, and the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) is where you should land.
Cellular option
Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen): yes Garmin Forerunner 970: no A cellular option lets the watch take calls, receive messages and stream music without your phone nearby.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | Garmin Forerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO2 OLED, flat sapphire | AMOLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 410 x 502 | 454 x 454 |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits Dimmest screen in class | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | 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 (1st gen) | Garmin Forerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 36 h | 15 days (winner) Longest battery life in class |
| Charging | USB-C magnetic fast charging | N/A (not specified) |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | Garmin Forerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S8 | N/A (not specified) |
| Storage | 32 GB | 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 (1st gen) | 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) | 2.16 oz Lightest in class | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | 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
Choosing the Garmin Forerunner 970 saves $49 at launch prices, which is nice but not decisive. The Garmin Forerunner 970 is both $49 cheaper and ahead on more of the specs we compared.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked May 2025. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) if…
- you swim or spend a lot of time around water (100 m vs 50 m)
- you like leaving your phone at home on runs
- you want the slimmer watch (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 don’t need the extras that cost $49 more
- you value compactness over sheer size
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) or the Garmin Forerunner 970?
The Garmin Forerunner 970 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only 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 (1st gen) or the Garmin Forerunner 970?
The Garmin Forerunner 970 comes out ahead on rated battery life, with 15 days compared with 36 h on the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen).
Is the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) bigger than the Garmin Forerunner 970?
Size goes the other way: the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) is larger (0.47 in), and the Garmin Forerunner 970 is the smaller option (0.51 in).
Is the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) cheaper than the Garmin Forerunner 970?
At launch, the Garmin Forerunner 970 undercut the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) by $49. These figures are as of May 2025, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
On paper, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) and the Garmin Forerunner 970 chase the same buyer. In the details, Apple and Garmin made different calls. For me, the deciding factor is that only the Garmin Forerunner 970 gives you 900% more rated battery life. Still, if you care most about water resistance to 100 m, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) deserves a look.
For smart features & connectivity, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) fits better. For battery life, the Garmin Forerunner 970 is the better match.
My pick: the Garmin Forerunner 970. The Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) only comes out ahead if you care more about water resistance to 100 m than anything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.