Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) vs Garmin Venu X1
Apple brings the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen); Garmin answers with the Garmin Venu X1. Both play in the rugged & outdoor watch class. Of the 4 areas we compared, the Garmin Venu X1 wins 1. If one area explains the result, it’s battery life.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Garmin Venu X1 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) wins
- Price Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) 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 Venu X1 has 433% more rated battery life
If rated battery life is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Garmin Venu X1 leads clearly with 8 days to the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen)’s 36 h. 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 numbers aren’t close. The Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) lists 100 m for water resistance, while the Garmin Venu X1 lists 50 m. 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
Missing features are easy to overlook when you buy and hard to live without later. The Garmin Venu X1 skips this one. With the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen), you can leave your phone at home on a run; the Garmin Venu X1 depends on it for connectivity.
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The Garmin Venu X1 has a 0.16 in slimmer case
A clear win for the Garmin Venu X1: 0.31 in against 0.47 in. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. Thickness often houses sensors or a larger battery, so the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen)’s extra depth may be doing something useful.
Design & Size
Slimness goes to the Garmin Venu X1, 0.16 in thinner overall.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | Garmin Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 49 mm | N/A (not specified) |
| Available sizes | 49 mm | N/A (not specified) |
| Water resistance | 100 m (winner) | 50 m |
| Case material | Titanium | Fiber-reinforced polymer, titanium caseback, sapphire lens |
| Thickness | 0.47 in | 0.31 in (winner) Slimmest in class |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 2.16 oz Lightest in class | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Too close to call
On paper, the display comparison ends all square. Neither watch gives you a reason to choose it on display.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the health & fitness sensors section; the two are too close to separate. Treat health & fitness sensors as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Battery Life
Garmin Venu X1 leads
The Garmin Venu X1 dominates the battery life section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The Garmin Venu X1 makes its case with 433% more rated battery life. The Garmin Venu X1 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends. The takeaway: on battery life, the Garmin Venu X1 is the stronger watch.
Rated battery life
Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen): 36 h Garmin Venu X1: 8 days Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) leads
By a small margin, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) is the stronger of the two in this area. The Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) brings a cellular option. Cellular models usually cost more and need a plan, so it’s only worth it if you’ll use the freedom. On smart features & connectivity alone, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) gets the nod.
Cellular option
Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen): yes Garmin Venu X1: 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 Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO2 OLED, flat sapphire | 2-inch AMOLED (rectangular) |
| Resolution (largest) | 410 x 502 | 448 x 486 |
| 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 Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| GPS | L1 + L5 dual-frequency GPS (GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou) | Multi-band GNSS |
| Dual-frequency GPS | Yes | Yes |
Battery Life
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | Garmin Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 36 h | 8 days (winner) |
| Charging | USB-C magnetic fast charging | N/A (not specified) |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | Garmin Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 49 mm | N/A (not specified) |
| Available sizes | 49 mm | N/A (not specified) |
| Water resistance | 100 m (winner) | 50 m |
| Case material | Titanium | Fiber-reinforced polymer, titanium caseback, sapphire lens |
| Thickness | 0.47 in | 0.31 in (winner) Slimmest in class |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 2.16 oz Lightest in class | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | Garmin Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 | $800 Priciest 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
With just $1 between them at launch, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) and the Garmin Venu X1 are priced as near equals. The Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) saves $1, but the Garmin Venu X1 answers with 433% more rated battery life and a 0.16 in slimmer case.
Based on US launch pricing as of June 2025. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) if…
- you want the deeper water rating (100 m vs 50 m)
- you want a cellular option
- you’re working to a firm budget and $1 matters
Choose the Garmin Venu X1 if…
- you want the longer rated battery life (8 days vs 36 h)
- you want something that slides under a shirt cuff more easily (0.31 in vs 0.47 in)
- you’re comfortable with how Garmin does things
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) or the Garmin Venu X1?
We’d point most buyers to the Garmin Venu X1. The main exception is if what you want most is water resistance to 100 m.
Which has better battery life, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) or the Garmin Venu X1?
On paper, the Garmin Venu X1 has the edge: 8 days of rated battery life against 36 h for the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen). Real-world results also depend on how you use it.
Is the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) cheaper than the Garmin Venu X1?
The Garmin Venu X1 launched at $1 more than the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen), based on prices as of June 2025.
Executive Summary
Comparing the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) and the Garmin Venu X1 feels a bit like comparing two good restaurants with different menus. My main argument for the Garmin Venu X1? It comes with 433% more rated battery life. A second point goes to the Garmin Venu X1 for a 0.16 in slimmer case. To be fair, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) has water resistance to 100 m, and that’s not nothing.
The Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) is built for people who weigh smart features & connectivity heavily, and the Garmin Venu X1 for people who weigh battery life.
My pick: the Garmin Venu X1 is the sensible default. Only one thing changes that: if you specifically want water resistance to 100 m, where the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) has the edge.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.