Garmin Fenix 8 vs Galaxy Watch Ultra: 6 Key Aspects
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2024
Garmin sports smartwatches normally excel at fitness and training-related features but tend to be lacking in terms of daily smartwatch experience, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch is the opposite. But the release of the Garmin Fenix 8 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra may blur the lines between their respective strengths.
To see how these two premium wearables stack up against each other, let's compare them across key 6 aspects.
Key Takeaways
While both watches offer equally impressive fitness and daily smartwatch features, the Fenix 8's key advantage is its diving features while the Galaxy Watch Ultra's key advantage is its LTE connectivity for phone-free calling and texting. The Fenix 8 also has more advantages with its month-long battery life, more maps and GNSS support, and sports-specific strength training features. However, when it comes to health monitoring, the Galaxy Watch Ultra wins with its sleep apnea detection and BIA sensor.
Garmin Fenix 8
The Ultimate GPS Smartwatch
✓ AMOLED Display
✓ Advanced Strength Training
✓ Built-in Speaker & Microphone
✓ Dive-Rated
Galaxy Watch Ultra
Smart Outdoor Smartwatch
✓ Multisport Workout
✓ ECG, BIA, Sleep Apnea
✓ LTE Connectivity
✓ Galaxy AI
#1 Price & Variants
Galaxy Watch Ultra
Galaxy Watch Ultra only comes in one variant priced at US$649.99, while the Garmin Fenix 8 series comes in multiple variants starting at $999.99. That's a significant price difference between the two premium smartwatches.
The AMOLED model of the Fenix 8 is available in 43mm, 47, and 51mm, with a Sapphire Crystal display option for each size. The Solar model, which sacrifices the AMOLED display for solar charging capability and some other minor features, is available in 47mm and 51mm sizes.
Fenix 8 Series Pricing
Fenix 8 AMOLED 43mm: $999.99
Fenix 8 AMOLED 43mm Sapphire: $1,099.99
Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm: $999.99
Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm Sapphire: $1,099.99
Fenix 8 AMOLED 51mm: $1,099.99
Fenix 8 AMOLED 51mm Sapphire: $1,199.99
Fenix 8 Solar 47mm Sapphire: $1,099.99
Fenix 8 Solar 51mm Sapphire: $1,199.99
Read also: Fenix 8 AMOLED vs Fenix 8 Solar
#2 Design & Display
Garmin Fenix 8
Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts a 1.5" Super AMOLED display with 480 x 480 pixels resolution, sapphire crystal glass, and a durable titanium design. Garmin Fenix 8 has a range of display, size, and material options.
The 43mm Fenix 8 has a 1.3" display with 416 x 416 pixels resolution, while the 47mm and 51mm models share the same 1.4” display with 454 x 454 pixels resolution. The AMOLED model uses a bright AMOLED display while the Solar model uses a less power-hungry MIP (Memory-In-Pixel) display. The Sapphire Editions of the Fenix 8 series feature a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal lens with a titanium bezel, while the rest have a Corning Gorilla Glass lens with a stainless steel bezel.
In low-light conditions, the Galaxy Watch Ultra will automatically switch the display to Night Mode, turning the watch face to red for better visibility and comfort for the eye. It is similar to Garmin's Red Shift Mode, but the Fenix 8 only offers it in the AMOLED variant and not the Solar one.
While both the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Fenix 8 share the same military-grade durability and 10 ATM water rating, the Fenix 8 is also dive-rated to 40m. It is possible thanks to the leakproof inductive buttons that eliminate the need for a hole in the case, as well as a sensor guard that protects essential sensors.
#3 Health Monitoring Features
Galaxy Watch Ultra
Both the Fenix 8 and Galaxy Watch Ultra monitor key health metrics typically found on common smartwatches, such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, stress levels, and sleep tracking. The more advanced ECG feature is also supported by both watches, allowing users to detect potential atrial fibrillation.
The sleep monitoring features on both smartwatches are quite advanced, providing detailed insights into sleep stages and quality. However, the Galaxy Watch Ultra takes it a step further by offering Sleep Apnea detection, which can identify potential sleep apnea issues.
Galaxy Watch Ultra has another advantage with a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) sensor, which measures body composition like body fat percentage, muscle mass, and body water levels. This can be used to evaluate nutritional status and encourage users to make healthier lifestyle choices.
#4 Fitness & Sports Features
Garmin Fenix 8
Garmin Fenix series has a proven track record in its comprehensive fitness and sports tracking capabilities across a range of activities. The Fenix 8 series continues that tradition and improves even further with the introduction of diving features, including a depth sensor, dive planner, safety stop, no-fly time, and more. The supported diving activities include single-gas scuba diving and apnea diving.
Garmin Fenix 8 also has a new Advanced Strength Training feature, which creates 4-6-week strength training plans tailored to specific sports. It can be quite appealing to athletes who want to optimize their training for a particular event or discipline.
The other training and performance features remain on par with previous Fenix models, including visual race predictor, PacePro pacing strategy, ClimbPro ascent planner, Garmin Coach, training readiness, recovery time, on-screen workout animations, and many others. These make the Fenix 8 a formidable fitness-focused smartwatch.
The sports and training features of the Galaxy Watch Ultra may not be as comprehensive as the Garmin Fenix 8 series, but it is still quite capable. The watch offers support for over 100 sports and activities, including multisport activities like triathlon.
Functional Threshold Power (FTP) metric is now supported for cycling and advanced training metrics like VO2 max, HR zones, pace, or distance are also available to help users track and improve their fitness performance.
The Galaxy AI also enables a feature that allows you to race yourself, so you can compare your current performance against past results. This feature is available for running and cycling.
#5 Maps & Navigational Features
Garmin Fenix 8
While the Galaxy Watch Ultra relies on Google Maps for its mapping and navigation capabilities, the Garmin Fenix 8 series offers Garmin's renowned multi-continent TopoActive maps, a multi-use topographical mapping system optimized for outdoor activities. However, only models with a sapphire lens have the TopoActive maps preloaded, while other Fenix 8 variants require a separate US$59.99 purchase for each continent of the TopoActive maps.
For ski and golf enthusiasts, the Garmin Fenix 8 series provides additional ski resort maps and golf course maps, which cover over 2,000 ski resorts and 43,000 golf courses worldwide. Unlike the TopoActive maps, these two maps are preloaded on all Fenix 8 models.
While both the Fenix 8 and Galaxy Watch Ultra offer multi-band/dual-frequency GPS, the Fenix 8 supports more navigation satellite systems, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch Ultra only supports the first four GNSS.
In addition, GPS in the Galaxy Watch Ultra is always in multi-band mode and cannot be configured, while the Fenix 8 provides the flexibility to switch between single-band and multi-band GPS modes to optimize battery life.
If manual adjustment is too much of a hassle, the Fenix 8 also offers SatIQ technology, which automatically determines the optimal GPS mode based on the environment, as well as which satellite systems to use, for the best GPS accuracy and battery life.
#6 Smartwatch Features
Galaxy Watch Ultra
Both the Garmin Fenix 8 and Galaxy Watch Ultra feature a built-in speaker and microphone, so they can handle voice calls and voice commands besides the standard smartwatch features like smart notifications, media controls, and contactless payment.
The difference is that communication features on the Fenix 8 require a nearby paired smartphone, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra can make/take calls and send/receive messages directly from the watch without a paired phone. This is because the Galaxy Watch Ultra supports LTE connectivity, while the Fenix 8 series is limited to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Galaxy Watch Ultra also offers a unique Galaxy AI-powered Suggested Replies feature, which can provide contextual and personalized responses to incoming messages. This makes texting in the Galaxy Watch Ultra easier and more convenient.
Another smart feature exclusive to the Galaxy Watch Ultra that can be valuable in daily life is the Camera Control function, which allows users to view and control the camera on their compatible smartphone from the watch. The Fenix 8 doesn't have this seamless camera integration.
On top of that, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is also equipped with a flashlight and an 86dB siren, which can be handy during emergencies or for personal safety. Garmin Fenix 8 also features an LED flashlight but not a siren.
#7 Battery & Charging
Garmin Fenix 8 Solar
Galaxy Watch Ultra is currently Samsung's longest-lasting smartwatch, with up to 60 hours of battery life in normal usage, 48 hours in exercise power-saving mode with GPS, and 100 hours in power-saving mode. That's around 2-4 days of usage before needing a recharge.
Garmin Fenix 8 is far ahead in terms of battery life. The 47mm Fenix 8 offers up to 16 days of runtime in smartwatch mode and up to 23 days in battery-saver smartwatch mode, while the 51mm Fenix 8 offers up to 29 days of runtime in smartwatch mode and up to 41 days in battery-saver smartwatch mode.
The Solar models of the Fenix 8 are even more impressive, thanks to their solar charging capability. When solar-charged, the 51mm Fenix Solar is rated for up to 48 days of use in smartwatch mode and 107 days in battery-saver mode. That's over 3 months of battery life!
The battery life of the Galaxy Watch Ultra may not be compare-worthy to the industry-leading battery performance of the Garmin Fenix 8 series, but the Galaxy Watch Ultra comes with a distinctive advantage – a wireless charging method. Meanwhile, the Garmin Fenix 8 still uses the traditional charging cable.
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Galaxy Watch Ultra
Final Thoughts
Galaxy Watch Ultra
The choice between the Galaxy Watch Ultra and the Garmin Fenix 8 series ultimately comes down to the user's specific needs and preferences. The Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a more comprehensive smartwatch experience with features like direct cellular connectivity, advanced health tracking, and seamless camera integration. On the other hand, the Garmin Fenix 8 series excels in its unparalleled battery life, robust fitness and outdoor tracking capabilities, and advanced navigational tools tailored for adventurous activities.
For athletes, sports enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurers who are willing to spend the premium price for a highly capable and versatile smartwatch, the Garmin Fenix 8 series is a clear choice. However, the Galaxy Watch Ultra may be the more appealing option for those who still need a highly rugged smartwatch with extensive fitness and navigation features but don't want to spend a fortune.
If you like to read more on smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 8 Solar
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 7
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 7 Pro
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Epix 2
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Epix Pro
Garmin Fenix 8 vs Forerunner 965
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