Apple Watch vs Garmin: Why I Switched.

Product reviewed

• Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) — presented as a flagship “do-everything” watch.
• The speaker also mentions an updated Phoenix 8 model that is replacing it, with similar or additional smart features.

Main features highlighted

Design, build, and display

• Bright OLED display
• Titanium body
• Sapphire crystal glass
• Positioned as a direct competitor to Apple Watch Ultra

Controls / user experience

• Full operation via physical buttons (described as “remote”-style control), rather than relying primarily on touchscreen.

Quick actions / shortcuts

• Customizable shortcuts tied to specific button presses (e.g., alarms, stopwatch, Spotify playlists).

Routing and mapping (major emphasis)

• Offline worldwide maps (roads, trails, ski resort info, and golf course info)
• GPX support
  • GPX files can be downloaded from other routing apps (e.g., Trails/STA).
  • Loaded via Garmin Connect.
• Turn-by-turn navigation with rerouting if you go off course
• Elevation data, including:
  • Visual elevation profile
  • Stats such as climbing remaining
• Garmin mapping software supports creating courses/routes and shows:
  • Heat maps
  • Real-time elevation
• Comparison point:
  • Apple’s routing approach in watchOS 11 / iOS 18 is described as “night and day” behind Garmin.

Training and coaching (included, no subscription claim)

• Daily summary includes:
  • Events
  • Weather
  • Sleep
  • Recovery
• Workout recommendations based on readiness (e.g., calendar “yellow” suggests workouts)
• Built-in training plans/workouts available through Garmin Connect
• Example workout types include strength/leg-day movements with diagrams, plus options like:
  • Yoga
  • Stretching
• Comparison point:
  • The speaker claims Apple Watch doesn’t offer a free coaching/training experience at the same level.

Battery life (big selling point)

• 6 days with always-on display (AOD) enabled
• 17 days with AOD turned off
• Comparison:
  • Apple Watch Ultra is cited as getting ~2 days, with the speaker criticizing Apple’s longer-term battery limitations.

Built-in flashlight

• LED on top, with support for a red LED (stealth mode)
• Can be activated with a double-tap wrist gesture
• Multiple effects, including “blitz” to improve runner visibility to cars

Pros mentioned

• Better day-to-day usability for wet conditions and workouts due to button-first navigation (helpful for sweaty hands, gloves, swimming, dishes, etc.)

• Excellent navigation/mapping:

  • Offline maps
  • GPX support
  • Turn-by-turn with rerouting
  • Strong elevation/climbing insights
• Free, built-in coaching/training suggestions and extensive built-in workouts (no subscription stated)
• Strong battery life (6 days AOD / 17 days no AOD), reducing charging stress and supporting weekend trips
• Flashlight is practical and frequently used
• “Smart enough” for core phone-adjacent needs, including:
  • Calendar notifications
  • Messaging notifications
  • Ability to ping the phone via Bluetooth

Cons / trade-offs mentioned

• Compared to Apple Watch Ultra, Garmin is less “smart”, with the speaker suggesting you may lose features such as:
  • Calls
  • Replying to messages
  • Some smart home control capabilities
• These trade-offs are presented as acceptable given the speaker’s priorities (fitness/tool-first use).

Comparisons made (key points)

• Direct competitor framing: Garmin epix Pro Gen 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra
• Input method advantage: Garmin buttons vs Apple’s touchscreen-first approach (especially problematic with wet/gloves on Apple Watch)
• Routing gap: Apple’s routing tools (watchOS 11 / iOS 18) are described as far behind Garmin’s GPX/offline/mapping approach
• Coaching gap: Garmin training recommendations/coaching are portrayed as more robust and included for free
• Battery: Garmin (6 days AOD / 17 days off) vs Apple Watch Ultra (~2 days)
• Smartness trade-off: Apple is positioned as stronger for communication and smart features; Garmin prioritizes fitness/navigation/tool use

User experience summary

• The speaker describes a complete switch: Apple Watch Ultra ended up in a drawer “collecting dust.”
• Key themes:
  • Reliability during workouts and in water
  • Less charging anxiety
  • Confidence navigating using offline maps and GPX turn-by-turn

Unique points mentioned (distinct claims)

1. The speaker is an iPhone user in the Apple ecosystem but still switched.
2. Switched from Apple Watch Ultra to Garmin epix Pro Gen 2 after months of testing.
3. Garmin is usable fully with buttons, described as acting like a remote.
4. Buttons help in wet/sweaty/gloved scenarios where touch can fail.
5. Custom shortcuts include alarms/stopwatch/Spotify via button presses.
6. Offline worldwide maps come out of the box (roads/trails/ski/golf).
7. “You won’t get lost” due to mapping.
8. Universal GPX support and a Garmin Connect workflow.
9. Turn-by-turn navigation with rerouting if you go off route.
10. GPX includes elevation data (elevation profile and climb stats).
11. Garmin mapping includes heat maps and real-time elevation.
12. Apple routing (watchOS 11 / iOS 18) is described as much weaker.
13. Daily readiness/recovery summary includes events, weather, sleep, recovery.
14. Calendar “yellow” indicates suggested workouts (examples include run/cycling/rest).
15. Built-in workouts include strength training and other disciplines (yoga/stretching).
16. Workouts can be sent to the device from Garmin Connect (“send to device”).
17. The speaker claims no subscription is required for built-in workouts/coaching.
18. Battery life claimed as 6 days (AOD) / 17 days (no AOD).
19. Comparison claim: Apple Watch Ultra is ~2 days and “stuck on all-day battery.”
20. Weekend trips are possible without a charger; reduced need to charge during sleep for sleep tracking.
21. Flashlight built in, with optional red LED.
22. Flashlight can be activated by double-tapping the wrist.
23. Flashlight effects include “blitz” for nighttime running visibility.
24. Recommendation logic: choose Garmin if priorities are fitness/navigation tooling.
25. Garmin trade-off: less capable than Apple for calls/replies/smart home.
26. Garmin still supports calendar notifications and pinging the phone via Bluetooth.

Speakers / voices

• Single speaker throughout (no separate contributors noted).

Overall verdict / recommendation (based on the video)

• Recommended if you prioritize:

  • Fitness training
  • Robust offline navigation/routing (GPX/elevation)
  • Long battery life
  • Practical features like a built-in flashlight

• Less recommended if you want:

  • The most “smartwatch-like” experience for messaging/calls
  • Deeper smart home/control features (as provided by Apple)