TL;DR
- Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 4 if you use an iPhone and want a full smartwatch with apps, cellular and satellite messaging; buy the Garmin Forerunner 970 if training depth, two-week battery and either phone platform matter more.
- The Ultra 4 needs an iPhone; the Forerunner 970 pairs with iPhone or Android.[1][3]
- Battery is the Garmin's edge: up to 15 days as a smartwatch and 26 hours of GPS, against the Ultra 4's 50 hours of normal use (84 in Low Power Mode).[1][4]
- Price is close: Ultra 4 $799, Forerunner 970 $749.99. Neither charges a subscription for core features.[2][3]
These two sell within $50 of each other and answer different questions. The Ultra 4, which Apple now sells in place of the Ultra 3, is a flagship smartwatch that is very good at sport; the Forerunner 970 is a flagship running watch with smart features. Both have bright AMOLED screens, multi-band GPS, an ECG app, a speaker and a microphone, so the decision turns on phone platform, battery, and whether you want apps or training analytics first. Every figure below comes from Apple's and Garmin's pages or a published review, not a watch we tested ourselves, and each was checked on 2026-10-18.
Verified spec and price comparison
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra 4 | Garmin Forerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | From $799[2] | $749.99[3] |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone 11 or later with iOS 27[1] | iPhone or Android[3] |
| Smartwatch battery | Up to 50 h; 84 h Low Power Mode[1] | Up to 15 days[4] |
| GPS battery | Up to 18 h; 45 h Max Extended Workout[1][2] | Up to 26 h GPS-only; 21 h multi-band[4] |
| Connectivity | 5G cellular; satellite SOS, Messages and Find My[1][2] | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; no cellular or satellite[3] |
| Health | ECG, hypertension notifications, Readiness app[2] | ECG app, training readiness, running economy[3] |
| Subscription | None for core; satellite free for two years[1] | None for core; Connect+ optional[3] |
Battery: the Garmin plays a different game
The Forerunner 970 lasts up to 15 days as a smartwatch and up to 26 hours in GPS-only mode, or 21 hours with all systems and multi-band, so a week of training and a long run rarely needs a mid-week charge.[4] The Ultra 4 is the longest-lasting Apple Watch yet at up to 50 hours of normal use, 84 in Low Power Mode, and up to 45 hours of GPS in its Max Extended Workout mode.[1][2] That still means a charge every couple of days. For ultras, multi-day events, or anyone who dislikes charging, the Garmin wins.
Platform and apps: the Apple's case
The Ultra 4 is a full watchOS smartwatch with the deepest third-party app library, Apple Pay, 5G cellular, and satellite SOS and messaging built in, free for two years after activation.[1][2] It works only with an iPhone. The Forerunner 970 pairs with iPhone or Android, has a smaller app ecosystem, and has no cellular or satellite radio, so off-grid messaging on Garmin means a separate inReach device or a fēnix 9 Pro.[3]
Training depth: the Garmin's case
Garmin's native running tools, including training readiness, running economy and running tolerance, recovery time, race predictions and full-color maps, are deeper and more coaching-oriented than watchOS out of the box.[3][5] Apple's fitness features keep improving, and the Ultra 4 adds a Readiness app built on recovery HRV, but an endurance athlete gets more decision-ready data from the Garmin without extra apps.[2] Both watches read heart rate optically, which lags an ECG chest strap during intervals and fast intensity changes, so zone-precise athletes should pair a strap with either one (the research is here).[6]
How to decide
- iPhone owner who wants a do-everything smartwatch with cellular and off-grid messaging: Apple Watch Ultra 4.
- Serious endurance training, longest battery, Android compatible: Garmin Forerunner 970.
- Multi-day events or a dislike of charging: Garmin, decisively.
- You live in the Apple ecosystem and run casually: Ultra 4.
The short answer: take the Ultra 4 if you carry an iPhone and want the apps, payments, cellular and satellite messaging of a flagship smartwatch with strong fitness features; take the Forerunner 970 if training analytics, two-week battery and platform freedom matter more. After you choose, set your zones with the Heart Rate Zone Calculator, and for the brand-level call read Garmin vs Apple Watch for Running 2026.
Checked on 2026-10-18. Apple and Garmin update pricing and lineups regularly, so confirm both current listings before you buy.
FAQ
Does the Apple Watch Ultra 4 work with Android?
No. The Ultra 4 needs an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 27. If you use Android, the Garmin Forerunner 970 is the comparable flagship, and it pairs with iPhone or Android.[1][3]
Which has better battery life for running?
The Forerunner 970. It lasts up to 15 days as a smartwatch and up to 26 hours in GPS-only mode, against up to 50 hours of normal use and 18 hours of standard workout tracking on the Ultra 4, which reaches 45 hours only in its Max Extended Workout mode.[1][2][4]
What happened to the Apple Watch Ultra 3?
Apple now sells the Ultra 4 in its place, at the same $799. The Ultra 4 is rated for up to 50 hours of normal use against the Ultra 3's 42, so the comparison with the Forerunner 970 shifts a little toward Apple on battery, without closing the gap.[1][7]
Does either of them need a subscription?
No. Both deliver their core features without one. Apple includes satellite features free for two years after activation, and Garmin's training metrics are free, with Connect+ optional.[1][3]
Are the heart-rate sensors accurate enough for zone training?
Both wrist sensors are accurate at rest and in steady efforts but lose accuracy against a chest strap during intervals. For precise zone work on either watch, pair a chest strap.[6]
References
- 1 Apple Watch Ultra 4 technical specifications (up to 50 h normal use / 84 h Low Power Mode, 18 h workout tracking, satellite features, iPhone 11 or later) — Apple (2026)
- 2 Apple Watch Ultra 4 (from $799, up to 45 h Max Extended Workout tracking, Readiness app, hypertension notifications, 5G) — Apple (2026)
- 3 Garmin Forerunner 970 product page ($749.99, AMOLED with sapphire lens, full-color maps, LED flashlight, speaker and microphone, ECG app) — Garmin (2026)
- 4 Forerunner 970 battery specifications (up to 15 days smartwatch, 26 h GPS-only, 21 h all systems + multi-band) — Garmin Support (2026)
- 5 Garmin Forerunner 970 In-Depth Review (Elevate Gen 5 sensor, training load and recovery features) — DC Rainmaker (2025)
- 6 Optical wrist heart rate versus ECG chest strap accuracy during exercise (placement and intensity effects) — Sensors (PMC12788198) (2025)
- 7 Introducing Apple Watch Ultra 3 (up to 42 hours of battery life) — Apple Newsroom (2025)