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Apple Watch Ultra 4 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Apple Watch Ultra 4 ranks higher (#3 vs #4 of 12) and scores better on fitness tracking, smart features, durability. Garmin Vivoactive 6 wins on comfort.
The biggest complaint about the Apple Watch Ultra 4 is huge and uncomfortable for smaller wrists; for the Garmin Vivoactive 6 it's some units fail or lose connection. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Good for: Hikers, triathletes and divers with an iPhone
Its catch: huge and uncomfortable for smaller wrists
Check price on AmazonGood for: Fitness-focused users on iPhone or Android
Its catch: some units fail or lose connection
Check price on AmazonPaid links. We don't list prices — they change daily. Neither one feels right?
Side by side
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | Garmin Vivoactive 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in smartwatches & fitness trackers | #3 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Smartwatch | Fitness smartwatch |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | — | 11% |
| Overall score | 4.1 | 3.7 |
| Battery life | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Fitness tracking | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Smart features | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Comfort | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 5.0 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $150 · $$ $150–350 · $$$ over $350. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Apple Watch Ultra 4
- Huge and uncomfortable for smaller wrists
Wirecutter's tester, with 6-inch wrists, found the 49 mm watch uncomfortable to sleep in and says it slides around during exercise. She suggests the 40 mm SE or 42 mm Series 12 for small wrists.
Source: Wirecutter (Apple Watch guide) - Minor upgrade over the Ultra 3
Wirecutter says it brings no design changes and largely the same health and fitness features, so it will feel stale to Ultra owners. Tom's Guide also says the design and display are basically unchanged.
- Expensive, with some features not ready
Wirecutter says it costs double a 42 mm Series 12, which has the same health features, and the Audio Intelligence features aren't ready to try yet.
Source: Wirecutter (Apple Watch guide)
Garmin Vivoactive 6
- Some units fail or lose connection
Amazon's review summary says customers disagree on reliability, with some reporting it stops working after a couple of months, and that connectivity and durability are mixed, including screen cracks after six months. One Amazon reviewer says Bluetooth disconnects often.
- Limited smart features and apps
Tom's Guide lists limited third-party apps and smart features as a con; there's no LTE option, and no onboard ECG or skin-temperature sensor.
- No altimeter; smart alarm needs work
Without an altimeter it undercounted climbs in Tom's Guide's tests (by about 14 ft against an Apple Watch SE and 34 ft against a Galaxy Watch 7). Tom's Guide found the Smart Alarm's 30-minute window too short and its vibrations jarring, and an Amazon reviewer also calls the smart alarm not great.
Who should pick which
Pick the Apple Watch Ultra 4 if
Hikers, triathletes and divers with an iPhone
Going two or more days between charges
People who want a big, rugged screen
Skip it if: You have small wrists or want to sleep in it comfortably; You own an Ultra 3; You don't need endurance or outdoor features
Pick the Garmin Vivoactive 6 if
Fitness-focused users on iPhone or Android
About a week between charges
Small wrists (42 mm, 23 g)
Skip it if: You want apps, LTE or a full smartwatch; You hike and want accurate elevation (no altimeter); You want ECG or skin-temperature sensing
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.
Neither one feels right?
If both catches are deal-breakers, start here.
Tom's Guide's best smartwatch for Android, with a bright display, dual-band GPS and about two days per charge on the 45 mm model. Wirecutter has moved to the Pixel Watch 5 but says the 4 has the same hardware. About 1 in 9 Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars, and owners disagree on battery and heart-rate accuracy.
Its catch: battery and value split ownersA third option · #2Garmin Forerunner 165A budget Garmin running watch with an AMOLED screen and GPS and heart-rate accuracy that Android Central found as good as pricier Forerunners, plus about 11 days of battery. It holds back Training Load and Training Status, music costs extra, and it's a fitness watch first, not a full smartwatch.
Its catch: key training features held backAll 12 comparedSee every smartwatch, rankedEach one's biggest complaint at a glance, with the full ranking.
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