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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Get the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra unless you want a lighter option. It boasts a jaw-dropping battery life of up to 100 hours in power saving mode, which is a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts in 2026. In real-world use, that means you can go on extended trips without worrying about charging daily. The Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) impresses with its stunning 1.4" AMOLED display and 16-day battery life in smartwatch mode. However, it lacks LTE connectivity, meaning you can't make standalone calls unless your phone is nearby. If you're into serious outdoor adventures, the dive computer features and rugged design may still sway you towards Garmin despite the weight difference of nearly 0.7 oz.
⚖️ Weight: 2.13 oz vs 2.58 oz🔋 Battery: 100h (Samsung) vs 16 days (Garmin)
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Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
★4.4
(243)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features
Operating System:Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch)
Case Size:47.4mm H x 47.1mm W x 12.1mm D
Case Material:Titanium (Grade 4) frame with cushion design; Sapphire Crystal glass
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Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6
(1,856)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
1.5 in (37.3 mm) circular display
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter
Resolution
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
480 x 480 pixels
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
454 x 454 pixels
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
590mAh; Up to 100 hours (Power Saving); Up to 60 hours (Normal use, AOD off); Up to 48 hours (Exercise Power Saving)
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days (7 days always-on); GPS Only: Up to 47 hours (37 hours always-on); Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
60.5 g (Body only)Winner
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g)
Water Resistance
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
10 ATM + IP68 (ISO 22810 standard); Ocean swimming capable
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters
Software1 specs
Operating System
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch)
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
LTE (eSIM standard on all models); Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
★4.4(243)Amazon
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6(1,856)Amazon
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra | Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.4(243)Amazon | ★4.6(1,856)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) |
Operating System | Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch) | Garmin OS (Proprietary) |
Case Size | 47.4mm H x 47.1mm W x 12.1mm D | 47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm |
Case Material | Titanium (Grade 4) frame with cushion design; Sapphire Crystal glass | Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass |
Display Type | Super AMOLED; Always-On Display; Peak brightness 3000 nits | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness |
Display Size | 1.5 in (37.3 mm) circular display | 1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter |
Resolution | 480 x 480 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes | Yes (optional) |
Water Resistance | 10 ATM + IP68 (ISO 22810 standard); Ocean swimming capable | 10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H certified; Operating temp -20°C to 55°C; 9000m altitude resistance | MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard |
GPS | Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); Glonass; Beidou; Galileo | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
Connectivity | LTE (eSIM standard on all models); Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi |
NFC Payments | Samsung Wallet / Google Wallet | Garmin Pay |
Sensors | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light sensor | Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor; Depth sensor (up to 40m) |
Health Features | Energy Score; Sleep Apnea detection (FDA authorized); AGEs Index; Body Composition; ECG; Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification; Cycle Tracking with skin temperature; Sleep coaching | Body Battery energy monitoring; Sleep Score and advanced sleep monitoring; HDR (High Dynamic Range) Heart Rate; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot |
Workout Modes | Multisport tile (Triathlon/Duathlon/Aquathlon); Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling; Race Partner; Track Back; Custom workouts via Quick Button | Advanced Strength Training (sport-specific); Recreational Scuba Diving (Single Gas); Apnea Diving; HIIT; Trail Run; Ultra Run; Triathlon; Skiing; Surfing; Golf (43,000+ courses); and 100+ others |
Storage | 32GB | 32GB |
Speaker Mic | Speaker (with Siren support); Microphone | Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes) |
Calls | Yes (LTE standalone or via paired phone) | Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone) |
Battery | 590mAh; Up to 100 hours (Power Saving); Up to 60 hours (Normal use, AOD off); Up to 48 hours (Exercise Power Saving) | Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days (7 days always-on); GPS Only: Up to 47 hours (37 hours always-on); Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days |
Charging | Fast Wireless Charging (WPC Inductive); Proprietary puck required for max speed | Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable) |
Weight | 60.5 g (Body only) | Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g) |
Band Sizes | One Size (fits 145–205mm wrists via Dynamic Lug System) | Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible |
Extras | Quick Button (customizable); 86dB Emergency Siren; Night Mode watch face; Gesture controls (Double Pinch) | Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps |
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Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Rating:★4.4(243)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features
Operating System:Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch)
Case Size:47.4mm H x 47.1mm W x 12.1mm D
Case Material:Titanium (Grade 4) frame with cushion design; Sapphire Crystal glass
Display Type:Super AMOLED; Always-On Display; Peak brightness 3000 nits
Display Size:1.5 in (37.3 mm) circular display
Resolution:480 x 480 pixels
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:10 ATM + IP68 (ISO 22810 standard); Ocean swimming capable
Durability:MIL-STD-810H certified; Operating temp -20°C to 55°C; 9000m altitude resistance
GPS:Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); Glonass; Beidou; Galileo
Connectivity:LTE (eSIM standard on all models); Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
NFC Payments:Samsung Wallet / Google Wallet
Sensors:Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light sensor
Health Features:Energy Score; Sleep Apnea detection (FDA authorized); AGEs Index; Body Composition; ECG; Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification; Cycle Tracking with skin temperature; Sleep coaching
Workout Modes:Multisport tile (Triathlon/Duathlon/Aquathlon); Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling; Race Partner; Track Back; Custom workouts via Quick Button
Storage:32GB
Speaker Mic:Speaker (with Siren support); Microphone
Calls:Yes (LTE standalone or via paired phone)
Battery:590mAh; Up to 100 hours (Power Saving); Up to 60 hours (Normal use, AOD off); Up to 48 hours (Exercise Power Saving)
Charging:Fast Wireless Charging (WPC Inductive); Proprietary puck required for max speed
Weight:60.5 g (Body only)
Band Sizes:One Size (fits 145–205mm wrists via Dynamic Lug System)
Extras:Quick Button (customizable); 86dB Emergency Siren; Night Mode watch face; Gesture controls (Double Pinch)
✓ Pros:
- • True multi-day battery life (up to 100h in power saving)
- • Extremely durable Grade 4 Titanium build with 10ATM rating
- • Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) provides superior tracking accuracy
- • Brightest display in class (3000 nits) for outdoor visibility
- • Exclusive features like Siren and Multisport tile for triathletes
✗ Cons:
- • Large 47mm square-circle design may not fit smaller wrists
- • Key health features (ECG, Sleep Apnea) locked to Samsung phones
- • Proprietary band attachment (Dynamic Lug) limits third-party options
- • Charging speed is slower (~2 hours) compared to competitors
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Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Rating:★4.6(1,856)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass
Display Type:AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness
Display Size:1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter
Resolution:454 x 454 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (optional)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters
Durability:MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard
GPS:Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
Connectivity:Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
NFC Payments:Garmin Pay
Sensors:Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor; Depth sensor (up to 40m)
Health Features:Body Battery energy monitoring; Sleep Score and advanced sleep monitoring; HDR (High Dynamic Range) Heart Rate; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot
Workout Modes:Advanced Strength Training (sport-specific); Recreational Scuba Diving (Single Gas); Apnea Diving; HIIT; Trail Run; Ultra Run; Triathlon; Skiing; Surfing; Golf (43,000+ courses); and 100+ others
Storage:32GB
Speaker Mic:Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes)
Calls:Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone)
Battery:Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days (7 days always-on); GPS Only: Up to 47 hours (37 hours always-on); Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days
Charging:Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable)
Weight:Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g)
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible
Extras:Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps
✓ Pros:
- • Stunning 1.4" AMOLED display with efficient 16-day battery life
- • Legitimate dive computer features (rated to 40m) with leakproof buttons
- • Built-in LED flashlight and speaker/mic add massive daily utility
- • Comprehensive offline mapping and best-in-class GPS accuracy
- • Advanced strength training plans tailored to specific sports
✗ Cons:
- • High price point compared to previous generations and competitors
- • No LTE/Cellular option for standalone calls (requires phone nearby)
- • Titanium models with Sapphire glass command a significant premium
- • Proprietary charging cable (not wireless/Qi standard)
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Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is the better buy for most people - its battery life of up to 100 hours crushes the Garmin's 16-day limit. That said, grab the Garmin fēnix 8 if you prioritize lightweight design and advanced diving features - it's lighter and perfect for water sports enthusiasts.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra if: you want true multi-day battery life, need LTE connectivity for calls, or require advanced health features. (2.13 oz weight)
Choose the Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) if: you dive regularly, prefer a similar-weight watch, or appreciate comprehensive offline mapping. (2.58 oz weight)
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra excels if you value true multi-day battery life (up to 100h in power saving). Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) is better if you prioritize stunning 1.4" amoled display with efficient 16-day battery life. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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