6 Ways the Garmin MARQ is more Ultra than the Apple Watch

Smart watches seem to have become the most dominant type of watch across the world. Apple Watches are seen everywhere as users demand more than an accurate timepiece on their wrist. In a world once dominated by Swiss horology, it’s now silicon and semiconductors that adorn arms.

Apple’s Watch sets the benchmark for wrist-based notifications and basic health metrics, but athletes continue to prefer the detailed feedback and precision GPS tracking from Garmin which was the prompt for Apple to release its Ultra model. Apple waxed lyrical about its extreme capabilities, whether under water or at elevation, as it was pitched as the do-it-all go-anywhere watch.

But despite the initial furore of the watch, like many, I quickly surmised that the label ‘Ultra’ was somewhat flattering and moved to higher health-metric ground with a Garmin, to give me the health data I wanted, and after a short period with the Garmin Marq Athlete Gen 2, I can tell you of 5 ways in which this luxury heath watch is more Ultra than anything offered by Apple.

Garmin make a health watch for every budget, but the MARQ editions offer engineering luxury to accompany elite health data. Starting at almost double the price of an Apple Watch Ultra, it’s no surprise these pieces take the experience to another level.

1. Battery

Ultra as an adjective is to go beyond the normal, and as a noun it represents something that is extreme. Apple boasts the Ultra will last up to 36 hours, yet check the small print and Apple caveat that with measuring just 1 60-minute work out. Even Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 Pro claims 80 hours, so it’s fair to say the Apple Watch Ultra, when it comes to battery life is neither extreme nor beyond ordinary.

The Garmin Marq however offers up to 16 days battery life. A Fenix 7 Pro will extend that to 22 days thanks to its in-built solar power.

So when it comes to battery life, the Garmin is more Ultra, than the Apple Watch Ultra.

2. Health Metrics

This is probably obvious to many, but those oblivious to Garmin, possibly not. If you go by Apple’s marketing, you may also believe it’s the preeminent activity watch, but Apple’s built-in health metrics are limited to data-presentation only. What I mean by that, is the AWU will capably track your activity and tell you how long and fast you ran or cycled, but what it wont do, is analyse that and give you further insights into your own health position.

Garmin will not only give you additional information about the activity you’ve completed, it’ll also give you foresight into upcoming activities.

Whether that’s the recommended Recovery Time based on the intensity of your workout coupled with stress, sleep and daily activity data, Real-Time Stamina data, enabling you to think about the next 5 miles, not just the current mile, a Race Predictor, taking your current metrics and estimating your next race finish time, Training Status, which tells you just how much effort you’re actually putting in, Training Readiness showing you the condition of your body and a Race Widget which will help you prepare for a race through personalised tips.

The Garmin goes well beyond the health capabilities of the Apple Watch.

3. Design & Quality

The Apple Watch Ultra is a well made watch, and even though personally I’m not a fan of the shape, it’s easy to appreciate the quality. However, once again, at least in my opinion, it doesn’t stand up against the Garmin Marq. Both feature titanium cases and sapphire crystal, though like their Swiss counterparts, the Garmin opts for a domed sapphire to produce the best quality visibility.

From a design perspective, the Apple Watch Ultra uses just one finish on its case — titanium, which flanks the display and digital sensor. It’s an attractive design but it certainly presents the watch as a piece of technology rather than a classic timepiece.

The Garmin MARQ Athlete however, includes two-tone ceramic and a flash of colour on the START/STOP pusher. You’re also presented with styling options across the various styles. Whether your preference is the green Golfer or blue Captain (Mariner), you have stylistic options — five across the MARQ range.

Band options are numerous as well so you can comfortably change the look and feel of your MARQ to dress it up or down to your liking.

4. Function

The Garmin presents you with five pushers, adorned on the bezel of your watch. It took me 24 hours to get my head around their function but now I’m familiar with them. You can programme combination-presses for bespoke commands (I have one to fire Garmin Pay and another for the Weather widget), but most sensibly, I can instantly start and stop a workout timer with a button.

Apple’s exercise cue defaults to a 3-second count down, though that can be changed in the settings — though it still requires a tap of the digital display rather than the press of the button. It does come with a programmable Action Button, though YouTuber and athlete Mark Lewis informs his viewers that the Action button can’t be used to end a race — requiring the user to swipe the display and then press end. Not great for sweaty hands, rainy conditions, or a precise end-time.

6. Compatibility

People wield ‘ecosystem’ as the silver bullet when extolling the virtues of their chosen brand, but these ecosystems come crashing down to earth when you want to insert a device or service from another manufacturer.

Apple for example, launched the Apple Watch without cellular support for Spotify, and it was some years later before they relinquished to pressure and enabled the music service to work fully with their watch. Similarly, if you wanted to use a Samsung Watch with your iPhone, you’re out of luck. Apple wants you using ALL of their products and they will add friction to your experience if you choose anything else.

As someone that loves and uses both iPhones and Galaxy smartphones, I’m delighted that the Garmin MARQ works equally well with both and it’s just a case of pairing the watch via bluetooth to the smartphone to achieve functionality.

So if you’re someone that likes to switch phones, the compatibility of this device will be pleasing to you without doubt.

Apple Benefits

That’s not to say the Apple Watch Ultra is a poor choice, or a poor device. It’s not, and in numerous areas it excels, and delivers a better experience than the Garmin. I think it would be remis and unhelpful to the reader to not mention some:

• Communication — the AWU enables you to respond to messages and make and receive calls. While you can read messages on the Garmin, you can’t respond, nor can you make or receive calls.
• Music Controls — you can download music to your Garmin watch, but you can’t just control music on your phone like you can with your AWU.
• Smart Assistant — Siri isn’t a great smart assistant, but it is useful for starting a call or setting an alarm — the Garmin doesn’t have this function
• Apps — while you aren’t going to be using your watch to do too much, you can access to do lists and basic notes on your AWU, which you cannot do on the Garmin

So the Apple Watch should be considered the better Smart Watch, but if you’re in the market for a Garmin, or reading this, your prime objective is probably health, and that is where the Garmin excels and dare I say it, is an Ultra watch.