Best Smartwatches Compared: Apple Watch Series 12 vs Ultra 4 vs Pixel Watch 5 vs Galaxy Watch 9 vs Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 vs Garmin Venu 4 vs Fenix 9 Pro
Seven flagship smartwatches go head to head. The Apple Watch Series 12, Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin Fenix 9 Pro top the ratings. The Ultra 2 leads on brightness and ruggedness, the Venu 4 on stated battery life, and the Fenix on connectivity. Here is which watch wins where.
| Product | Price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 12 | $399.00 | 4.2 / 5 | Lowest confirmed price in the group at $399 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | £749.00 | 4.0 / 5 | Fastest stated charging here: 15 minutes for 18 hours |
| Google Pixel Watch 5 Review | — | 4.0 / 5 | Best tested battery among the non-Garmin watches (56.5 hours) |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch9 | — | 4.0 / 5 | Best health accuracy in testing in this group |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 | — | 4.2 / 5 | Brightest display here at 5,000 nits |
| Garmin Venu 4 | — | 3.5 / 5 | Longest stated battery figure: up to 12 days in smartwatch mode |
| Garmin Fenix 9 Pro | — | 4.2 / 5 | Only watch here with inReach LTE and satellite connectivity |
| Watch | Brand | Rating | Price | Battery (as stated) | Display | Build | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 12 | Apple | 4.2 | $399 | More than two days in testing | Up to 416 x 496 (46mm) | Aluminum, titanium or ceramic; 9.7mm deep | Readiness score and Vitals app; cheapest listed price |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | Apple | 4.0 | £749 | Up to 50 hours normal; 15-minute charge for 18 hours | Sapphire crystal cover | Aerospace-grade titanium | Apple's longest-lasting watch; fast charging |
| Google Pixel Watch 5 | 4.0 | Not listed (up on predecessor) | 56.5 hours (tested) | AMOLED LTPO, 3,000 nits | Not specified | Deep Gemini integration with offline support; improved GPS | |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 | Samsung | 4.0 | Not listed | Underwhelming; 40mm lasts about a day | Super AMOLED, 3,000 nits | Not specified | Health readings closely matched reference devices |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 | Samsung | 4.2 | £649 | About 35% bigger battery than the original | 1.52in Super AMOLED, 5,000 nits | Titanium and sapphire; IP68/IP69K, MIL-STD-810H, dive-rated | Brightest and most rugged in this group |
| Garmin Venu 4 | Garmin | 3.5 | Not listed (up on Venu 3) | Up to 12 days smartwatch (45mm); 17 hours GPS | AMOLED, 1.2in / 1.4in | Stainless steel case and bezel | Built-in flashlight; longest stated battery figure |
| Garmin Fenix 9 Pro | Garmin | 4.2 | Not listed (described as expensive) | Reported long, even with always-on display | AMOLED (MIP on Pro Solar) | Titanium | inReach LTE and satellite connectivity (some models) |
Price and Value
The Apple Watch Series 12 is the only watch here with a confirmed US price, at $399. It is also tied for the top rating (4.2), which makes it the clearest value pick in this round-up. Among the two premium rugged watches with UK pricing, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 (£649) undercuts the Apple Watch Ultra 4 (£749) by £100. It is also rated higher (4.2 vs 4.0).
Price creep is a common theme. The Pixel Watch 5 costs more than its predecessor, and so does the Venu 4. The Ultra 2 is £50 more than the first generation, and reviewers call the Fenix 9 Pro expensive. Series 12 buyers face a different kind of value question. Some new features need new hardware, and the design matches the Series 11, so recent Apple Watch owners have little reason to upgrade.
Battery Life
On stated figures, the Garmin Venu 4 wins outright. It offers up to 12 days in smartwatch mode (45mm) and 17 hours of GPS. However, it reportedly lasts less than the Venu 3 and Garmin's premium sports watches, such as the Fenix 9 Pro. The Fenix is reported to last a long time even with its always-on display.
Among the conventional smartwatches, the Pixel Watch 5 leads with 56.5 hours in testing. That edges past the Apple Watch Ultra 4's rated 50 hours. The Ultra 4 claws back ground with the fastest stated top-up: 15 minutes of charging gives up to 18 hours of use. The Series 12 manages more than two days. The Galaxy Watch 9 comes last: its 40mm model only comfortably lasts a day, and the 44mm model is slightly worse than the Watch8. If endurance matters on Samsung, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is the better pick, with a battery around 35% larger than the original's.
Displays and Durability
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 has the brightest screen here, with a 5,000-nit peak. The Pixel Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 9 both top out at 3,000 nits. The Ultra 2 also has the most comprehensive toughness credentials in the group: IP68/IP69K, MIL-STD-810H compliance and EN13319 dive certification, all on a titanium-and-sapphire body. It does lack a rotating crown or bezel, and its charging puck reportedly feels unstable.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 answers with aerospace-grade titanium and a sapphire cover, and the Fenix 9 Pro also uses titanium. The Venu 4 upgrades from the Venu 3's plastic to stainless steel. The Series 12 offers the widest choice of materials and colours, with aluminum, titanium and ceramic options.
Design stagnation is widespread. The Series 12, Ultra 4 and Pixel Watch 5 all look the same as their predecessors.
Health Tracking, Performance and Smarts
For health accuracy, the Galaxy Watch 9 has the strongest result: its readings closely matched reference devices in testing. Both Apple watches have new Health Sensing Systems, but testing still found minor heart rate inaccuracies on the Series 12 and imperfect tracking on the Ultra 4. The Series 12 does offer the richest daily health picture, thanks to its Readiness score and Vitals app. The Fenix 9 Pro trails here, since its health sensors have not been upgraded in a couple of years.
The Galaxy Watch 9 has a major ecosystem catch. ECG, blood pressure and sleep apnea features require a Samsung phone. On performance, both Samsung watches use the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, which delivers a big speed leap. The Pixel Watch 5 is noticeably smoother than its predecessor. It stands out for AI, with deep Gemini integration that works offline and a major GPS accuracy improvement. Its AI features can be temperamental, though.
Some Ultra 4 features, including Health Age, are delayed until late 2026.
Adventure Watches: Ultra 4 vs Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 vs Fenix 9 Pro
All three target the outdoors, and each wins on a different axis:
- Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: cheaper than the Ultra 4, brighter screen and more durability certifications.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: clearly stated 50-hour battery life and fast charging.
- Fenix 9 Pro: unique inReach LTE and satellite connectivity, reportedly including satellite calling. Only some models have it.
For casual outdoor use, the Venu 4 adds a practical built-in flashlight. It offers only breadcrumb navigation, with no full-colour maps.
Verdict: Which Smartwatch Should You Buy?
- Best overall value: Apple Watch Series 12. It is tied for the highest rating, has the lowest confirmed price and offers a rich health dashboard. Skip it if you own a Series 11.
- Best rugged smartwatch: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. It has the brightest display, the toughest certifications and a lower price than the Ultra 4.
- Best for backcountry connectivity: Garmin Fenix 9 Pro, for its satellite and LTE options. Be ready for a high price and ageing sensors.
- Best Apple adventure watch: Apple Watch Ultra 4, if you want 50-hour battery life and fast charging.
- Best for Android and AI: Google Pixel Watch 5. It has the best tested battery among the Wear OS watches here, plus offline Gemini and improved GPS.
- Best health accuracy for Samsung phone owners: Galaxy Watch 9. Avoid it if battery life matters.
- Best for multi-day battery on a style-focused watch: Garmin Venu 4. It is the lowest rated here, but it offers up to 12 days of smartwatch use.
Apple Watch Series 12
Pros
- + Lowest confirmed price in the group at $399
- + Tied for highest rating (4.2)
- + Widest choice of case materials, including ceramic
Cons
- − Less battery life than the Pixel Watch 5's tested 56.5 hours
- − Health accuracy trails the Galaxy Watch 9's reference-matching results
- − Weakest upgrade case for recent owners, as the design matches the Series 11
Apple Watch Ultra 4
Pros
- + Fastest stated charging here: 15 minutes for 18 hours
- + Longer rated battery than the Series 12
- + Titanium and sapphire build rivals the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
Cons
- − Most expensive listed price at £749, £100 more than the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
- − Rated lower (4.0) than the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Fenix 9 Pro
- − Some features delayed until late 2026, unlike its rivals
Google Pixel Watch 5 Review
Pros
- + Best tested battery among the non-Garmin watches (56.5 hours)
- + Most advanced AI here, with offline Gemini
- + Bright 3,000-nit screen matches the Galaxy Watch 9
Cons
- − Display is dimmer than the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2's 5,000 nits
- − AI features less reliable than their billing suggests
- − Price rise mirrors the Venu 4's, eroding its value
Samsung Galaxy Watch9
Pros
- + Best health accuracy in testing in this group
- + Same fast Snapdragon Wear Elite chip as the pricier Ultra 2
- + 3,000-nit display matches the Pixel Watch 5
Cons
- − Weakest battery life in the group
- − Key health features locked to Samsung phones
- − Half the storage of the Series 12 and Fenix 9 Pro (32GB vs 64GB)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
Pros
- + Brightest display here at 5,000 nits
- + Most extensive durability and dive certifications in the group
- + £100 cheaper than the Apple Watch Ultra 4
Cons
- − Lacks the satellite connectivity of the Fenix 9 Pro
- − No rotating crown or bezel
- − Charging puck reportedly less stable than its rivals' chargers
Garmin Venu 4
Pros
- + Longest stated battery figure: up to 12 days in smartwatch mode
- + Built-in flashlight, a feature no rival here offers
- + Two AMOLED case sizes, like the Galaxy Watch 9
Cons
- − Lowest rating in the comparison (3.5)
- − Only breadcrumb navigation, a weaker outdoor tool than the Fenix 9 Pro
- − Battery reportedly shorter than the Fenix-class watches
Garmin Fenix 9 Pro
Pros
- + Only watch here with inReach LTE and satellite connectivity
- + Tied for highest rating (4.2)
- + Titanium build and 64GB storage match the premium Apple models
Cons
- − Health sensors are older than the new Apple and Samsung systems
- − Satellite connectivity limited to some models
- − Described as expensive, with no confirmed price advantage over the Ultras