8.7Staff pick
Garmin
Forerunner 970
$750AMOLED, offline maps, a flashlight and training metrics you'll actually read.
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GPS Watches · Apple
Watch Ultra 3
A smartwatch that learned to run, with dual-band GPS and a siren.
7.9 Solid
Runsletter Score out of 10. Good at its job, with clear limits.
Buy it if
- Best smartwatch features on the shelf
- Accurate dual-band GPS
- Huge, bright and easy-to-read screen
- Satellite SOS and emergency siren
Skip it if
- Battery measured in hours, not weeks
- Only works with an iPhone
- Bulky for racing next to a Forerunner
$799
List price; often discounted in seasonal sales
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- Battery
- Up to 42 hours
- Display
- OLED
- Maps
- Offline (watchOS)
The verdict
The Watch Ultra 3 is a full smartwatch that also happens to be a very good running watch. Dual-band GPS, a big bright screen, a siren for emergencies and satellite SOS on top of everything an iPhone owner already uses daily.
It's for runners who want one watch for the office, the gym and the long run. Against the Forerunner 970 the training metrics are lighter and the battery is measured in hours, not weeks; against everything else on this shelf, the smart features are in another league.
GPS accuracy is excellent and the screen is the best here. Battery lasts a couple of days of mixed use, which covers a marathon easily but means a charger in the bag for anything multi-day.
“Best if your watch has to do your day job too.”
Specs
| Battery | Up to 42 hours |
|---|---|
| Display | OLED |
| Maps | Offline (watchOS) |
| Weight | 61 g |
| GPS | Dual-frequency |
| Heart rate | Optical, with ECG |
| Water rating | 100 m, dive-rated to 40 m |
| Lens | Sapphire |
| Case | Titanium |
| Music | Onboard storage and streaming |
| Connectivity | Cellular and satellite |
We may earn a commission if you buy through our links. Scores are sample editorial data.
How it stacks up
Compare side by side →| Product | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 · this one | 7.9 Solid | $799 |
| Garmin Forerunner 970 | 8.7 Elite | $750 |
| Coros Pace 3 | 8.4 Strong | $229 |
| Garmin Forerunner 570 | 8.3 Strong | $550 |
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