Garmin Forerunner 570 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3
Garmin Forerunner 570 (#4) vs Apple Watch Ultra 3 (#5, best premium): in our Fitness & Sports Tracking scoring the Garmin Forerunner 570 totals 8.3/10 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 8.3/10, the Garmin Forerunner 570 leading on Battery Life and Value and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 on Build Quality.
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. Prices and availability shown are accurate as of Aug 19, 2026 and are subject to change; the merchant's price at purchase applies.
TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Garmin Forerunner 570 | Apple Watch Ultra 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $538.99 | $749 |
| Display | 1.3"/1.4" AMOLED | 2.13" OLED, 3000 nits |
| GPS | Multi-band GNSS | Precision dual-frequency |
| Battery | 22 hours GPS | 42 hours GPS |
| Sensors | HR, SpO2 | — |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM | 100m + EN13319 |
| Chip | — | S10 |
How they differ in real use
Built from our fitness sports smartwatches scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Garmin Forerunner 570 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 made our Top 5 Fitness & Sports Tracking, at #4 and #5 (best premium). Mid-range entry to premium Garmin features with same Elevate Gen5 sensor as FR970. Two size options (42mm/47mm) at a more accessible price point than the FR970. Best smartwatch for athletes prioritizing ecosystem integration. Precision dual-frequency GPS, automatic track-running detection (industry first), and AI Workout Buddy coaching through Apple Intelligence.
We score fitness & sports tracking on GPS Accuracy (30%), Training Metrics (30%), Battery Life (20%), Build Quality (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Garmin Forerunner 570 totals 8.3 out of 10 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 8.3. The widest gap is Battery Life, where the Garmin Forerunner 570 scores 8 against 7 for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — GPS runtime hours. Build Quality also separates them: 10 for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 versus 8 for the Garmin Forerunner 570.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display — 1.3"/1.4" AMOLED on the Garmin Forerunner 570 versus 2.13" OLED, 3000 nits on the Apple Watch Ultra 3; GPS — Multi-band GNSS on the Garmin Forerunner 570 versus Precision dual-frequency on the Apple Watch Ultra 3; Battery — 22 hours GPS on the Garmin Forerunner 570 versus 42 hours GPS on the Apple Watch Ultra 3; Water Resistance — 5 ATM on the Garmin Forerunner 570 versus 100m + EN13319 on the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Pricing as of August 19, 2026: $538.99 for the Garmin Forerunner 570 and $749 for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, a $210.01 difference in the Garmin Forerunner 570's favor. Owners praise the Garmin Forerunner 570 for elevate Gen5 sensor and two size options (42/47mm); the most common complaint is fewer metrics than FR970. Owners praise the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for precision dual-frequency GPS and apple Intelligence coaching; the most common complaint is premium pricing.
Garmin Forerunner 570
- Elevate Gen5 sensor
- Two size options (42/47mm)
- More accessible pricing
- Full Garmin ecosystem
- Fewer metrics than FR970
- No ECG
- No maps
Apple Watch Ultra 3
- Precision dual-frequency GPS
- Apple Intelligence coaching
- Track detection (industry first)
- 3,000-nit display
- Premium pricing
- 42-hour GPS battery trails competitors
- Requires iPhone
Which should you buy?
The Garmin Forerunner 570 is the better fit for mid-range Garmin seekers and runners wanting quality sensors — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Battery Life and Value. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the better fit for apple ecosystem athletes and trail runners, and the stronger choice if Build Quality matters more to you than the overall score. Since the Garmin Forerunner 570 is both the higher scorer and $210.01 cheaper, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 only makes sense for apple ecosystem athletes. The Garmin Forerunner 570 is a poor fit for advanced metrics needs; the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a poor fit for android users.
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 570 if
- Mid-range Garmin seekers
- Runners wanting quality sensors
- Two-size preference
Skip it if
- Advanced metrics needs
- Map navigation needs
Choose the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if
- Apple ecosystem athletes
- Trail runners
- Triathletes
Skip it if
- Android users
- Multi-day expedition needs
Common questions
Is the Garmin Forerunner 570 better than the Apple Watch Ultra 3?
In our Fitness & Sports Tracking ranking the Garmin Forerunner 570 scores higher overall, 8.3 to 8.3, with the biggest advantage in Battery Life. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is stronger on Build Quality, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 cost than the Garmin Forerunner 570?
$210.01 more as of August 19, 2026: $749 for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 against $538.99 for the Garmin Forerunner 570. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure.
What is the main difference between the Garmin Forerunner 570 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3?
The headline spec difference is Display: 1.3"/1.4" AMOLED on the Garmin Forerunner 570 versus 2.13" OLED, 3000 nits on the Apple Watch Ultra 3. In use, the gap that matters most is Battery Life (8 vs 7 in our scoring): GPS runtime hours.