New Study Finds Apple Watch Ultra 2 Outperforms Garmin in Sports Tracking Accuracy

A recent study has found that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 delivers more accurate sports tracking compared to Garmin devices. This research highlights Apple’s advancements in fitness technology, positioning its latest smartwatch as a new benchmark for athletic performance monitoring.

Battle of the Smartwatches: A Data-Driven Approach

When it comes to assessing the true capabilities of today’s leading smartwatches, marketing promises often muddy the waters. That’s precisely why the rigorous comparative study led by data specialist Rob ter Horst at the University of Vienna has garnered such attention. By subjecting key contenders—including the much-discussed Apple Watch Ultra 2, two Garmin models, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, and the Whoop MG band—to benchmark tests against the respected Polar H10 chest strap, Horst sought to separate fact from hype.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Sets a New Standard

It may surprise some, but the results placed the Apple Watch Ultra 2 firmly ahead of its peers. During controlled exercise sessions, both indoors and outdoors, its heart rate readings were nearly identical to those of the « gold standard ». To put this into perspective, while Samsung’s watch showed a modest deviation—hovering around three percent—the Whoop MG, despite being marketed with a « medical » angle, veered off by up to six percent. As for Garmin’s offerings, their Fenix 7 trailed further behind, occasionally registering discrepancies as high as nine percent.

Once workouts intensified—think outdoor running or cycling—the gaps only widened. In these challenging conditions:

• The Forerunner 570 recorded deviations up to twelve percent.
• The Whoop MG bracelet missed by an even greater margin—fifteen percent.

Here again, the Ultra 2 maintained impressive reliability, underscoring its versatility across various activities.

A Strong Performer in Sleep Tracking

Remarkably, this prowess isn’t limited to fitness metrics. Under Horst’s meticulous review, the Ultra 2 also excelled at monitoring sleep cycles. Using Hypnodyne ZMax as a reference point, it correctly identified REM phases seventy-three percent of the time and deep sleep with an accuracy of eighty-six point five percent—figures that even eclipse specialized devices such as the Oura Ring.

The Road Ahead: All Eyes on Apple

Given these achievements, speculation is swirling ahead of Apple’s next expected announcement in September. Observers anticipate features like an upgraded screen, extended battery life and expanded health tracking—and perhaps even a touch of artificial intelligence. Yet for now, Cupertino enjoys a well-earned reputation among athletes and « quantified self » enthusiasts alike—a position reinforced by this latest round of independent testing.