If you’re deep into the Apple ecosystem, the idea of switching to a third-party smartwatch might seem like a stretch. After all, the Apple Watch is tightly integrated with your iPhone, and for many, it’s the go-to device for activity tracking, health monitoring, and getting notifications on your wrist. But what if I told you that after months of testing, I actually ended up preferring a Garmin smartwatch and completely switched over? Yes, you read that right. My Apple Watch Ultra now sits in a drawer, collecting dust, while my Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 has become my daily companion.
In this post, I’ll break down five reasons why I made the switch to Garmin, despite being a lifelong Apple user. Whether you’re looking for better health tracking, longer battery life, or simply a more rugged design, here’s why the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 might be the right choice for you in 2025.
1. Superior User Experience with Buttons and Customization
While the Apple Watch Ultra relies solely on a touchscreen for navigation, the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 offers the flexibility to use physical buttons. This may seem like a minor feature, but it makes a huge difference in real-world use.
- Water and Sweat Resistance: Whether you’re swimming, running, or doing dishes, the Garmin’s buttons allow you to control the watch even when your hands are wet or sweaty. With the Apple Watch, you can forget about using it if you have wet hands or gloves on.
- Customizable Shortcuts: You can easily customize buttons to open specific apps or functions. For instance, pressing a button could open your alarms, Spotify playlists, or stopwatch with just one press.
This simple yet powerful interface design means that I can perform all necessary functions without worrying about touchscreen sensitivity.
2. Advanced Routes & Mapping Support
One of the standout features of the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 is its built-in offline maps and routing capabilities. Out of the box, it comes with worldwide maps that include road, trail, ski resort, and golf course information—perfect for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts.
- GPS Routing: Garmin supports GPX files, so you can easily load routes from apps like AllTrails or Strava and follow turn-by-turn directions right from your wrist.
- Real-Time Navigation: If you stray off the path, the Garmin will reroute you automatically. Plus, it includes elevation data so you can adjust your efforts during a run or hike.
- Comprehensive Mapping: Garmin even offers heat maps of frequently traveled routes, helping you discover new paths for running, cycling, and hiking.
In comparison, Apple’s new routing feature in watchOS 11 is very basic, and it doesn’t hold a candle to Garmin’s robust mapping system.
3. Built-in Personal Training and Coaching
Garmin’s health and fitness features go far beyond simple tracking. With the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2, you get personalized training recommendations that adapt based on how your body is recovering.
- Daily Summaries: Every morning, the watch provides a summary of your sleep, recovery, and upcoming activities.
- Workout Suggestions: Garmin will recommend workouts based on how well you’re recovering. For instance, if you’ve had a tough workout day, it might suggest a light recovery run or yoga session.
- Strength Training: Garmin also offers a wide range of built-in workouts, from strength training to yoga. It even includes detailed exercise diagrams to ensure proper form.
What’s great is that these features are free—no subscription required—unlike Apple’s fitness services.
4. Unbeatable Battery Life
One of the most frustrating limitations of the Apple Watch Ultra is its battery life. Despite being one of Apple’s top-tier models, the Ultra only offers two days of battery life—and that’s with heavy use.
- Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2: With its 6 days of battery life with the always-on display enabled, the Garmin blows the Apple Watch out of the water.
- 17 Days Without Always-On Display: If you disable the always-on feature, you can extend the battery life to an astonishing 17 days.
- No Battery Anxiety: Imagine being able to take your Garmin on a weekend trip or a multi-day hike without needing to worry about charging it. You can also track your sleep without needing to charge before bed.
In comparison, Apple’s two-day battery life simply can’t compete, especially for those who need more than just a day of use without charging.
5. Built-in Flashlight for Convenience and Safety
The Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 also comes with a built-in LED flashlight, a feature that I find surprisingly useful.
- Multiple Light Modes: You can switch between regular and red LED modes—perfect for camping or when you need a stealthy light source at night.
- Safety Feature for Night Runs: My favorite is the blitz mode, which flashes bright light to help you stay visible when running or walking in low-light conditions.
While it might seem like an extra feature, having a flashlight built into your watch has been a game-changer for me during outdoor activities and even in everyday situations.
Conclusion: Should You Switch from Apple Watch to Garmin?
So, should you make the switch from the Apple Watch to the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2? It really comes down to what you value most in a smartwatch.
- If you prioritize long battery life, advanced mapping, personalized coaching, and user customization, the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 is a superior choice—especially if you enjoy outdoor adventures or want to get more serious about your fitness journey.
- On the other hand, if you’re someone who needs seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, needs to take calls, or relies on smart home controls, then the Apple Watch might still be the better option.
For me, the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 is a more practical and robust smartwatch that fits my active lifestyle. Its features give me the confidence to rely on it for fitness tracking, health insights, and navigation, without having to worry about battery life or touchscreen issues.
What do you think? Have you used the Garmin Epix Pro or any other Garmin smartwatches? Would you switch from the Apple Watch? Let me know in the comments below.
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