The 10,000-Step Showdown: Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Garmin Forerunner 965 – The Surprising Winner Revealed!

In the fiercely competitive world of fitness trackers, two titans stand tall: the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Garmin Forerunner 965. Both command premium prices and promise unparalleled accuracy, extensive features, and robust designs built for active lifestyles. But when it comes down to the most fundamental metric – step counting – which one truly delivers? We embarked on a rigorous 10,000-step challenge to uncover the truth, and the results were nothing short of astonishing.

For many, tracking daily steps is the cornerstone of their fitness journey.

It’s a simple, tangible goal that motivates movement. With the Apple Watch Ultra 2, you get Apple's sophisticated ecosystem, a brilliant display, and an array of smart features alongside its health tracking. The Garmin Forerunner 965, on the other hand, is a dedicated athlete's companion, revered for its detailed metrics, advanced GPS, and long battery life.

Both are top-tier devices, but their approaches to data collection can differ subtly, leading to varying outcomes in a head-to-head accuracy test.

Our methodology was straightforward yet effective. The goal was to walk a precise 10,000 steps, measured by a trusty mechanical tally counter. This old-school device, devoid of smart algorithms or wrist movements, served as our unimpeachable baseline.

The test was not a one-off; it was repeated multiple times to ensure consistency and rule out any anomalies. Both the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Garmin Forerunner 965 were worn simultaneously, on opposite wrists, to ensure fair and identical conditions.

First, let's look at the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

This device, lauded for its advanced sensors and powerful S9 SiP, consistently overestimated the step count. Across multiple trials, the Ultra 2 typically reported an average of 10,130 steps for every 10,000 recorded by the mechanical counter. This represents an overestimation of approximately 1.3%.

While not a massive discrepancy, it suggests a slight tendency to be generous with its step tracking. For those aiming for a specific step goal, this could mean reaching it a little sooner than actual effort might dictate.

Then came the Garmin Forerunner 965. Known for its precision in athletic data, our expectations were high.

And it delivered beyond measure. The Forerunner 965 consistently underestimated the step count, but by an incredibly small margin. On average, it registered around 9,970 steps for every 10,000. This is just a 0.3% underestimation, placing it remarkably close to our mechanical baseline. Its accuracy was truly impressive, demonstrating a meticulousness in data capture that stood out.

The big reveal was quite a surprise.

Despite the Apple Watch Ultra 2's reputation for cutting-edge technology and its robust GPS, it was the Garmin Forerunner 965 that emerged as the clear winner in terms of raw step count accuracy. The Garmin's ability to nearly mirror the mechanical counter, with only a negligible discrepancy, was a testament to its precise engineering for fitness metrics.

What does this mean for the average user? For most, a 1.3% overestimation or a 0.3% underestimation might not be a deal-breaker.

Both watches provide excellent, consistent data that can effectively track progress over time. However, for data purists, serious athletes, or those who rely on highly accurate metrics for training adjustments, the Garmin's superior precision in step counting is a significant advantage. The emotional tone of discovering that the 'underdog' (in terms of broad market appeal compared to Apple) won this specific accuracy challenge was genuinely exciting.

In conclusion, while both the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Garmin Forerunner 965 are phenomenal smartwatches and fitness trackers, our 10,000-step test crowned the Garmin Forerunner 965 as the champion of step count accuracy.

This isn't to say the Ultra 2 isn't fantastic – it excels in other areas with its seamless ecosystem integration and smart features. Ultimately, the 'best' watch still depends on your individual priorities, but if precise step tracking is at the top of your list, the Garmin Forerunner 965 truly shines with its unexpected, yet undeniable, accuracy.