I have an Apple Watch Ultra 2 and an epix Pro Gen 2. So both top-of-the-line offerings from each company.

I would definitely have a concrete list of things you want from the Apple Watch so you’re not disappointed. The things I appreciate about my Apple Watch that the Garmin absolutely cannot do:

• Cellular connectivity
• Siri
• Texting and calling
• Lock my front door with a touch
• Loud noise detection
• Standalone Audible app
• Apple Music

But a lot of what I use the Apple Watch for I can easily do on the Garmin: check weather, look at notifications and dismiss them, and look at my calendar.

The Apple Watch drives me nuts because the ability to monitor my training is really limited on the watch. You need the iPhone for lots of stuff: checking HRV, analyzing previous activities, etc.

Both watches can be great training aids, with an edge to the Garmin for being more cohesive and allowing more on-device sports/training functionality. Both are great smartwatches, too, with a big edge to the Apple Watch. If I had to keep only one, it would probably be the Garmin as I can live without the smart features listed above. But they’re nice to have.

I see them a lot. Dads at the playground, fellow triathletes at races. A bunch at the last running race I did - a 10 miler.