From Garmin Fenix 6X Pro to Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Why I Finally Switched

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For years, my Garmin Fenix 6X Pro was the definition of a serious watch. Big. Bulky. Built like it could survive a small apocalypse. And honestly—I loved that about it.

But after living with the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra for a few weeks, I realized something important: my needs had changed. And WearOS had grown up while I wasn’t paying attention.

This is the story of why I switched.





What I Loved About Garmin Fenix 6X Pro

Let’s get this out of the way first—Garmin did a lot of things right.

1. The bulky size
The Fenix 6X Pro looks like a tool, not an accessory. I liked the presence on my wrist. It felt rugged, purposeful, and unapologetically large.

2. Intuitive, no-nonsense interface
Buttons. Menus. Predictability. Garmin’s interface does exactly what you expect, especially when you’re focused on activity tracking.

3. Battery life that spoils you
Charging once every two weeks changes your relationship with a device. You stop thinking about battery completely. It’s freedom.

I wore the Garmin to the gym regularly—but that was about it.

And that’s where the problem started.


The Honest Truth: I Wasn’t Using Garmin as Intended

Garmin shines when you:

  • Train seriously

  • Track multiple sports

  • Analyze performance metrics

  • Live inside training plans and recovery data

But my reality was simpler:

  • Gym workouts

  • Daily wear

  • No endurance sports

  • No advanced training analysis

In other words, I was driving a rally car… to the grocery store.

The watch was capable of much more than I was asking from it.


Two Weeks With Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (for Free)

I had the opportunity to test the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra for two weeks, no strings attached. That turned out to be dangerous—in the best way.

Very quickly, two realizations hit me:

  1. I don’t need a sports watch. I need a smartwatch.

  2. I missed a lot while WearOS evolved.

...remembering my first smartwatch, Sony Smartwatch 3 running Android Wear (original name of WearOS):


What Changed My Mind

WearOS is no longer “the compromise”

Years ago, WearOS felt slow, fragmented, and battery-hungry. That’s no longer true.

With the Galaxy Watch Ultra, I suddenly had:

  • Proper notifications I actually act on

  • Seamless integration with my phone

  • Apps I didn’t have to “work around”

  • A UI designed for daily life, not just workouts

  • Dictation / replying to messages, instead of just having predefined responses

It fits better into how I live and work.


Battery Life: From Two Weeks to Two Days (And Why I’m OK With That)

Yes, this is the big trade-off.

  • Garmin: charge every ~14-20 days

  • Samsung: charge every ~2-3 days

Surprisingly? It doesn’t bother me at all.

Why?

  • I don’t wear a watch overnight

  • I bought a 3-in-1 charging dock

  • One place charges my:

    • Samsung Z Fold7

    • Galaxy Watch Ultra

    • Galaxy Buds3 Pro


Charging became part of my routine, not a problem to solve.

...this made me thinking about switching to electric vehicle as well, hopefully this will be a 2026. blog post :)


Sport Watch vs Smartwatch: Choosing the Right Tool

This switch wasn’t about “better” or “worse”.

It was about alignment.

  • Garmin Fenix 6X Pro is excellent for athletes who train hard

  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is excellent for people who live digitally

I’m still active—but I’m not training for ultras or triathlons.
I care more about:

  • Communication

  • Convenience

  • Integration

  • Everyday usefulness

And that’s exactly where the Galaxy Watch Ultra wins for me.


Final Thought

Sometimes upgrading isn’t about specs.
It’s about being honest with how you actually use things.

Garmin didn’t fail me.
My needs simply evolved.

And for this phase of my life, a smartwatch beats a sports watch—hands down.

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