Leaving your phone behind is easy. Staying connected without it — and knowing what that freedom costs — is another matter.
Apple unveiled the $799 Watch Ultra 4 on Sept. 9, bringing longer battery life and standalone cellular connectivity. Garmin introduced the fēnix 9 Pro on Aug. 25, offering LTE and satellite communication on select models. Both reduce reliance on smartphones, but hardware prices, subscriptions and coverage restrictions complicate the comparison.
Hardware prices are only the beginning
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 became available Sept. 18, according to Apple’s launch announcement. Garmin’s standard fēnix 9 Pro starts at $1,099.99, but independent LTE and satellite communication require a more expensive inReach configuration.
The 43mm inReach AMOLED model costs $1,199.99, while the 51mm reaches $1,399.99, according to TechRadar’s launch pricing report. The fēnix 9 versus fēnix 9 Pro comparison explains the differences between Garmin’s configurations.
Apple requires a compatible carrier plan for cellular calling, with fees varying by provider. Garmin’s inReach subscription plans range from $7.99 monthly for Enabled, which charges separately for satellite messages and certain requests, to $49.99 for Premium, with unlimited supported satellite messaging.
Using the $1,399.99 Garmin model, hardware plus 12 paid months totals $1,495.87 with Enabled or $1,999.87 with Premium, before taxes or additional usage charges. Garmin waives the first activation fee and offers eligible first-time smartwatch subscribers a 30-day trial, which can lower the initial year’s expense.
| Feature | Apple Watch Ultra 4 | Garmin fēnix 9 Pro inReach |
|---|---|---|
| Starting US price | $799 | $1,199.99 |
| Connectivity plan | Carrier-dependent | $7.99–$49.99/month |
| Conventional cellular calls | Yes | No |
| Satellite functions | SOS, Messages, Find My | SOS, messaging, check-ins |
| Rated battery life | Up to 50 hours | Up to 31 days, 51mm AMOLED |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone | iPhone and Android |
Cellular freedom comes with coverage limits
Apple supports ordinary calls, texts and connected apps without an iPhone nearby, provided cellular coverage and an eligible plan are available.
Garmin’s LTE-M requirements exclude conventional phone numbers and cellular SMS. Calls use Garmin Messenger and require compatible services at the receiving end. Outside LTE coverage, satellite messaging and SOS remain available, but voice calls and LiveTrack do not.
According to Garmin’s coverage documentation, satellite service is limited to the continental US, portions of Canada and most of Europe, with additional connection restrictions.
Apple also offers satellite communication, with eligible services included for two years after activation. Its satellite messaging requirements include an active carrier plan and a paired iPhone 14 or later. Satellite SMS requires that iPhone to remain powered on and connected, even when elsewhere. Satellite messaging is available in the US, Canada, Mexico and Japan.
Garmin claims up to 31 days of smartwatch battery life for its 51mm fēnix 9 Pro AMOLED, compared with Apple’s 50 hours. Neither figure represents continuous standalone connectivity: Apple’s battery test included 40 hours connected through iPhone Bluetooth and 10 hours using cellular.
Garmin emphasizes offline navigation and external fitness sensors. Apple’s strengths include conventional cellular calling and broader smartwatch functionality, as examined in the Ultra 4 versus Series 12 comparison. Android users can explore alternatives among the best Wear OS smartwatches.
How we compared: We evaluated published US prices, subscription terms, standalone connectivity, satellite coverage, phone compatibility and manufacturer battery estimates. Garmin’s 51mm AMOLED inReach model served as the battery-life reference. Our conclusions reflect documented specifications and service limitations.
Those differences leave Apple with the advantage for everyday phone-free calling: conventional cellular service at a lower upfront price. Garmin offers substantially longer rated battery life and specialized outdoor communication, although buyers must account for subscription costs and regional coverage limits.
Neither watch eliminates every dependency on a phone or network. Ultimately, the better choice depends on which services users need most when their phone stays behind — and which ones remain available when cellular coverage disappears.
Read more: Existing Garmin owners considering an upgrade can also check the company’s recent free smartwatch software updates, which add safety, fitness and hands-free features to select models.