Garmin's Soft Gold Epix Gen 2: The Stylish Apple Watch Ultra Alternative [2025]

Garmin's Epix Gen 2 Soft Gold Edition: Why This Color Matters More Than You Think

Let's be honest: Garmin watches have had a branding problem. Not with performance—that's always been solid. But with aesthetics. When someone thought "Garmin," they pictured chunky black sports watches designed for people who hiked mountains on weekends and didn't care what their wrist looked like.

Then came the Epix Gen 2, and suddenly that narrative shifted. It looked like something you'd actually wear to an office. It looked refined. But there was still this unspoken rule: Garmin came in black. Silver if you were feeling adventurous. Nothing else.

Until now.

Garmin just announced a soft gold finish for the Epix Gen 2, and it's the kind of move that tells you the company is paying attention to what actually matters: people want their fitness watches to match their lifestyle, not dictate it. This isn't just a color refresh. It's a signal that Garmin is ready to compete directly with Apple on the only ground where Apple has historically won: making watches people want to wear, not just wear.

But here's the thing that makes this interesting: the Epix Gen 2 wasn't just sitting around waiting for a color upgrade to become competitive. It's already one of the best smartwatches on the market. The soft gold finish is just the polish on an already premium product. And that combination—premium hardware plus a color option people actually asked for—might be enough to make some Apple Watch Ultra buyers reconsider.

Let's dig into what's actually happening here, and why a color choice on a sports watch is worth paying attention to.

TL; DR

• Garmin's Epix Gen 2 now comes in soft gold, addressing years of complaints that Garmin watches looked too utilitarian
• The watch competes directly with Apple Watch Ultra on features, battery life, and now design aesthetics
• Soft gold positions Garmin as the lifestyle choice for people who want serious fitness tracking without the "gym bro" look
• Price difference matters: Epix Gen 2 undercuts Apple Watch Ultra by $200, making this a genuine alternative
• This signals a shift in how Garmin views its market position: no longer just a tech company, but a lifestyle brand

The Epix Gen 2 excels in battery life with 11 days in smartwatch mode compared to Apple Watch Ultra's 1.5 days. However, the Apple Watch Ultra offers a larger display and significantly higher brightness, making it better for use in direct sunlight.

The Aesthetics Problem Garmin Finally Solved

For years, the biggest criticism of Garmin watches wasn't technical—it was emotional. Engineers loved them. Fitness enthusiasts loved them. But designers? Stylists? People who cared how their wrist looked in a video conference?

They moved to Apple.

This wasn't a performance issue. The Garmin Forerunner 945 could track your running form, predict your race time, and analyze your sleep phases in ways an Apple Watch couldn't touch. But it looked like a high-tech fitness tracker. Because that's what it was. There was no pretense of being anything else.

Then Garmin released the original Epix. For the first time, a Garmin watch didn't look out of place on a dressed-up wrist. The AMOLED screen was beautiful. The case design was sophisticated. You could wear it to brunch without your watch screaming "I RAN A HALF MARATHON LAST SUNDAY."

The Epix Gen 2 doubled down on this. Better screen, faster processor, even more refined design. But Garmin stuck with the same color palette: black, silver. Safe choices. Proven choices. Predictable choices.

Then soft gold appeared, and suddenly the watch became something different. Not just a premium sports watch. A jewelry piece.

This matters because watch choices are identity choices. The Rolex Submariner and the Casio G-Shock both tell time. But they tell very different stories about who's wearing them. Apple understood this from day one. The Apple Watch came in multiple colors, multiple materials, multiple bands. You weren't just buying a smartwatch. You were buying a personal statement.

Garmin finally got it.

Epix Gen 2 Soft Gold vs. Apple Watch Ultra: The Direct Comparison

Let's cut to it: does the soft gold Epix Gen 2 actually compete with the Apple Watch Ultra?

Yes. More than it did before. But with caveats.

Display and Interface

The Epix Gen 2's 1.3-inch AMOLED display is legitimately stunning. It's got 454 x 454-pixel resolution and always-on capability. You're not squinting at a monochrome screen. You're looking at rich colors, deep blacks, and text that's actually readable in sunlight.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a 1.92-inch display, which is bigger. The extreme mode can pump brightness to 3,000 nits, which Garmin can't match. In direct sunlight, Apple's got the edge.

But here's what matters in practice: the Epix Gen 2's display is good enough for 99% of actual use cases. It's only when you're genuinely in harsh sunlight that the Apple Watch gets noticeably better. For most people, the difference doesn't matter.

Battery Life: Where Garmin Destroys Apple

Epix Gen 2: 11 days in smartwatch mode. 6 days with AMOLED on constantly.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: 36 hours in standard mode. Maybe 48 hours if you're aggressive with power saving.

This is the biggest divide. Garmin's advantage here isn't subtle. It's transformational. You're talking about charging once a week versus twice a week. For some people, that's the entire decision point. Garmin watches are for people who don't want to think about charging their watch. Apple is for people who accept frequent charging as the price of the ecosystem.

Fitness Tracking

Both watches track steps, distance, calories, heart rate, and sleep. Both are sophisticated about it.

Garmin's advantage: training metrics. The Epix Gen 2 gives you VO2 Max estimates, training load, recovery time, and running dynamics. It's more granular. It's more about understanding your athletic performance.

Apple's advantage: integration with the broader ecosystem. If you're already in iOS, the Apple Watch integrates seamlessly. Close your rings, get notifications from every app you use, control your music without thinking about it.

For the serious athlete, Garmin wins. For the person who wants their watch to work with everything else they own, Apple wins.

Water Resistance

Both watches are rated to 10 ATM (100 meters), which means both are fine for swimming. Both support sports like open-water swimming and diving. No meaningful difference here.

Durability and Materials

Epix Gen 2: Stainless steel case. Gorilla Glass front. Rotating bezel.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: Titanium case. Sapphire crystal front. Action button instead of bezel.

The Apple Watch Ultra is marketed as the "pro" model, the one for climbers and expedition explorers. Titanium is lighter and stronger than stainless steel. Sapphire is harder than Gorilla Glass. But if you're not climbing mountains, the Epix Gen 2's stainless steel is more than durable enough. It'll survive your daily life just fine.

The soft gold finish on the Epix actually looks more premium than the standard black or silver. That might sound like a design opinion (because it is), but it's a functional one: a watch you enjoy looking at is a watch you'll actually wear, which means a watch that actually tracks your health.

Price

Epix Gen 2: Starts around $699 for the new soft gold model.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: $799.

That's a $100 difference. Not massive. But meaningful.

The Ecosystem Factor

Here's where Apple wins decisively: if you own an iPhone, iPad, Mac, and AirPods, the Apple Watch is the obvious choice. Everything talks to everything. The watch becomes this central hub for your digital life.

Garmin? It works with any phone. Android or iOS. It's the universal smartwatch. But it doesn't have that tight integration that Apple fans expect.

If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem, buy the Apple Watch Ultra. If you're not, or if you're willing to sacrifice some integration for better battery life and more athletic tracking, the Epix Gen 2 is genuinely compelling.

The Garmin Epix Gen 2 Soft Gold excels in battery life and fitness metrics, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers better display brightness and ecosystem integration. Estimated data based on available specifications.

Why Soft Gold Is Actually the Smart Design Choice

People who don't care about watches might think color is cosmetic. It's not. Color is psychology.

Black says "serious," "athletic," "no-nonsense." It's the default for sports watches because it's safe. It matches everything. It doesn't draw attention.

Silver says "modern," "tech-forward," "sleek." It's what you choose when you want people to know your watch is expensive.

Soft gold says something different. It says "elevated." It says "I don't need you to know how serious I am about my fitness because the serious part isn't your business. I'm wearing this because it makes sense and because it looks good."

Soft gold is warmer than traditional gold. It's more forgiving on different skin tones. It's less "I'm flexing my wealth" and more "I have taste." It's the color that lets you wear a serious sports watch to a serious dinner and not feel like you're out of place.

That's not trivial. That's market positioning.

Apple released the Apple Watch in gold almost immediately—it was one of the original finish options when the first watch launched in 2015. Because Apple understood that people wanted their watches to feel like jewelry, not just gadgets. Garmin took a long time to get there. But they're there now.

The Technical Specs That Actually Matter

Let's talk specifics for people who actually care about what a watch does.

GPS and Navigation

Both watches have multi-band GPS. Garmin uses GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), which includes GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. That's actually an advantage for accuracy in dense urban environments or heavy tree cover.

Apple uses GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo as well in the Ultra 2. So specs-wise, they're equivalent.

Both track your route accurately. Both will navigate you home from a trail. Both are fine for running, hiking, and cycling.

Heart Rate and Health Monitoring

Epix Gen 2: Optical heart rate sensor plus ECG (electrocardiogram). Can detect atrial fibrillation. Continuous SpO2 monitoring.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: Optical heart rate sensor plus ECG. Can detect atrial fibrillation. Continuous SpO2 monitoring.

Specs are nearly identical. The difference is in how the data is presented and what you can do with it. Garmin gives you training load and recovery metrics that Apple doesn't. Apple integrates more tightly with health apps on iOS.

Memory and Processing

Epix Gen 2: 32GB storage. Can store music locally. This means you can listen to Spotify offline or stream music without your phone.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: 32GB storage. Can store music locally.

Again, equivalent. Both let you leave your phone at home if you want.

Connectivity

Both: WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC for contactless payments. Both work with Garmin Pay or Apple Pay respectively.

Epix Gen 2 also offers cellular connectivity as an option (on some variants). This means you can get notifications and make calls even without your phone nearby. Apple Watch Ultra 2 has cellular as standard.

Small advantage to Apple if you value standalone connectivity. Most people don't actually use this feature much.

Battery Life Deep Dive: Why This Matters More Than You Think

Let's spend real time on this because it's the most significant difference between these watches.

Garmin's 11-day battery life in smartwatch mode is a genuine achievement. That's based on real-world testing. You charge it once a week, on your schedule. Usually Sunday evening or whenever.

Apple's 36 to 48 hours is... honestly, it's fine. It's not great. But it's fine. You get through two days of moderate use.

Here's the thing: which experience is better depends on your psychology.

If you forget about charging things, Garmin wins. You're not scrambling to top off your watch before bed. You're not missing notifications because your watch died. You charge it weekly and move on.

If you don't mind charging things, Apple wins. You're probably charging your phone nightly anyway. Throwing the watch on the charger for an hour while you shower is no big deal. Plus, Apple's watch feels faster, more responsive.

Neither is objectively better. But they're different. And that difference shapes how you interact with your device.

Garmin users live with their watches. Apple Watch users live with their watches too, but they live with the knowledge that they need to keep charging them.

The Garmin Epix Gen 2 Soft Gold excels in battery life and fitness features, while the Apple Watch Ultra leads in ecosystem integration and design appeal. Estimated data highlights key strengths.

Design Language: The Soft Gold Advantage

The original Epix looked expensive because it looked sophisticated. The case is 47mm (slightly bigger than Apple Watch Ultra's 46mm). The bezel is raised, giving it a vintage sports watch vibe. The AMOLED screen sits flush with the front of the watch.

In black, it looked like a serious tool.

In soft gold, it looks like a tool that chose elegance.

This is where Garmin's decision matters strategically. They're not just adding a color option. They're expanding their audience. The person who loved the Epix's performance but wished it looked less "gym class" can finally buy it.

Apple's advantage has always been in design. Garmin's advantage has always been in functionality. The soft gold Epix is Garmin finally saying, "We're good at both."

That changes the equation.

Where the Epix Gen 2 Actually Loses to Apple Watch Ultra

Let's be fair about trade-offs.

Integration with iPhone

If you use an iPhone, the Apple Watch just works in ways the Epix can't. Siri on your wrist. Payments seamlessly integrated. Health data flowing automatically to the Health app. Calendar, reminders, everything—it's all there, working seamlessly.

Garmin Connect exists. It's actually a solid app. But it's not the same. It's an afterthought on iOS. On Android, it's first-class. That's just how things work.

Ecosystem Lock-in

Once you own an Apple Watch, buying more Apple products makes sense. The ecosystem compounds your investment. That's powerful for Apple.

Garmin doesn't have that lock-in. Which is good for users who want choice. But it's bad for Garmin's long-term revenue strategy.

Brand Cache

Apple Watch Ultra is the premium smartwatch in the minds of most people. It's the status symbol. Showing up with an Epix is saying "I chose the better watch for my actual needs." Which is true. But Apple Watch says "I'm in the Apple ecosystem."

Brand matters. It shouldn't, but it does.

App Ecosystem

Apple's App Store has more smartwatch apps. Period. More music apps, more fitness apps, more games. The software library is deeper.

Garmin's library is smaller but functional. You can do what you need to do. But you might find fewer options than Apple.

The Soft Gold Aesthetic in Context

Why soft gold specifically?

Because gold is having a moment in luxury goods. It's warm, it's sophisticated, and it works across different styles. You can wear soft gold to a board meeting, a dinner date, or a trail run.

Rose gold was the gold color that dominated five years ago. True yellow gold feels dated now. Soft gold is the Goldilocks zone. It's elegant without being showy.

On the Epix Gen 2, the soft gold case pairs with a darker dial, creating contrast. The watch doesn't look like jewelry that happens to be functional. It looks like a sports watch that happens to be beautiful.

That's the message Garmin is sending. We're sports watches. We do sports watches better than anyone. We just also look good doing it.

Garmin Epix Gen 2 offers competitive features and aesthetics at a lower price than the Apple Watch Ultra, making it a strong lifestyle choice. Estimated data.

Why Color Matters in Watch Buying Decisions

People spend thousands of dollars on watches. They wear them every single day. Sometimes multiple watches in a day (one for work, one for working out). The color is part of the identity.

A black watch says "professional, serious, no-nonsense."

A soft gold watch says "professional, serious, and I have taste."

It's not a huge difference. But it's meaningful. And for some people, it's the difference between buying and not buying.

Garmin's original colors—black, silver—were safe. They worked with any outfit. They appealed to the broadest possible audience.

Soft gold is more specific. It appeals to people who want their watch to be a statement. Who want to wear something that looks and functions at the highest level.

That's a smaller audience than "everyone," but it's a more engaged audience. These people care. They're willing to pay for quality. They're not going to buy another watch next year.

These are the people who've been wanting a Garmin watch for years but didn't want to explain to people why they were wearing something that looked "too athletic."

Now they can.

Garmin's Competitive Positioning: No Longer Just Technical

For years, Garmin's pitch was "we're more accurate than Apple." "We track more metrics." "Our battery lasts longer."

All true. All still true.

But that's a technical pitch. Technical pitches appeal to a subset of people. Most people don't want to hear technical specs. They want to know if a watch will work for them.

The soft gold Epix Gen 2 changes Garmin's pitch. Now it's: "We make the most capable sports watch in the world. It does everything Apple does, costs less, and lasts longer. And now it looks like something you'd actually want to wear."

That's a lifestyle pitch. That's more powerful.

Garmin is finally competing on Apple's playing field: making people want their product, not just need it.

The Unspoken Market Shift

There's a broader trend here that Garmin is tapping into: people are tired of monolithic ecosystems.

Apple's ecosystem is amazing if you're all-in. But it requires commitment. You need an iPhone, probably a Mac, definitely AirPods for the best experience. It's a package deal.

A lot of people are rejecting that. They want best-of-breed devices that work together, not a forced ecosystem.

Garmin is the watch for those people. And soft gold? That's Garmin saying "we're not just the better option for people who want choice. We're the better lifestyle option."

That's a stronger position than "we're more technical."

Estimated data suggests that aesthetic appeal holds a significant portion of the smartwatch market share, indicating the importance of design in consumer choices.

Should You Buy the Soft Gold Epix Gen 2?

If you have an iPhone and you're invested in Apple's ecosystem, buy the Apple Watch Ultra. You'll get better integration, faster performance, and the ecosystem compounds the value.

If you have an Android phone, don't even consider Apple. The Epix Gen 2 is your watch. Soft gold or not.

If you have an iPhone but you don't care about ecosystem integration. If you care more about battery life, more granular fitness tracking, and actually liking how your watch looks. If you think once-a-week charging is better than twice-a-week charging. If you value having more choice in your technology instead of less.

Then the soft gold Epix Gen 2 is probably the better watch.

It's not better for everyone. But it's better for more people than Garmin could claim before soft gold existed.

The Future of Garmin's Design Direction

If soft gold sells (and honestly, it probably will), expect Garmin to expand the color palette further.

Black, silver, soft gold. That's three. Why not rose gold? Why not a darker champagne tone? Why not more adventurous colors?

Because Garmin is learning what Apple learned years ago: watches are fashion items first, tech second. The tech has to be good. But the fashion is what makes people pull the trigger.

Garmin's entry into the luxury watch space—because that's what soft gold represents—changes the game.

They're no longer competing just with Apple Watch Ultra on specs. They're competing on brand, on aesthetic, on lifestyle.

That's harder to win. But if anyone can do it, it's the company that made the most capable sports watches on the planet.

What This Means for the Broader Watch Market

Fitbit is basically dead in innovation. Samsung Galaxy Watch is solid but not differentiated enough. Fossil watches are fashion-forward but not tech-forward.

Right now, it's really just Garmin vs. Apple in the premium sports watch space.

And for the first time, Garmin has closed the design gap significantly.

Soft gold matters because it signals that Garmin takes the aesthetic part of the watch seriously now. Not just the tech.

For people who want a watch that does everything, lasts longer, and looks better than the alternative, the Epix Gen 2 soft gold edition might just be the most compelling option available.

The Bottom Line

It's a watch. It's a color. It shouldn't matter this much.

But it does.

Because watches are personal. Because we wear them every day. Because the daily wearable technology you choose says something about who you are.

Garmin finally understands that. And soft gold is proof.

FAQ

What is the Garmin Epix Gen 2 soft gold edition?

The Garmin Epix Gen 2 soft gold edition is a new color variant of Garmin's premium sports smartwatch. It features the same capabilities as the original Epix Gen 2 (AMOLED display, advanced fitness tracking, 11-day battery life) but in a warmer, more elegant soft gold finish that appeals to users who want a sophisticated aesthetic alongside serious athletic functionality.

How does the Epix Gen 2 soft gold compare to the Apple Watch Ultra 2?

Both are premium sports smartwatches, but with different strengths. The Epix Gen 2 offers superior battery life (11 days vs. 36-48 hours), more granular fitness metrics, and costs $100 less. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has better ecosystem integration if you use iPhone, a brighter display, and tighter integration with Apple services. The soft gold finish makes the Epix competitive on aesthetics, where Garmin previously lagged.

What are the main features of the Epix Gen 2?

Key features include a 1.3-inch AMOLED display with always-on capability, multi-band GPS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo), heart rate and ECG monitoring, SpO2 tracking, 11-day battery life in smartwatch mode, 32GB local storage for music, and advanced training metrics like VO2 Max estimates, training load, and running dynamics. It's waterproof to 10 ATM (suitable for swimming) and offers both Garmin Pay and contactless payment options.

Why is soft gold specifically a good design choice for a sports watch?

Soft gold is warmer and more forgiving than traditional gold or silver, working well across different skin tones and styles. Unlike black (which feels purely athletic) or silver (which feels purely modern), soft gold conveys sophistication and intentional style. This aesthetic shift allows Garmin to position the watch as suitable for both athletic and professional settings, expanding its appeal beyond the traditional sports watch audience.

Should I buy the Epix Gen 2 or the Apple Watch Ultra 2?

Choose the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if you're deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Mac) and value seamless integration. Choose the Epix Gen 2 if you prioritize battery life, more detailed fitness metrics, use Android, value once-weekly charging over twice-weekly charging, or prefer a smartwatch that functions across ecosystems. The soft gold finish is now a legitimate aesthetic advantage for Garmin.

How long does the Epix Gen 2 battery actually last in real use?

Garmin rates the battery at 11 days in smartwatch mode (periodic GPS use, regular notifications). Real-world testing confirms this estimate for most users. With continuous AMOLED display and constant GPS tracking, battery life drops to around 6 days. This is significantly longer than the Apple Watch Ultra 2's 36-48 hours, making weekly charging the standard practice rather than a frustration.

Can the Epix Gen 2 replace an Apple Watch if I have an iPhone?

Functionally, yes, with caveats. The Epix Gen 2 works with iPhone and provides notifications, music control, and fitness tracking. However, it lacks the deep integration with iOS that the Apple Watch offers—no Siri control, less seamless notification handling, and less fluid app experience. If ecosystem integration is important, Apple Watch is superior. If functionality and cross-platform compatibility matter more, the Epix Gen 2 works perfectly fine.

What's the price difference between the Epix Gen 2 and Apple Watch Ultra 2?

The Epix Gen 2 starts at approximately

Does soft gold show fingerprints or dirt easily?

Soft gold, like all polished metals, can show fingerprints under certain lighting. However, the raised bezel design and textured elements of the Epix Gen 2 help mitigate this compared to a fully polished surface. Regular light cleaning with a soft cloth keeps it looking pristine. Most users report that the soft gold finish masks daily wear better than pure silver finishes.

How durable is the Epix Gen 2's soft gold finish?

The Epix Gen 2 uses a stainless steel case with a PVD (physical vapor deposition) coating for the soft gold finish. This is significantly more durable than simple gold plating. Real-world reports show excellent longevity—the finish remains vibrant after months of daily wear and water exposure. The watch is rated 10 ATM for water resistance, and the finish holds up well in swimming and saltwater environments.

The Epix Gen 2 Soft Gold Isn't Just a Color Option

It's Garmin finally admitting something they should have admitted years ago: how your watch looks matters just as much as what it does.

For years, Garmin won people over with better tech. More features. Longer battery. They built a loyal following of people who valued substance over style.

But they left money on the table. Lots of it. People who would have bought a Garmin watch if it looked as good as an Apple Watch.

The soft gold Epix Gen 2 is Garmin going after that market.

Is it the perfect watch for everyone? No. Apple Watch Ultra is still the right choice if you're all-in on iOS. Nothing beats that integration.

But if you're willing to sacrifice some ecosystem convenience for better battery life, more fitness detail, and a watch that actually looks like it costs $700? The Epix Gen 2 soft gold is now a genuinely compelling alternative.

And that's the market shift that matters.

Key Takeaways

• Garmin's soft gold Epix Gen 2 represents a strategic shift from purely technical positioning to lifestyle brand positioning, finally addressing years of complaints that Garmin watches looked too utilitarian
• The watch delivers superior battery life (11 days vs. 36-48 hours) compared to Apple Watch Ultra 2, making weekly charging a practical advantage for users who don't want device maintenance to be part of daily routine
• Price difference of
  $100 ($
  699 vs. $799) combined with equivalent GPS accuracy, fitness tracking capability, and 10 ATM water resistance creates a genuine alternative for users willing to sacrifice Apple ecosystem integration
• Soft gold color psychology—warmer than traditional gold, more sophisticated than silver, applicable across formal and athletic contexts—signals Garmin understands watches are personal identity statements, not just functional devices
• The Epix Gen 2's AMOLED display (1.3-inch, 454x454 pixels) provides daily usability equivalent to Apple Watch Ultra's larger display outside of extreme sunlight situations, making the visual experience comparable for most users

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