u/Complete_Sell_2319

I'm testing Apple Watch Ultra 3, Garmin Fenix 8 Solar (47mm) and Samsung Watch Ultra (2024). All of these watches have their cons and pros. My primary for now - AWU3 because of smart features and accuracy.

I try to wear each watch weekly but always wear Whoop 5 on the right hand to collect health data 24/7.

If you've any questions regarding all of these devices - welcome!

I'll try to answer.

PS: Amazfit Balance 2 on it way to my collection ;-) Decided to buy exactly Balance 2 because it seems perfectly designed against other Amazfit models (already tried T-Rex 3 / Pro, Active Max)

Found this gem few days ago and finally it was delivered! With original titanium band! Heavy and brutal. I like it. Always want to try this thing and finally! In almost new condition.

PS: Portal Hybrid face looks amazing with this set.

Hey, check out what I snagged while browsing the local marketplace – this absolute gem! I just had to buy it right away! There's just something special about the old Fenix line, don't you think? They really have soul, kind of like my favorite old skull car '70 Oldsmobile 4-4-2! 🙂‍↕️ Can't wait for it to be delivered (2-3 days)!

So! Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar with Titanium strap

Found a great deal for the new T Rex 3 (not Pro) in gray color and immediately bought it to try. Have to say it looks not bad and can’t understand why this color discontinued in Pro and Ultra series…

Just upgraded to the Xiaomi Watch S5 from Oppo Watch 3. Since I also actively use a Whoop strap and a Garmin, I feel like I have a pretty decent benchmark to compare it against!

A few quick takeaways after rocking it for a bit:

• Design & Feel: Seriously stylish and lightweight. I got the blue version with the ceramic bezel and matching blue leather strap, and it looks way more premium than its price tag suggests.
• Battery Life is an absolute MONSTER: I have literally every feature turned on (except Always-On Display), and right now it's sitting at 85% battery with 18 days remaining. Absolutely insane.
  • Charging from 61% to 85% took just... around 15 minutes, it's crazy!
• How it fits into my stack: I rely on my Whoop for heavy health analytics and recovery metrics, so I use the S5 mainly as a smartwatch companion—voice notes, timers, stopwatch, and GPS for walking and cycling. Speaking of cycling, the built-in cycling analytics on the S5 are surprisingly detailed!
• The Suunto Partnership (Game Changer?): A cool detail some might not know—Mi Fitness partnered with Suunto. Now the Suunto App (which has a beautiful UI and decades of Finnish data precision) automatically syncs all your data from Mi Fitness. That alone adds a ton of value to the ecosystem.

Overall, I’m genuinely impressed so far!

Happy to answer any questions if you're thinking about picking one up!

I decided to have a try using Fenix 7X Pro in pair with Whoop. Really interesting experience. Whoop monitors my sleep and health metrics very well, while Fenix helps me a lot with sport activities. So far, it integrates perfectly with each other and more! In the gym, I use Whoop on my biceps and broadcast heart rate to Fenix— awesome! I know about Cirqa, but… already have Whoop)

Did step back (or forward?) from Fenix 8 line to… Fenix 7x Pro. It still the beast i have to say. It’s so cool with a leather strap.

What I miss so far:
- changing text size
- selecting apps for notifications
- battery widget from Garmin

Going to wear it for a week to feel it.

PS: Portal Hybrid face installed.

Shot on iPhone 17 pro max

That’s why I so like it and use Instinct 3 only while vacationing in Greece 🇬🇷

Charged for 100% on June, 27 - one week passed and still 88% with 37d estimated with daily gps activities! Solar works pretty well!

No worry about getting scratches, no worry about swimming in the sea, no worry about anything with this beast! Absolutely amazing watch!

It definitely should be on the box instead of the Garmin stock face 😜 Way more presentable imo.

Looks so cool and like a lot native way to customize data directly on the watch.

As the experiment moved to I3 Solar 50mm for the summer vacation. Interesting thing to try. I’ve never used the Instinct series before 😉 Visibility is perfect vs F8 MIP, battery is something unbelievable - 56% and 23 days 🤯 I’ll try to use it for a month instead of the F8.

Any questions are welcome!

** Update **

Few things (minor) I miss on I3:

• health status (not critical for me but anyway)
• mixed sessions in sport activities (on F8 i can start Mixed session and then Treadmill, Strength, Cardio for ex.) On I3 I need to start each activities separately.

Just to compare both great watches - Fenix 8 Pro 47mm and Fenix 8 Sapphire Solar 51mm. Almost the same price so I guess it might be useful to compare sizes and overall look and feel.

I was surprised with the Fenix 8 SS 51mm because I had previously seen the Fenix 8 AMOLED 51mm and the bezel was huge there. On the Solar Sapphire version, the bezel is way thinner and the overall watch looks not so bigger than the Fenix 8 Pro in a 47mm size. SS is also thinner and it can be felt.

I like both but my choice is the Fenix 8 Pro. I asked to help with buying the SS so I have a chance to compare it on the weekend.

Recently I bought Flipsuite case for my S25 Ultra and I really like rear side as well as animated wallpapers that enabled only when this case suited. But I don't like it bulk frame...

So.. Do it for fun! :-) I just take rear side, few pieces of double-sided tape and voila! DIY case is ready) Looks pretty good because now cameras almost with same level as body and it useful when it just lies on the table.

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a story that some of you might relate to. It’s about tech, life turns, and why the S25 Ultra holds a very special place in my heart, even in 2026.

My journey with the Samsung ecosystem goes way back—I’ve owned almost every Note (Note 2, 3, 4, 5, Note 8, 9, 10, 20U) and the subsequent Ultras. For me, these devices were always deeply connected to my best life memories: road trips, family vacations, and capturing moments with loved ones.

Almost exactly a year ago, I bought the S25 Ultra. It was a huge emotional milestone for me—the first flagship I bought completely out of pocket, no credits, no leasing. I was in absolute awe of the device and planned to keep it for years. But life happened. Due to sudden financial difficulties, I had to sell it just a month later. It felt like a massive step backward, and for the past year, I survived only on my work-issued phones (including an iPhone 17 Pro Max, which is a great tool, but has absolutely no soul for me).

Fast forward to this week. I am finally back on my feet, and the consumer itch hit hard. I had the budget, and I was genuinely considering the new S26U. I even found a good deal for a 1-month-old S26U. But when I held it, something felt off. In their pursuit of ergonomics, Samsung made the S26U too light, too rounded—to me, it lost that iconic, heavy, monolith brick feeling that defined the Ultra DNA. It felt almost generic.

So, I made a conscious, calculated choice. I hunted down a pristine, basically brand-new S25 Ultra (only 16 battery cycles!) on the local market for an absolute steal (around €680).

When I finally held this Titanium beast in my hands again, it felt like coming home. It’s not just about the hardware or the screen.

For me, this phone is a physical symbol of overcoming tough times. It holds my history—memories of my late wife, trips to Prague, and old walks with my Samoyed dog who passed away.

It’s a piece of happiness that I can finally hold again, completely on my own terms.

As you can see in the photo, I’ve fully embraced the setup: my S25 Ultra, my Garmin Fenix 8 Pro (better for sport activities and i use it for many years), and, of course, my lovely Galaxy Buds3 Pro. Perfect setup for my upcoming vacation in Greece.

To anyone hesitating between generations: the S25 Ultra remains, in my opinion, the most balanced, industrial, and truly "poised" Ultra Samsung has ever made. The design peak.

Glad to be back in the club! 👊

Found this band on local marketplace, even don’t know it name but looks so good!

PS: Fenix 8 Pro 47mm and Modello GMT watch face are my daily drivers.

PPS: More view angles as requested: https://photos.app.goo.gl/WDBZmRLFkgJfEHAi8

Looks pretty well! AOD enabled and this watch face amazing in AOD.

Great job by developer! Fully customized in Garmin native way and battery friendly.

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/be859a36-4aaf-43c2-9412-710a420ee798