Last weekend, I embarked on a challenging hike to Mount Diablo State Park in California to test the elevation tracking accuracy of five popular smartwatches – Apple, COROS, Garmin, Polar, and Samsung. Altitude measurement relies on changes in air pressure to calculate elevation with GPS data. However, some are more precise than others, and most models do not allow manual adjustment of the starting point. I had attempted a similar experiment last year, wearing six watches for a 6,000-step walk, and since then, I have conducted several GPS accuracy tests. For this test, I selected three previously reviewed watches – COROS PACE 3, Garmin Forerunner 965, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic – and two I am currently reviewing, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Polar Vantage V3. I chose to test them at the Summit Trail hike at Mount Diablo using Alltrails to compare the results with actual elevation data. The table below shows the accuracy test results for each smartwatch. One notable issue occurred when my Polar Vantage V3 crashed during the descent from Mount Diablo, resetting itself, potentially affecting the accuracy of the results. Unfortunately, this glitch affected the reliability of my test.
A critical metric to assess smartwatch accuracy is the starting elevation and its variation. Garmin and Apple both showed impressive results at the beginning of the hike, with COROS slightly lower, and Samsung significantly off. Analyzing the elevation gain revealed that Garmin and Apple were very close, while COROS was slightly lower. Samsung’s data showed a considerable deviation. Despite minor discrepancies, the results were generally acceptable, with the Apple Watch Ultra 2 showcasing a slightly higher elevation. The next metric, elevation increase, highlighted the Apple Watch Ultra 2, but due to additional ups and downs along the trail, the results may have been influenced. Both the Garmin Forerunner 965 and COROS PACE 3 provided similar elevation increase measurements, reflecting their comparable accuracy. Notably, these watches feature dual GPS tracking, enabling better accuracy, especially in obstructed GPS environments. Conversely, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, which relies solely on GPS, displayed rough elevation data, indicating a potential reliability issue.
In conclusion, the Garmin, COROS, and Apple watches demonstrated satisfactory performance in the elevation accuracy test. While Garmin excelled in higher numbers, Apple was competitive, and COROS exhibited close results in both metrics. Rather than advocating for a single winner, I encourage consumers to seek multiple reliable options for accurate elevation tracking. When selecting a smartwatch, bike computer, or mobile GPS, it is prudent not to take the altimeter’s presence for granted. Keeping a close eye on the performance and seeking accuracy is crucial to ensuring a rewarding tracking experience.
