Apple Watch Ultra vs. Series 7: The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra is a rugged powerhouse built for extreme adventures, boasting a larger display, longer battery life, and enhanced durability. The Series 7 remains a stylish and capable everyday smartwatch, offering a more refined experience for those who prioritize aesthetics and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. The Ultra wins for adventurers, the Series 7 for everyday users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch Edition Series 7 | Apple Watch Ultra |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 15 | Available. Released 2022, September 23 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame |
| Dimensions | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) | 49 x 44 x 14.4 mm (1.93 x 1.73 x 0.57 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 37 g (41mm), 45.1 g (45mm) (1.31 oz) | 61.3 g (2.15 oz) |
| IP6X certified 50m water resistant ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | IP6X certified 100m water resistant (WR100) 40m swimproof/diving (EN13319) MIL-STD 810H certified ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 502 x 410 pixels (~338 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.9 inches | 1.92 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | Retina LTPO OLED, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Always-on display | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Apple S7 | Apple S8 |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 8.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers (86-decibel) |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body), temperature (water) |
| Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy) Depth gauge (±1m accuracy) Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min | Wireless, 0-80% in 60 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) | Li-Ion 542 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Black, Titanium | Titanium |
| Models | A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,8, watch6,9 | A2684, A2622, A2859, watch6,18 |
| Price | About 830 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body) |
| Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| No | No | |
Apple Watch Edition Series 7
- Sleek and stylish design
- Excellent display quality
- Seamless iOS integration
- Wide range of apps
- Shorter battery life compared to Ultra
- Less durable than Ultra
- Smaller display size
Apple Watch Ultra
- Exceptional durability and ruggedness
- Larger, brighter display
- Longer battery life
- Advanced features like depth gauge and enhanced GPS
- Action button for quick access
- Larger and bulkier design
- Higher price point
- Less refined aesthetic compared to Series 7
Display Comparison
The Ultra boasts a significantly larger 49mm titanium case and a brighter, more durable display (2000 nits) compared to the Series 7's 41mm or 45mm stainless steel or aluminum options (1000 nits). The Ultra's always-on display is also more prominent and easier to read in direct sunlight. The Series 7 offers a more refined and compact design.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a significant camera upgrade. Both retain the same 12MP front-facing camera for video calls. The Ultra's focus is on durability and functionality, not photography.
Performance
While both watches share a dual-core CPU, the Ultra utilizes the newer Apple S8 chip, offering a slight performance edge. However, in everyday use, the difference is minimal. Both watches handle apps and tasks smoothly.
Battery Life
The Ultra's larger battery provides significantly longer battery life – up to 36 hours with normal use and up to 60 hours in Low Power Mode. The Series 7 offers approximately 18 hours of battery life.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Edition Series 7 is ideal for users seeking a stylish, feature-rich smartwatch for everyday use, fitness tracking, and notifications. It's perfect for those who appreciate a premium design and seamless integration with iOS. The Apple Watch Ultra is designed for outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and anyone needing a durable, long-lasting smartwatch with advanced features like depth gauge and enhanced GPS for demanding activities.