Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra is the clear winner for adventurers and those needing robust durability and advanced features like depth tracking. However, the Series 7 remains a fantastic choice for everyday users prioritizing a sleek design and a more accessible price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum | 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 | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum 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 | 32 g (41mm), 38.8 g (45mm) (1.13 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 | Ion-X strengthened 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 |
| eMMC 5.1 | - | |
| 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 | Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Green, Red | Titanium |
| Models | A2473, A2474, A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,6, watch6,7, watch6,8, watch6,9 | A2684, A2622, A2859, watch6,18 |
| Price | About 500 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 Series 7 Aluminum
- Sleek and stylish design
- Larger, brighter display
- Faster charging
- More affordable
- Shorter battery life
- Less durable than Ultra
- Lacks specialized features like depth gauge
Apple Watch Ultra
- Exceptional durability
- Extended battery life
- Advanced features (depth gauge, siren, compass)
- Brighter display in sunlight
- Higher price
- Larger and bulkier design
- Slightly slower charging
Display Comparison
The Series 7 boasts a larger, brighter, and more vibrant display with smaller bezels, making it easier to read notifications and interact with apps. The Ultra's display is also bright and clear, but its design prioritizes durability with a slightly thicker border and a flat, more robust screen. The Ultra's display is noticeably brighter in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a dedicated camera. This remains a consistent feature across Apple Watch models.
Performance
While both watches share a dual-core CPU, the Apple S8 in the Ultra offers a slight performance edge, particularly noticeable in demanding apps and during complex workouts. However, for most everyday tasks, the performance difference is minimal. Both watches are incredibly responsive.
Battery Life
The Ultra significantly outperforms the Series 7 in battery life. While the Series 7 typically lasts around 18 hours, the Ultra can achieve up to 36 hours with regular use and up to 60 hours in Low Power Mode. The Ultra's charging time is slightly longer (60 minutes to 80%) compared to the Series 7 (45 minutes).
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum is ideal for everyday users who want a stylish smartwatch with excellent health tracking and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. The Apple Watch Ultra is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and anyone needing a rugged, feature-rich smartwatch with extended battery life and specialized functions like depth gauge and emergency siren.