Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs. Series 8: A Deep Dive into Apple's Smartwatch Lineup
| Phones Images | |||||
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing style and core smartwatch functionality, the Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum offers excellent value. However, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 justifies its higher price tag for athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and those who demand maximum battery life and a more robust build quality, thanks to its upgraded S10 chip.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 07 | 2025, September 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 16 | Available. Released 2025, September 19 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame (grade 5) |
| Dimensions | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) | 49 x 44 x 12 mm (1.93 x 1.73 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 32 g (41mm), 38.8 g (45mm) (1.13 oz) | 61.6 g or 61.8 g (black) (2.15 oz) |
| IP6X certified 50m water resistant 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) | 514 x 422 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.9 inches | 1.98 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | Retina LTPO3 OLED, 3000 nits (peak) |
| Always-on display | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Apple S8 | Apple S10 |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | watchOS 26, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 64GB |
| eMMC 5.1 | - | |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers (86-decibel) |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| 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, temperature (body) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter (-500m to 9000m), compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body), temperature (water) |
| Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy) Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 308 mAh | Li-Ion 599 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Red | Natural, Black |
| Models | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, A2770, A2771, watch6,14, watch6,15, watch6,16, watch6,17 | A3281, A3282 |
| Price | About 340 EUR | € 828.00 |
| SAR | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) | 1.16 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) | 1.19 W/kg (head) |
| Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| No | - | |
Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum
- More affordable price point
- Sleek and lightweight design
- Excellent core smartwatch features
- Shorter battery life
- Less durable build quality
- Smaller display
Apple Watch Ultra 3
- Significantly longer battery life
- Rugged titanium build and larger display
- Advanced features for outdoor activities
- Higher price tag
- Larger and heavier design
- May be overkill for casual users
Display Comparison
While both watches utilize OLED displays, the Ultra 3 boasts a substantially larger screen area and higher peak brightness (estimated at 2000 nits vs. 1000 nits on the Series 8, based on Apple’s marketing). Both likely employ LTPO technology for variable refresh rates, conserving battery when static content is displayed. The Series 8’s smaller bezel contributes to a more streamlined aesthetic, while the Ultra 3’s larger display enhances readability during outdoor activities. Color accuracy is expected to be comparable, given Apple’s consistent display calibration.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch is designed for photography, and both lack a camera. This is a consistent design choice for Apple Watches, prioritizing battery life and form factor over photographic capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset: the Series 8 utilizes the Apple S8, while the Ultra 3 features the newer S10. Both CPUs are dual-core, but the S10’s architecture likely delivers improved performance and efficiency. This translates to snappier app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Ultra 3. While both watches share the same 0-80% charge time of 45 minutes, the S10’s efficiency could contribute to slightly better overall battery life management. The Ultra 3’s enhanced processing power will be most noticeable in demanding tasks like GPS tracking during intense workouts.
Battery Life
Although specific mAh ratings aren’t provided, the Ultra 3 demonstrably offers significantly longer battery life – up to 36 hours of normal use versus 18 hours for the Series 8. This is a direct result of the S10’s improved efficiency and a larger battery capacity within the Ultra 3’s larger chassis. Both support wireless charging, achieving 0-80% in 45 minutes, but the Ultra 3’s extended runtime is a key differentiator for users who frequently engage in multi-day activities.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum if you need a versatile smartwatch for daily activity tracking, notifications, and general health monitoring, and prioritize a more affordable price point. Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if you prefer a larger, more durable watch designed for extreme sports, extended outdoor adventures, and require significantly longer battery life, and are willing to pay a premium for those features.