Apple Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch SE: The Ultimate Showdown
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra is the clear winner for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts needing rugged durability, advanced features like depth gauge, and extended battery life. However, the Apple Watch SE provides excellent value with core smartwatch functionality at a significantly lower price point, making it ideal for everyday use.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch Ultra | Apple Watch SE |
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| 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, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 07 | 2020, September 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 23 | Available. Released 2020, September 18 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 49 x 44 x 14.4 mm (1.93 x 1.73 x 0.57 in) | 44 x 38 x 10.4 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 61.3 g (2.15 oz) | 36.4 g (1.27 oz) |
| 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) | 50m water resistant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Ion-X strengthened glass |
| Resolution | 502 x 410 pixels (~338 ppi density) | 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.92 inches | 1.78 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 2000 nits (peak) | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Always-on display | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Apple S8 | Apple S5 |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | watchOS 7.0, upgradable to watchOS 10.6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers (86-decibel) | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body), temperature (water) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate (2nd gen), barometer, always-on altimeter, compass |
| Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy) Depth gauge (±1m accuracy) Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 0-80% in 60 min | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 542 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Titanium | Silver, Gold, Space Gray |
| Models | A2684, A2622, A2859, watch6,18 | A2353, A2354, A2355, A2356, A2351, A2352 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body) | - |
| Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| No | No | |
Apple Watch Ultra
- Exceptional durability (titanium case, sapphire crystal)
- Advanced features (depth gauge, emergency siren, improved GPS)
- Extended battery life
- Larger, brighter display
- Faster performance (S8 chip)
- High price
- Larger size may not suit all wrists
- Features may be overkill for casual users
Apple Watch SE
- More affordable
- Compact and lightweight
- Essential smartwatch features
- Good value for money
- Shorter battery life
- Less durable than Ultra
- Fewer advanced features
- Older processor (S5)
Display Comparison
The Apple Watch Ultra boasts a significantly larger and brighter 49mm titanium case with a stunning Always-On Retina display, offering exceptional visibility even in direct sunlight. The Apple Watch SE features a smaller 40mm or 44mm aluminum case with a Retina display, which is still vibrant but not as bright or expansive as the Ultra's.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a dedicated camera. This is a consistent feature across all Apple Watch models.
Performance
While both watches share a dual-core CPU, the Apple Watch Ultra utilizes the newer Apple S8 chip, offering a slight performance edge in responsiveness and processing power. The S8 also enables features like faster Siri processing and improved health tracking algorithms. The SE uses the S5 chip, which is still capable but a generation behind.
Battery Life
The Apple Watch Ultra shines in battery life, offering up to 36 hours of typical use and up to 60 hours in Low Power Mode. The Apple Watch SE provides up to 18 hours of battery life, requiring more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Ultra is perfect for divers, hikers, runners, and anyone who demands a robust smartwatch for extreme conditions. The Apple Watch SE is a great choice for first-time smartwatch users, students, or those seeking essential features without breaking the bank.