Apple Watch Ultra vs. Series 7 Aluminum: The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra is the clear winner for outdoor enthusiasts and those needing extreme durability. However, the Series 7 Aluminum provides a more stylish and affordable option with excellent features for everyday use. It boils down to your priorities and budget.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch Ultra | Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum |
| 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 |
| 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, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 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, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 07 | 2021, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 23 | Available. Released 2021, October 15 |
| 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) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 61.3 g (2.15 oz) | 32 g (41mm), 38.8 g (45mm) (1.13 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) | IP6X certified 50m water resistant ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Ion-X strengthened glass |
| Resolution | 502 x 410 pixels (~338 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.92 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 2000 nits (peak) | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Always-on display | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Apple S8 | Apple S7 |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | watchOS 8.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| - | eMMC 5.1 | |
| 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, GALILEO, QZSS, 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, temperature (body), temperature (water) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max |
| 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) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 0-80% in 60 min | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 542 mAh | Li-Ion 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Titanium | Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Green, Red |
| Models | A2684, A2622, A2859, watch6,18 | A2473, A2474, A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,6, watch6,7, watch6,8, watch6,9 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 500 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body) | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) |
| Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| No | No | |
Apple Watch Ultra
- Exceptional durability (titanium case, sapphire crystal)
- Larger, brighter display
- Extended battery life
- Advanced features for diving and extreme sports
- Loudspeaker for clear communication
- Higher price
- Larger and heavier design
- Less stylish for everyday wear (subjective)
Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum
- More affordable
- Stylish and compact design
- Vibrant OLED display
- Excellent fitness tracking features
- Faster charging (45 mins to 80%)
- Shorter battery life
- Less durable than the Ultra
- Smaller display
Display Comparison
The Ultra boasts a larger, brighter 49mm titanium case with a flat sapphire crystal display, offering exceptional visibility even in direct sunlight. The Series 7 Aluminum features a slightly smaller 41mm or 45mm display with rounded edges and a vibrant OLED screen, but it's not as bright as the Ultra's. The Ultra's display is more durable.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a dedicated camera. Both rely on the iPhone for photography.
Performance
Both watches are powered by Apple's silicon, with the Ultra using the S8 and the Series 7 using the S7. While the S8 offers incremental improvements, both provide smooth and responsive performance for apps, notifications, and fitness tracking. The Ultra's larger size might allow for slightly better thermal management during intensive tasks.
Battery Life
The Ultra has a significantly larger battery, offering up to 36 hours of typical use and up to 60 hours in Low Power Mode. The Series 7 Aluminum provides approximately 18 hours of battery life. This is a major advantage for the Ultra, especially for multi-day adventures.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple Watch Ultra if you're an avid diver, hiker, or participate in extreme sports. It's built to withstand harsh conditions. Buy the Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum if you want a stylish, feature-rich smartwatch for daily wear, fitness tracking, and notifications, without the Ultra's premium price.