Apple Watch Ultra vs. Series 8 Aluminum: The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra is built for extreme adventurers, boasting a rugged design, longer battery life, and enhanced features for outdoor activities. The Series 8 Aluminum offers a more refined, everyday experience with faster charging and a slightly lower price point. For most users, the Series 8 is the better value.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch Ultra | Apple Watch Series 8 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, 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 |
| 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, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 07 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 23 | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| 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 S8 |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | watchOS 9.0, 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 | 5.3, 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 (body) |
| Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy) Depth gauge (±1m accuracy) Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy) 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 308 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Titanium | Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Red |
| Models | A2684, A2622, A2859, watch6,18 | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, A2770, A2771, watch6,14, watch6,15, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 340 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body) | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
| Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| No | No | |
Apple Watch Ultra
- Extremely durable titanium case
- Larger, brighter display
- Significantly longer battery life
- Enhanced GPS and navigation features
- Depth gauge and water resistance to 100m
- Higher price
- Larger size may not suit all wrists
- More rugged design may be less aesthetically pleasing to some
Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum
- More affordable
- Sleek and stylish aluminum design
- Faster charging (0-80% in 45 min)
- Comprehensive health tracking features
- Available in multiple sizes and finishes
- Shorter battery life
- Less durable than the Ultra
- Smaller display
Display Comparison
The Ultra features a significantly larger 49mm titanium case and a brighter, more durable flat sapphire crystal display, offering exceptional visibility even in direct sunlight. The Series 8 Aluminum has a smaller 41mm or 45mm aluminum case with a standard ion-X glass display. While the Series 8 display is vibrant, the Ultra's is noticeably more robust and easier to read outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a camera. This remains a consistent feature across Apple Watch models.
Performance
Both watches share the Apple S8 SiP, meaning core performance is very similar for everyday tasks and app usage. However, the Ultra's larger size and more robust build might allow for slightly better thermal management during prolonged intensive use, though this is unlikely to be a significant difference for most users.
Battery Life
The Ultra boasts a significantly larger battery, offering up to 36 hours of battery life with normal use and up to 60 hours in Low Power Mode. The Series 8 provides up to 18 hours of battery life. This is a major advantage for the Ultra, especially for multi-day adventures.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Ultra is ideal for serious athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and those who demand maximum durability. The Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum is perfect for everyday use, fitness tracking, and those who appreciate a sleek design and faster charging without the Ultra's premium price.