The smartwatch market is booming, and two heavyweights are vying for your wrist: the Apple Watch Ultra and the Huawei Watch 4 Pro. Both offer premium features and rugged designs, but cater to different ecosystems and user needs. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra excels in seamless iOS integration, health tracking accuracy, and a vast app ecosystem. The Huawei Watch 4 Pro shines with its impressive battery life, HarmonyOS features, and competitive price. For Apple users, the Ultra is the clear winner; for Android users or those prioritizing battery, the 4 Pro is a strong contender.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | HSPA / LTE |
| | 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 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 23 | Available. Released 2023, June 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame | Glass front, ceramic back, TC4 titanium frame |
| Dimensions | 49 x 44 x 14.4 mm (1.93 x 1.73 x 0.57 in) | 47.6 x 47.6 x 12.9 mm (1.87 x 1.87 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 61.3 g (2.15 oz) | 65 g (2.29 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
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 502 x 410 pixels (~338 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~310 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.92 inches | 1.5 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 2000 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | * the display resolution is unconfirmed
Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | - |
| Chipset | Apple S8 | - |
| GPU | PowerVR | - |
| OS | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | HarmonyOS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB | 32GB 2GB 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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (market/region dependent) |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body), temperature (water) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) |
| | 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 60 min | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 542 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium | Titanium |
| Models | A2684, A2622, A2859, watch6,18 | MDS-AL00, MDS-AL10 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body) | - |
Apple Watch Ultra
- Seamless iOS integration
- Excellent health tracking
- Vast app ecosystem
- Bright and durable display
- Fast performance
- Shorter battery life
- Higher price
- No camera
Huawei Watch 4 Pro
- Exceptional battery life
- Stylish design
- HarmonyOS features
- Built-in camera
- Competitive price
- Less seamless Android integration
- Smaller app ecosystem compared to Apple
- Performance can occasionally lag
Display Comparison
Both watches boast vibrant and bright displays. The Apple Watch Ultra features a larger 49mm titanium case with a slightly larger display (48mm) and a brighter peak brightness (2000 nits). The Huawei Watch 4 Pro has a 48mm stainless steel case with a 1.4-inch AMOLED display. While the Huawei's display is excellent, the Ultra's brightness advantage makes it more readable in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
The Apple Watch Ultra lacks a dedicated camera, a common omission for Apple Watches. The Huawei Watch 4 Pro includes a 13MP camera, allowing for quick snapshots. Image quality is decent for a smartwatch camera, but don't expect professional-grade results. The lack of a camera on the Ultra is a significant difference for some users.
Performance
The Apple Watch Ultra, powered by the S8 SiP, delivers consistently smooth and responsive performance. App loading times are quick, and animations are fluid. The Huawei Watch 4 Pro, running HarmonyOS, offers good performance, but may occasionally exhibit slight lag when multitasking or using more demanding apps. The Apple's chip advantage is noticeable.
Battery Life
This is where the Huawei Watch 4 Pro truly shines. It offers up to 14 days of battery life with typical usage, and up to 7 days with heavy usage. The Apple Watch Ultra provides up to 36 hours of battery life with normal use, and up to 60 hours in Low Power Mode. The Huawei's significantly longer battery life is a major advantage.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Ultra is ideal for serious athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and dedicated Apple users who want the best possible integration with their iPhones. The Huawei Watch 4 Pro is a great choice for Android users, those seeking extended battery life, and individuals who appreciate a stylish and feature-rich smartwatch at a more accessible price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Apple Watch Ultra worth the extra cost?
If you're deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and prioritize health tracking accuracy and app availability, the Ultra's premium features and performance justify the higher price. Otherwise, the Huawei Watch 4 Pro offers excellent value.
❓ Can the Huawei Watch 4 Pro be used with an iPhone?
Yes, the Huawei Watch 4 Pro can be paired with an iPhone, but you'll miss out on some of the seamless integration features available with Apple devices. The Apple Watch Ultra is exclusively for iPhones.
