The smartwatch market is heating up, and two titans are vying for the crown: the Apple Watch Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro. Both offer rugged designs, advanced fitness tracking, and a wealth of features, but which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra excels in seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem and offers unparalleled durability. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro boasts superior battery life and broader compatibility with Android devices. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your preferred operating system and priorities.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| 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 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 07 | 2022, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 23 | Available. Released 2022, August 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), titanium frame |
| Dimensions | 49 x 44 x 14.4 mm (1.93 x 1.73 x 0.57 in) | 45.4 x 45.4 x 10.5 mm (1.79 x 1.79 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 61.3 g (2.15 oz) | 46.5 g (1.66 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) | MIL-STD-810H compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Sapphire crystal |
| Resolution | 502 x 410 pixels (~338 ppi density) | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.92 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 2000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Apple S8 | Exynos W920 (5 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR | Mali-G68 |
| OS | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB | 16GB 1.5GB 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, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/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, thermometer (body temperature) |
| | 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
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 0-80% in 60 min | 10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 542 mAh | Li-Ion 590 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium | Black Titanium, Gray Titanium |
| Models | A2684, A2622, A2859, watch6,18 | SM-R925F |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body) | - |
Apple Watch Ultra
- Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
- Exceptional durability (titanium case, sapphire crystal)
- Bright, clear display
- Advanced fitness tracking features
- Excellent app ecosystem (watchOS)
- Shorter battery life compared to Galaxy Watch5 Pro
- Limited compatibility with Android devices
- Premium price
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
- Long battery life (3-4 days)
- Broad compatibility with Android devices
- Rugged design (titanium case, sapphire crystal)
- Advanced outdoor features (route tracking, waypoint navigation)
- Wear OS offers a wide range of apps
- Performance can occasionally feel less fluid
- Samsung ecosystem integration isn't as seamless as Apple's
- Design is less distinctive than the Apple Watch Ultra
Display Comparison
Both watches feature excellent displays. The Apple Watch Ultra has a larger, brighter display (49mm, 2000 nits peak brightness) with a flat sapphire crystal, offering exceptional readability even in direct sunlight. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro (47mm) uses a sapphire crystal display as well, but its brightness is slightly lower. Apple's always-on display is more refined.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera, a common omission in smartwatches.
Performance
The Apple S8 chip in the Watch Ultra is known for its smooth performance and efficient power management within the Apple ecosystem. The Exynos W920 in the Galaxy Watch5 Pro is a capable processor, but performance can sometimes feel slightly less fluid, especially when multitasking or using demanding apps. Apple's optimization generally gives it an edge.
Battery Life
This is a key differentiator. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro significantly outperforms the Apple Watch Ultra in battery life, often lasting 3-4 days on a single charge with moderate use. The Apple Watch Ultra typically lasts around 36 hours, and can be extended with low-power mode, but still falls short of the Samsung's endurance.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Ultra is ideal for Apple users seeking a premium, rugged smartwatch with advanced fitness tracking and seamless integration. The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro is a great choice for Android users who prioritize long battery life, robust outdoor features, and a wider range of app compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which watch is better for Android users?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro is the clear winner for Android users due to its Wear OS compatibility and seamless integration with Android devices.
❓ Is the Apple Watch Ultra worth the extra cost?
If you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem and prioritize a premium design, advanced fitness features, and seamless integration, the Apple Watch Ultra is worth the investment. However, if battery life and broader compatibility are your top priorities, the Galaxy Watch5 Pro offers excellent value.
