The smartwatch market is booming, and two titans stand out: the Huawei Watch 4 Pro and the Apple Watch Ultra. Both offer premium features and rugged designs, but cater to different ecosystems and user preferences. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra boasts superior performance thanks to its S8 chip and tight iOS integration, alongside faster charging. However, the Huawei Watch 4 Pro offers a more open ecosystem, impressive health tracking, and a competitive price point. For Apple users, the Ultra is the clear winner; for Android users or those seeking more flexibility, the Watch 4 Pro is a strong contender.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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 | 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 | 2023, May 10 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 22 | Available. Released 2022, September 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic back, TC4 titanium frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame |
| Dimensions | 47.6 x 47.6 x 12.9 mm (1.87 x 1.87 x 0.51 in) | 49 x 44 x 14.4 mm (1.93 x 1.73 x 0.57 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 65 g (2.29 oz) | 61.3 g (2.15 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps | 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) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~310 ppi density) | 502 x 410 pixels (~338 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.5 inches | 1.92 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | Retina LTPO OLED, 2000 nits (peak) |
| | * the display resolution is unconfirmed
Always-on display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core |
| Chipset | - | Apple S8 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.0 | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers (86-decibel) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (market/region dependent) | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body), temperature (water) |
| | - | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)
Depth gauge (±1m accuracy)
Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless, 0-80% in 60 min |
| Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion 542 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium | Titanium |
| Models | MDS-AL00, MDS-AL10 | A2684, A2622, A2859, watch6,18 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body) |
Huawei Watch 4 Pro
- Longer battery life
- Open ecosystem (Android & HarmonyOS)
- Advanced health tracking features (e.g., blood oxygen, ECG)
- Competitive price
- Less powerful processor
- Limited app selection compared to Apple Watch
- Camera quality is basic
Apple Watch Ultra
- Superior performance (S8 chip)
- Seamless iOS integration
- Rugged design and build quality
- Faster charging
- Larger, brighter display
- Higher price
- Limited to the Apple ecosystem
- Shorter battery life compared to Huawei Watch 4 Pro
Display Comparison
Both watches feature stunning displays. The Apple Watch Ultra has a larger, brighter display (49mm, up to 2000 nits) with a more rugged design. The Huawei Watch 4 Pro (48mm) offers a vibrant AMOLED display with excellent clarity, though it may not reach the Ultra's peak brightness. The Ultra's always-on display is more prominent and customizable.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch excels in camera quality. The Apple Watch Ultra lacks a dedicated camera entirely. The Huawei Watch 4 Pro has a basic camera for video calls, but image quality is not a priority for either device. Both are primarily focused on health and fitness tracking, not photography.
Performance
The Apple Watch Ultra's dual-core S8 chip provides significantly faster performance and smoother animations compared to the Huawei Watch 4 Pro. App loading times are quicker, and the overall user experience feels more responsive. The Ultra's optimized software also contributes to its performance advantage.
Battery Life
The Huawei Watch 4 Pro generally offers longer battery life, potentially lasting up to 14 days with typical use. The Apple Watch Ultra, while improved over previous models, typically lasts around 36 hours with regular use and up to 60 hours in low-power mode. The Ultra's 0-80% charging in 60 minutes is a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Huawei Watch 4 Pro? Android users, fitness enthusiasts seeking advanced health tracking, and those prioritizing a more open smartwatch ecosystem. Who should buy the Apple Watch Ultra? Dedicated Apple users, extreme sports enthusiasts needing a rugged and feature-rich device, and those prioritizing seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Apple Watch Ultra compatible with Android?
No, the Apple Watch Ultra is exclusively compatible with iOS devices.
❓ How does the Huawei Watch 4 Pro's health tracking compare to the Apple Watch Ultra?
The Huawei Watch 4 Pro offers a comprehensive suite of health tracking features, including blood oxygen monitoring, ECG, and sleep tracking. While the Apple Watch Ultra also provides excellent health tracking, the Huawei Watch 4 Pro sometimes offers more granular data and unique metrics.
