The smartwatch market has a clear top tier, and Huawei and Apple are battling for dominance with their flagship offerings. The Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 aims for a blend of luxury and extreme durability, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 refines Apple’s established formula with a focus on performance and ecosystem integration. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which watch best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the superior choice, thanks to its powerful S9 chip and seamless integration. However, users prioritizing potentially longer battery life and a more unique design aesthetic may find the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 compelling.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | 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 | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 19 | 2023, September 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 29 | Available. Released 2023, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, cerramic bezzel, zirconium front case, ceramic back | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame |
| Dimensions | 48.5 x 48.5 x 12.9 mm - Black47.8 x 47.8 x 12.9 mm - Blue | 49 x 44 x 14.4 mm (1.93 x 1.73 x 0.57 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 80.5 g (2.86 oz) | 61.4 g or 61.8 g (black) (2.15 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | 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 | LTPO2 AMOLED, 3500 nits (peak) | Retina LTPO2 OLED, 3000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core |
| Chipset | - | Apple S9 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR |
| OS | HarmonyOS 5.1 | watchOS 10, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | Unspecified | 64GB |
| Sound |
|---|
| 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), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature), X-TAP | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter (-500m to 9000m), compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body), temperature (water) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wireless | Wireless, 0-80% in 60 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 867 mAh | Li-Ion 564 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Titanium, Black |
| Models | MCH-AL00 | A2986, A2987, Watch7,5 |
| Price | € 849.00 | $ 469.99 / € 584.49 |
| SAR | - | 0.88 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.22 W/kg (head) |
Huawei Watch Ultimate 2
- Potentially longer battery life (speculative)
- Unique and luxurious design
- 10W Wireless Charging
- Lack of detailed specifications
- Uncertainty regarding app ecosystem
Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Powerful Apple S9 chip
- Fast charging (0-80% in 60 min)
- Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
- Relatively shorter battery life compared to some competitors
- Limited compatibility with Android devices
Display Comparison
While specific display details for the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 are currently unavailable, its positioning suggests a high-quality AMOLED panel. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 boasts a bright display, crucial for outdoor visibility. The Ultra 2’s brightness is a key advantage, especially for users who frequently engage in outdoor activities. The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s display benefits from Apple’s color calibration expertise, ensuring accurate color reproduction. The absence of detailed display specs for the Huawei watch makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Ultra 2 likely holds an advantage in peak brightness and color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch is primarily marketed for its camera capabilities. However, the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s camera is likely to offer improved image quality and features compared to the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2, given Apple’s computational photography expertise. The absence of camera details for the Huawei watch suggests it’s not a key selling point. The Ultra 2’s camera is useful for quick snapshots and potentially emergency situations, but shouldn’t be compared to dedicated cameras.
Performance
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is powered by the Apple S9 SiP, a dual-core processor, offering a significant performance advantage over the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2, which lacks publicly available CPU information. The S9’s architecture allows for faster app loading times and smoother animations. The Apple S9’s Neural Engine also accelerates on-device machine learning tasks, enhancing features like fall detection and ECG analysis. Without knowing the chipset details of the Huawei watch, it’s difficult to assess its thermal management, but Apple’s silicon is known for its efficiency. The Ultra 2’s performance is geared towards a responsive user experience and handling demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 utilizes 10W wireless charging, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 also offers wireless charging, achieving 0-80% charge in 60 minutes. While the Huawei watch’s charging wattage is known, its battery capacity remains undisclosed. The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s 0-80% in 60 minutes charging speed is convenient for users needing a quick top-up. The actual battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the Huawei watch, given its positioning, may offer longer endurance due to potentially larger battery capacity, though this is speculative without concrete data.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 if you need a statement piece with a focus on design and potentially longer battery life, and aren't heavily reliant on the Apple ecosystem. Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if you prioritize performance, a mature and feature-rich operating system, and tight integration with iPhones and other Apple devices. The Ultra 2 is the better choice for athletes and those who heavily utilize smartwatch apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How does the Apple S9 chip in the Ultra 2 impact real-world performance compared to the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2?
The Apple S9 chip provides a significant performance boost, resulting in faster app loading, smoother animations, and quicker processing of data for features like fall detection and ECG. Without knowing the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2’s chipset, it’s difficult to directly compare, but the S9 is demonstrably more powerful based on Apple’s silicon advancements.
❓ Is the 0-80% charge time of 60 minutes on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 sufficient for active users?
Yes, the 60-minute 0-80% charge time is designed for active users who need a quick power boost. While not a full charge, 80% provides substantial usage time, making it convenient for those who charge their watch during or after workouts.
❓ Given the lack of detailed specs for the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2, what should potential buyers consider?
Potential buyers should focus on the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2’s design and brand reputation. If you prioritize a unique aesthetic and aren’t heavily reliant on app ecosystems, it may be a good fit. However, be aware that detailed performance and display specifications are currently unavailable.
