The smartwatch market is booming, and two heavyweights are vying for your wrist: the luxurious Huawei Watch Ultimate and the ever-popular Apple Watch Series 8. Both offer a wealth of features, but cater to different users and ecosystems. Let's break down the key differences to help you decide which one is the perfect fit.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 excels in seamless iOS integration, performance, and a vast app ecosystem. The Huawei Watch Ultimate shines with its premium build quality, diving capabilities, and unique health tracking features. For Apple users, the Series 8 is the clear winner; for Android users or those seeking a rugged, feature-rich experience, the Ultimate is compelling.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | 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, March 23 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, cerramic bezzel, zirconium front case, ceramic back | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 48.5 x 48.5 x 13 mm (1.91 x 1.91 x 0.51 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 76 g (2.68 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| | Swimproof/diving (EN13319, ISO 22810:2010)
100m water resistant
10 ATM
IP68
ECG certified | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~311 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.5 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | 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 | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Yes (only for Bluetooth transmission acceleration) | 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) |
| | BDS Satellite Message | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)
Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Po 530 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Expedition Black, Voyage Blue, Green | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | CLB-B19 | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 740 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
Huawei Watch Ultimate
- Exceptional build quality (titanium, sapphire crystal)
- Extended battery life (multiple days)
- Advanced diving features (depth sensor, dive mode)
- Unique health tracking (e.g., blood oxygen, heart rate variability)
- Premium design and aesthetics
- Less seamless integration with iOS
- Smaller app ecosystem compared to Apple Watch
- Performance can occasionally feel slightly less fluid
- Higher price point
Apple Watch Series 8
- Seamless integration with iOS
- Vast app ecosystem
- Smooth and responsive performance
- Excellent display quality
- Comprehensive health and fitness tracking (ECG, blood oxygen)
- Shorter battery life (around 18 hours)
- Limited functionality with Android devices
- Relatively high price point
- Design can feel less premium compared to the Ultimate
Display Comparison
The Apple Watch Series 8 boasts a vibrant, always-on OLED display with excellent visibility. The Huawei Watch Ultimate features a sapphire crystal display, offering superior scratch resistance and a more premium feel, though its brightness might be slightly less than the Apple Watch in direct sunlight. Both offer sharp resolution and customizable watch faces.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a traditional camera. The Apple Watch Series 8 utilizes the camera on your iPhone for features like Apple Pay. The Huawei Watch Ultimate does not offer this functionality.
Performance
The Apple Watch Series 8, powered by the S8 chip and dual-core CPU, delivers consistently smooth performance and snappy responsiveness. The Huawei Watch Ultimate's performance is generally good, but may occasionally feel slightly less fluid, particularly when navigating complex menus or running demanding apps. iOS integration gives the Apple Watch a significant edge.
Battery Life
The Huawei Watch Ultimate boasts significantly longer battery life, often lasting several days on a single charge, especially in power-saving mode. The Apple Watch Series 8 typically lasts around 18 hours, though low-power mode can extend this. The Series 8's 0-80% charge in 45 minutes is a notable advantage.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Huawei Watch Ultimate? Android users, diving enthusiasts, and those prioritizing premium materials and unique health tracking. Who should buy the Apple Watch Series 8? iPhone users seeking seamless integration, a wide range of apps, and a polished user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei Watch Ultimate compatible with iPhones?
While it offers some basic functionality with iPhones, the Huawei Watch Ultimate is primarily designed for Android devices and lacks the seamless integration of the Apple Watch.
❓ How does the Huawei Watch Ultimate's diving mode work?
The Ultimate features a built-in depth sensor and dive mode that tracks depth, water temperature, and dive time, providing valuable data for divers.
