The smartwatch market is brimming with options, but the Huawei Watch Ultimate and Apple Watch Ultra represent the pinnacle of premium offerings. Both boast rugged designs, advanced features, and impressive capabilities, but cater to slightly different audiences. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to determine which one deserves a spot on your wrist.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra takes the crown for overall usability and ecosystem integration, thanks to its powerful S8 chip and seamless iOS compatibility. However, the Huawei Watch Ultimate shines with its exceptional dive computer features and luxurious design, making it ideal for serious divers and those prioritizing aesthetics. It's a close call!
| 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 23 |
| 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 13 mm (1.91 x 1.91 x 0.51 in) | 49 x 44 x 14.4 mm (1.93 x 1.73 x 0.57 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 76 g (2.68 oz) | 61.3 g (2.15 oz) |
| | Swimproof/diving (EN13319, ISO 22810:2010)
100m water resistant
10 ATM
IP68
ECG certified | 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 |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~311 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) |
| | - | 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 |
| 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 | 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), temperature (water) |
| | BDS Satellite Message | 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-Po 530 mAh | Li-Ion 542 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Expedition Black, Voyage Blue, Green | Titanium |
| Models | CLB-B19 | A2684, A2622, A2859, watch6,18 |
| Price | About 740 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body) |
Huawei Watch Ultimate
- Exceptional dive computer features
- Luxurious design and premium materials
- Long battery life (7-14 days)
- Durable sapphire crystal display
- Advanced health tracking (e.g., blood oxygen)
- Less seamless integration with iOS
- Slower performance compared to Apple Watch Ultra
- Limited app ecosystem
- Higher price point
Apple Watch Ultra
- Fast and responsive performance (S8 chip)
- Seamless integration with iOS
- Vast app ecosystem
- Excellent health and fitness tracking
- Bright and durable display
- Quick charging (0-80% in 60 min)
- Shorter battery life (36-48 hours)
- Less premium design compared to Huawei
- Limited functionality with Android
- Expensive
Display Comparison
Both watches feature exceptionally bright and durable displays. The Apple Watch Ultra boasts a larger 49mm display with excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The Huawei Watch Ultimate has a slightly smaller, but still vibrant, display with sapphire crystal glass for enhanced scratch resistance. Apple's display is generally considered more responsive.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch excels in the camera department. The Apple Watch Ultra lacks a dedicated camera entirely. The Huawei Watch Ultimate also lacks a camera. Both rely on the user's smartphone for photography.
Performance
The Apple Watch Ultra's dual-core S8 chip provides significantly faster performance and smoother navigation compared to the Huawei Watch Ultimate. App loading times are quicker, and the overall user experience feels more fluid. Huawei's performance is adequate, but not as snappy.
Battery Life
The Huawei Watch Ultimate offers a significantly longer battery life, potentially lasting up to 7-14 days depending on usage. The Apple Watch Ultra, while improved over previous models, typically lasts around 36-48 hours. The Apple Watch Ultra's 0-80% charge in 60 minutes is a notable advantage.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Watch Ultimate is perfect for experienced divers, luxury smartwatch enthusiasts, and those seeking a unique, premium design. The Apple Watch Ultra is best suited for iPhone users, athletes, outdoor adventurers, and anyone prioritizing a vast app ecosystem and robust health tracking.
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 offers a significantly better experience with them. iOS integration is limited.
❓ How does the Apple Watch Ultra's battery life compare to previous Apple Watch models?
The Apple Watch Ultra offers a substantial improvement in battery life compared to previous Apple Watch generations, lasting up to 36-48 hours on a single charge, whereas older models often required daily charging.
