The smartwatch landscape has two clear contenders at the high end: Huawei’s newly released Watch Ultimate, positioning itself as a luxury dive computer and everyday wearable, and Apple’s established Watch Ultra 2, built for extreme sports and robust health tracking. This comparison dissects their core differences, moving beyond marketing to reveal which watch truly delivers on its promises.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing comprehensive health tracking and a mature ecosystem, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the superior choice. Its Apple S9 chip provides a performance edge, and the 60-minute 0-80% charge time is convenient. However, the Huawei Watch Ultimate carves a niche for serious divers and those seeking a uniquely premium aesthetic.
| 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 23 | 2023, September 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | 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 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) | 61.4 g or 61.8 g (black) (2.15 oz) |
| | Swimproof/diving (EN13319, ISO 22810:2010)
100m water resistant
10 ATM
IP68
ECG certified | - |
| 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 LTPO2 OLED, 3000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core |
| Chipset | - | Apple S9 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.0 | watchOS 10, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB | 64GB |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | 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 (-500m to 9000m), compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body), temperature (water) |
| | BDS Satellite Message | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless, 0-80% in 60 min |
| Type | Li-Po 530 mAh | Li-Ion 564 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Expedition Black, Voyage Blue, Green | Titanium, Black |
| Models | CLB-B19 | A2986, A2987, Watch7,5 |
| Price | About 740 EUR | $ 469.99 / € 584.49 |
| SAR | - | 0.88 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.22 W/kg (head) |
Huawei Watch Ultimate
- Premium, luxury design aesthetic
- Dedicated dive computer functionality
- Wireless charging convenience
- Chipset and performance details are unknown
- Limited information on display technology
Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Powerful Apple S9 dual-core processor
- Fast charging (0-80% in 60 minutes)
- Mature ecosystem and app support
- Higher price point
- Ecosystem lock-in for some features
Display Comparison
Both watches utilize wireless charging, but details regarding display technology are absent for the Huawei Watch Ultimate. The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s display benefits from Apple’s advancements in brightness and color accuracy, though specific nit values aren’t provided. The Ultra 2’s larger display size (49mm) compared to the Ultimate’s 48.4mm offers more screen real estate. The absence of LTPO details for the Ultimate raises questions about its power efficiency compared to the Ultra 2’s likely implementation.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch is designed as a photography powerhouse, and detailed camera specs are unavailable for either. The focus is on functionality, not image quality. The absence of camera details suggests both are limited in this area, serving primarily for basic functions if any.
Performance
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 boasts the Apple S9 SiP, a dual-core processor, offering a significant performance advantage over the Huawei Watch Ultimate, whose chipset remains undisclosed. The S9’s Neural Engine likely provides faster on-device processing for features like Siri and health data analysis. While both utilize wireless charging, the S9’s efficiency could translate to better battery life during active use. The lack of chipset information for the Ultimate makes a direct performance comparison difficult, but Huawei typically prioritizes power efficiency over raw speed.
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical factor. While mAh ratings are missing for both, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers a 0-80% charge in 60 minutes, indicating a relatively fast charging speed. The Huawei Watch Ultimate relies solely on wireless charging, potentially resulting in slower full charge times. Real-world battery performance will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the Ultra 2’s faster charging provides a convenience advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Watch Ultimate if you are a dedicated scuba diver needing precise depth monitoring and extended dive time tracking, and appreciate a sophisticated, luxury design. Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if you are an athlete, outdoor enthusiast, or someone deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, valuing seamless integration, advanced health features, and a responsive user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How does the Huawei Watch Ultimate’s dive computer functionality compare to dedicated dive computers?
The Huawei Watch Ultimate offers features like depth monitoring, dive time tracking, and ascent rate alerts, mimicking core functions of dedicated dive computers. However, professional dive computers often have more robust certifications and advanced features like gas mixing capabilities, which the Ultimate may lack. It’s best suited for recreational diving.
❓ Does the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s Apple S9 chip offer a noticeable performance improvement over previous generations?
Yes, the Apple S9 SiP in the Ultra 2 delivers a significant performance boost, particularly in on-device processing tasks. This translates to faster Siri responses, smoother animations, and quicker health data analysis. The Neural Engine improvements are especially noticeable for features like fall detection and irregular heart rhythm notifications.
❓ Is the wireless charging on either watch as convenient as traditional wired charging?
Wireless charging offers convenience by eliminating the need for cables, but it’s generally slower than wired charging. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 mitigates this with its 0-80% in 60-minute charge time. The Huawei Watch Ultimate’s charging speed is unknown, but wireless charging may take longer for a full charge.
