The smartwatch market caters to diverse needs, from fitness enthusiasts to mobile gamers. The ZTE Red Magic Watch aims to carve a niche for itself within the gaming community, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 represents the pinnacle of Apple’s smartwatch technology, focusing on robust fitness tracking and premium build quality. This comparison dissects their potential strengths and weaknesses, given the limited publicly available specifications for the Red Magic Watch.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing comprehensive fitness tracking, a premium build, and seamless ecosystem integration, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the clear winner. However, if ZTE delivers on gaming-centric features at a significantly lower price point, the Red Magic Watch could appeal to a niche audience.
| 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 |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 04 | 2025, September 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 11 | Available. Released 2025, September 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame (grade 5) |
| Dimensions | 47.8 x 46.4 x 12.4 mm (1.88 x 1.83 x 0.49 in) | 49 x 44 x 12 mm (1.93 x 1.73 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 30 g (1.06 oz) | 61.6 g or 61.8 g (black) (2.15 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant
Waterproof (5ATM)
Compatible with standard 22mm straps | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 514 x 422 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.39 inches | 1.98 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Retina LTPO3 OLED, 3000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core |
| Chipset | - | Apple S10 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR |
| OS | Proprietary OS | watchOS 26, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | - | 64GB |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | - | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes, with dual speakers (86-decibel) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter (-500m to 9000m), compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body), temperature (water) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 420 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 599 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver | Natural, Black |
| Models | - | A3281, A3282 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | € 828.00 |
| SAR | - | 1.16 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) |
ZTE Red Magic Watch
- Potential gaming-centric features (unconfirmed)
- Likely more affordable price point
- May offer a unique aesthetic for gamers
- Limited publicly available specifications
- Uncertainty regarding build quality and materials
- Potentially weaker ecosystem integration
Apple Watch Ultra 3
- Powerful Apple S10 chipset
- Comprehensive fitness tracking features
- Premium build quality and materials
- Higher price point
- Ecosystem lock-in for some features
- Battery life may be insufficient for heavy users
Display Comparison
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 likely features an LTPO display, enabling variable refresh rates for power efficiency, and boasts a high peak brightness for outdoor visibility. Given ZTE’s gaming focus, the Red Magic Watch may prioritize a high refresh rate panel, but without specific details, we can only speculate on its brightness and color accuracy. The Ultra 3’s larger display size will also be beneficial for readability and interaction. The absence of display specs for the Red Magic Watch makes a direct comparison difficult, but a focus on responsiveness is expected.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch is primarily marketed for its camera capabilities. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 doesn’t have a camera. The Red Magic Watch’s camera specifications are unavailable, making a comparison impossible. Smartwatch cameras are generally low-resolution and used for limited functionality, such as quick code scanning or remote camera control.
Performance
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is powered by the Apple S10 dual-core chipset, offering a significant performance advantage in processing speed and efficiency. This translates to smoother animations, faster app loading times, and more accurate sensor data processing. The Red Magic Watch’s chipset remains unknown, but given its gaming focus, it will likely prioritize GPU performance. However, without knowing the architecture or manufacturing process (e.g., 4nm vs. 7nm), it’s impossible to assess its thermal management capabilities or sustained performance under load. The Apple S10’s optimized software integration also provides a performance edge.
Battery Life
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers a 0-80% charge in 45 minutes via wireless charging. Battery life is dependent on usage, but Apple claims up to 36 hours of normal use. The Red Magic Watch’s battery capacity and charging speed are unknown. However, a gaming-focused smartwatch may require a larger battery to support demanding games, potentially offsetting the benefits of faster charging. The efficiency of the Apple S10 chipset contributes to the Ultra 3’s respectable battery life, while the Red Magic Watch’s battery performance will heavily rely on its chipset’s power consumption.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Red Magic Watch if you are a dedicated mobile gamer seeking a smartwatch with potential gaming-specific features and are willing to accept compromises in broader functionality. Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if you are a serious athlete, value a premium user experience, require advanced health monitoring, and are invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the ZTE Red Magic Watch support cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass?
Given ZTE’s focus on gaming, it’s plausible the Red Magic Watch could integrate with cloud gaming services. However, this functionality is unconfirmed and depends on software development and partnerships. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 does not natively support cloud gaming.
❓ How does the Apple S10 chipset impact the accuracy of health sensors on the Ultra 3?
The Apple S10’s dedicated neural engine accelerates sensor data processing, leading to more accurate readings for heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen, and other health metrics. This improved processing power minimizes latency and enhances the reliability of the data collected by the Ultra 3’s sensors.
❓ Is the Red Magic Watch likely to have dedicated gaming controls or features beyond a standard smartwatch interface?
ZTE’s Red Magic brand is known for gaming phones with features like shoulder buttons and dedicated cooling systems. It’s reasonable to expect the Red Magic Watch to incorporate some gaming-specific features, potentially including customizable button mappings or performance modes, though this remains speculative.
