Apple Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple Watch Ultra 2 wins 3 of the 7 categories we compared, against 0 for Apple Watch Ultra (4 tied) — including peak brightness (3000 nits vs 2000 nits).
Apple Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: our verdict
Go for Apple Watch Ultra 2 if you want the brightest display, blood pressure alerts, and more storage in a rugged, adventure-ready smartwatch. If you're happy with a standard bright screen and don't need blood pressure alerts, this isn't an essential upgrade.
Apple Watch Ultra still makes sense if you want a rugged, premium smartwatch and don't care about the very latest display brightness, health alerts, or extra storage. The main reason to pause is simple: you give up blood pressure alerts.
Summarised from our video comparison of these two wearables.
Watch the video comparison
Apple Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Battery & Charging
| Spec |
 Apple Watch Ultra
|
 Apple Watch Ultra 2
|
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 36 hours | 36 hours |
| Charging | USB-C magnetic fast charging | USB-C magnetic fast charging; up to 80% in about 1 hour |
Apple Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Display
| Spec |
Apple Watch Ultra
|
Apple Watch Ultra 2
|
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 1.92 in | 1.92 in |
| Peak brightness | 2000 nits | 3000 nits |
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO2 OLED | Always-On Retina LTPO2 OLED |
| Resolution | 410 x 502 | 410 x 502 |
| Screen protection | Flat sapphire front crystal; raised titanium case edges protect the crystal from edge impacts | Flat sapphire crystal display |
Apple Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Health Sensors
| Spec |
Apple Watch Ultra
|
Apple Watch Ultra 2
|
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate variability | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Blood pressure alerts | No | Yes |
| Irregular rhythm alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Breathing rate | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Stress tracking | No | No |
Apple Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: GPS & Navigation
| Spec |
Apple Watch Ultra
|
Apple Watch Ultra 2
|
|---|---|---|
| Built-in GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-band GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite systems | 5 | 5 |
| Offline maps | Yes | Yes |
| Barometer | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
Apple Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Smart Features
| Spec |
Apple Watch Ultra
|
Apple Watch Ultra 2
|
|---|---|---|
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Music storage | Yes | Yes |
| Calls from the wrist | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular (LTE) | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Fall detection | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency SOS | Yes | Yes |
| Software | watchOS | watchOS |
| Works with | iPhone only | iPhone only |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Siri |
Apple Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Design & Durability
| Spec |
Apple Watch Ultra
|
Apple Watch Ultra 2
|
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 61.3 g | 61.4 g |
| Thickness | 12 mm | 12 mm |
| Water resistance | 100 m | 100 m |
| Military-grade toughness | Yes | Yes |
| Case size | 49 mm | 49 mm |
| Material | Titanium | Titanium |
| IP rating | IP6X | IP6X |
Apple Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Price & Colors
| Spec |
Apple Watch Ultra
|
Apple Watch Ultra 2
|
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Natural Titanium | Natural Titanium, Black Titanium |
| Release year | 2022 | 2023 |
Where each one wins
Apple Watch Ultra
- Weight: 61.3 g (vs 61.4 g)
Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Peak brightness: 3000 nits (vs 2000 nits)
- Blood pressure alerts
More Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2 Comparisons
Wearables Similar to Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch Ultra 2
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the Apple Watch Ultra or the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
Apple Watch Ultra 2 wins 3 of the 7 categories we compared, against 0 for Apple Watch Ultra (4 tied) — including peak brightness (3000 nits vs 2000 nits).
Which is cheaper, the Apple Watch Ultra or the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
Both cost around $799, so the choice comes down to specs rather than price.
What are the main differences between the Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
The biggest gaps are in peak brightness (3000 nits on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs 2000 nits).