Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 - comparing the biggest wearables

Posted:
in Apple Watch edited September 12

The Apple Watch Series 10 unexpectedly can have the largest screen of any Apple Watch model. Here's how it and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 compares, for when you decide to upgrade.

Two smartwatches: one with a red fabric band displaying an analog face, and another with a black rubber band showing a digital face and various stats.
Apple Watch Series 10 [left], Apple Watch Ultra 2 [right]



The Apple Watch Series 10 got a much-needed update on September 9. Not only did its internals get upgraded, but its external design got a facelift too.

With a much larger display and presence, some may consider the Apple Watch Series 10 as being much closer to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 than ever before.

However, potential Ultra buyers shouldn't immediately change their minds and get the cheaper Apple Watch Series 10 straight away.

There's more of a difference between the two models than just size.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 - Specifications


SpecificationsApple Watch Series 10Apple Watch Ultra 2
Price (starting)$399
Best Apple Watch Series 10 prices
$799
Best Ultra 2 prices
Sizes42mm, 46mm49mm
DisplayRetina LTPO3 wide-angle OLED display
Up to 2,000 nits
Retina LTPO2 OLED display
Up to 3,000 nits
Case MaterialsAluminum
Titanium
Titanium
ProcessorS10 SiPS9 SiP
Health SensorsThird-generation optical heart sensor,
Electrical heart sensor,
Temperature sensor
Third-generation optical heart sensor.,
Electrical heart sensor,
Temperature sensor
Water Resistance50 meters100 meters
Battery LifeUp to 18 hours (36 in Low Power Mode)Up to 36 hours (72 in Low Power Mode)
RechargingWirelessWireless
ConnectivityLTE,
UMTS,
Wi-Fi 4,
Bluetooth 5.3,
GPS/GNSS,
Ultra Wideband
LTE,
UMTS,
Wi-Fi 4,
Bluetooth 5.3,
GPS/GNSS,
Ultra Wideband
Other SensingEmergency SOS,
Fall Detection,
Crash Detection,
Always-on altimeter,
Ambient light sensor,
Gyroscope,
Compass,
Depth Gauge,
Water temperature sensor
Emergency SOS,
Fall Detection,
Crash Detection,
Always-on altimeter,
Accelerometer,
Gyroscope,
Compass,
Depth Gauge,
Water temperature sensor
ColorsJet Black (Aluminum),
Rose Gold (Aluminum),
Silver (Aluminum),
Natural (Titanium),
Gold (Titanium),
Slate (Titanium)
Natural,
Black

Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 - Case sizes, materials, and weight



The most obvious differences between the models are physical. They may both be high-end wearables in Apple's ecosystem, but they are certainly built differently.

The 2024 update to the Apple Watch Series 10 is considerable, starting with the physical size. The new models are classed as being 42mm and 46mm in size.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is only offered in one size class: 49mm. This doesn't tell the entire story though.

Two smartwatches, one with a black band and digital display, the other with a metallic band and a radial patterned analog face.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: The new Series 10 aluminum and titanium options



Looking at the physical dimensions, the Apple Watch Series 10 measures 46mm in height and 39mm in width for the 46mm model. The 42mm version is 42mm in height, 36mm in width.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 remains the chunkiest, at 49mm in height and 44mm in width.

This also goes for thicknesses, with the Series 10 slimmed down to 9.7mm against 14.4mm for the Ultra 2.

When it comes to weight, the Apple Watch Series 10's 46mm model is 36.4 grams for the aluminum GPS version, 35.3 grams with cellular, and 41.7 grams for the new titanium model.

The 42mm is much lighter, at 30 grams for the aluminum GPS, 29.3 grams with cellular, and 34.4 grams for the titanium.

Made from Grade 5 titanium, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is considerably heavier, at 61.4 grams for the Natural colorway, 61.8 grams for the Black option.

The thickness, size, and weight of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 can be argued as being necessary. As a device designed to be used outdoors, it's made to be able to withstand the rigors of a highly active and outgoing lifestyle.

Smartwatch with a black frame and band displaying time, weather, altitude, speed, and other data in white and blue on a dark screen.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: The Digital Crown is protected more on the Ultra 2



The Apple Watch Series 10 continues the use of a side button and a Digital Crown, along with the touchscreen and Siri to control the device. The Apple Watch Ultra adds in a second side button, referred to as the Action Button, on the opposite side.

How the side button and Digital Crown are implemented also differs on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, with Apple using an extended section that raises the side button up from the surface. This also has the effect of protecting the Digital Crown if it ever is caught in an impact.

The entire front screen of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is also flat, versus the more curved display of the Apple Watch Series 10. This gives it a much more utilitarian appearance.

Sure, you could wear the Apple Watch Series 10 to climb a rock face. However, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has been built more to deal with such activities.

You could dive with the Apple Watch Series 10, with it rated to be water resistant to a depth of 50 meters (164 feet), which Apple deems "Swimproof." Apple even includes a depth gauge feature in the Series 10 that mimics the version in the Apple Watch Ultra 2, down to 6 meters (20 feet).

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 goes further, with its 100m (328 feet) water resistance rating being double of its non-Ultra counterpart. Diving is also allowed to a much deeper depth, down to 40 meters (130 feet).

Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 - Display



The Apple Watch Series 10 was upgraded to an always-on Retina LTPO3 OLED display, a panel that offered very wide angles of viewing compared to previous models. It could also offer up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness and a minimum of 1 nit.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 uses an LTPO2 always-on Retina display, which doesn't have the wide-angle capability. It does, however, offer a much higher level of brightness at up to 3,000 nits.

Black smartwatch displaying weather forecast with temperatures and hourly icons for sunny and cloudy conditions. The date and time are shown at the top left.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: The wider viewing angles of the Series 10 display



Protecting the edge-to-edge display of the Apple Watch Series 10 is Ion-X front glass for the aluminum model, and Sapphire for the titanium version.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 uses only a flat sapphire crystal to protect its display. Its rough-and-tumble nature means it needs a higher grade of protection.

While the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the physically taller and larger device, it doesn't have the biggest screen. Its 1,185 square millimeter display area has a resolution of 410 by 502 pixels, giving it a pixel density of 338 pixels per inch.

The 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 has a slightly larger 1,220 square millimeter display area. Its resolution is in the same ballpark as the Ultra 2 at 416 by 496 pixels and a 326ppi pixel density.

Part of this disparity is due to Apple's designs for the displays, and the enclosures.

Two smartwatches displaying different screens: one showing tide information, and the other presenting scuba diving data including depth, no deco time, dive time, and surface time.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: The Series 10 [left] gains more viewable screen, the Ultra 2 [right] protects it more.



The Apple Watch Series 10 has much thinner bezels and a screen that curves around the edges. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 instead has a flat surface with the casing around the edge in a more protective manner.

Apple also altered the dimensions of the Apple Watch Series 10 to make it slightly wider, which increases the screen size more without requiring much more height.

For reference, the 42mm Series 10 display has a 989 square millimeter viewable area, and a resolution of 374 by 446 pixels.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 - Processor



The Apple Watch Ultra 2 uses the S9 SiP, a 64-bit dual-core chip, which uses 5.6 billion transistors. It has a built-in four-core Neural Engine for on-device Siri processing.

As a newer device, the Apple Watch Series 10 uses the S10 SiP, which continues to be a 64-bit dual-core chip with a four-core Neural Engine. Apple did redesign the S10 to be thinner, helping it achieve a slimmer overall device.

Both the S9 and S10 also use the W3 Apple wireless chip and a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip.

Despite being newer and Apple's assurances it was designed for performance and power efficiency, it's hard to justify the S10 as an objectively better chip. There's no real need to run productivity apps or games on a wearable, making performance changes being relatively moot unless they're considerable.

In short, both SiPs are powerful enough for what you may want to do from day to day.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 - Health and fitness



Both the Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2 have a lot of health and fitness capabilities. This starts with the third-generation optical heart sensor and electrical heart sensor on the back of each of them.

The included temperature sensor, compass, altimeter, and motion-sensing hardware is also used for the various health and fitness capabilities of the wearables. For example, you have heart rate monitoring, irregular rhythm notifications, and an ECG function that protects your heart and monitors how far you push yourself in activities.

Workout tracking is also included, along with a Mindfulness app and sleep tracking.

This latter point is hyped up by the Apple Watch Series 10 launch, due to it including sleep apnea tracking. It will notify users if they seemingly suffer from the ailment, when they stop breathing during a night's rest.

Close-up of the back of a black smartwatch with multiple sensors and a green wristband.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: The back of the Series 10



While the promotion is centered around this feature being included in the Series 10, it turns out the Ultra 2's spec sheet also mentions it.

When it comes to what is exactly different between the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 when it comes to activities, the biggest point will be diving capabilities. As mentioned earlier, you could do some shore-level diving with the Series 10, but you can go much, much deeper without worrying about your Apple Watch Ultra 2 thanks to its increased water resistance.

The depth gauge feature spells it out. On the Series 10, it will go down to 6 meters (20ft), but it's 40 meters (130 feet) on the Ultra 2.

There are water temperature sensors on each, so you'll know if the water is too cold to swim in for ling periods, for example.

The Oceanic+ app for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 turns the wearable into a dive computer. However, the same app is described as usable "for snorkeling" by Apple.

For those with a much more active outdoor lifestyle, the Apple Watch Ultra is naturally a more hardwearing timepiece. But it also has a siren capability, just in case you need assistance while on a hike.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 - Battery and storage



The Apple Watch Series 10 has an 18-hour battery life, which Apple refers to as all-day battery life. The Low Power Mode can increase the life up to 36 hours, by sacrificing performance.

However, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 starts its battery life at 36 hours, with Low Power Mode raising it to 72 hours.

Both models are recharged wirelessly using a magnetic puck. The Series 10 can regain 80% of its capacity in about 30 minutes of charging, while the Ultra 2 needs about an hour to do the same.

The built-in storage of the Apple Watch Series 10 is 64GB, which is equalled by the Ultra 2. This gives a sizable amount of storage capacity for Apple Music playlists to listen to while on the move.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 - Other features



The Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2 have "Precision Finding" for the iPhone 15 generation and later, powered by Ultra Wideband. You can use it to see in which direction and how far away a lost iPhone is located.

For audio, the Apple Watch Series 10 has a speaker, while the Ultra 2 has dual speakers. Both can play back media without needing earphones.

The Series 10 has a microphone with voice isolation, which is handy for FaceTime calls. The Ultra 2 has a three-mic array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation that does the same job.

In terms of connectivity, the two models are evenly matched. There's LTE in the cellular-equipped models, with all having support for Wi-Fi 4 and Bluetooth 5.3.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 - Price



The aluminum Apple Watch Series 10 starts from $399 for the 42mm model, $429 for the 46mm. The GPS + Cellular versions were $499 and $529 apiece.

The Titanium variants of the Series 10 are $699 and $749, respective of size, and include cellular by default.

Aluminum models are available in Rose Gold, Silver, or Jet Black, while Titanium is offered in Gold, Slate, and Natural, as well as Silver for the Hermes editions.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is priced at $799, with a choice of Natural or Black finishes. There is no GPS-only option.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 - Which to buy



There is obviously a different crowd being targeted for the Apple Watch Series 10 versus the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The latter is aimed at people who hike, who climb and dive, and have active lifestyles that could easily damage their possessions.

There is a ruggedness inherent to the design of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 that the Apple Watch Series 10 simply doesn't have. For that intended audience, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a slam dunk purchase.

Sleek black smartwatch with a minimalist design, showcasing a radial pattern on the display and two watch hands.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: The Series 10 is great, but the Ultra 2 is still the best



Things get a little muddier when you instead look to the more average consumer, who may have enough of a budget to stretch to the titanium models.

At $749, the Apple Watch Series 10 with titanium and cellular is a full $50 cheaper than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. For that money, you get a larger screen relative to the body, a marginally larger viewable screen area, and a considerably thinner construction.

The brighter display, the more utilitarian construction, and the better diving capabilities of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 are certainly worth that extra $50. That is, if the potential buyer is going to actually need them.

Overall, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is still the better pick in this narrow price range. For mere mortals with tighter purse strings, the cheaper Series 10 variants will be good enough, albeit without the ability to become Jason Bourne on weekends.

Where to buy the Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2



The Apple Watch Series 10 is available to order now from Amazon and Best Buy. You can view the latest pricing and availability in our Apple Watch Series 10 Price Guide.

If the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2 is of interest, Best Buy is knocking $50 off the new black case option with a Plus membership. The steepest savings can be found on the the natural titanium case option, which is marked down to as low as $689 at Amazon at press time. Enjoy easy price comparison across leading Apple resellers in our Apple Watch Ultra 2 Price Guide.

We've also rounded up top Apple Watch deals available on new and closeout models.



Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 19
     A good read. Thank you. 
    I was sure I was going to get the 10 but I would want a decent screen that doesn’t get scratched up like my ALU S7 and every model  I’ve had prior. 
    That means paying almost as much as the Ultra which has a few advantages (as you mentioned). 
    The Ultra too is a fashion statement in itself (go big or go home lol). 
    Don’t think the s10 v s9 SOC means anything in real usage either. The extra battery might come in useful , and the flat brighter screen will be nice. 




    jahbladeronnkamyk35StrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 19
    Not hearing anything about blood oxygen sensing, so I assume that’s still gone, perhaps never to return?
    pulseimageswatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 19
    charlesncharlesn Posts: 1,085member
    I posted this question elsewhere, but this comparison is actually where it belongs: is the only difference between the S9 and S10 a matter of the S10 being thinner to fit the Watch 10's slimmer case? I've been wondering why Apple didn't spec bump the Ultra to an S10, it just seemed so lazy not to do so, but if the S10 is simply a thinner version of the S9 with the same performance, then it finally makes sense: this difference would have been meaningless in the Ultra. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 19
    danoxdanox Posts: 3,301member
    Apple Watch iteration looking good, the design, watch faces, colors and watch bands just keep getting better little by little, and I’m not even a watch person, just add blood pressure monitoring and I won’t be able to hold off anymore.

    Very nice for something that many said it would be a flop at introduction.

    https://www.fastcompany.com/3042987/you-guys-realize-the-apple-watch-is-going-to-flop-right

    https://money.cnn.com/2015/02/04/technology/apple-watch-flop/index.html
    edited September 12 ronnStrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 19
    charlesncharlesn Posts: 1,085member
    danox said:
    Apple Watch iteration looking good, the design, watch faces, colors and watch bands just keep getting better little by little, and I’m not even a watch person, just add blood pressure monitoring and I won’t be able to hold off anymore.

    Very nice for something that many said it would be a flop at introduction.

    https://www.fastcompany.com/3042987/you-guys-realize-the-apple-watch-is-going-to-flop-right

    https://money.cnn.com/2015/02/04/technology/apple-watch-flop/index.html
    OMG, hilarious. THANK YOU for posting these links, a good reminder that the Apple doomsayers excel at stupidity wrapped in smug certainty. 
    ronnkamyk35StrangeDays
  • Reply 6 of 19
    I currently own the Ultra and I mainly bought it for the screen size and battery life.  I’m sadly inactive these days :(

    That means I’m torn between keeping my ultra, upgrading to the series X or the Ultra 2.

    im most tempted by the series x but the battery life is a compelling reason to stick with the ultra.

    what to do.  What to do.
    ronnwatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 19
    ronnronn Posts: 681member
    I'm torn about upgrading to the 10. I usually buy in the Fall and was planning to wait till next year to upgrade since I bought the 9 last fall. But the larger size and jet black has me rethinking. I'll check out the 10 in-person mid-October to decide.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 19
    thttht Posts: 5,622member
    I will have to go the Apple Store to look. It's really a choice between Jet Black aluminum, Slate titanium, and Satin Black titanium for me.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 19
    There is just one big glaring problem with the series 10 (Titanium in particular) THE BATTERY!!!
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 19
    Great write up. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 19
    f1turbo said:
    Not hearing anything about blood oxygen sensing, so I assume that’s still gone, perhaps never to return?
    The O2 sensing was inactivated in software—it was utilizing the hardware used to watch blood flow and measure pulse rates to measure oxygen saturation. So the hardware capability is still built in, it's just now the operating system won't use it to report on oxygen saturation in Apple Watches in the US. The feature is still available in Watches sold in other countries.

    The rumormongers seem to feel that this is temporary, claiming that Apple is still working the legal channels to either overturn the ruling against them on O2 sensing or work out a viable agreement to bring it back. Of course, the proof of this would be Apple actually filing something in the courts or quietly signing an agreement with Masimo—something that has not happened in the past eight months since the US ban went into effect.


    watto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 19
    thttht Posts: 5,622member
    charlesn said:
    danox said:
    Apple Watch iteration looking good, the design, watch faces, colors and watch bands just keep getting better little by little, and I’m not even a watch person, just add blood pressure monitoring and I won’t be able to hold off anymore.

    Very nice for something that many said it would be a flop at introduction.

    https://www.fastcompany.com/3042987/you-guys-realize-the-apple-watch-is-going-to-flop-right

    https://money.cnn.com/2015/02/04/technology/apple-watch-flop/index.html
    OMG, hilarious. THANK YOU for posting these links, a good reminder that the Apple doomsayers excel at stupidity wrapped in smug certainty. 
    You definitely have to question whether you are being manipulated for the clicks with these types of articles. I’m not so sure if these authors are being sincere or not. 

    What I think is undeniable is that it is a clickbait article, the authors know it, and the publishers know it. They will serve it up for the clicks even though they know it is stupid. 

    The Fast Company article straight up is writing a negative article over standard product development cycles, using the most negative words possible, and by the end, contradicts itself. 

    It’s like the assignment was to write negative article about the Apple Watch. He did his best. Appearing stupid is just the cost of being published?
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 13 of 19
    f1turbo said:
    Not hearing anything about blood oxygen sensing, so I assume that’s still gone, perhaps never to return?
    Non US versions still have it. 
    entropyswatto_cobra
  • Reply 14 of 19
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,268member
    longfang said:
    f1turbo said:
    Not hearing anything about blood oxygen sensing, so I assume that’s still gone, perhaps never to return?
    Non US versions still have it. 
    Yes, the blood oxygen sensor is there on the series 10 in Australia

    Sensors
    • Electrical heart sensor
    • Third‑generation optical heart sensor
    • Blood oxygen sensor1
    • Temperature sensor2
    • Compass
    • Always‑on altimeter
    • High‑g accelerometer
    • High-dynamic-range gyroscope
    • Ambient light sensor
    • Depth gauge
    • Water temperature sensor
    The 1 footnote is the standard blurb that it is not a medical device.
    edited September 13 watto_cobra
  • Reply 15 of 19
    ronn said:
    I'm torn about upgrading to the 10. I usually buy in the Fall and was planning to wait till next year to upgrade since I bought the 9 last fall. But the larger size and jet black has me rethinking. I'll check out the 10 in-person mid-October to decide.
    Same situation here and I was on the fence until I realized BestBuy was offering $300 trade-in credit for my 45mm S9 GPS. So for $129 net I took the plunge on the S10.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 16 of 19
    Not for me this year. Hoped series 10 would add value. Selecting extra functionality such as cellular connectivity, the larger screen and better grade screen glass / case makes the Apple Watch 10 approximately the same price as an Ultra 2, but with crappy battery life and less features. Far too expensive for what it is. 
    edited September 13 watto_cobra
  • Reply 17 of 19
    What does the Ultra use the Accelerometer for? The SX doesn't seem to have one

    Also, why is the weight with a cellular modem less than without? Seems wrong
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 18 of 19
    I’ve been on the S5 since it released. I’m only upgrading because watchOS 11 doesn’t support S5 anymore. I really don’t like the look of the Ultras, I don’t need cellular, nor extreme activity features. I can live without the battery life, and the aluminum S10s look good with faster charging, so the price is much better compared to the U2. It might have been a more difficult decision if they’d released a redesigned U3.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 19 of 19
    thttht Posts: 5,622member
    israndy said:
    What does the Ultra use the Accelerometer for? The SX doesn't seem to have one

    Also, why is the weight with a cellular modem less than without? Seems wrong
    The Series 10 has an accelerometer. All Apple Watches have had accelerometers since the first model. As far as I tell, the Series 10 has most of the sensors, chips and antennas as the Watch Ultra. The differences is form factor, battery capacity, display, dual GPS, siren, and certifications. Presumably the S10 SiP has some minor change, but not a compute performance related one. Wait and on see on that.

    I would hazard a guess that the GPS only Series 10 is heavier because it has a ballast block for where the cellular chip goes, and it ended up being heavier than cellular modem hardware by 0.5 to 1 gram. 1 gram is pretty small. You would need to measure a lot of Series 10 Watches to see what the spread in weight is.
    watto_cobra
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