this one (doesn’t) suit you

The Apple Watch Ultra is very good, but anything but cheap. A lot more affordable is the ‘normal’ Apple Watch. In this Apple Watch Series 8 vs Apple Watch Ultra comparison, we list the differences between the two.

Apple Watch Series 8 vs Apple Watch Ultra

The Apple Watch Series 8 has changed little compared to its predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 7. That kite doesn’t go up when you put the watch next to the Apple Watch Ultra. This addition to the Watch family is made for adventurers and avid athletes, but it does cost a lot of money.

In this Apple Watch Series 8 vs Apple Watch Ultra comparison, we list the main differences between the two.

	Apple Watch Series 8	Apple Watch Ultra
From price	499 euros	999 euros
cabinet size	41mm and 45mm	49mm
Material	Aluminum / stainless steel	Titanium
Waterproof up to…	50 meters	100 meter
Additional Features	Making heart movies, fall and crash detection, oxygen saturation sensor	Depth sounder for water temperature, siren for emergency alarm, adjustable action button, making heart movies, fall and crash detection, oxygen saturation sensor
Battery life	Until 6 pm	Up to 36 hours

1. Design and housing

Both watches have approximately the same design, but the Ultra version is considerably larger. This watch has a case size of 49mm (502 x 410 pixels), while the Series 8 comes in two sizes. The small version has a 41mm case (430 x 352 pixels) and the larger version is 45mm (484 x 396 pixels).

The Ultra smartwatch is made of titanium, a robust and heavy material. This watch is therefore relatively heavy: 61.3 grams. Depending on the size and choice of material (aluminium or stainless steel), the Series 8 adds between 32 and 51.5 grams on the scale.

The Ultra watch has a titanium case for a reason, because it was made for adventurers and outdoorsmen. The smartwatch is extremely robust and has, for example, the MIL-STD 810H certificate, a military standard. That means that the watch can handle the most extreme standards. Think of high altitudes, rapid temperature changes, heavy rainfall, sandstorms and more.

In addition, the watch is waterproof to depths of 100 meters. The Series 8 sinks at 50 meters. Also good to know: the edges of the case protrude slightly above the sapphire glass, so that the screen is protected against impact from the side.

Furthermore, the screen of the Apple Watch Ultra is slightly better. The brightness goes up to 2000 nits, while the Series 8 stays at 1000 nits. This allows you to read the screen of the Ultra anytime and anywhere, even in bright sunlight.

In addition, the Ultra has an adjustable action button. This allows you to quickly launch certain apps, for example.

2. Sports functions and health sensors

Many people wear an Apple Watch to monitor (and improve) their health. Whether you choose the Series 8 or Ultra: both are filled to the brim with health sensors.

Both watches have, for example, a saturation meter to measure the oxygen level in your blood, a heart rate monitor (for making heart films, among other things) and an altimeter.

Of course, the Apple Watch Ultra pulls the longest in terms of health functions. For example, the watch has a built-in siren. You hope you never have to use it, but in the event of an accident, the siren can alert any bystanders.

Furthermore, the best Apple Watch ever has a depth sounder and water temperature sensor. This makes the watch very suitable for divers, although you still have to wait for the special Dive Computer app. It will come to the Ultra later this year via a software update.

Finally, you can order all kinds of sporty bands for the Apple Watch Ultra. There is, for example, a special wristband for water sports enthusiasts, and a wristband that is ideal for mountain climbers.

3. Processor and battery life

In terms of hardware, the two watches differ little from each other. Both the Apple Watch 8 and Apple Watch Ultra have an S8 processor.

There are minimal differences. For example, the Ultra has a slightly accurate GPS sensor and is therefore better at accurately tracking your location. This watch is also equipped with bluetooth 5.3, which is more energy efficient and stable than the bluetooth 5.0 version of the Series 8.

Speaking of energy: when it comes to battery life, the Ultra has an edge. This watch lasts up to 36 hours on a full battery charge, while the Series 8 runs out of energy after 18 hours.

It is nice that both watches can get started with the Energy Saving Mode. As the name suggests, this feature extends the battery life of your Apple Watch.

4. Price is a big difference

The most painful difference between the Apple Watch 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra is the price. The latter is twice as expensive. You can buy the Apple Watch Series 8 from 499 euros, while the Apple Watch Ultra costs 999 euros.