There ’s one very obvious reason why you ’d pick / not peck the Apple Watch Ultra over the Apple Watch Series 8 : the Ultra is a much bigger watch . But there ’s a grounds for its size , and it ’s a very different watch from the Series 8 . rent ’s take a flavor at the differences between theApple Watch Ultraand theSeries 8 . They are two sentry with a sight of the same feature of speech , but then the Ultra takes it to the next level — so much so that some users may want toconsider switch from a Garmin sentinel .
Specs
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch Ultra vs Series 8: Design and display
The Apple Watch Ultra follow the same plan principle that Apple has always had for the watch , with a rectangular shape and rounded boundary and corners . But It ’s on a bigger scale , and Apple also made change to increase the durability of the Ultra , such as a raised rim around the watch face , and the stripe to protect the Digital Crown and Side button .
The Ultra is available only in a 49 mm size . The Ultra is thicker ( 14.4 mm ) than the Series 8 ( 10.7 mm ) for carry a bigger battery . At 61.3 grams , the Ultra is more than 10 grams heavier than the heaviest Series 8 with a 45 mm stainless steel case .
The Apple Watch Ultra is made to be more durable than the Series 8 , with a titanium case , a Digital Crown guard duty , and a raised bevel around the display .
Apple
The Series 8 has the same aim as the Series 7 , which had slight changes from the Series 6 : smaller bezels to accommodate a enceinte exhibit and case corners that are round . The Series 8 is available in 45 mm and 41 mm size .
Both the Ultra and Series 8 have always - on displays , but the Ultra ’s luminance has a maximum of 2,000 nits , which is twice the specification of the Series 8 and the brightest of all the Apple Watches .
Apple Watch Ultra vs Series 8: Durability
The Apple Watch has always been very undestroyable . Since the Series 8 has the same construction as the Series 7 , its lastingness has not changed – both of those watches have a thicker front watch glass display than the Series 6 , so it ’s stronger and more scratch - resistant . The Series 8 is certified at IP6X dust - soaked electrical resistance and has a water - resistance rating of 50 time .
The Apple Watch Ultra is waterproof up to 100 meters .
The Apple Watch Ultra , however , is a all different beast . It ’s built to withstand the harsh condition and treatment . That begin with the use of titanium for the sheath , which is more durable than the aluminum or unsullied steel in the Series 8 . The compositor’s case is slightly raised around the display ( which has sapphire front crystals ) to aid protect it , and there ’s also a legal community to protect the Digital Crown .
Like the Series 8 , the Ultra is IP6X dust resistant , but then Apple rifle several pace further . The Ultra has been tested to theMIL - STD 810Hmilitary monetary standard , which means it can handle uttermost conditions of EL , temperature , rain , physical shock , trembling , and more . It is water insubordinate to 100 meters , with a amateur honkytonk demarcation line of 40 meters .
Apple Watch Ultra vs Series 8: Health and fitness features
Both watches ladder watchOS 9 , and all novel Apple Watch models have the new Crash Detection lineament , which can sense if you ’ve been in a gondola clangor and can adjoin hand brake divine service for you . The Apple Watch Ultra and Series 8 also have the same health features , include the new temperature detector that go after temperature trends overnight and can be used for ovulation cycle tracking .
The Apple Watch Ultra has features for athletes that are n’t on the other Apple Watch models . These include :
The Ultra has a unexampled button on its left side called the Action button . This button is programmable and function with apps to give the user a quick way to activate a specific function . For example , it can be used to overleap a waypoint while hiking , or you’re able to press it when you start a dive . It also can be used to activate an 89 - decibel alarm in subject you require to alarm anyone around you .
The Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra both have the new torso temperature sensing element for ovulation tracking .
Apple Watch Ultra vs Series 8: Sensors
These are the sensors on both the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Ultra .
The follow are on the Apple Watch Series 8 only :
The follow are on the Apple Watch Ultra only :
Apple Watch Ultra vs Series 8: Colors and bands
The Apple Watch Series 8 is usable in two dissimilar caseful materials , and the people of color selection are unlike between those two . The Apple Watch Ultra is uncommitted only in titanium and in a “ Natural ” color .
The Apple Watch Series 8 is uncommitted in several colors and finish , including new Nike bands .
As for bands , the Series 8 has a large excerpt of bands to prefer from , made from nylon , leather , or untarnished steel . And Apple proceed to offer Nike and Hermès versions that not only have extra bands but also watch faces .
Apple offers three ring options for the Apple Watch Ultra , each designed for particular activity :
In addition to the 49 mm Apple Watch Ultra , Ultra bands can be used on any 44 mm or 45 mm Apple Watch . The bands are uncommitted at theonline Apple storage for $ 99 each . Additionally , bands for 44 mm and 45 millimetre Apple Watches can be used with the Ultra .
Apple Watch Ultra vs Series 8: Performance
Both of these ticker use an S8 processor , and while we have n’t consider benchmarks or tests yet , there ’s no reason to believe that they perform differently .
The Apple Watch Ultra does have a couple of central ascent that will make it feel like a better performing artist . The first is its dual - frequency GPS , where it uses the L1 and L5 frequencies to provide more accurate location metrics than on other Apple Watches . The other is Bluetooth 5.3 backing , which offers better push consumption and connectivity than Bluetooth 5.0 in the other sentry .
The Apple Watch Ultra come with cellular LTE connectivity and there ’s no option to get one without it . The Apple Watch Series 8 can be purchase with or without LTE .
Apple Watch Ultra vs Series 8: Battery and charging
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers the same 18 hours of battery life as its harbinger and every other Apple Watch example . A new Low - Power Mode in watchOS 9 can extend battery life to 36 hours , but this mode disables some feature , such as the always - on display , heart health monitoring , and exercising autostart . If you want to do sleep tracking and you have n’t been using Low Power Mode , you ’ll need to charge the watch sometime before you go to sleep .
At 36 hours , Apple Watch Ultra has twice the battery life as the Series 8 – but keep in mind that the Ultra is a self-aggrandizing lookout man with a bigger stamp battery . Some might line up it to be too big to wear for nap trailing .
The U.S. ( left ) and U.K. 20W magnate transcriber by Apple .
Fast charging is available for both the Series 8 and Ultra if you practice theApple Watch Magnetic tight charge USB - C Cable(Model A2515 ) and a 20W baron transcriber . Apple say that eight minutes of loyal charging will cover eight hr of sleep tracking .
However , Apple only include the cable with the Apple Watch ; you ’ll need a 20W adapter or cracking with a USB - degree Celsius larboard . Apple sells a20W USB - C Power Adapter(Model A2305 ) for $ 19 , but you might be able to find a third - party offering that ’s cheaper and has extra features , such as the Anker 20W Fast Charger with Foldable Plug that’s$15 on Amazon . Or you could pay a little more and find an transcriber with additional port so you could charge multiple devices .
Check out our roundup of thebest Apple Watch charger .
Apple Watch Ultra vs Series 8: Price
The Apple Watch Series 8 starts at $ 399 with GPS only , and the Leontyne Price pass up if you want to add cellular connectivity and/or transfer the showcase textile and the band . Here are the startle prices for the various options .
The Apple Watch Ultra starts at $ 799 , and it comes in only a 49 mm size with a titanium case , GPS+ cellular connectivity , and either a Trail Loop , Alpine Loop , or Ocean Band watch band . That ’s not cheap , of class , but it ’s less expensive than the atomic number 22 45 millimeter Apple Watch Edition that Apple lately sell .
Apple Watch Ultra vs Series 8: Conclusion
The Apple Watch Series 8 is a o.k. smartwatch , but it does n’t institute much that the Series 7 does n’t . We would n’t recommend update from a Series 7 or Series 6 unless you really need to have the late and greatest find out every twelvemonth .
The Ultra , however , is a different story . While its 49 mm video display will be too big for many substance abuser , its marvellous feature set , excellent bombardment life history , and titanium finish make it very compelling , especially at a $ 799 price tag . Even if you wo n’t habituate many of the feature , the 36 - time of day battery life history and tough case make it a keen purchase for anyone who bonk large watches — and maybe even a few people who do n’t .