Apple Watch Ultra 1 Vs 2 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?
Apple Watch Ultra 1 & 2 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Apple Watch Ultra 2 rather than the Apple Watch Ultra.
Why Do I Recommend The Apple Watch Ultra 2?
- The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has an advanced S9 chip for faster performance, improved health monitoring, & smoother app navigation, compared to the S8 chip in the Apple Watch Ultra.
- The Ultra 2 has a maximum of 3,000 nits brightness to read in harsh sunlight & perfect for outdoors, while the Ultra has a maximum of 2,000 nits brightness.
- It introduced the UWB 2 chip, which improves the accuracy of location-based services like Find My Device and supports precision finding to locate lost nearby devices, but the Apple Watch Ultra has no UWB chip.
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a Double Tap gesture, which performs actions like answering calls, stopping alarms, or interacting with notifications without physically touching the screen, while the Apple Watch Ultra has basic swipe and press controls.
- The Ultra 2 boasts up to 36 hours of battery life (72 hours on low-power mode), perfect for long trips without frequent charging, while the Ultra has no extended low-power mode.
- In Ultra 2, Siri is processed on the device itself without connecting to the internet, offering faster command responses, & controlling smart home devices, while the Apple Ultra Watch is slow.
- It has 64GB of storage for more space to store a lot of music, podcasts, apps, and fitness data offline, but the Ultra offers only 32GB storage.
- The Ultra 2 supports a wider altitude range up to 9000 meters, making it more suitable for extreme outdoor activities compared to Ultra 1’s 6000 meters.
Maybe the Apple Watch Ultra price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
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Side By Side Comparison
Feature | Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Apple Watch Ultra |
Chipset | S9 SiP | S8 SiP |
Display Brightness | Up to 3000 nits | Up to 2000 nits |
Double Tap Gesture | Available | Not available |
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Chip | U2 UWB | No UWB chip |
Battery Life | 72 hours on low-power mode | no extended low-power mode |
Siri Capabilities | On-device Siri | Cloud-based Siri |
Health Sensors and Tracking | Advanced health sensors | Fewer metrics |
Compass and GPS | (L1 + L5) with improved accuracy | Dual-frequency (L1 + L5) |
Night Mode | Enhanced night mode | Standard night mode |
Environmental Features | Carbon-neutral option available | No carbon-neutral |
Operating System | watchOS 10 with more exclusive features | watchOS 10 with standard feature |
Storage | 64GB for apps, music, and other media | 32GB |
Altimeter and Compass Features | 500m to 9000m | 500m to 6000m |
Colors and Finishes | Titanium with additional finishes | Titanium only |
Battery Charging | Faster charging | Standard charging |
Price | Check Ultra 2 Price | Check Ultra Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Design and Durability: Both the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Ultra 1 are built for extreme durability, using aerospace-grade titanium and sapphire crystal. These materials ensure that both models can withstand harsh outdoor conditions, making them suitable for activities like rock climbing, hiking, and diving. The 49mm case size is identical, providing a large display area for readability and ease of interaction during physical activities.
- Display and Visual Quality: Both models feature the same 1.92-inch Retina LTPO OLED display, offering excellent visibility under various lighting conditions. The always-on display allows users to check time, notifications, or workout metrics without having to raise or tap the watch. This similarity ensures that both watches provide the same level of clarity and convenience for daily use and outdoor expeditions.
- Water and Dive Capabilities: Both watches are water-resistant to 100 meters and are certified with EN13319 for diving, which means they are capable of serving as a dive computer for recreational diving activities. This makes both models ideal for users who enjoy water sports, scuba diving, or snorkeling, ensuring they can track depth and time spent underwater.
- Advanced Health and Fitness Monitoring: Both Ultra models share comprehensive health and fitness features such as ECG monitoring, blood oxygen levels, and sleep tracking. These sensors and apps make them valuable tools for monitoring overall health, ensuring that both athletes and casual users alike can keep track of critical health metrics. Additionally, the watches’ fitness features, including running, cycling, and swimming tracking, ensure that users can access detailed metrics to improve performance in various activities.
- Dual-Frequency GPS for Precision: The dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) in both models provides better location accuracy in environments where standard GPS signals may struggle, such as densely built-up urban areas or heavily wooded regions. This makes both watches highly reliable for hiking, running, and outdoor navigation, where precise GPS data is essential.
- Military-Grade Durability: Both models are built to MIL-STD 810H standards, ensuring they are resistant to extreme temperatures, shock, and altitude. This military-grade certification is key for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts who engage in activities under extreme environmental conditions. It reassures users that both watches can endure rugged conditions without failure.
- Customizable Action Button: The Action Button is a unique feature on both models, allowing users to assign a specific function (e.g., start a workout, set a waypoint, or activate a flashlight) with a single press. This similarity ensures ease of use during activities where quick access to functions is crucial, such as during diving, hiking.
Common Features
Feature | Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Apple Watch Ultra |
Design and Build | Aerospace-grade titanium case | Aerospace-grade titanium case |
Display Size | 49mm case with 1.92-inch display | 49mm case with 1.92-inch display |
Water Resistance | WR100 (100 meters), | WR100 (100 meters) |
Dual-Frequency GPS | Dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) | Dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) |
MIL-STD 810H Certification | Meets military standards | Meets military standards |
Health Monitoring | Blood oxygen sensor, ECG app | Blood oxygen sensor, ECG app |
Operating System (watchOS) | Ships with watchOS 10 | Ships with watchOS 10 |
Battery Life | Up to 36 hours | Up to 36 hours |
Dive Computer Features | Oceanic+ app support | Oceanic+ app support |
Compass and Waypoint Features | Compass app with backtrack | Compass app with backtrack |
Action Button | Customizable action button | Customizable action button |
Sapphire Crystal Display | Scratch-resistant | Scratch-resistant |
Temperature Sensors | Built-in temperature sensors | Built-in temperature sensors |
Fall Detection | Automatic fall detection | Automatic fall detection |
Cellular Connectivity | GPS + Cellular models | GPS + Cellular models |
Fitness Tracking | Comprehensive fitness tracking | Comprehensive fitness tracking |
Sleep Tracking | Tracks sleep stages | Tracks sleep stages |
Taptic Engine | Haptic feedback | Haptic feedback |
Price | Check Ultra 2 Price | Check Ultra Price |
FAQ
Q1: Are the design and build quality of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Ultra 1 the same? Q2: Do both Apple Watch Ultra models have the same display size and technology? Q3: Are the water resistance and dive capabilities the same for both the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Ultra 1? Q4: Do both watches provide the same GPS accuracy? Q5: Are the health monitoring features the same in both Apple Watch Ultra models? Q6: Do the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Ultra 1 run the same operating system? Q7: Is the battery life the same in both Apple Watch Ultra models? Q8: Do both watches feature the same compass and navigation tools? Q9: Can I use both the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Ultra 1 for fitness tracking? Q10: Are the cellular and connectivity options the same for both models? |