Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) vs Apple Watch Ultra 2
A single brand, two separate lines: Apple covers this space with both the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Call it a near draw on paper, with just a few specs pulling the two apart.
At a glance
- Display Apple Watch Ultra 2 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Tie
- Smart Features & Connectivity Apple Watch Ultra 2 wins
- Price Tie
- Display5.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors10.0
- Smart Features & Connectivity6.7
- Display10.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors10.0
- Smart Features & Connectivity10.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has 50% higher peak brightness
The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s 3,000 nits leaves the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen)’s 2,000 nits well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. A brighter screen stays readable on a sunny run, at the beach or on a ski slope.
-
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has 32 GB more storage
Not a close call. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 lists 64 GB and the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) lists 32 GB. That’s a substantial gap. For notifications and fitness tracking alone, storage rarely matters.
Design & Size
- Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) 49 mm × 0.47 in
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 49 mm × 0.47 in
The footprint is practically the same, so size is not a reason to pick one over the other. Weight is a wash: the difference between the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is too small to notice.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 49 mm | 49 mm |
| Available sizes | 49 mm | 49 mm |
| Water resistance | 100 m | 100 m |
| Case material | Titanium | Titanium |
| Thickness | 0.47 in | 0.47 in |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 2.16 oz Lightest in class | 2.17 oz |
Display
Apple Watch Ultra 2 leads
Here the Apple Watch Ultra 2 opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with 50% higher peak brightness. The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s higher peak brightness is a real help for outdoor workouts. Anyone shopping mainly on display should start with the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Peak brightness
Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen): 2,000 nits Apple Watch Ultra 2: 3,000 nits Indoors, both may be bright enough; the difference shows up in direct sunlight.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the health & fitness sensors section. If health & fitness sensors was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Battery Life
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on battery life; the numbers are close throughout. On battery life alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Apple Watch Ultra 2 leads
If you’re keeping score, the smart features & connectivity point goes narrowly to the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 pulls ahead with 32 GB more storage. More storage leaves room for offline music, podcasts and maps on your wrist. Net result: the Apple Watch Ultra 2 leads this part of the comparison.
Storage
Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen): 32 GB Apple Watch Ultra 2: 64 GB If you run or train without your phone, the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s extra storage is useful.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO2 OLED, flat sapphire | Always-On Retina LTPO2 OLED, flat sapphire |
| Resolution (largest) | 410 x 502 | 410 x 502 |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits Dimmest screen in class | 3,000 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | L1 + L5 dual-frequency GPS (GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou) | L1 + L5 dual-frequency GPS (GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou) |
| Dual-frequency GPS | Yes | Yes |
Battery Life
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 36 h | 36 h |
| Rated life in low-power modeManufacturer rating | N/A (not specified) | 3 days |
| Charging | USB-C magnetic fast charging | 0 to 80% in about 1 h |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S8 | S9 |
| Storage | 32 GB | 64 GB (winner) |
| Cellular option | Yes | Yes |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone only | iPhone only |
| Software | watchOS | watchOS |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 49 mm | 49 mm |
| Available sizes | 49 mm | 49 mm |
| Water resistance | 100 m | 100 m |
| Case material | Titanium | Titanium |
| Thickness | 0.47 in | 0.47 in |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 2.16 oz Lightest in class | 2.17 oz |
Price
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 | $799 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 launched at the same price, so this comes down to the specs.
Launch prices (US) as of September 2023. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) if…
- you don’t care much about the upgrades in the newer model
Choose the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if…
- you train outdoors in bright sun (3,000 nits vs 2,000 nits peak brightness)
- you want more room for music and maps (64 GB vs 32 GB)
- you find that the improvements in the Apple Watch Ultra 2 match what you need
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) or the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
On the specs compared here, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 makes more sense for most buyers; the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Should I upgrade from the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) to the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers 50% higher peak brightness and 32 GB more storage compared with the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen).
Does the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) last longer on a charge than the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
On paper, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 are evenly matched on battery, so expect similar endurance.
Which is larger, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) or the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
Neither by much. The Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 have nearly identical dimensions.
Which has the better screen, the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) or the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has the edge here, offering 50% higher peak brightness.
Is the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) lighter than the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
Their weights are practically identical, so neither has a real advantage.
Executive Summary
Picking between the Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is less about the brand and more about which compromises you can live with. Honestly, 50% higher peak brightness on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 does a lot of the persuading for me. There’s a bonus as well: the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has 32 GB more storage.
Who should get which? The Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) for the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for display.
My pick: the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.