The Apple Watch Series 10 arrived a year after the Apple Watch Ultra 2, introducing a revamped design and a more advanced display. Apple did not launch an Apple Watch Ultra 3 this year, leaving last year's Apple Watch Ultra 2 as the latest version, so how does it compare to the latest Series 10 model?
Both the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 feature sleep apnea detection, speaker playback, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, an Always-On Retina display, IP6X dust resistance, and more, but there are still some significant differences between the two devices. Since the Series 10 is a year newer than the Ultra 2, it boasts a limited number of superior features, but the Ultra 2 remains the overall more capable device. The Apple Watch Ultra focuses on withstanding extreme environments, a high level of durability, extended battery life, and additional features to aid activities like diving and exploration.
With as little as $50 between the 46mm titanium Apple Watch Series 10 and the Apple Watch Ultra, some prospective customers will be weighing up whether it is worth spending a little extra to get the 49mm Ultra model. While there is a $400 difference between the GPS-only 42mm aluminum Apple Watch Series 10 and the Apple Watch Ultra, the high-end model offers a set of features to address specific challenges, so it may even be worth it for some of these buyers. Key differences between the devices include:
| Apple Watch Series 10 (2024) | Apple Watch Ultra (2023, second-generation) |
|---|---|
| Refined design with a thinner casing, display with more rounded edges and a wider aspect ratio, and front glass that extends further over the sides for a higher screen-to-body ratio | Same design as first-generation Apple Watch Ultra |
| 42mm: 1.89-inch display 46mm: 2.04-inch display |
1.92-inch display |
| Anodized or polished aluminum and polished titanium casing options | Blasted titanium casing |
| Front crystal curves at edges onto shaped casing | Corrosion resistant case with raised edges to protect the flat sapphire front crystal |
| 42mm and 46mm casing size options (vertical) | 49mm casing size (vertical) |
| Aluminum: Ion-X front glass Titanium: Sapphire crystal front glass |
Sapphire crystal front glass |
| Aluminum: Wi-fi only and cellular connectivity options Titanium: Cellular connectivity |
Cellular connectivity |
| Curved display with refractive edge | Flat display |
| 42mm: 989 sq mm display area 46mm: 1,220 sq mm display area |
1164 sq mm display area |
| Aluminum: Available in anodized Silver and Rose Gold, and polished Jet Black finishes Titanium: Available in polished Silver (matches previous stainless steel casing, Apple Watch Hermès only), Gold, Slate, and Natural finishes |
Natural Titanium or Black Titanium finish |
One of the most important differences between the Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2 is their design, with the latter boasting a much chunkier, aggressive look with a flat display. The Apple Watch Series 10 has a much subtler appearance and is available in wider range of finishes, but which look you prefer is ultimately a matter of personal preference.
Ways the Apple Watch Series 10 Is Better
While the Apple Watch Series 10 does have some hardware improvements over the Apple Watch Ultra 2, such as a reengineered metal back with a larger charging coil and an integrated antenna, and a more compact chip, these are not really outwardly noticeable. The most noticeable enhancement is an updated display, which features a faster refresh rate to enable a live ticking seconds hand on certain watch faces. The display is also up to 40% brighter then viewed at an angle, making it easier to glance at the time or complications.
| Apple Watch Series 10 (2024) | Apple Watch Ultra (2023, second-generation) |
|---|---|
| Metal back with larger charging coil and integrated antenna | Ceramic and sapphire crystal back |
| LTPO3 OLED Always-On Retina display (faster refresh rate in always-on mode, enabling a live ticking seconds hand on select watch faces) | LTPO2 OLED Always-On Retina display |
| Wide-angle OLED (up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle) | |
| More compact S10 chip | S9 chip |
| Faster charging (0–80% in about 30 minutes) | Fast charging (0–80% in about 60 minutes) |
| 42mm: 374 by 446 pixel display 46mm: 416 by 496 pixel display |
410 by 502 pixel display |
| 9.7mm thickness | 14.4mm thickness |
| Weighs 29.3 grams to 41.7 grams depending on casing size and material | Weighs 61.4 grams |
| Aluminum: Starts at $399 Titanium: Starts at $699 |
Starts at $799 |
The Apple Watch Series 10 continues to be thinner, lighter, and cheaper than the Apple Watch Ultra. It also charges twice as quickly, but with a considerably shorter battery life.
Ways the Apple Watch Ultra Is Better
Nevertheless, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 remains the more capable watch with a wide array of superior features:
| Apple Watch Series 10 (2024) | Apple Watch Ultra (2023, second-generation) |
|---|---|
| Digital Crown with haptic feedback and side button | Digital Crown with haptic feedback, side button, and customizable Action button |
| Up to 2,000 nits brightness | Up to 3,000 nits brightness |
| Exclusive Wayfinder and Modular Ultra faces | |
| Night Mode for low-visibility conditions | |
| Single speaker | Dual speakers |
| Single microphone with voice isolation | Triple-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation |
| GPS (L1) | Precision dual-frequency GPS (L1 and L5) |
| 86-decibel Siren to attract attention | |
| Water resistant to 50m | Water resistant to 100m |
| Swimproof to 6m | Swimproof and recreational scuba dive to 40m |
| Tested to MIL-STD 810H | |
| EN13319 certification | |
| Always-on altimeter | Always-on altimeter with expanded operating range from –500m to 9000m |
| Up to 18 hours normal battery life | Up to 36 hours normal battery life |
| Up to 36 hours battery life in Low Power Mode | Up to 72 hours battery life in Low Power Mode |
Which Should You Choose?
The Apple Watch Ultra offers specific capabilities to address the requirements of those who need their Apple Watch to provide assistance in challenging environments. If you need a more durable Apple Watch with features like a brighter display, louder speakers, a more reliable GPS, better water resistance, and more, the Apple Watch Ultra is undoubtedly the best choice. The Apple Watch Ultra is clearly better equipped to handle tasks like hiking, diving, and navigation.
The Apple Watch Ultra is also biggest and most feature-rich Apple Watch option available, not to mention that it offers the first true redesign of the device since its introduction in 2015. For technology enthusiasts, Apple Watch Ultra represents a way to get a new Apple Watch experience with top specifications in several key areas. Features like longer battery life, a brighter display, and the Action button are also highly accessible, and will be beneficial to all users. As such, some customers may still be inclined to choose the Apple Watch Ultra 2 over the Apple Watch Series 10, even if they do not need it for use in challenging environments.
As the largest Apple Watch model to date, the size of the Apple Watch Ultra will not be for everyone. If you already prefer the 42mm Apple Watch casing size, the Apple Watch Ultra may be far too large for you. If in doubt, it may be worth heading to an Apple Store and trying on the Apple Watch Ultra in person to get to grips with the size and determine if it is too big and bulky for you. It is worth noting that the 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 has a display that is actually slightly larger than that of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, but it is a smaller device physically.
Similarly, the Apple Watch Ultra's look may not appeal to some buyers. If you prefer the idea of a polished finish and are looking for a more fashion-focused smartwatch that pairs well with premium bands, the more aggressive, rugged design of the Apple Watch Ultra may not be for you.
If the Apple Watch Ultra is out of your price range but you still want to use your Apple Watch in challenging environments, it is worth bearing in mind that the Series 10 still offers a durable design with a strong front crystal, water resistance, and many of the Apple Watch Ultra 2's software features like waypoint marking.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a lot to offer, especially for the subset of users who can take advantage of all of its capabilities, so it is certainly worth considering when purchasing a new model, but the Apple Watch Series 10 is still a compelling all-around option that comes in at a lower price point with a subtler design.
