Apple Watch 10 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Biggest differences explained

An Apple Watch 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 comparison is what you need if you're trying to decide between Apple's top smartwatches. Apple's 2024 fall product launch delivered a new Apple Watch Series 10 but no Apple Watch Ultra 3. However, as a consolation prize, Cook and Co. did announce a new Satin Black Ultra 2 case finish that looks darn handsome.

As you'll see in our Apple Watch 10 hands-on review , Apple introduces the biggest improvements to the watch's design for the first time since the Series 7 . Most notably, you get more screen real estate than the Ultra, thus, evaporating one of the most significant advantages the pricier smartwatch line had over the standard Apple Watch series.

There are also under-the-hood improvements like a new S10 processor, faster charging and the inclusion of a new sleep apnea detection feature. Despite all the newness, the Series 10 debuts with the same starting price as its predecessor, $399, which is half the cost of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 .

Still, Apple's chunkiest wearable has some significant advantages over its fresh-faced sibling. To understand the key differences, I've compared the two watches across six categories —  including price, design, wearability, battery life, health features and smart features.

Apple Watch 10 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Specs compared

Apple Watch 10 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Price and availability

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 launched last September (2023) for a price of $799 and the Apple Watch Series 10 launched this September (2024) with a starting price of $399 for the 42mm option and $429 for the larger 46mm model. Preorders for the Series 10 are open now with availability expected for September 20th.

While the Ultra 2 comes with a cellular antenna, Series 10 customers are given the option for an extra $100, regardless of which size they choose.

No matter which way you slice it, the Apple Watch 10 is the more affordable choice, even if you spring for the upgraded titanium case option, which starts at $699 for the smaller model and jumps to $749 for the larger, both with LTE.

Apple Watch 10 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Design

When it comes to the design of the watch, both the Series 10 and Ultra 2 have advantages and disadvantages. For example, the Ultra boasts 100 meters of water resistance , twice that of the Apple Watch 10, along with a brighter display that maxes out at 3,000 nits compared to 2,000 nits. This makes the latest Ultra easier to view in bright daylight.

Additionally, the Ultra series features Apple's programmable Action Button, something you don't get on the 10. Lastly, the fancier titanium case comes standard on the series, which is ultimately a more durable material than aluminum.

In the Apple Watch 10's defense, the larger model does offer a slightly bigger screen than what you'll find the Ultra, but the difference is far from earth-shattering.

The Series 10 is also thinner and lighter, which will be covered in the next section, and sports a new wide-angle OLED screen to make it easier to read at odd angles.

Apple Watch 10 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Wearability

Those after the comfiest-wearing contemporary Apple Watch will almost certainly be better served by the Series 10, which is half the weight of the Ultra 2 and a full 4.7mm thinner.

In fact, along with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 , the new Apple Watch is one of the thinnest full-featured smartwatches money can buy at the moment. It's also the thinnest and lightest Apple Watch ever.

Apple Watch 10 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Battery life

This is another simple one. The Ultra 2 offers 36 hours of battery per charge, twice the 18-hour longevity rating of the Apple Watch 10. And while those ratings double when using low-power mode on either device, the standard Apple Watch series hasn't seen a battery life increase, well, ever.

The original Apple Watch debuted a decade ago also promising 18 hours of life per charge.  Sorry, Series 10, the Ultra 2 takes this category.

Apple Watch 10 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Health features

Whether you pick up the latest Series 10 or Ultra 2 you'll be getting almost identical sets of wellness and workout tools allowing you to keep tabs on metrics like heart rate and body temperature, dive into your sleep stages and overall sleep quality, track menstrual health and more.

You can also check for irregular heart rhythms, a potential indicator of Afib, and abnormally high or low heart rates. Plus, a new sleep apnea detection tool should be coming to the Ultra 2 and Series 10 (as well as the Series 9) sometime in the future. Presently, this potentially life-saving feature is awaiting FDA authorization in the U.S. and similar clearance in other markets.

By the way, while manufacturers like Samsung use the SpO2 sensor to detect sleep apnea, Apple is relying on the onboard accelerometer to monitor for body movements that could indicate obstructed or irregular breathing patterns. This difference in approach is the result of Cupertino's ongoing legal tiff with rival Masimo over ownership of the tech behind Apple's blood ox feature.

Apple Watch 10 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Smart features

When it comes to smartwatch features, the new Apple Watch 10 and Ultra 2 are largely a match. Both devices support the latest watchOS 11 software — the Series 10 ships with it — which includes access to Apple's awesome Check In safety feature from your wrist, a new Apple Watch translation app with support for 20 languages and the ability to pause your activity rings .

Apple Watch 10 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Which should you buy?

As I said at the start, there are sound reasons to go with either Apple's latest release or last year's tough-built model. Folks on a budget and/or those who want the comfiest wearing modern Apple Watch should go with the Series 10.

On the other wrist, if money is no option and you want the toughest-built Apple Watch and/or the model with the best battery life, the Ultra 2 is going to serve you better.

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