The Apple Watch Ultra 3 has arrived, boasting upgrades across the board compared to its predecessor, including a better screen, longer-lasting battery, new health and safety tools, new sleep tracking insights, improved connectivity, and more, all for the same starting price of $799.
I've already covered how the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs. Apple Watch Series 11 compare, but what about the Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2? Below, I've dug into the key differences between these two models across six categories.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
Starting price | $799 | $799 |
Dimensions | 49 x 44 x 12 mm | 49 x 44 x 14.4 mm |
Display | 422 x 514 pixels, 4,000 nits | 410 x 502 pixels, 3,000 nits |
Weight | ~61 g | ~61 g |
Case colors | Natural, Black | Natural, Black |
Processor | S10 | S9 |
Cellular | 5G | LTE |
Water resistance | 100 meters | 100 meters |
Battery life with always-on display (rated) | 42 hours | 36 hours |
Compatibility | iOS 26 or later | iOS 18 or later |
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Price
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 costs $799, the same price as 2023's Ultra 2. Choose from two case options: black or natural. Launch price aside, because the Ultra 2 is now likely easy to find on sale for a sizable discount, it wins this category.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Design and display
The case dimensions and weight are the same for the Ultra 3 and Ultra 2. However, the newer model boasts a larger display with improved viewability from odd angles. It's similar to the LTPO3 wide-angle OLED panel in the Apple Watch Series 10 and new Apple Watch 11. It also maxes out at 4,000 nits, instead of 3,000 nits on the Ultra 2.
To accommodate the larger screen, Apple reduced the bezel size by roughly 24%.
Durability-wise, the two smartwatches are a match, with each boasting 100 meters of water resistance, enough for high-impact water sports and even scuba diving.
They each also sport Apple's programmable 'Action' button, something you won't find on any other Apple Watch model. Screen protection comes in the form of sapphire crystal, and both models feature hard-wearing titanium cases.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Health and fitness features
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and 3 offer similar sets of health and fitness features, including SpO2 readings, heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis with insights into sleep stages, aFib detection, and Apple's new AI fitness coach, Workout Buddy.
However, the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 (and Apple Watch Series 11) ships with important additional health features built in, including hypertension alerts and a daily sleep score metric.
These tools aren't yet available for the Ultra 2, though it sounds like they will ultimately trickle down via a future firmware update.
Winner: draw
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Safety features
While safety features, including fall and crash detection, come standard on either model, only the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers satellite-based emergency messaging capabilities, for off-the-grid communication between emergency responders or loved ones.
This new safety tool, similar to emergency satellite messaging on the Pixel Watch 4, is probably the biggest addition to the Ultra line this time around. It also makes a lot of sense, given the device's positioning as a rugged smartwatch for hardcore outdoorsy adventurers.
The Ultra 3 also has a new (louder) 86-decibel emergency siren for alerting others that you require help, whether out in the sticks or in the city streets.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: AI features
Apple didn't unveil any new Apple Intelligence features for the Apple Watch lineup when the new models were announced. Still, the device supports a handful of AI tools, including live message translations, and the new personalized AI fitness coach, Workout Buddy, mentioned above.
Both of these were introduced with watchOS 26 and are accessible not just on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, but also on other models like the Series 10, as well. However, you'll need an Apple Intelligence-capable iPhone model paired with your device to use either AI feature. Even with the Ultra 3, the AI computation occurs on your smartphone, not the watch.
We're still waiting for an AI-overhauled Siri. Until that happens, the latest Google and Samsung smartwatches have Apple beat thanks to a genuinely useful implementation of Google's Gemini AI voice assistant that ships built in.
Winner: draw
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Battery life
The newer Apple Watch Ultra 3 boasts better battery life than its predecessor, with a rating of 42 hours per charge with the always-on display, compared to 36 hours for the Ultra 2. That said, low-power battery life remains the same, 72 hours.
One of the reasons the newer model lasts longer is thanks to an upgrade from LTE to 5G, which is less power-hungry and more reliable.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Which should you buy?
Assuming the Apple Watch Ultra 2 eventually inherits the sleep score metric and new hypertension alerts feature, the main factors that set the Ultra 3 apart from its predecessor include a larger display that uses newer technology for improved viewing angles, 5G connectivity, satellite-based off-grid messaging, a louder safety siren, and better battery life.
Under the hood, you also get a newer processor, which might make the Ultra 3 run a tad more smoothly than the Ultra 2. While the screen and battery enhancements are welcomed, satellite messaging is the standout feature that really sets the Ultra 3 apart from the Ultra 2 in my mind. If you agree, then the newer model is the better option for you.
Don't need SOS messaging? You can probably save some cash and go with the Ultra 2 instead.
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More from Tom's Guide
- Apple Watch 11 — 5 reasons I'd buy the new Series 11, and 2 reasons I'd skip it
- I’ve run marathons with every Apple Watch Ultra — here's 3 Apple Watch Ultra 3 features I'm most excited for
- Forget the Apple Watch 10 — 5 reasons why I prefer this cheap Casio Baby-G watch to the best smartwatches
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