
The Apple Watch Ultra and the Series 8 are really different in many aspects and that is that they are focused on two different audiences, or at least that is what the Cupertino company wants to show. Therefore, in this post we are going to tell you all their differences, so when choosing between one and the other you can make the best decision based on your needs.
Characteristic
Before going fully into talking about both the differences and the similarities between the Apple Watch Ultra and the Series 8, we want you to have a “photograph” of what their main characteristics are, since that way you can better understand the importance of all their differences and how they also affect the commonalities.

| Characteristic | Apple Watch Ultra | Apple WatchSeries 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | -Titanium | -Aluminum -Stainless access |
| Screen size | -49mm | -41mm -45mm |
| Resolution and brightness | – 2000 nits | – 1000 nits |
| Dimensions | In 41mm: -Height: 41mm -Width: 35mm -Bottom: 10.7mm In 45mm: -Height: 49mm -Width: 44mm -Bottom: 14.4mm |
In 41mm: -Height: 41mm -Width: 35mm -Bottom: 10.7mm In 45mm: -Height: 45mm -Width: 38mm -Bottom: 10.7mm |
| Weight without strap | – 61.3g | In 41mm: -Aluminum: 32 grams -Stainless steel: 42.3 grams In 45mm: -Aluminum: 38.8 grams -Stainless steel: 51.5 grams |
| Colors | natural titanium | In aluminum: -Midnight -Star white -Silver -Red in stainless steel -Graphite -Silver -Prayed |
| Chip | 2-core S8 chip | 2-core S8 chip |
| Always On Display Option | Yes | Yes |
| heart rate sensor | Yes | Yes |
| ECG-sensor | Yes | Yes |
| blood oxygen level sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature sensor | Yes | Yes |
| water temperature sensor | Yes | Nope |
| depth gauge | Yes | Nope |
| dive computer app | Yes | Nope |
| fall detector | Yes | Yes |
| accident detector | Yes | Yes |
| Other sensors and features | -altimeter always active -Microphone -Speaker -Dual frequency GPS -Compass -Noise control -Emergency calls -International emergency calls -Compatible with Family Settings on GPS + Cellular models – Siren |
-altimeter always active -Microphone -Speaker -GPS -Compass -Noise control -Emergency calls -International emergency calls -Compatible with Family Settings on GPS + Cellular models |
| Digital crown with haptic feedback | Yes | Yes |
| customizable button | Yes | Nope |
| Waterproof | 100 meters deep | 50 meters deep |
| Do you have LTE version? | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi connections | 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 and 5 GHz | 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 and 5 GHz |
| Bluetooth connection | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| basic prices | From €999 | From 499 euros |
Main differences
Once you know the technical specifications of both Apple Watch models, it’s time to fully explore their differences, which are really what will determine the purchase decision between these two devices. Therefore, if you were thinking of acquiring one of these two Apple watches, take good note that we started.
design and size
The first big difference that there is is obvious as soon as you see one model and another, and that is that the Apple Watch Ultra is the first model in Apple’s history that really undergoes a severe change in the design of its case. Apart from the fact that it has increased considerably in size, since it has a 49mm case for the 45 and 41mm options that the Series 8 has, the construction of the case is also different.
Gone is the screen with rounded edges of the normal models, now in the Apple Watch Ultra the screen ends with protruding edges and, therefore, protect it from possible blows that it may receive. Also, not only that, but both one of the side buttons and the digital crown are inside a small protrusion, all in order to also protect them from impacts that it may suffer. And if we talk about buttons, we must also mention that on the other side of the Watch there is a new customizable button for each user.

This change in design, together with a much larger size, makes all users who have this Apple Watch model have the feeling of finally having a completely new Apple watch, with completely different sensations from the previous ones. And beware, this is reason enough for many users, who, far from being very sporty, see this differentiation as a good reason to buy it instead of going for the Series 8.
Screen
We have previously talked about the screen, and it is that the change in design and size of the Apple Watch Ultra inevitably affects the screen of this watch compared to that of the Series 8. As we said, the Ultra has a 49 mm screen , while the Series 8 is available in 45 and 41mm . In the end, the question of size depends on the tastes of each user and, of course, also on the size of the wrist.
However, the big impact of the screen is not in the size. First of all, you have to know that the brightness of the Ultra is higher , reaching 2000 nits , compared to the 1000 of the Series 8. The Ultra’s crystal is made of Sapphire , which gives it much more resistance than that of the Series 8, added to the fact that the screen of this one is protected by the edges, while that of the Series 8 goes from edge to edge.
The technology that it has in this case is the same , a Retina screen always active that will allow you to perfectly see everything that is displayed on it, with perfectly calibrated colors that offer users a truly satisfactory experience.
box resistance
The Apple Watch Ultra has not been designed and manufactured for all audiences, but it is a watch that is initially designed for users who do mountain sports, diving and many others where the watch needs special protection , greater resistance of the usual, and that is exactly what we want to talk to you about at this point.
Both models, both the Ultra and the Series 8 have IP6X certification against dust , however, the Ultra adds a long list of features that reinforce it in this regard. It is subjected to MIL-STD 810H tests, you can submerge it up to 100 meters , while the Series 8 stays at 50 meters. The ultra is a duck for recreational swimming and diving up to 40 meters, it also has EN13319 certification , especially for water sports.

Another aspect that you have to keep in mind is what the case of both Apple Watch models is made of. The Series 8 is available in both aluminum and stainless steel , while the Ultra is made of aerospace-grade Titanium , a material that Apple says offers the perfect balance between weight, hardness, and strength.
Drums
A point that is surely very relevant for any user is that of the battery. Well, here again there is a big difference between the Ultra and the Series 8. According to the Apple page, the Apple Watch Ultra has a battery life of up to 36 hours , while the Apple Watch Series reaches 18 hours , that is to say, that the Ultra has twice the hours of autonomy.

This increase in autonomy is completely caused by the increase in size that the Ultra has suffered, now, is this difference real? The experience of users who have been able to verify this confirms it. While the Series 8 you have to charge it practically every day, the Apple Watch Ultra will last you up to 48 hours without going through the charger. Obviously, these times will vary depending on the use that each user makes of their watch.
As for the way to charge them, nothing has changed, both continue to maintain the same charger , so it is something you will not have to worry about. In addition, both the Series 8 and the Ultra maintain fast charging , something that of course comes in handy especially in this type of device.
connectivity
One of the improvements that the Apple Watch Ultra has undergone with respect to the rest of the models and specifically with respect to the Series 8 is connectivity. Being a watch so focused on the public that practices mountain sports, Apple has evolved its GPS , making it double frequency and high precision.

So now, users who use this watch to monitor routes and mountain activities such as hiking or trekking, have an exclusive function available, and that is that regardless of whether you have coverage or not, at the moment in which think you’ve gotten lost, the watch itself will set up a route back through the same path you traveled to get to the point where you are. Also, while the Series 8 can be had on GPS or GPS and cellular data, the Apple Watch Ultra can only be had on GPS and cellular data.
How are they alike?
Obviously, there are not all differences between these two Apple Watches, there are also points in which they are quite similar and that, obviously, you also have to know since they inevitably affect the user experience that these devices offer to all those who bet for them.
Sensors and health
If something stands out in the Apple Watch, whatever it is, it is the health section, and that is that as the generations have passed, Apple has increased the variety of sensors on this device, which means that it increasingly has more functions focused on caring for and monitoring the health of users who wear it on the wrist.
In this sense, both are exactly the same, they have the same sensors, capable of measuring the same parameters and, of course, offering the same data in the different applications designed for it. They are the two Apple Watch models that offer the most options in terms of health, so both are fantastic options. Below we leave you the sensors available in both Apple Watch as well as the functions they offer.
- sensors
- Blood oxygen sensor.
- Electrical heart rate sensor.
- 3rd generation optical heart rate sensor.
- Temperature sensor.

- functions
- Blood Oxygen App.
- High or low heart rate notifications.
- sleep phases
- Heart rate measurement app.
- Electrocardiogram.
Now, if we change course a bit and focus on the sensors that both have for sports, specifically for water sports, this is where the Apple Watch Ultra makes a difference for this type of athlete. This watch has a depth gauge and a water temperature sensor , as well as a dive computer app that allows users to have very exhaustive control when carrying out this type of activity. This is one of the main reasons why the Apple Watch is created and designed for a very specific sports audience, because it has such vital functions for this type of user.
Security
In the same way that we can say that the Apple Watch looks after the health of all users, we can say the same about security, and that is that both the Apple Watch Ultra and the Series 8 have really important functions in order to save the life of a person in emergencies. But before talking about all this, let’s focus on the only difference between them in this regard, which is the mermaid . The Apple Watch Ultra has a siren that is capable of being heard up to 180 meters away , and it is designed so that when a group of people go out to do any outdoor activity, if one of them gets lost, they can use this siren to alert the rest.

In other aspects, both have the same functions, but we must highlight two specifically that are especially important in the face of people’s lives. The first of these is fall detection . This is not something new for these two watches, since there are several previous models that already have it, but it is still just as important, since the moment the Apple Watch detects that you have fallen, it will send you a notification, and in the event that you cannot answer it, it will automatically notify emergency contacts and services, providing the exact location of your position.
Something similar also happens with the detection of accidents , which in this case is released in these two Apple Watch models. The device will be able to detect when you have had an accident with your car, so it will send you a notification and if you do not receive a response, it will automatically notify both your contacts and the emergency services, sending them the location in the one you find so they can go to help you.
Fortunately, they are functions that usually do not have to be used on a day-to-day basis, and also, hopefully no one has to use them at any time, but of course, in these situations it can be a matter of life or death to have these advantages, so much so, that fall detection has already been able to save the lives of many people.
Power
Despite the fact that there are differences in some functional aspects of these two Apple Watch models, both have the same chip, and therefore, with the same capacity in terms of power and performance. Specifically, it is the S8 chip with a 64-bit dual-core processor.

Actually, since Apple launched the Apple Watch Series 3 on the market, all models onwards have worked like a charm. And it is that this is one of the hallmarks of the Cupertino company, that although it is true that each year its devices evolve along with its processors, it is something that is not really noticeable because always the operation of all they is magnificent.
Price
One of the most important points of this comparison is exactly this, the price that users are going to have to pay if they want to buy one of these two Apple Watch models. As you have seen, there are differences in what both models are capable of doing, however, the question is in which cases or which users will be able to really take advantage of the advantages that the Apple Watch Ultra has compared to the Series 8 and, having said that, if it is really worth paying the price difference between them. Below you have what it costs to buy both the Ultra and the Series 8 on the official Apple website.
- Apple WatchSeries 8
- 41 mm model: from 499 euros.
- 45 mm model: from 539 euros.
- Apple Watch Ultra: from 999 euros.
Which one do we stay with?
Whenever we carry out this type of post, from the ITIGIC writing team we like to tell you what our point of view is. Obviously it is a personal opinion, so when deciding which one to buy for yourself, we recommend that you analyze your needs and, based on this, make the best possible decision.
Now, obviously the Apple Watch Ultra is a truly incredible device, its groundbreaking design with what the Apple Watch has had so far attracts attention and, above all, tempts many users. However, it is clear that this Apple watch has not been brought to the market for all users, but only for a few who will really be able to take advantage of the exclusive functions that it has.

That said, obviously anyone who wants to enjoy having a completely redesigned Apple Watch will have that feeling with this Ultra, but at the cost of paying 999 euros. For other users, the most appropriate purchase from our point of view is the Series 8 , since for a much lower price than the Apple Watch Ultra, they will be able to use the same functions that they would take advantage of with the more expensive model. so far from Apple Watch.