Apple Watch 10 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: Which One Should You Buy?

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Apple has now released the Apple Watch Series 10. And whenever Apple drops a new base-level smartwatch, it comes with an automatic comparison to the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Is it worth paying the extra money, or is it better to stick with the standard model?

Launched at the ‘It’s Glowtime’ event on the 9th of September, alongside other Apple big hitters such as the iPhone 16, AirPods Max and AirPods 4, there are some notable upgrades in the Series 10 such as a lighter build and features like sleep apnea detection.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a year older and hailed as a top all-rounder smartwatch because of its plethora of features and longer battery life. Of course, this comes with a much heftier price tag.

If you’re trying to decide between the Apple Watch 10 or Apple Watch Ultra 2, then you’ve come to the right place! To help you make an informed decision, here’s our in-depth comparison guide.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2 Comparison

Here’s a comparison table for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs the Apple Watch Series 10 that summarizes a lot of what we have spoken about in this buying guide:

Feature	Apple Watch Series 10	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Processor	Apple S10	Apple S9
Display Size	42mm, 46mm	49mm
Display Type	OLED	OLED
Display Brightness	2,000 nits	3,000 nits
Battery Life	18 hours (standard), 36 hours (low-power mode)	36 hours (standard), 72 hours (low-power mode)
Charging Speed	0-80% in 30 minutes	0-80% in 60 minutes
Durability	IP6X dust resistant, 50m water resistance	MIL-STD 810H, 100m water resistance
Connectivity	LTE (optional), Bluetooth 5.3, Ultra Wideband	LTE (built-in), Bluetooth 5.3, Ultra Wideband
Health/Fitness Features	Accelerometer, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Oxygen, Sleep Tracking, Depth Gauge, Temperature Sensor	Accelerometer, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Oxygen, Sleep Tracking, Depth Gauge, Temperature Sensor, Action Button
Pricing	$399 (42mm GPS) – $749 (46mm Titanium LTE)	$799

Design and Durability

When it comes to design, the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Ultra 2 each have their own distinct appeal. 

The Series 10 boasts a sleeker, more streamlined appearance, with a thinner profile that makes it a comfortable companion for everyday wear. Its rounded edges and wide-angle OLED display offer a modern, refined aesthetic.

In contrast, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 embraces a more rugged and adventurous look, with a chunky titanium case and a larger 49mm display that may be a little more suited to an “outdoor enthusiast.” Especially since the Ultra 2 is built to withstand the elements, with a MIL-STD 810H rating for military-grade durability and water resistance up to 100 meters.

Display and Screen Brightness

When it comes to the display, both the Series 10 and the Ultra 2 offer excellent visuals.

The Apple Watch 10 offers a slightly larger screen than the Apple Watch 9, with up to 30% more screen real estate. It’s the thinnest Apple watch ever with the biggest display. This translates to an extra line of text, making it easier to read at a glance. The display also features a wider viewing angle, thanks to the new wide-angle OLED panel, ensuring that the screen remains crisp and legible even when viewed from an angle.

The Ultra 2, on the other hand, boasts an impressive maximum brightness of 3,000 nits – a significant upgrade over the Series 10’s 2,000 nits. This makes the Ultra 2’s display easier to read in direct sunlight, a crucial feature for outdoor enthusiasts. It is one of the best smartwatch displays out there.

However, the Series 10’s display is not too far off, and its 326 pixels-per-inch density ensures that both watches deliver displays that beat most others on the market.

Performance and Processor

The Apple Watch Series 10 packs the brand-new S10 chip, while the Ultra 2 has the older S9 processor. 

The S10 offers a modest boost in processing power and efficiency compared to the S9 chip. thanks to its custom-designed architecture.

Both chips are more than capable of handling the day-to-day tasks and advanced features of the Apple Watch, so the real-world differences are not immediately noticeable to the everyday user.

However, the S10’s improved machine learning capabilities could translate to snappier performance in areas like on-device Siri, health tracking, and overall responsiveness. Obviously, this has implications for any future Apple Intelligence integrations.

Battery Life and Charging

One of the most significant differences between the Series 10 and the Ultra 2 is their battery life. The Ultra 2 boasts 36 hours of standard use, which can be extended to 72 hours when the low-power mode is enabled. 

In contrast, the Series 10 is rated for a suitably annoying 18 hours of standard use, with a low-power mode that extends it to 36 hours as an absolute maximum.

Battery life is one of the most important things about using a smartwatch. Having to charge a watch every day just to be able to use it is undeniably annoying. And it seems to be an Apple-specific problem as other smartwatches like the Huawei GT 5 Pro last literally for days!

The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s battery isn’t exactly world-beating, but it is better than the Apple Watch 10.

The Series 10 does beat the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for charge time though, going from 0 to 80% in just 30 minutes. This compares to Ultra 2’s 60-minute charging time, but that is for a much larger battery size.

Health and Fitness Features

When it comes to health and fitness tracking, the Series 10 and the Ultra 2 are evenly matched. 

Both watches offer a comprehensive suite of sensors and features, including heart rate monitoring, ECG, blood oxygen tracking, and advanced sleep tracking with the ability to detect sleep apnea. The Series 10 even gains some of the Ultra 2’s exclusive features, such as the water depth gauge and temperature sensor, making it a more well-rounded fitness companion.

The only real difference lies in the Ultra 2’s programmable Action button, which can be customized to quickly access your most-used workout or health-related functions. It’s an added level of convenience that is genuinely helpful if you’re into your health and fitness but for the everyday user, it isn’t a dealbreaker.

Connectivity and Compatibility

Both the Series 10 and the Ultra 2 are designed to work seamlessly with the latest iPhones, requiring iOS 18 or later. 

They offer the same level of connectivity, with built-in LTE options, Bluetooth 5.3, and ultra-wideband chips for precise location tracking.

The only notable difference is that the Ultra 2 comes with a cellular antenna as standard, while the Series 10 offers it as an optional upgrade. This means that the Ultra 2 can maintain a cellular connection without the need for a paired iPhone, making it a more independent watch and suitable for those out and about in remote areas.

It also means you can do things like go for a run without having your phone with you and still receive messages. It’s a win for the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Pricing and Value

When it comes to pricing, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the more affordable option, with a starting price of $399/£399 for the 42mm GPS-only model. 

The larger 46mm variant and the cellular-enabled versions will set you back an additional $30/ £30 and $100/£100, respectively. The premium titanium models start at $699/£799 for the 42mm and $749/ £749 for the 46mm.

In contrast, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 starts at $799/£799, with a single 49mm size and cellular connectivity built-in. However, as we’ve seen, this premium gives you superior durability but most importantly, a much better battery life. You know how important that is if you have used a smartwatch before.

Ultimately, the choice between the Series 10 and the Ultra 2 boils down to your specific needs and priorities. If you’re looking for an everyday smartwatch with the latest features Apple has to offer, the Apple Watch 10 is a good option.

But in our opinion, there are better smartwatches out there for this price point, namely the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro and OnePlus Watch 2R.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 however offers much better value, even though it costs a lot more, simply because of that battery life. Kudos to Apple though for making the Apple Watch 10 equally feature-filled.

So if you’re choosing between these two Apple Watches, buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2…or wait a bit for the Apple Watch Ultra 3!

Which Apple Watch is Right for You?

Here are some quickfire points to consider that should help you make your decision between the Apple smartwatches…

Choose the Apple Watch 10 if:

• You’re on a tighter budget and want a more affordable smartwatch option.
• You prioritize a lightweight design for everyday wear.
• You don’t require the most extreme durability or adventurous features.
• You’re satisfied with the standard 18-hour battery life.

Choose the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if:

• You’re an outdoor enthusiast who needs an adventure-ready smartwatch.
• You value the longest battery life and the most advanced health/fitness tracking features.
• You want the added customization and control provided by the Action Button.