Apple and Samsung have unveiled significant upgrades to their flagship smartwatches this summer, with the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 debuting alongside one another. As premium wearable options, both devices share common ground in materials and ruggedness, yet they diverge sharply in design philosophy and ecosystem-specific features. For consumers deciding between these two high-end instruments, understanding the technical and functional differences is essential.
Both watches feature titanium casings designed for durability. Samsung offers the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 in gray or silver, while Apple provides the Ultra 4 in black or natural titanium tones. Each supports a variety of bands to suit different aesthetics and fitness needs. Notably, Apple continues its partnership with Hermès, offering exclusive titanium bands and ocean-themed watch faces for the Ultra 4.
In terms of ruggedness, both devices are built for serious aquatic activities. They share an EN13319 depth gauge rating and can withstand submersion up to 100 meters. Apple’s model carries an IP6X dust resistance rating, whereas Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 boasts an IP69K rating, providing comprehensive protection against dust and water jets.
The internal hardware differs significantly due to their respective operating ecosystems. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is powered by the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip and integrates Google’s Gemini AI assistant, offering 64GB of storage and 2GB of RAM. Conversely, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 utilizes Apple’s S11 chip and supports the new Siri alongside emerging Audio Intelligence features, also including 64GB of storage.
Display specifications reveal a key distinction in brightness performance. The Samsung device features a 1.52-inch circular Super AMOLED screen housed in a rounded square frame, measuring 10.7mm thick. It peaks at an impressive 5,000 nits, making it highly visible in direct sunlight. Apple retains its rectangular design with a ~1.9-inch by ~1.7-inch Retina wide-angle OLED LTPO3 display, measuring 12mm thick, with a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits.
Battery life claims favor Samsung on paper, with the company promising up to 60 hours of use from its 800mAh battery. Apple states the Ultra 4 lasts up to 50 hours, extendable to 84 hours in Low Power Mode. For intense workouts, Apple’s Extended Workout Mode provides 25 hours of battery life during continuous GPS and heart rate monitoring. In terms of charging speed, Samsung reports reaching 40% charge in roughly 30 minutes, while Apple claims 15 minutes of fast charging yields up to 18 hours of additional battery life.
Health and safety features represent the core differentiators. Apple has introduced a more accurate heart rate sensor that takes readings every five seconds, alongside a new pedometer and the Readiness app, which synthesizes sleep and activity data to gauge daily preparedness. Safety features include Emergency SOS, fall detection, alert sirens, and crash detection.
Samsung has overhauled its Samsung Health app with a Vitals menu that monitors key biomarkers and alerts users to deviations from their baseline. Unique offerings include antioxidant readings, blood pressure estimation, a Heart Health Score, and a Trail Run mode with hydration guidance. Like Apple, Samsung includes Emergency SOS, fall detection, and alert sirens.
Pricing reflects Apple’s position as the more expensive option. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 launches at $700, with early promotions offering $100 off shortly after release. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is priced at $799 and is currently available for pre-order, with no immediate discounts expected. Both companies offer trade-in programs to reduce costs.
While neither device requires a monthly subscription for core functionality, users can opt for additional services such as Apple Fitness+ or Samsung’s iFIT integration. Specialized applications, like dive computers for scuba diving, may incur separate fees on either platform.
Seventy dollars less for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2? I can’t justify paying $799 when Samsung offers similar ruggedness and better brightness specs.
Five thousand nits sounds excessive. I just want a watch that tracks my runs and doesn’t die by noon. Apple’s 50 hours is plenty for me.
I need to know which one lasts longer in real-world use. Samsung says 60 hours, but does that hold up with GPS on?