Apple Watch Series 11 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
The Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 11 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple Watch Series 11 is the cheaper of the two at $399 versus $650, a difference of about $251. The Apple Watch Series 11 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple Watch Series 11 stands out for hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure, while Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is praised for premium titanium build with 10atm water resistance and mil-std durability. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch Series 11 if…
- →Hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure
- →Sleep score for sleep quality insights
- →24-hour battery life (up from 18h on Series 10)
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra if…
- →Premium titanium build with 10ATM water resistance and MIL-STD durability
- →Bright 3000-nit Super AMOLED display with sapphire crystal protection
- →Dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) for precise outdoor tracking
Pros & Cons
Apple Watch Series 11
Pros
- Hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure
- Sleep score for sleep quality insights
- 24-hour battery life (up from 18h on Series 10)
- 5G connectivity on cellular models
- 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass
Cons
- Same S10 chip as Series 10
- Starting price increased to $399
- Still limited to one-day battery life
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Pros
- Premium titanium build with 10ATM water resistance and MIL-STD durability
- Bright 3000-nit Super AMOLED display with sapphire crystal protection
- Dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) for precise outdoor tracking
- Big 590 mAh battery delivers up to 100 hours in Power Saving mode
- Customizable Quick Button for fast access to workouts and apps
Cons
- Very expensive at $649 — Samsung's priciest watch yet
- Only one 47mm size, too large for smaller wrists
- BioActive sensor and BP/ECG features require Samsung phone
- Design closely mimics Apple Watch Ultra
- Limited third-party app ecosystem versus Apple Watch
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 11 | Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 26 | Wear OS 5 with One UI Watch 6 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 34.6 g (42mm) / 43.1 g (46mm) | 60.5 g |
| Case material | Aluminum or Titanium (Grade 5) | Titanium Grade 4 |
| Water resistance | IP6X, 50m WR | 10ATM + IP68 + MIL-STD-810H |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 24 hours | Up to 60 hours in Power Saving mode (590 mAh) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 42mm / 46mm | 47mm (1.5") |
| Type | Retina LTPO3 OLED | Super AMOLED with Sapphire Crystal glass, up to 3000 nits |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 496 x 416 (46mm) | 480 x 480 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S10 | Samsung Exynos W1000 (3nm, 5-core) |
| RAM | — | 2 GB |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Apple products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Apple Watch Series 11 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.