Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) vs Fitbit Inspire 3
The Verdict
Apple Watch Ultra 1st Gen represents the premium smartwatch experience with its titanium construction, vibrant 49mm LTPO OLED display, and comprehensive health features including ECG capability. It excels in connectivity with cellular, GPS, and NFC, enabling independent operation from your phone. Battery endurance reaches an impressive 36 hours, extending to 60 hours in Low Power Mode. Fitbit Inspire 3 takes a fundamentally different approach, prioritizing simplicity and affordability with an ultra-lightweight design and exceptional 10-day battery life. Its 0.73-inch AMOLED display and basic health tracking suit casual fitness monitoring rather than advanced athletic training. While Fitbit includes SpO2 and sleep tracking, it lacks ECG functionality and cellular independence. For users seeking a rugged, feature-rich smartwatch with professional-grade capabilities and all-day connectivity, the Apple Watch Ultra is essential. Conversely, Fitbit Inspire 3 suits those wanting lightweight health basics without breaking the bank or managing daily charging.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) if…
- →Titanium case is exceptionally durable for extreme sports and diving
- →36-hour battery life (60 hrs in Low Power Mode) is longest for Apple Watch
- →2000-nit peak brightness is readable in any outdoor condition
Buy the Fitbit Inspire 3 if…
- →10-day battery life — charge once and forget for well over a week
- →Color AMOLED display is a huge upgrade over Inspire 2's grayscale
- →Ultra-lightweight at 20 g — perfect for sleep tracking
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen)
Pros
- Titanium case is exceptionally durable for extreme sports and diving
- 36-hour battery life (60 hrs in Low Power Mode) is longest for Apple Watch
- 2000-nit peak brightness is readable in any outdoor condition
- Dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS provides precise tracking even in canyons
- Action Button is customizable for workouts, compass, and more
Cons
- 49mm case is very large — may be too bulky for smaller wrists
- Heavy at 61.3 g compared to standard Apple Watch models
- $799 is expensive for a first-generation product
- S8 chip is the same as Series 8 — no processing advantage
- Only one 49mm size option with no smaller variant
Fitbit Inspire 3
Pros
- 10-day battery life — charge once and forget for well over a week
- Color AMOLED display is a huge upgrade over Inspire 2's grayscale
- Ultra-lightweight at 20 g — perfect for sleep tracking
- SpO2 and skin temperature sensors at just $99
- 5ATM water resistance for swimming
Cons
- No built-in GPS — relies on phone GPS for outdoor tracking
- No NFC — cannot use Fitbit Pay
- Tiny screen limits notification readability
- Best health insights locked behind Fitbit Premium subscription
- No always-on display option
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) | Fitbit Inspire 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 9 (upgradable to watchOS 11+) | Fitbit OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 61.3 g | 20 g |
| Case material | Titanium | Plastic resin |
| Water resistance | WR100, EN13319 (certified for recreational scuba diving to 40m) | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 36 hours (60 hrs in Low Power Mode) | Up to 10 days |
| Display | ||
| Size | 49mm | 0.73 inches |
| Type | LTPO OLED Always-On Retina | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 410 x 502 | 256 x 124 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S8 SiP | Fitbit custom processor |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
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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 Fitbit products. View full details for the Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) or the Fitbit Inspire 3.