Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
The Verdict
Apple Watch Ultra dominates with its superior 36-hour battery life, brighter LTPO OLED display (410x502 resolution), titanium construction, and deeper water resistance certified for scuba diving to 40m. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 offers better portability at 48.2g with size options and costs half the price, but struggles with 1.5-day typical battery life and lower resolution Super AMOLED screen. Both include ECG, SpO2, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking, though Apple adds skin temperature sensing. Performance-wise, Apple's S8 chip outpaces Exynos 9110, enabling smoother watchOS 11+ support. For serious fitness enthusiasts and divers willing to invest, Apple Watch Ultra 1st Gen justifies its premium with professional-grade durability and battery longevity. Budget-conscious buyers seeking everyday health tracking should consider Galaxy Watch 3, but expect 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 Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 if…
- →Physical rotating bezel provides tactile, satisfying navigation
- →Premium stainless steel build with classic watch aesthetics
- →ECG and SpO2 monitoring were cutting-edge at launch
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
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Pros
- Physical rotating bezel provides tactile, satisfying navigation
- Premium stainless steel build with classic watch aesthetics
- ECG and SpO2 monitoring were cutting-edge at launch
- Fall detection with automatic SOS alerts
- Thinner and lighter than Galaxy Watch (2018)
Cons
- Tizen OS is now discontinued — no new app development
- Battery life of 1.5 days typical requires frequent charging
- Older Exynos 9110 is noticeably slower than W920
- Heavy at 48-54 g — uncomfortable for sleep tracking
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) | Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 9 (upgradable to watchOS 11+) | Tizen OS 5.5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 61.3 g | 48.2 g (41mm) / 53.8 g (45mm) |
| Case material | Titanium | Stainless Steel / Titanium |
| Water resistance | WR100, EN13319 (certified for recreational scuba diving to 40m) | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810G |
| 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 2 days (typical ~1.5 days) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 49mm | 41mm / 45mm |
| Type | LTPO OLED Always-On Retina | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 410 x 502 | 360 x 360 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S8 SiP | Exynos 9110 |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
- Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
- Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
- Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) vs Garmin Venu 3
- Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) vs Garmin Venu 2 Plus
- Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) vs Garmin Forerunner 965
- Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) vs Garmin Forerunner 955
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 Ultra (1st Gen) or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.