Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
The Verdict
Apple Watch Ultra commands a premium price at $799 versus Galaxy Watch 5's $279, delivering titanium durability, superior 36-hour battery life, and deeper water resistance for scuba diving. Samsung's offering provides remarkable value with nearly identical health sensors, comparable 40-hour rated battery (though typically 24 hours real-world), lighter weight at 28.7g, and sapphire crystal protection. Display quality favors Apple's LTPO OLED technology for brightness and responsiveness, while Samsung's Super AMOLED is vibrant but less refined. Processing power runs comparable across both with Apple's S8 and Samsung's Exynos W920. For serious athletes and divers, Apple Ultra justifies its cost through specialized durability and extended battery. Budget-conscious buyers seeking comprehensive health tracking will find Galaxy Watch 5 delivers 95% of the functionality at one-third the price. Choose Apple Ultra if diving, ruggedness, and maximum battery matter; select Galaxy Watch 5 for excellent everyday performance without breaking the bank.
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 5 if…
- →Sapphire crystal display is 60% more durable than Watch 4
- →Comprehensive health suite: ECG, SpO2, skin temp, body composition
- →Dual-frequency GPS for accurate outdoor 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
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
Pros
- Sapphire crystal display is 60% more durable than Watch 4
- Comprehensive health suite: ECG, SpO2, skin temp, body composition
- Dual-frequency GPS for accurate outdoor tracking
- Faster charging — 30% improvement over Galaxy Watch 4
- MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability rating
Cons
- Removed the beloved rotating bezel — now touch-only
- Battery rarely hits the advertised 40 hours in real use
- Requires a Samsung phone for ECG and blood pressure features
- Wear OS 3 app selection still lags behind Apple watchOS
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) | Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 9 (upgradable to watchOS 11+) | Wear OS 3.5 (One UI Watch 4.5) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 61.3 g | 28.7 g (40mm) / 33.5 g (44mm) |
| Case material | Titanium | Aluminum with Sapphire Crystal glass |
| Water resistance | WR100, EN13319 (certified for recreational scuba diving to 40m) | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H |
| 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 40 hrs (typical ~24 hrs) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 49mm | 40mm / 44mm |
| Type | LTPO OLED Always-On Retina | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 410 x 502 | 396 x 396 / 450 x 450 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S8 SiP | Exynos W920 |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
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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.
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