Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) vs Samsung Galaxy Watch8
The Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) and Samsung Galaxy Watch8 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 is the cheaper of the two at $300 versus $799, a difference of about $499. The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) stands out for titanium case is exceptionally durable for extreme sports and diving, while Samsung Galaxy Watch8 is praised for thinnest galaxy watch at 8.6mm. 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 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 Watch8 if…
- →Thinnest Galaxy Watch at 8.6mm
- →3nm Exynos W1000 processor
- →3000 nits peak brightness
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 Watch8
Pros
- Thinnest Galaxy Watch at 8.6mm
- 3nm Exynos W1000 processor
- 3000 nits peak brightness
- Wear OS 6 with Gemini AI assistant
- Dual-frequency GPS
Cons
- $300 starting price for base model
- Battery life varies heavily with AOD
- Limited third-party watch face selection on Wear OS
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 9 (upgradable to watchOS 11+) | Wear OS 6 with Gemini |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 61.3 g | 28.8 g (40mm) |
| Case material | Titanium | Armor Aluminum |
| 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 hours |
| Display | ||
| Size | 49mm | 40mm / 44mm |
| Type | LTPO OLED Always-On Retina | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 410 x 502 | 480 x 480 (44mm) |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S8 SiP | Exynos W1000 (3nm) |
| 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 Ultra (1st Gen) or the Samsung Galaxy Watch8.