Samsung Galaxy Watch8 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
The Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 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 $650, a difference of about $350. The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Samsung Galaxy Watch8 stands out for thinnest galaxy watch at 8.6mm, 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 Samsung Galaxy Watch8 if…
- →Thinnest Galaxy Watch at 8.6mm
- →3nm Exynos W1000 processor
- →3000 nits peak brightness
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
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
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 | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 | Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Wear OS 6 with Gemini | Wear OS 5 with One UI Watch 6 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 28.8 g (40mm) | 60.5 g |
| Case material | Armor Aluminum | Titanium Grade 4 |
| Water resistance | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H | 10ATM + IP68 + MIL-STD-810H |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 40 hours | Up to 60 hours in Power Saving mode (590 mAh) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 40mm / 44mm | 47mm (1.5") |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED with Sapphire Crystal glass, up to 3000 nits |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 480 x 480 (44mm) | 480 x 480 |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Chipset | Exynos W1000 (3nm) | Samsung Exynos W1000 (3nm, 5-core) |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
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 Samsung products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.