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The Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Series 10 are two of Apple’s top smartwatches, but they serve different users. The Ultra is built for adventure with a rugged design and long battery life. The Series 10 is sleek and powerful, made for everyday use. This comparison will help you decide which one fits your lifestyle best.
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Dual Frequency GPS:
- Apple Watch Ultra supports precision dual-frequency GPS (L1+ L5) with better location accuracy for mountain hikes and dense city streets.
- Apple Watch Series 10 includes standard frequency GPS.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra
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Display Size:
- Apple Watch Ultra features a larger 1.92-inch display with a flat edge design to provide more space for complications, text, and animations.
- Apple Watch Series 10 has a 1.7-inch display.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra
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Dual Speaker System:
- Apple Watch Ultra includes a dual speaker setup for louder, clearer audio sound output for improving call quality and Siri interactions or alerts.
- Apple Watch Series 10 has a single speaker that is less powerful in outdoor environments.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra
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Sapphire Crystal Display:
- Apple Watch Ultra has sapphire crystal display to provide superior scratch resistance and durability.
- Apple Watch Series 10 uses Ion-X glass, which is lighter but more prone to scratches.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra
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Battery Life:
- Apple Watch Ultra delivers up to 36 hours of battery life and 72 hours in Low Power Mode for extended usage
- Apple Watch Series 10 provides 18 hours of regular use and up to 36 hours in low power mode.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra
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Action Button:
- Apple Watch Ultra has a programmable Action button for quick access to workouts, waypoints, or other tools.
- Apple Watch Series 10 does not include an Action button.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra
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Microphone:
- The Apple Watch Ultra has a three-microphone array with wind noise reduction for clearer voice calls in outdoor environments.
- Apple Watch Series 10 has single microphone.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra
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Water Resistance:
- Apple Watch Ultra has 100m water resistance with EN13319 certification for scuba diving and deep-water activities
- Apple Watch Series 10 supports up to 50 meters for swimming.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra
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Emergency Siren:
- Apple Watch Ultra has an 86dB emergency siren for alerting others in case of distress.
- Apple Watch Series 10 does not have a siren function.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra
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Processor:
- Apple Watch Ultra uses the S8 chip, which is still powerful and reliable.
- Apple Watch Series 10 uses the newer 10 chip with improved power efficiency and on-device Siri.
Winner:
Apple Watch Series 10
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Durability Rating:
- Apple Watch Ultra has MIL-STD 810H military durability rating for more resistant to shocks, vibrations, and extreme temperatures.
- Apple Watch Series 10 has no military-grade durability certification.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra
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Higher Resolution:
- Apple Watch Ultra delivers 502 x 410 resolution for sharper display with increased pixel density, text and graphics.
- Apple Watch Series 10 has lower 416 x 496 resolution.
Winner:
Apple Watch Ultra
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Specs at a Glance
| Feature |
Apple Watch Ultra |
Apple Watch Series 10 |
| Case Material |
Titanium |
Jet Black Aluminum |
| Display Size |
1.92 inches |
1.7 inches |
| Display Protection |
Sapphire Crystal |
Ion-X Glass |
| Chip |
S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor |
S9 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor |
| GPS |
Precision dual-frequency GPS |
Standard dual-frequency GPS |
| Speakers |
Dual speaker system |
Single speaker |
| Microphones |
Three-microphone array with beamforming |
Single microphone |
| Water Resistance |
WR100 + EN13319 (up to 100m) |
WR50 (up to 50m) |
| Battery Life |
Up to 36 hours (normal use), 72 hours (low power) |
Up to 18 hours (normal use), 36 hours (low power) |
| Emergency Siren |
86-decibel siren |
Not available |
| Action Button |
Yes |
No |
| Durability Standard |
MIL-STD 810H |
Not rated |
| Cellular Connectivity |
Yes |
No |
Who Should Buy What?
Buy the Apple Watch Ultra if you:
- Need a smartwatch built for extreme outdoor sports and rugged adventures.
- Want longer battery life with advanced GPS tracking for hikes or travel.
- Value durable materials like titanium and sapphire crystal for protection.
- Prefer extras like the Action button, loud siren, and diving-grade water resistance.
- Make frequent calls or use walkie-talkie features in noisy environments.
Check Apple Watch Ultra Best Price
Buy the Apple Watch Series 10 if you:
- Want the latest Apple processor with better power efficiency and on-device Siri.
- Prefer a lighter, sleeker watch for daily use and casual workouts.
- Don’t need deep diving or extreme outdoor durability.
- Are looking for a more budget-friendly premium smartwatch.
- Use standard GPS and workout tracking in urban or indoor settings.
Check Apple Watch 10 Best Price |
Winner by Category
| Category |
Winner |
| Dual Frequency GPS |
Apple Watch Ultra |
| Dual Speaker System |
Apple Watch Ultra |
| Sapphire Crystal Display |
Apple Watch Ultra |
| Three Microphone Array |
Apple Watch Ultra |
| Battery Life |
Apple Watch Ultra |
| Action Button |
Apple Watch Ultra |
| 100m Water Resistance |
Apple Watch Ultra |
| 86dB Emergency Siren |
Apple Watch Ultra |
| 810H Military Durability Rating |
Apple Watch Ultra |
| Display Size |
Apple Watch Ultra |
FAQ
Is the Apple Watch Ultra more durable than the Series 10?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra is significantly more durable thanks to its titanium case, sapphire crystal display, and MIL-STD 810H military certification, making it ideal for extreme environments.
Does the Apple Watch Series 10 have better performance than the Ultra?
The Apple Watch Series 10 has a newer S9 chip that enables faster performance, improved efficiency, and supports on-device Siri, giving it a performance edge over the S8 chip in the Ultra.
Can both watches be used for swimming and water activities?
Yes, but the Apple Watch Ultra is better suited for water sports and diving with its 100m water resistance and EN13319 diving certification, while the Series 10 is water resistant up to 50m for general swimming.
Do both models support cellular connectivity?
No, only the Apple Watch Ultra includes GPS + Cellular functionality by default, while the Series 10 in this comparison only includes GPS without cellular.
Is the display brighter or larger on either model?
The Apple Watch Ultra has a slightly larger and flatter 1.92-inch display with sapphire crystal, while the Series 10 has a nearly edge-to-edge 1.9-inch Ion-X glass screen. The Ultra also reaches higher peak brightness levels outdoors.
Does the Apple Watch Series 10 have the Action button?
No, the Action button is exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra and allows for customizable shortcuts such as starting a workout or marking waypoints.
Which watch has better audio and microphone quality?
The Apple Watch Ultra includes a dual speaker system and three-microphone array with wind reduction, offering better call clarity and volume than the Series 10.
Can either watch be used for emergencies?
The Apple Watch Ultra includes an 86-decibel emergency siren that can be heard up to 600 feet away, which the Series 10 does not have. Both support Emergency SOS features via software.
Is there a price difference between the two models?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra is more expensive due to its rugged build, cellular capabilities, and specialized features, while the Series 10 offers a lower-priced premium option.
Which watch is better for everyday users?
The Apple Watch Series 10 is better suited for everyday users who want the latest chip, sleek design, and core health features without needing the rugged extras of the Ultra.