Skip to content

Watch comparison

Apple Series 8 vs Apple Ultra

Compare battery life, health tracking, display and fit.

Compared products
01Selected
Apple Watch Series 8

Apple Watch Series 8

  • Screen: 41mm: 352 × 430 pixels; 45mm: 396 × 484 pixels.
  • Apple S8 SiP processor.
  • 1 GB RAM in this version.
  • 32 GB storage in this version.
  • Runs watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.6.
KSh 50,000In Stock
Choose options
02
Apple Watch Ultra

Apple Watch Ultra

  • 61.3 g.
  • Screen: 410 × 502 pixels; 326 ppi; 1,185 mm² display area.
  • Apple S8 SiP processor.
  • 32 GB storage in this version.
  • Runs watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.6.
KSh 90,000In Stock
Add to cart

Add to comparison

2 spaces available

Apple Watch Series 11KSh 51,000
WHOOP Life MGKSh 50,000
Apple Watch Series 12 42mmKSh 64,000
Apple Watch Ultra 4 49mmKSh 118,000
WHOOP LifeKSh 55,500
Amazfit Balance 3KSh 48,000
Apple Watch Series 9KSh 45,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Apple Watch Ultra lasts longer between charges (36 hours vs 18 hours), has a brighter, sharper screen and is rated for free diving to 40 m, while the Apple Watch Series 8 is lighter to wear all day.

Display

Apple Watch Series 8
41mm: 352 × 430 pixels; 45mm: 396 × 484 pixels
Apple Watch Ultra
410 × 502 pixels; 326 ppi; 1,185 mm² display area

Battery life

Apple Watch Series 8
Up to 18 hours per charge
Apple Watch Ultra
Up to 36 hours per charge

Portability

Apple Watch Series 8
31.9 g
Apple Watch Ultra
61.3 g

Speaker

Apple Watch Series 8
Supported
Apple Watch Ultra
Dual speakers, siren

Water resistance

Apple Watch Series 8
50 m, swimproof
Apple Watch Ultra
100 m under ISO 22810:2010

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Apple Watch Series 8

  • Lighter: 31.9 g (vs 61.3 g).
  • Slimmer: 10.7 mm thick (vs 12 mm).

Apple Watch Ultra

  • Longer battery life: up to 36 hours (vs 18 hours).
  • Rated for up to 36 hours per charge (vs 18).
  • Brighter display: up to 2,000 nits (vs 1,000).
  • Rated for free diving to 40 m.
  • Higher screen resolution: 410 × 502 (vs 352 × 430).

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PriorityApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Ultra
Battery lifeUp to 18 hours per chargeUp to 36 hours per charge
Storage32 GB storage32 GB storage
DisplayOLED displayOLED display, 326 ppi
PerformanceApple S8 SiP processorApple S8 SiP processor
SoftwarewatchOS 9.0watchOS 9.0
ConnectionsWi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Ultra
DisplayAlways-On Retina LTPO OLEDAlways-On Retina LTPO2 OLED
Screen resolution41mm: 352 × 430 pixels; 45mm: 396 × 484 pixels410 × 502 pixels; 326 ppi; 1,185 mm² display area
Display protectionIon-X glass (aluminum); sapphire crystal (stainless steel)Flat sapphire crystal
Display features1000 nits (peak)2000 nits (peak)

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Ultra
Network / cellularGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
SIM / eSIMeSIMeSIM
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCSupported; Apple PaySupported; Apple Pay
Positioning / GNSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Ultra Wideband (UWB)Ultra Wideband (UWB) supportUltra Wideband (UWB) support

Identity & design

Identity & design specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Ultra
BrandAppleApple
ModelApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Ultra
Announced2022, September 072022, September 07
Dimensions41mm: 41 × 35 × 10.7 mm; 45mm: 45 × 38 × 10.7 mm49 × 44 × 12 mm
Weight41mm: aluminum GPS 31.9 g, GPS + Cellular 32.2 g, stainless steel 42.3 g; 45mm: aluminum GPS 38.8 g, GPS + Cellular 39.1 g, stainless steel 51.5 g61.3 g (2.15 oz)
Build materialsAluminum or stainless-steel case; ceramic and sapphire crystal backTitanium case; sapphire crystal front; ceramic and sapphire crystal back
Wrist size41mm: 130–200 mm; 45mm: 140–245 mm130–210 mm
Controls / buttonsDigital Crown with haptic feedback; side buttonCustomizable Action button; Digital Crown with haptic feedback; side button

Performance & software

Performance & software specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Ultra
ProcessorApple S8 SiPApple S8 SiP
CPU64-bit dual-core64-bit dual-core
GPUPowerVRPowerVR
RAM1GB—
Storage32 GB32 GB
Operating systemwatchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.6watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.6

Audio & communication

Audio & communication specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Ultra
SpeakerSupportedDual speakers; siren
MicrophoneSupportedThree-microphone array with beamforming and wind-noise mitigation
CallingBluetooth calling; cellular calling on GPS + Cellular modelsCellular and Bluetooth calling; international emergency calling

Sensors, health & fitness

Sensors, health & fitness specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Ultra
SensorsBlood oxygen sensor; electrical heart sensor; third-generation optical heart sensor; temperature sensor; compass; always-on altimeter; high-g accelerometer; high-dynamic-range gyroscope; ambient light sensorBlood oxygen sensor; electrical heart sensor; third-generation optical heart sensor; temperature sensor; depth gauge; water-temperature sensor; compass; always-on altimeter; high-g accelerometer; high-dynamic-range gyroscope; ambient light sensor
Health & wellness featuresECG app; Blood Oxygen app where available; high and low heart-rate notifications; irregular rhythm notifications; temperature sensing; cycle trackingECG app; Blood Oxygen app where available; heart-rate notifications; irregular rhythm notifications; temperature sensing; cycle tracking
Sleep trackingSleep duration and sleep stagesSleep duration and sleep stages
Sports / workout modesWorkout app with multiple workout types and automatic workout detectionWorkout app with running, cycling, swimming, multisport and other workout types
Training & outdoor featuresPace and heart-rate zones; compass waypoints and backtrackPrecision dual-frequency GPS; compass waypoints and Backtrack; running dynamics
Safety & emergency featuresEmergency SOS; international emergency calling; Fall Detection; Crash DetectionEmergency SOS; international emergency calling; Fall Detection; Crash Detection
Diving / depth features—Recreational scuba diving to 40 m; depth gauge; water-temperature sensor

Battery & durability

Battery & durability specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Ultra
Battery lifeUp to 18 hours normal useUp to 36 hours normal use
ChargingMagnetic fast charging to USB-C cableMagnetic fast charging to USB-C cable
Water resistance50 m; swimproof100 m under ISO 22810:2010
Durability / certificationsIP6X dust resistanceIP6X dust resistance; MIL-STD-810H; EN13319

Compatibility

Compatibility specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Ultra
Phone compatibilityiPhone 8 or later; iOS 16 or lateriPhone 8 or later; iOS 16 or later
Companion appApple Watch app on iPhoneApple Watch app on iPhone
ColorsGraphite, Silver, GoldTitanium

Additional specifications

Additional specifications specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Ultra
Pixels per inch326 ppi326 ppi
Peak brightnessUp to 1,000 nitsUp to 2,000 nits
Cover / touchscreenSupportedSupported
Release statusAvailable. Released 2022, September 16Available. Released 2022, September 23
Model numbersA2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17A2684, A2622, A2859, watch6,18
Card slotNoNo
CameraNoNo
3.5 mm headphone jackNoNo
USBNoNo
RadioNoNo
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK; HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA, LATAM, CanadaHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK; HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA, LATAM, Canada
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada
Network speedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
SAR (US)0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body)—
SAR (EU)0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body)0.35 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body)
Additional hardware featuresTemperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy); Depth gauge (±1m accuracy)
Battery typeRechargeable lithium-ionRechargeable lithium-ion
Case material—Titanium
Military-grade resistance—MIL-STD-810H
Flashlight—Supported

Similarities

  • Both belong to the Apple Watch platform.
  • Both support Wi-Fi 4.
  • Both use Bluetooth 5.3.
  • Both work with a companion app.
  • Both have NFC.
  • Both take ECG readings.

In summary

For most buyers the Apple Watch Ultra is the better buy; the Apple Watch Series 8 makes sense if you want a lighter watch for all-day wear.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

WHOOP Life MGFor Apple Watch Series 8WHOOP Life MGView product ↗Apple Watch Series 11For Apple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 11View product ↗Apple Watch Series 12 42mmFor Apple Watch UltraApple Watch Series 12 42mmView product ↗Apple Watch Ultra 4 49mmFor Apple Watch UltraApple Watch Ultra 4 49mmView product ↗

Related comparisons

Apple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 11Apple Watch Series 8WHOOP Life MGApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Ultra 4 49mmApple Watch Series 8WHOOP LifeApple Watch Series 8Amazfit Balance 3Apple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9Apple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 10Apple Watch Series 8Huawei Watch 6 Pro 46 mm
Menu
Need Help? +254 112891117
Back to Top

My Cart