Watch comparison

Apple Ultra vs Apple Series 12 42mm

Compare battery life, health tracking, display and fit.

Compared products
01Selected 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	02 Apple Watch Series 12 42mm Apple S11 chip; 4-core Neural Engine processor. 64 GB storage in this version. Runs watchOS 27. Wi-Fi 4 support. Touchscreen for direct touch input. KSh 64,000In Stock Choose options

Add to comparison

2 spaces available

Apple Watch Ultra 3KSh 90,000

Apple Watch Series 11KSh 51,000

Apple Watch Ultra 4 49mmKSh 118,000

Apple Watch Series 12 46mmKSh 70,000

Apple Watch Series 8KSh 50,000

Apple Watch Ultra 2KSh 103,500

Huawei Watch Ultimate 2KSh 124,000

2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Apple Watch Series 12 42mm gives daily readiness scores, is lighter to wear all day and has more storage (64 GB), while the Apple Watch Ultra lasts longer between charges (36 hours vs 24 hours) and is rated for free diving to 40 m.

Performance

Apple Watch Ultra: Apple S8 SiP processor
Apple Watch Series 12 42mm: Apple S11 chip; 4-core Neural Engine processor

Storage

Apple Watch Ultra: 32 GB storage in this version
Apple Watch Series 12 42mm: 64 GB storage in this version

Software

Apple Watch Ultra: Runs watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.6
Apple Watch Series 12 42mm: Runs watchOS 27

Battery life

Apple Watch Ultra: Up to 36 hours per charge
Apple Watch Series 12 42mm: Up to 24 hours per charge

Portability

Apple Watch Ultra: 61.3 g
Apple Watch Series 12 42mm: 32.2 g

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Apple Watch Ultra

Longer battery life: up to 36 hours (vs 24 hours).
Rated for up to 36 hours per charge (vs 24).
Rated for free diving to 40 m.

Apple Watch Series 12 42mm

Lighter: 32.2 g (vs 61.3 g).
Daily readiness scores.
More storage: 64 GB (vs 32 GB).
Blood-pressure (hypertension) notifications.
Slimmer: 9.7 mm thick (vs 12 mm).
Newer model: released in 2026 (vs 2022).

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.

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

Differences only

Display

Display specifications comparison
Specification	Apple Watch Ultra	Apple Watch Series 12 42mm
Display	Always-On Retina LTPO2 OLED	Always-On Retina LTPO3 wide-angle OLED
Screen resolution	410 × 502 pixels; 326 ppi; 1,185 mm² display area	42mm: 374 × 446 pixels, 970 mm² display area. 46mm: 416 × 496 pixels, 1196 mm² display area. Both: 326 ppi.
Display protection	Flat sapphire crystal	Ceramic Shield 2 on aluminum cases; sapphire front crystal on titanium and ceramic cases
Display features	2000 nits (peak)	1 Hz refresh; up to 2,000 nits peak brightness; 1 nit minimum brightness

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
Specification	Apple Watch Ultra	Apple Watch Series 12 42mm
Network / cellular	GSM / HSPA / LTE	5G RedCap and LTE on GPS + Cellular models; international roaming supported
SIM / eSIM	eSIM	eSIM on GPS + Cellular models
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band	Wi‑Fi 4 (802.11n), 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
Bluetooth	5.3, A2DP, LE	Bluetooth 5.3
NFC	Supported; Apple Pay	Supported; Apple Pay
Positioning / GNSS	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	Precision L1 GPS; GLONASS; Galileo; QZSS; BeiDou
Ultra Wideband (UWB)	Ultra Wideband (UWB) support	Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip

Identity & design

Identity & design specifications comparison
Specification	Apple Watch Ultra	Apple Watch Series 12 42mm
Brand	Apple	Apple
Model	Apple Watch Ultra	Apple Watch Series 12 (42mm and 46mm configurations)
Announced	2022, September 07	9 September 2026
Dimensions	49 × 44 × 12 mm	42mm: aluminum/titanium 42 × 37 × 9.7 mm; ceramic 43 × 37 × 9.85 mm. 46mm: aluminum/titanium 46 × 40 × 9.7 mm; ceramic 47 × 41 × 9.85 mm.
Weight	61.3 g (2.15 oz)	42mm: aluminum GPS 32.2 g, GPS + Cellular 31.5 g, titanium 36.5 g, ceramic Pearl White 41.7 g / Night Blue 42.8 g. 46mm: aluminum GPS 39.5 g, GPS + Cellular 38.6 g, titanium 44.9 g, ceramic Pearl White 51.3 g / Night Blue 52.9 g.
Build materials	Titanium case; sapphire crystal front; ceramic and sapphire crystal back	Aluminum, titanium or ceramic case, depending on configuration
Wrist size	130–210 mm	42mm: 130–200 mm; 46mm: 140–245 mm
Controls / buttons	Customizable Action button; Digital Crown with haptic feedback; side button	Digital Crown with haptic feedback; side button; band-release button; single tap, double tap and wrist flick gestures
Strap / band	—	Band supplied; material and size depend on the selected configuration

Performance & software

Performance & software specifications comparison
Specification	Apple Watch Ultra	Apple Watch Series 12 42mm
Processor	Apple S8 SiP	Apple S11 chip; 4-core Neural Engine
CPU	64-bit dual-core	64-bit dual-core
GPU	PowerVR	—
Storage	32 GB	64 GB
Operating system	watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.6	watchOS 27

Audio & communication

Audio & communication specifications comparison
Specification	Apple Watch Ultra	Apple Watch Series 12 42mm
Speaker	Dual speakers; siren	Speaker with media playback
Microphone	Three-microphone array with beamforming and wind-noise mitigation	Microphone with Voice Isolation
Calling	Cellular and Bluetooth calling; international emergency calling	Bluetooth calling; cellular calling on GPS + Cellular models; international emergency calling

Sensors, health & fitness

Sensors, health & fitness specifications comparison
Specification	Apple Watch Ultra	Apple Watch Series 12 42mm
Sensors	Blood 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	High-g accelerometer; high dynamic-range gyroscope; compass; always-on altimeter; ambient-light sensor; second-generation electrical heart sensor; always-on optical heart sensor; blood-oxygen sensor; temperature sensor; depth gauge; water-temperature sensor
Health & wellness features	ECG app; Blood Oxygen app where available; heart-rate notifications; irregular rhythm notifications; temperature sensing; cycle tracking	Heart rate and HRV; Blood Oxygen; ECG; respiratory rate; wrist temperature; Readiness and Vitals; high/low heart-rate and irregular-rhythm notifications; cycle tracking; hypertension notifications
Sleep tracking	Sleep duration and sleep stages	Sleep duration and stages; sleep score; sleep-apnea notifications
Sports / workout modes	Workout app with running, cycling, swimming, multisport and other workout types	Running; hiking; cycling; pool and open-water swimming; skiing; snowboarding; rowing; paddling; golf; walking; HIIT; yoga; strength; dance; Pilates; Tai Chi; kickboxing; multisport and more
Training & outdoor features	Precision dual-frequency GPS; compass waypoints and Backtrack; running dynamics	Custom workouts and views; Training Load; heart-rate zones; VO₂ max; Race Route; Pacer; running dynamics; automatic track detection; offline maps, routes, waypoints and Backtrack
Safety & emergency features	Emergency SOS; international emergency calling; Fall Detection; Crash Detection	Emergency SOS; international emergency calling; Fall Detection; Crash Detection; flashlight; Check In; noise monitoring; emergency waypoints
Diving / depth features	Recreational scuba diving to 40 m; depth gauge; water-temperature sensor	Depth gauge to 6 m; water-temperature sensor

Battery & durability

Battery & durability specifications comparison
Specification	Apple Watch Ultra	Apple Watch Series 12 42mm
Battery life	Up to 36 hours normal use	Up to 24 hours normal use; up to 38 hours Low Power Mode; up to 10 hours outdoor workout
Charging	Magnetic fast charging to USB-C cable	Fast-charge capable; up to 80% in about 30 minutes; 15 minutes for up to 12 hours normal use; 5 minutes for up to 10 hours sleep tracking
Water resistance	100 m under ISO 22810:2010	50 m swimproof under ISO 22810:2010
Durability / certifications	IP6X dust resistance; MIL-STD-810H; EN13319	IP6X dust resistance

Compatibility

Compatibility specifications comparison
Specification	Apple Watch Ultra	Apple Watch Series 12 42mm
Phone compatibility	iPhone 8 or later; iOS 16 or later	iPhone 11 or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), with iOS 27 or later
Companion app	Apple Watch app on iPhone	Apple Watch app on iPhone; Health and Fitness apps for associated data
Colors	Titanium	Aluminum: Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black, Space Gray; titanium: Radiant Gold, Natural; ceramic: Pearl White, Night Blue

Additional specifications

Additional specifications specifications comparison
Specification	Apple Watch Ultra	Apple Watch Series 12 42mm
Case material	Titanium	—
Military-grade resistance	MIL-STD-810H	—
Flashlight	Supported	Supported
Pixels per inch	326 ppi	326 ppi
Peak brightness	Up to 2,000 nits	Up to 2,000 nits peak; 1 nit minimum
Cover / touchscreen	Supported	Supported
Release status	Available. Released 2022, September 23	Available. Released 2026, September 18
Model numbers	A2684, A2622, A2859, watch6,18	A3582, A3587
Card slot	No	No
Camera	No	No
3.5 mm headphone jack	No	No
USB	No	No
Radio	No	No
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK; HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA, LATAM, Canada	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 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	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
Network speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE, 5G
SAR (EU)	0.35 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body)	—
Additional hardware features	Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy); Depth gauge (±1m accuracy)	Health Sensing System: third‑generation electrical heart sensor, always‑on optical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, temperature sensor; Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy); Media playback
Battery type	Rechargeable lithium-ion	—
Display material	—	LTPO3 wide-angle OLED
Charging time	—	About 30 minutes to 80%; 15 minutes for up to 12 hours normal use; 5 minutes for up to 10 hours sleep tracking
Packing list	—	Apple Watch Series 12; band; 1 m magnetic fast-charger to USB-C cable
5G bands	—	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA

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

Get the Apple Watch Series 12 42mm if you want daily readiness scores and a lighter watch for all-day wear, or the Apple Watch Ultra if you would rather have longer battery life and free-diving support to 40 m.

Back to compared products ↑

Android Smartphones

Samsung Phones

Foldable Phones

iPhone

Phone Accessories

Laptops

Desktop Computers

MacBook

HP Laptops

Lenovo Laptops

Software

Laptop Power Banks

Computer Accessories

PC Components

Printers & Scanners

PlayStation

All Consoles & Games

Nintendo

Xbox

PC Games

Handheld Gaming & VR

Gaming Accessories

PC Gaming

Headphones

Earbuds & Earphones

Brand & Series

Speakers

Home Audio

Microphones

Audio Cables & Adapters

Conference & Video Calls

Home Entertainment

Smartwatches

Smart Bands

Fitness Trackers

Amazfit

CMF Watch

Smart Glasses

Smart Tags

Smart Scales

Android Tablets

Apple iPads

Paper Tablets

Stylus Pens

Tablet Keyboards

Tablet Accessories

Chargers

Power Banks

Phone Covers

Mobile Accessories

Computer Accessories

Keyboards

Mouse & Mouse Pads

Monitors

Display Cables & Adapters

USB Cables & Adapters

USB-C Hubs & Docking Stations

Car & Travel

Phone Chargers

Car Chargers

Charging Cables

Power Banks

Chargers

Power Stations

Power Accessories

Hard Drives & NAS

Internal SSDs

Memory Cards

Storage Accessories

Action Cameras

Camera Accessories

Gimbals

Webcams

Microphones

0-G

H-M

N-R

S-Z

Kitchen Appliances

Vacuum Cleaners