Big and bold, or sleek and understated? It’s the Ultra Apple Watch battle!
Check out these watches and bands here 👇
Apple Watch Ultra:
Apple Watch Series 8:
Nomad Apple Watch Ultra sports band:
Cyrill Apple Watch Ultra Kajuk band (From Amazon):
Apple Watch Ultra trail loop:
Apple Watch Ultra ocean band:
*CNET may get a commission on this offer
0:00 Apple Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Series 8
0:44 Apple Watch Comfort, Design and Displays
4:13 Apple Watch Ultra Action Button
5:06 Apple Watch Ultra and Series 8 Features Compared
6:10 Apple Watch Sensors and Health Tracking
7:05 Apple Watch Fitness and Safety Features
8:09 Apple Watch Battery Life Compared
9:44 Apple Watch Ultra vs. Series 8: Which is Best?
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M T
October 31, 2022 at 1:54 pm
I never listen, I just watch
Rob King
October 31, 2022 at 2:05 pm
The 45mm 8 , is rounded , I bet if you flattened it , it would be 49mm
Colin K
October 31, 2022 at 9:56 pm
It wouldn’t tho
gooniesnever saydie
October 31, 2022 at 2:13 pm
I wish the ultra was solar powered. I don’t like having to charge my watch.
Gameboyreaper
October 31, 2022 at 8:21 pm
That would probably come in 3rd or 4th edition
Colin K
October 31, 2022 at 9:56 pm
What a stupid comment
Tamir Orbach
October 31, 2022 at 2:13 pm
The size of the Ultra has made it much nicer to use for me. I find it much easier to use than my series 7. I didn’t expect to keep it because I’m not an athlete, etc, but I absolutely love it. I have kept my black stainless steel series 7 with black metal strap for more formal occasions. Obviously I’m lucky to be able to afford both. But I love the Ultra, and if you’re in the market, I’d highly recommend trying it on at an Apple Store.
George W
October 31, 2022 at 2:18 pm
Thank you for the detailed comparison. Love the seashell necklace.
SupernovaDragon77
October 31, 2022 at 2:18 pm
After 24 hours I still have 40% of battery on my series 7 with AOD on all the time except when sleep tracking. Plus charging it back to 100 takes about 30 minutes. Have no idea why people say the battery isn’t good
D.I.Y St. Augustine
November 1, 2022 at 12:12 am
Cuz garmins last 11 days per charge
Paul Stiles
November 1, 2022 at 12:40 am
Exactly, the other day I wore my series 8 from 7am to just after 10pm, it still had 44% battery, the following day I put it on around the same time 7am & it still had 8% by almost 9pm, it got me through pretty much 2 days without charging.
Ismail
October 31, 2022 at 2:28 pm
I feel like the Apple Watch ultra is the equivalent of iPhone X for the Apple Watch line up ! It the biggest change since the original watch, biggest bump in price and it announced what the Apple Watch line up will look like for the upcoming years !
Jona Salas
October 31, 2022 at 3:03 pm
To be honest. Apple should have done something different. Software is the worst compared to other watches. The matrix it provides are just a Mickey Mouse info compared to the true outdoor watches. The extra bulk on the side is unnecessary also the action button sucks because you have to be careful when placing your thumb to press the crown you hit the button every other time.
Long story short I came back to my G6 pro x sapphire solar. I runner a 10k the ultra was about 50% remaining while the Fénix has 12 days still remaining.
Sometimes I feel lexy is such a Apple fun that is not very objective. The ultra is better than the other because the battery life but other than that the $400 S8 can do the same things
Bobby Stenhouse
October 31, 2022 at 3:19 pm
Thank you very much for your review,
Could you please read out the data results as I am totally blind, and did not know what the different ways where?
Thank you in advance. 🙂
Robert Bl
October 31, 2022 at 4:00 pm
👋👍👍✌️! Thanks!!
AMMAR NASEER ABDELAZIZ BARAKAT
October 31, 2022 at 4:13 pm
having a full sized keyboard is a huge step up the older models it took alot of time to get what your trying to say
The Foreigner
October 31, 2022 at 4:24 pm
Sad to see there’s already scuffs on the Ultra’s bezel…
Any sharp corners like that are just easily damaged.
If it needs a protective cover like the regular Apple watches… Might as well get the regular ones for less money without much sacrifice in capabilities.
Azan - اذان
October 31, 2022 at 4:33 pm
I’m also considering both the $750 45mm stainless steel Series 8 and the Ultra, one issue is comfort of the watch for sleeping, I already feel the 45mm digging in, so I would have to make the Ultra super loose to sleep with. Also, the Ultra just doesn’t work for more formal situations due to the protruding main button, and the gold watch would match better with my gold iPhone. On the other side, the Ultra has much better battery life which I would absolutely love, and the titanium is less scratch prone in comparison to stainless steel. Also, the screen is a great size bc the 45mm looks just big enough on my wrist, whereas the Ultra would be a better size. The built in cellular is also great! This review is super helpful!!!
Ben690
November 1, 2022 at 4:19 am
I’d rather the ultra over the stainless steal. Better battery, more durable for basically the same price. Ultra looks good with the right Watch band imo. I got aluminium series 8 and regret not getting the ultra. That Watch would last you years trouble free
Azan - اذان
November 1, 2022 at 5:49 pm
@Ben690 I so agree!!! I am absolutely leaning towards the ultra!
kmannewyork
October 31, 2022 at 5:13 pm
You forgot the different size speaker
jvcex
October 31, 2022 at 6:08 pm
the beautiful lady is back
VW Music Playlist
October 31, 2022 at 7:06 pm
1:12 That Ultra is like wearing a sardine tin on your wrist!! Way too big.
sherri moquin
November 1, 2022 at 3:38 am
I agree to that!
hajizx1
October 31, 2022 at 7:09 pm
I bought second hand series 7 with AppleCare plus for less than half price of basic Apple Watch series 8. It is huge saving if you are on budget
Dreamabys
October 31, 2022 at 7:55 pm
She is gorgeous 😍
Colin K
October 31, 2022 at 9:55 pm
Lol
Epicor
October 31, 2022 at 8:21 pm
Thanks so much for the review – I feel it was well delivered and the information was spot on. I love how the Series 8 and the Ultra are close enough to each other that if you get the Series 8, it’s not a bad decision.
I bought the Ultra last weekend, upgrading from a Series 5. The good news is that the bands from my previous watch works with the Ultra. I am super impressed with how Apple simplified the wrist band situation. Casio / Timex – why didn’t resolve this issue when you were Kings of the Hill?
I do love the battery life. It’s refreshing that I can now sleep with the watch on and charge it an hour before I go to sleep. I love how it automatically goes into sleep mode so it doesn’t bother my GF – she always gets annoyed with my Series 5 chirping away in the middle of the night. If I want to see the time, I have to tap the dial twice.
Apple has done great by providing a top-quality watch. Most of us geeks for decades would buy cheap Casio watches – sometimes a nice one but we tried not to spend over $100 and when the iPhone came out, there were many articles written where a lot of people stopped wearing watches (me included) but somehow – Apple decided to get in the market and for those of us in the past who bought solely Casio watches on the cheap, are now spending $400 – $800 and even more on Apple watches. It’s insane! Every time I am in an Apple store, I see several people around the watch tables – people from all walks of life.
I had intended on keeping my Series 5 for another year but felt now was the time to go ahead and do the upgrade. I am grateful that I did because it is currently providing me value. I haven’t turned on the cellular yet – I am in no hurry do so.
Telegram me 👉 Austin_avens
October 31, 2022 at 11:58 pm
Congratulations text me on telegram to claim your prize 👆👆🎁
Apple
October 31, 2022 at 8:27 pm
Apple Watch Ultra ✅
Megatron2013
October 31, 2022 at 9:35 pm
Apple: We’ll just add a few new things into the watch and trick people into buying it. We have a loyal fan base that’ll buy anything from us regardless of price.
TalsVids
October 31, 2022 at 10:10 pm
9:12 this is not just for the Ultra. With Watch OS 9.1:
“Battery life extended during Outdoor Walking, Running, and Hiking Workouts with the ability to reduce the frequency of heart rate and GPS readings on Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) and Apple Watch Ultra”.
Paul Stiles
November 1, 2022 at 12:42 am
The price difference between the series 8 & the Ultra is big here in Australia, the 8 starts from $A629 & the ultra costs $A1299.
Rochit Gurung
November 1, 2022 at 1:47 pm
30$ increase on the series watch also
DM me on telegram @CNET_77
November 1, 2022 at 10:24 pm
Congratulations you have been randomly selected among my lucky winner’s dm via the digity above to claim your prize 👆👆🎁.
DJ Carat
November 1, 2022 at 1:49 am
I like the 8, my brother likes the ultra.
Joshua Nolan
November 1, 2022 at 3:00 am
Man… and they parted ways with Brian Tong for this stuff?
Jake Kennedy
November 1, 2022 at 4:13 am
I still bought the stainless steel 45mm model. I just like how it looks and it goes with so many more bands. I like to match it with the Apple Leather Link bands, the Ultra just looked out of place with anything outside the specific Ultra bands.
Trevor Thai
November 1, 2022 at 4:15 am
Lexy trying to end the review prematurely is such a m00d🤣
Cory Bourrier
November 1, 2022 at 4:45 am
After getting the Ultra, ill never go back to the older design lol
Awesome Brotherhood
November 1, 2022 at 5:20 am
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? If i will do iron man, i will ensure i have a Garmin and HR strap ….
Michael Page
November 1, 2022 at 5:57 am
The 90 degree angle of the Ultra’s titanium bezel is so sharp that if you rub it against something (windshield, glass, desk etc) it will score it. I wore it while washing my windshield and noticed lengthy scratches caused by the watch. Great watch but Apple should soften that angle
sd sd
November 1, 2022 at 8:40 am
Ahhh a int buting it thanks
Ashutosh Patel
November 1, 2022 at 6:23 am
I just got Ultra for my son. He is into swimming and diving and he is loving it. He never liked Apple Watch before. With Ultra he is wearing almost 24/7. I am using 6 and am happy with it for time being but might go for Ultra soon.
Lubz M.
November 1, 2022 at 7:26 am
0:46 waited for her talk about the “literally” elephant she brought up, but never bothered to touch on it again. My disappointment is immeasurable
José Matias
November 1, 2022 at 2:32 pm
The Ultra is definitely not for me. I have a small wrist. It would look ridiculous… and well, I have a very active life, but I’m not an ultra marathonist nor a diver, so no point in getting it. The S8 does everything I need it to do, and looks much nicer on my wrist.
1TejanoKid
November 1, 2022 at 2:43 pm
Apple Watch Ultra is my preferred. The Ultra seems more of a man’s watch. Series 8 is too small for my wrist. What ever happened to men’s designed watches or women designed watches? Older people can get the most use out of Apple Watches.
Manu
November 1, 2022 at 7:27 pm
I solved this issue. I bought both. 😅😂 Bought the series 8 first and really happy with it but did feel a little hesitant getting scrappy with it. Bought the Ultra for swimming and jogging and other such things. Now actually wear the Ultra quite often. The alpine wristband is super comfortable and the watch doesn’t feel huge once you wear it. The screen definitely is noticeably bigger and the action button is indeed useful. The series 8 is much classier and I can use the milanaise wristband which is super nice but not for water which in part is why I started thinking of solutions that led me to buy the ultra too. Quite the splurge I get it but super happy I did.
Mr know It All
November 1, 2022 at 9:53 pm
Old truly annoying
Mönnigmann
November 2, 2022 at 1:25 pm
And it looks so crappy on your wrist! What’s wrong with YouTubers?
DDS
November 2, 2022 at 3:34 pm
The CNet Sweetheart tech. reviewer … Miss Lexy !!! Another good review from you !!! Always anticipating your next review and recommendation !!!.
Devansh Kanoria
November 2, 2022 at 10:42 pm
One more advice save more money and get watch se 2 if u need watch only for tracking workouts n heart rate, ultra is very over hyped, happy I choose se2 and saved some money
rtswift
November 3, 2022 at 11:43 pm
3:31 “good god this lady has some hairy arms”