Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Which Is Better

Gone were the days when watches were a medium to tell time. With the addition of trackers for monitoring your heart rate, large screens for texting, and speakers for taking calls, they’ve become compact cell phones. But can these features be improved upon? Let us compare the latest Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2.

With the recent launch of the new Apple devices, the already confusing choice between Apple Watches has gotten more confusing. So, to make the selection clearer, let us look at all the new features introduced in the new Apple Watches followed by a detailed comparison of Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2. Let’s get started.

Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: The Specifications

Before we start comparing the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, let us look at the specs for both devices.

	Apple Watch Series 9	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Screen Size	45mm or 41mm	49mm
Weight	Up to 42.3 grams	61.4 grams
Battery	Up to 18 hours	Up to 36 hours
Brightness	Up to 2000 nits	Up to 3000 nits
GPS	Yes	Precision Dual-Frequency GPS
Water-Resistant	Up to 50m	Up to 100m
Chip	S9 SiP	S9 SiP
Gesture Support	Advanced Double Tap Support	Advanced Double Tap Support
Precision Finding for iPhone	Yes	Yes
On Device Siri	Yes	Yes
Emergency SOS	Yes	Yes
Action Button	No	Yes
Fast Charging	Yes	Yes
Variant	Aluminum or Stainless Steel	Titanium

Let us discuss these features in detail and see which Apple Watch might be the best match for you.

What’s New on Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2

Before we compare the features of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, we’ll briefly examine some of the newly introduced features common to both devices.

1. Double-Tap Gesture

An extremely functional feature, Double Tap on Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 allows you to take action without even touching the watch’s screen. To use this feature, simply double-tap your index finger and the thumb of the hand you’re wearing the Apple Watch on.

As Apple explains, you can use this feature to answer or end calls, silence reminders, and more, even when your hands are otherwise occupied.

2. Processor

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 can be considered a powerhouse, all thanks to the dual-core S9 chip. A recent inclusion, the S9 SiP chip with its 64-bit dual-core processor features a 4-core Neural Engine that helps enhance the overall performance. The S9 chip also helps with new features like Double-Tap Gestures and On-Device Siri.

The 4-core Neural Engine, on the other hand, is useful when performing machine learning tasks, making both watches up to 2x faster than their predecessors. It also helps in giving an efficient battery performance.

3. On-Device Siri + Health Queries

A bad internet connection can cause Siri not to work properly on your Apple Watch. To solve this issue, Apple has made Siri process information on-device on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. This not only makes the process more efficient but also enhances the privacy of your data.

Additionally, you can also ask Siri on your Apple Watch for your health data, like the quality of your sleep last night. This feature will be available by the end of this year.

4. Precision Finding for iPhone

While the option to ping your iPhone from your Apple Watch is not new, Apple has improved upon it. You can now precisely locate your iPhone by getting the approximate distance and direction on your Apple Watch, along with helpful haptic feedback to guide you along the way. This can be super helpful if you’re (like me) always losing your iPhone and want a little more help in finding it.

5. Live Activity on iPhone

Certain apps on your iPhone can trigger the Live Activities feature, allowing you to track real-time updates from your lock screen. But with the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, any task triggered, like switching to cycling mode, automatically opens Live Activities on your iPhone to sync data and give you a better view of your progress.

6. Carbon Neutral

With Apple’s pledge to go Carbon Neutral by 2030, it is no surprise that Apple products are now being made using recycled materials to help reduce the carbon footprint. In line with this, certain variants of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are 100% Carbon Neutral, a first for Apple.

Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: The Differences

Now that we know what new features have been introduced for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, let us briefly look at some of the key specs that set both devices apart.

1. Size and Weight

If you’re looking for a watch with a big display size and don’t mind the extra grams, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is perfect for you. Its 49mm titanium case size is big enough to display information clearly even when outdoors. Although, this size causes it to be bulky at 61.4 grams.

If you’re not into big, clunky watches and want something lightweight, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the one. It is more compact with its 45mm and 41mm variants and comparatively lighter in its weight range of 31.9 grams to 42.3 grams, depending on the variant.

2. Battery Life

The battery life on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has seen a massive improvement. Under normal conditions, it can last up to 36 hours. If you’re operating in Low Power Mode, it extends up to 72 hours. However, the battery life on the Apple Watch Series 9 is lacking, at only up to 18 hours. Or up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode.

While 18 hours can be considered sufficient, this time might be reduced when using it with certain other apps or services. In this case, you can have Low Power Mode enabled or monitor your device usage. Or, if you’re used to staying outdoors for longer durations and don’t always have access to charging points, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is your best bet.

3. Brightness

While you can go as low as 1 nits on Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, it becomes a different story when you try to increase brightness. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers an Always-On Retina display reaching 3000 nits. It also has provisions for detecting low-light and Night Mode accordingly.

The Apple Watch Series 9, with its Always-On Retina display, can only go up to 2000 nits. It might not be as bright as the Ultra 2, but is an improvement compared to the Apple Watch Series 8.

4. Durability

Configured for outdoor use, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is water resistant for up to 100m. Additionally, it can also be used for recreational dives for up to 40m. This, combined with its EN13319 certification and depth and water gauge sensors, makes it the top choice for outdoor enthusiasts. It is also dust-resistant.

The Apple Watch Series 9, on the other hand, has the same dust-resistant rating but is water-resistant for only up to 50m. No water gauge or depth sensors are available. So, if you’re more into outdoor activities, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 should undoubtedly be more suited to your needs. For routine wear, the Apple Watch Series 9 works, too.

5. Speaker and Microphone

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 features dual speakers and a three-mic array set up with beamforming. This can help in delivering crisp and clear audio. It also comes with wind noise mitigation. The Apple Watch Series 9 features a basic second-generation speaker with a mic setup, sufficient for everyday communication.

6. Health and SOS Features

While both the watches come equipped with the latest blood oxygen and electrical heart sensors, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 takes it one step further by including a depth gauge sensor for scuba diving and a siren that can be heard from up to 600 feet away, if you get lost. The Ultra 2 also uses precision dual-frequency GPS for more accurate direction and location data.

While the addition might not seem like much, it is a good step in enhancing the already-available security features on your Apple Watch. This might be useful for activities like extreme sports, trekking, etc.

7. Action Button Customization

With the introduction of a customizable Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro, it is truly no surprise that this feature has also made to the Apple Watch. This will give you more control over the Action Button and can be extremely handy in launching any frequently used app or feature. However, this feature is currently exclusive to Apple Watch Ultra 2.

8. Color Options

Forget different colors; the Apple Watch Series 9 has two different material choices. If you’re looking for a more textured finish, you can go for the Stainless Steel variant that comes in three colors: Gold, Silver, and Graphite. The standard Aluminum variant has relatively more color choices like Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Pink, and Product (RED) colors.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2, on the other hand, only comes in the Titanium variant with a single standard color choice, i.e. Natural.

9. Price

One of the most important factors when deciding on a product is the final price. While the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is decidedly more feature-packed, it retails at a whopping $799. Apple Watch Series 9, on the other hand, is relatively pocket-friendly at $399 for the basic GPS model. This will, however, go up if you’re looking for more functionality. Here’s a brief summary:

Variant	Apple Watch Series 9	Apple Watch Ultra 2
GPS Only	$399	–
GPS + Cellular	$499	$799
Stainless Steel variant	Starting $699	–

Frequently Asked Questions

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch 9: Which One to Go For

In this Apple Watch Series 9 or Apple Watch Ultra 2 debate, the winner completely depends on your activities. If you’re a sports enthusiast and don’t mind the extra dollars, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is an excellent and obvious choice. However, if you’re looking for a watch for day-to-day usage or are on a budget, the Apple Watch Series 9 is a great contender.