The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 bring new health sensors, a new chip, and more detailed recovery information to Apple’s smartwatch lineup, so how do they compare?
Both models feature the S11 chip, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage and the new health detection system, which measures heart rate every five seconds throughout the day. They also share readiness status, recovery HRV, daytime vitals, enhanced step tracking, hypertension notifications, sleep apnea notifications, sleep score, and more. This means that the Ultra 4’s higher price doesn’t get you more advanced daily health tracking.
The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399, while the Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799. The gap narrows if you want a premium case material, with the Titanium Series 12 starting at $699. This year, the Series 12 also gets a ceramic option starting at $899, making it more expensive than the Ultra despite its smaller size and shorter lifespan.
The Apple Watch Ultra continues to focus on durability, extended battery life, and additional capabilities for activities like diving and exploring. Our guide helps answer the question of how to decide which of these two Apple Watches is best for you. The differences between the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4 are as follows:
| Apple Watch Series 12 | Apple Watch Ultra 4 |
|---|---|
| Rounded design with a slimmer body and a front glass curved at the edges | Rugged design with thicker casing and slightly raised edges to protect the flat front crystal |
| Aluminum, polished titanium or polished ceramic housing | Sandblasted titanium case |
| Aluminum and titanium: case sizes 42mm and 46mm Ceramic: Marketed in 42 mm and 46 mm, with actual heights of 43 mm and 47 mm |
Case size: 49mm |
| 42 mm in aluminum and titanium: case width 37 mm Ceramic 43mm: case width 37 mm 46 mm in aluminum and titanium: case width 40 mm Ceramic 47mm: case width 41 mm |
titanium 49mm: case width 44 mm |
| Aluminum and titanium: Case depth 9.7 mm Ceramic: Case depth 9.85 mm |
Case depth: 12mm |
| Weighs 31.5 to 52.9 grams depending on case size, material, finish and connectivity | Natural titanium: 63.0 grams Black titanium: 63.1 grams |
| Aluminum: Ceramic Shield 2 front window Titanium and ceramic: Sapphire crystal |
Sapphire crystal |
| 42mm: 374 by 446 pixels 46mm: 416 by 496 pixels |
422 by 514 pixels |
| 42mm: 970 mm² display surface 46mm: 1,196 mm² of exhibition surface |
1,245 mm² display area |
| Maximum brightness up to 2,000 nits | Maximum brightness up to 3,000 nits |
| Exclusive Wayfinder, Modular Ultra and Orienteering faces | |
| Night mode on Apple Watch Ultra faces | |
| Customizable action button, including Precision Start for workouts | |
| 86 decibel siren to attract attention | |
| Single speaker | Two speakers |
| Single microphone with voice isolation | Three-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise attenuation |
| Aluminum: GPS or GPS + Cellular options Titanium and ceramic: GPS + Cellular |
GPS + Cellular on all models |
| US TDD Cellular Bands: 5G n38, n40 and n41; LTE 38, 39, 40 and 41 | US TDD Cellular Bands: 5G n38, n40, n41 and n53; LTE 38, 39, 40, 41 and 53 |
| Satellite communications for emergency SOS, messages and Find My | |
| L1 Precision GPS | Precision dual-frequency GPS (L1 and L5) |
| Support for GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou | Support for GPS, Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou |
| Water resistant up to 50m | Water resistant up to 100m |
| Suitable for swimming and snorkeling | Suitable for swimming, snorkeling, high-speed water sports and recreational scuba diving up to 40m |
| Depth gauge and depth app up to 6m | Depth gauge and depth app up to 40m |
| Tested according to MIL-STD 810H | |
| EN13319 certification for recreational scuba diving | |
| Recommended ambient operating temperature 0°C to 35°C | Wrist operating temperature from -20°C to 55°C |
| Altimeter always active | Always-on altimeter with extended operating range of -500m to 9000m |
| Operating altitude from 0 m to 3000 m | Operating altitude from -500 m to 9,000 m |
| Up to 24 hours of normal use | Up to 50 hours of normal use |
| Up to 38 hours in low power mode | Up to 84 hours in low power mode |
| Up to 10 hours of standard outdoor workout tracking | Up to 18 hours of standard outdoor workout tracking |
| Up to 25 hours in extended training mode with full GPS and heart rate readings | |
| Up to 45 hours in maximum extended training mode, retaining GPS readings every second | |
| Charge from 0 to 80% in approximately 30 minutes | Charge from 0 to 80% in approximately 45 minutes |
| 15 minutes charge for up to 12 hours of normal use | 15 minutes of charging for up to 18 hours of normal use |
| Aluminum: Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black and Space Gray Titanium: Radiant and Natural Gold Ceramic: Pearl White and Midnight Blue |
Natural titanium or black titanium |
| Hermes: Titanium Silver or Radiant Gold | Hermes: Natural titanium |
| 40% recycled content in aluminum and titanium models | 45% recycled content |
| Aluminum: From $399 Titanium: Starting at $699 Ceramic: Starting at $899 Hermes: Starting at $1,399 |
Standard: Starting at $799 Hermes: Starting at $1,499 |
For most users, the Apple Watch Series 12 is the better choice. It offers the same performance, health sensors, readiness information, and audio intelligence features as the Ultra 4 in a thinner, lighter device. The aluminum model offers these benefits for $400 less, making it the strongest option for everyday use and regular workouts.
The most useful benefit of the Ultra 4 is battery life. Its longer endurance facilitates overnight wear and extended workouts while charging. You don’t have to be an endurance athlete to appreciate less frequent charging, but the premium is easier to justify if the Series 12 can’t comfortably cover your usual activities and charging habits.
For hikes away from cell coverage, recreational scuba diving, or very long events, the Ultra has a clearer purpose. Satellite communications, dual-frequency GPS, greater water resistance, and expanded drive modes address needs that the 12 Series can’t fully satisfy. The Action button and brighter screen may also appeal to enthusiasts who simply want better hardware.
Size and appearance remain important compromises. The Ultra is considerably bulkier and heavier although it only offers a slightly larger screen than the 46mm Series 12. The 12 Series is more discreet and offers polished titanium and ceramic finishes, making it better suited to buyers who prioritize comfort or appearance. Try the Ultra on before buying if you are unsure of its size.
The decision gets closer if you already want the Series 12 in titanium, since its starting price is only $100 less than the Ultra. At this point, paying more for longer battery life and additional hardware is reasonable if you’re comfortable with a larger case. The $899 Series 12 ceramic is primarily a choice of material and finish; choose it because you prefer the way it looks, rather than expecting more capabilities than the $799 Ultra.
