Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: $150 Gap Worth It?

Both watches are flagship “ultra” wearables built for hard use, but they’re not really competing for the same wrist. One lives on Android, one lives on iPhone, and the spec gaps between them are bigger than the marketing suggests. Here’s the honest breakdown.

Key Differences

• Battery is not close: Samsung delivers 80 hours of smartwatch use (about 3.3 days). Apple delivers 42 hours (about 1.8 days). That’s nearly 2x.
• GPS endurance: Apple lasts 20 hours in GPS mode. Samsung lasts 16 hours. Apple takes this one, though neither will carry a multi-day event.
• Price: Samsung launches at $649.99. Apple starts at $799. A $150 gap.
• Display: Apple wins on size (1.98 inches vs 1.5 inches) and resolution (422 x 514 vs 480 x 480; Apple’s screen is physically larger even if Samsung has more pixels per side).
• Wi-Fi: Samsung runs dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Apple is 802.11n only, which is slow for syncing music and updates.
• Diving: Apple is rated to 100 meters (ISO 22810) with a depth gauge. Samsung is rated 10 ATM / IP68 / MIL-STD-810H: fine for swims, not for actual diving.
• Ecosystem lock: Apple Watch Ultra 3 only works with an iPhone. Galaxy Watch Ultra requires an Android phone. There is no overlap.

Deep Dive Comparison

Design & Comfort

Samsung uses Grade 4 titanium in a 47mm case at 60.5 grams. Apple uses Grade 5 titanium in a 49mm case at 61.6 grams. On the wrist, the weight difference is meaningless. Both feel substantial without feeling like a brick. The real call here is case diameter: 49mm is large, and on smaller wrists the Apple looks oversized. Samsung’s 47mm is a hair more wearable for slimmer arms.

Battery Life

This is where the comparison stops being interesting and starts being a rout. Samsung claims 80 hours (3.3 days) in normal use and 16 hours (0.7 days) with GPS active. Apple claims 42 hours (1.8 days) normal and 20 hours (0.8 days) on GPS. If you’re a runner doing a 24-hour event, neither watch finishes on one charge; plan a mid-race top-up.

Health & Fitness Features

Both watches carry multi-band/dual-frequency GPS. Samsung calls it “Multi-band,” Apple calls it “Precision dual-frequency (L1 and L5).” In practice, both deliver tight track accuracy in cities and tree cover. Heart rate is optical PPG on both, with ECG on both as well.

Where they diverge: Samsung includes BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis) for body composition readings (fat percentage, muscle mass, water weight). Apple does not. Apple, however, includes a depth gauge and water temperature sensor for actual diving use, plus a high-g accelerometer for crash detection. Pick your priority: body metrics or underwater capability.

Smart Features

Both have NFC payments, microphone, speaker, LTE, and Bluetooth 5.3. Apple ships with Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n only), which is genuinely surprising on an $799 watch in 2025. Samsung supports dual-band Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz, which is faster for syncing music and updates. Storage is a wash: both carry 64GB for offline music and apps.

Price & Value

Samsung launches at $649.99. Apple launches at $799. For an extra $150, you’re paying for a larger always-on display, more storage, and the depth gauge. You’re giving up more than half the battery life. On pure spec-per-dollar, Samsung wins this round cleanly. The catch is that you can’t actually choose between them unless you’re willing to switch phones, and almost nobody does that for a watch.

Technical Specs

Spec	Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025)	Apple Watch Ultra 3
Launch Price	$649.99	$799
Case Size	47mm	49mm
Weight	60.5g	61.6g
Case Material	Titanium Grade 4	Titanium Grade 5
Water Rating	10 ATM / IP68 / MIL-STD-810H	100m (ISO 22810) with depth gauge
Display	1.5-inch Super AMOLED, 480 x 480	1.98-inch Always-On Retina LTPO3 OLED, 422 x 514
Battery (Smartwatch)	80 hours (3.3 days)	42 hours (1.8 days)
Battery (GPS)	16 hours (0.7 days)	20 hours (0.8 days)
GPS	Multi-band	Precision dual-frequency (L1 and L5)
Storage	64GB	64GB
Sensors	PPG, ECG, BIA, Skin Temp, Accel, Barometer, Gyro, Geomagnetic, Ambient Light	Electrical heart, Optical heart, Blood oxygen, Temp, Depth gauge, Water temp, Compass, Altimeter, High-g accel, Gyro, Ambient Light
Connectivity	LTE, BT 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz, NFC	LTE, BT 5.3, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), NFC

The Verdict

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) if you’re on Android, you want a watch that lasts the full work week on a single charge, you do ultra-distance events where 20-hour GPS won’t cut it, or you want BIA body-composition readings. At $649.99, it’s also $150 cheaper, which is real money.

Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if you’re an iPhone user (this is the only call that matters, because you can’t run an Apple Watch off an Android phone). The bigger 1.98-inch always-on display and dive-grade depth rating are real upgrades over the Samsung. Just plan on charging it every night.

The honest read: Samsung built the better watch on paper. Apple built the better watch for the 60% of US smartphone owners who already use iPhones. Pick the one that matches your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which watch has better battery life?

Samsung wins on everyday endurance. The Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) delivers 80 hours of smartwatch use against 42 hours for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. With GPS running the order flips: Apple lasts 20 hours and Samsung 16. For skipping the charger over a long weekend, Samsung is the pick; for a long tracked day, Apple edges it.

Can I use the Apple Watch Ultra 3 with an Android phone?

No. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 requires an iPhone: there is no Android app and no workaround. The Galaxy Watch Ultra technically works with Android phones from any brand, though Samsung phones unlock additional features. If you’re on Android, the Apple Watch is not an option at any price.

Is the $150 price difference worth it?

Only if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem and value the depth gauge and the larger display. On raw specs alone, the Samsung at $649.99 is the better deal: you get nearly twice the battery life for less money. But “value” is moot if the watch can’t pair with your phone.

Which is better for swimming and diving?

Apple, clearly. The Watch Ultra 3 is rated to 100 meters under ISO 22810 and includes a depth gauge plus water temperature sensor: actual diving territory. The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s 10 ATM rating handles pool laps and open-water swims but is not certified for recreational diving.

Which has more accurate GPS for runners?

Both use multi-band/dual-frequency GPS, and in real-world testing they perform within a few meters of each other on tracked routes. The bigger separator is GPS battery: Apple’s 20-hour GPS endurance beats Samsung’s 16, so on a very long tracked day the Apple lasts longer. For a standard hour-long run, you won’t notice a difference in accuracy.