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Head-to-head · Best Smartwatches

Apple Watch Series 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Apple Watch Series 11 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about Users wanting reliable connectivity and battery life — read the strengths below before deciding.

Apple Watch Series 11
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Smartwatches
Apple Watch Series 11
7 sources1 derived$359.97as of Aug 22

The Apple Watch Series 11 offers subtle but meaningful upgrades over its predecessor, including a notable battery life improvement, 5G support, and the addition of FDA-cleared hypertension alerts. While it maintains the familiar design and retains the same S10 chip, it introduces more reliable connectivity and enhanced durability features. The watch remains a well-rounded option, though its advantages are increasingly shared with competitors and older models.

Strengths
  • — FDA-cleared hypertension notification feature
  • — 24+ hour battery life with fast charging
  • — 5G and more reliable cellular connectivity
Watch-outs
  • — Same S10 chip as previous model
  • — No dual-band GPS support
$359.97 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Ranked #5 in Best Smartwatches
Apple Watch Ultra 3
7 sources1 derived$749as of Aug 22

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 brings a larger LTPO3 display, 5G connectivity, and visible seconds to the wrist, making it well-suited for adventurers and fitness enthusiasts. PCMag's Andrew Gebhart notes its enhanced battery life and cellular performance, while a YouTube reviewer found the screen improvements subtle in daily use. The device is ideal for those seeking a premium smartwatch with robust outdoor features, though it doesn't drastically outpace its predecessor in core functionality.

Strengths
  • — Larger LTPO3 display with improved off-angle viewing
  • — Seconds are visible on the screen without raising wrist
  • — 5G connectivity with dual antenna design for extended cellular coverage
Watch-outs
  • — Limited improvement in off-angle viewing performance in real-world use
  • — No significant upgrade in core fitness or health tracking capabilities
$749 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Apple Watch Series 11

The Apple Watch Series 11 improves battery life and adds 5G connectivity, but it's held back by the unchanged S10 chip, unlike the OnePlus Watch 3 which uses a dual-chipset system for optimized power consumption. Compared to the Garmin Venu 4, it lacks advanced recovery metrics like Body Battery, and while it offers better software updates than the Apple Watch SE 3, it doesn't match the SE 3's affordability. The Pixel Watch 4 also offers more battery life but without the ecosystem integration that the Series 11 provides.

Apple Watch Ultra 3

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 features a larger LTPO3 display and 5G connectivity, which the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 11 don't offer, but it lacks the advanced fitness metrics found in the Garmin Venu 4 and doesn't provide the same level of battery life as the OnePlus Watch 3. Compared to the Google Pixel Watch 4, it offers more comprehensive health tracking but lacks the built-in Gemini AI. The Apple Watch SE 3 provides better value with its updated design and speaker capabilities.

Specs side-by-side

SpecApple Watch Series 11Apple Watch Ultra 3
Display Typewide-angle OLED LTPO technologyLTPO3 OLED
Connectivity5G, cellular5G
Water Resistance50m100m
OSwatchOS 26WatchOS 26
CompatibilityiOSiOS
MaterialSteel or titaniumTitanium
BatteryBuilt-in rechargeable lithium-ion batteryBuilt-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Dimensions46mm x 39mm x 9.7mm8.4 x 4.6 x 1.5 inches
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