Head-to-head · Best Smartwatches

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic

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

The short answer

Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about Outdoor adventurers needing rugged smartwatch — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Smartwatches

Apple Watch Ultra 2

4.4

$729.96as of Jul 6

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is designed for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers, featuring rugged construction with MIL-STD 810H certification. PCMag's Angela Moscaritolo praised its brighter display and enhanced durability, while reviewer Jamie Balfour highlighted the innovative Action Button and flat display design. The device offers dual-frequency GPS and emergency siren capabilities, making it ideal for extreme conditions. However, its premium pricing and limited band options may deter casual users. This watch is best suited for active individuals who need a durable smartwatch for adventure sports rather than general daily use.

Strengths

— MIL-STD 810H certified for rugged durability
— Flat display design for enhanced protection
— Action Button offers customizable functionality and emergency siren

Watch-outs

— Premium price point
— Limited band selection and design
— Not suitable for everyday casual wear

$729.96 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Smartwatches

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic

4.2

$334.99as of Jul 6

PCMag's Andrew Gebhart praised the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic for its elegant design and high-quality tactile elements, particularly the rotating bezel and smooth One UI Watch interface. However, multiple reviewers including Andy Boxall and a Reddit user noted significant comfort issues due to its disproportionate shape and awkward fit, with one reviewer stating it failed to become part of the wrist and was practically impossible to wear comfortably all day. The watch's large size and weight make it unsuitable for overnight sleep tracking, and while battery life is solid, the overall comfort and ergonomics remain major drawbacks for many users.

Strengths

— Polished finishing with silver-and-white color scheme that is striking yet classy
— Rotating bezel provides tactile joy with perfectly dampened clicks
— One UI Watch is smooth, slick, and fast to respond

Watch-outs

— Uncomfortable fit due to short and low lugs, flat case back, and tall bezel making it feel like an obstinate wart on the wrist
— Large dimensions make it annoying under cuffs and difficult to wear overnight for sleep tracking

$334.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Apple Watch Ultra 2

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is built for extreme conditions and outdoor use, unlike the Apple Watch Series 11, which is more suited for daily wear. Compared to the Garmin Venu 3, it offers better integration with the Apple ecosystem and more advanced GPS capabilities, though it lacks the long battery life of the Garmin. It's not ideal for casual wear due to its premium price and limited band options, but it excels in ruggedness and emergency features.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic stands out with its rotating bezel and elegant design, but it's significantly less comfortable than the OnePlus Watch 3, which offers a better fit despite similar size. Unlike the Apple Watch Ultra 2, it lacks ruggedization and outdoor-specific features, and while it has a polished UI, it doesn't match the Apple Watch Series 11 in terms of performance and health tracking capabilities.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Apple Watch Ultra 2	Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
Display	Flat	1.9-inch Super AMOLED
Processor	S9 System in Package (SiP)	Exynos W940
Battery Life	Up to 36 hours of normal use	two to three days
Water Resistance	100 meters	5ATM
Connectivity	LTE, UMTS, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3
Health Features	ECG, heart rate monitoring, and blood oxygen saturation	heart rate, and temperature sensor
Weight	61.4g	49.7g

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