Since its release, Galaxy Watch4 has been a preferable smartwatch for Android. Similarly, Apple Watch Ultra remains a top pick for many iPhone users. The question is, why choose one over the other? Keep reading to find out the answers. In this article, we put Galaxy Watch4 vs Apple Watch Ultra through the paces by looking at their key differences and highlighting some pretty interesting facts about them.
Galaxy Watch4 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Galaxy Watch4 | Apple Watch Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 27 August 2021 | 23 September 2022 |
| Software | Wear OS 3 | WatchOS 9 |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8mm | 49 x 44 x 14.4mm |
| Display | Super AMOLED | OLED |
| System Chip | Exynos W920 (5 nm) | Apple S8 |
| Resistance (Water) | Up to 50 meters | Up to 100 meters |
| Size | 40 mm 44 mm | 49 mm |
| Resolution | 396 x 396 pixels 450 x 450 pixels | 410 x 502 pixels |
| Battery Life | Up to 40 hours | Up to 36 hours |
- Monitors, body water, BMR, BNI, and skeletal muscle
- Tracks your sleep and SPO2 when you go to bed
- Accurate ECG monitoring for those with heart issues
- Advanced workout monitoring for six activities
Galaxy Watch4 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: Key Differences
Design
Samsung went for Armor Aluminum when making Galaxy Watch4, which is stronger than the Aluminum alloy used in Galaxy Watch Active2 and Galaxy Watch3. However, it features the same design as its predecessors but has an improved flat glass cover that makes the black bezel more noticeable. Also, it has a metal casing with a two-toned finish- the outer matte and glossy black parts.
Unlike the classic model, this squircle-shaped wrist wearable dons a sportier design. It has buttons on the side to control the watches physically- a top key to open tracking applications and a bottom button to visit recent tools and apps like Samsung Pay.
On the other hand, innovative tactics used in making Apple Watch Ultra gives it a rugged, tough finish. The watch comes with a titanium outer casing to protect the edges from impacts likely to damage its display. Also, it has a sapphire crystal glass cover for added protection against scratches. Positioned on the left side of the Apple Watch Ultra is an international orange action button (exclusive to this model ), and it’s parallel to the digital crown and the side button. The conspicuous color of this button makes it hard to miss.
Software
Samsung and Apple used different software for Galaxy Watch4 and Apple Watch Ultra, respectively. Galaxy Watch4 was the first Samsung release to run Wear OS 3. The Wear Operating System 3 supports numerous languages increasing the value of this smartwatch in the international market.
Apple Watch Ultra uses WatchOS 9, an OS that tracks the watch’s performances like running power, stride size, and vertical oscillation. It also supports Wayfinder Face, an app built to provide the wearer with the most important information about outdoor activities such as diving, hiking, and diving.
Health and Fitness
These two models come with amplified health and fitness capabilities. Galaxy Watch4 features a BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) sensor, a new tool to analyze your body composition and present the necessary information about your body fat, muscle, and bone percentage within minutes. It also comes with sleep, heart rate, and blood oxygen trackers.
Apple Watch Ultra can track your menstrual cycle, medication and supplement intake and detect crashes or falls. It can also monitor your sleep quality, heartbeat, and blood oxygen saturation. You can also customize the workout app to match your fitness goals.
Display
Galaxy Watch4 is available in two sizes -40 mm and 44 mm with a display of 12 and 14 inches, respectively. It has a clearer resolution for easy graphics and text reading. It also has an expanded memory to store more pictures, files, and applications.
The Apple Watch Ultra has a titanium-protected 49mm display, which is bigger than other Apple Watch models. It is also the brightest, with a maximum of 2,000 nits.
Color and Strap Options
Galaxy Watch4 comes in four case shades – black, silver, green, and pink gold. As for the straps, you can personalize the watch to match your style. Whether silicone, fabric, leather, or elastic materials, you have more color options to blend with your Galaxy watch case.
The Apple Watch Ultra, on the other hand, is available in a ‘natural’ color and comes with three band options -Ocean band, Trail loop, and Alpine loop. You can customize the watch with other band options designed for 44mm and 45mm Apple watch cases.
Water Resistance
Both watches are built with water-resistant capabilities. Galaxy Watch4 is certified to withstand water up to 50 meters, while Apple Watch Ultra has a water-resistance rating of up to 100 meters.
The Ultra is ideal for divers and can support up to 40 meters underwater. It has a water temperature sensor and a depth gauge indicator to keep track while underwater.
Price
The starting price of the Galaxy Watch4 varies depending on the watch size and LTE option.
The 40mm Bluetooth model starts at $249, the 40mm 4G version at $299, the 44mm- Bluetooth option at $279, and the 44mm, 4G option at $329. However, the starting cost of an Apple Watch Ultra is $799, more than double the price tag of the Galaxy Watch4.
Galaxy Watch4 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: Must-Know Facts
- Galaxy Watch4 is powered by Wear OS 3, while Apple Watch Ultra runs on WatchOS 9.
- The Titanium and sapphire crystal on the Apple Watch Ultra offers better protection than Armor Aluminum used on Galaxy Watch4.
- Galaxy Watch4 is cheaper than Apple Watch Ultra.
- Galaxy Watch4 is available in black, silver, green, and blue, while the Apple Watch Ultra comes in one shade-neutral.
- Galaxy Watch4 is smaller in size than Apple Watch Ultra.
- Rugged and sturdy design for outdoor use
- .Advanced metrics for fitness enthusiasts
- Corrosion-resistant titanium case with good water resistance.
- Bright and magnificent retina display
![Apple Watch Ultra [GPS + Cellular 49mm]](https://history-computer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/51XU-XHOOQL._SL500_.webp)
Galaxy Watch4 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?
Ultimately, the choice between Galaxy Watch4 and Apple Watch Ultra will depend on your preference and what you want in a smartwatch. However, if the price is the main determining factor, Galaxy Watch4 will save you around $150. But if you’re an outdoor enthusiast willing to spend extra on a watch built to withstand extreme weather conditions, go for Apple Watch Ultra. It has many features to make your outdoor escapades safe and manageable. That’s not to mean Galaxy Watch4 is disadvantaged- it comes with feature-rich software and impressive health capabilities. While it cannot rival Apple Watch Ultra for outdoor adventure, it is the most affordable in this case.
- Monitors, body water, BMR, BNI, and skeletal muscle
- Tracks your sleep and SPO2 when you go to bed
- Accurate ECG monitoring for those with heart issues
- Advanced workout monitoring for six activities
- Rugged and sturdy design for outdoor use
- .Advanced metrics for fitness enthusiasts
- Corrosion-resistant titanium case with good water resistance.
- Bright and magnificent retina display
Galaxy Watch4 and Apple Watch Ultra: Technology Updates
Since February 2023, noteworthy advancements have been absent for the Galaxy Watch4 and Apple Watch Ultra. Nevertheless, both companies have introduced software updates imbued with novel features and enhancements to rectify issues.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch4 observed an April 2023 software update, unveiling a fresh attribute known as Cycle Tracking. This innovative feature empowers users to monitor their menstrual cycle and fertility, complemented by bug fixes and performance enhancements.
In a similar vein, Apple extended its prowess by introducing a software update for the Apple Watch Ultra in June 2023. A notable addition, Low Power Mode, emerged, substantially augmenting the watch’s battery longevity by up to 30%. This update was coupled with fixes addressing bugs and enhancing overall performance.
Galaxy Watch4 and Apple Watch Ultra: Looking Forward
Anticipated within the next six to 18 months are a range of impactful technology updates for both the Galaxy Watch4 and Apple Watch Ultra:
- Cutting-edge Chipsets: Both Samsung and Apple are poised to introduce novel chipsets for their upcoming smartwatch models. Industry murmurs suggest Samsung’s development of the Exynos W920 chip, while Apple is projected to employ the S8 SiP chip. These advanced chipsets are set to deliver substantial performance gains over their predecessors.
- Enhanced Health Tracking: While the Galaxy Watch4 and Apple Watch Ultra already excel in health tracking, further advancements are anticipated. Samsung is rumored to augment its health tracking capabilities with features like blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection. Likewise, Apple is speculated to introduce enhancements such as ECG functionality and notifications for irregular heart rhythms, enhancing their health tracking offerings.
- Extended Battery Life: Both the Galaxy Watch4 and Apple Watch Ultra boast commendable battery life, but improvements are on the horizon. Rumors suggest Samsung’s inclusion of a new battery-saving mode in the Galaxy Watch4, potentially extending battery life by up to 30%. Similarly, Apple is expected to introduce a new battery-saving mode for the Apple Watch Ultra, potentially increasing battery life by up to 50%.
- Innovative Software Features: Both Samsung and Apple are poised to introduce innovative software features for their next-generation smartwatches. Samsung is rumored to enhance its One UI Watch software with features such as improved multitasking and a fresh design. Meanwhile, Apple’s watchOS software is expected to introduce new watch faces and a novel fitness application, enriching the user experience.
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