Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Series 10 Titanium: Which Premium Model is Best?

I’ve been wearing an Apple Watch on my wrist every day for ten years straight. For the last year, it’s been the Ultra 2, but for the past couple of months, I’ve been testing the Series 10 premium titanium models in both the 42mm and 46mm sizes. At the high end, these two models are priced nearly the same: the Series 10 Titanium starts at $699, while the Ultra 2 is $799.

My quick conclusion is that if you want the lightest and most comfortable premium Apple Watch, the Series 10 Titanium is hard to beat and ideal for those who prioritize sleep tracking. But if you’re after a design that breaks away from the classic Apple Watch and a battery that lasts twice as long, the Ultra 2 is the better play.

Here’s a breakdown of everything I’ve learned wearing both, from sleep tracking to battery life to design, and at the end I’ll tell you which model I’ll be sticking with.

1. Design

The design differences between the Series 10 and Ultra 2 are likely the biggest factor for most people deciding between the two.

Series 10

The Series 10 comes in Apple’s classic watch design package, but with a few functional design changes from past generations. All of which were more noticeable than I expected.

Firstly, the Series 10 is about 10% thinner than last year’s models and this thickness was shaved off the bottom of the watch, which lets it sit closer to the wrist.

The stainless steel Apple watches have always been my go to because of the major bump in build quality. But the downside was that they’re heavier than the entry-level aluminum models. Instead, on the premium end, Apple went with titanium instead, which is roughly 24% lighter than the Series 9 in stainless steel.

Wearing the Series 10 all day is no problem–I hardly notice it’s there. The titanium finish comes in three different shiny finishes. But personally, I prefer the matte titanium finishes of the Ultra 2.

Despite the Series 10’s larger bezels, it delivers more pixels and a bigger screen overall, thanks to drastically thinner metal edges around the display while maintaining a similarly sized case to the Series 9 (see graphic above). And the 46mm model has the screen real estate to match the Ultra, but in a smaller package. Its design is more lowkey than the Ultra, which is good for anyone looking for a cleaner design that isn’t shouting for attention.

Ultra 2

The Ultra 2, on the other hand, has a totally different feel. It’s got a rugged, flat screen, a protective shield over the digital crown and comes in two brushed titanium finishes. It feels like a more advanced and modern Apple Watch. Even though the orange accents aren’t my favorite, and I wish the bezels were smaller, if you’re trying to make a statement as an Apple fan, the Ultra helps you stand out compared to the regular watch that everyone has on their wrist.

It’s both heavier and thicker—nearly 50% more so than the Series 10. When I’m moving around during the day, I barely notice it, but lying down or relaxing? That’s when the bulk becomes obvious. I usually take it off when I’m relaxing on the couch at night. For sleep tracking, the bulk is a drawback, but I’ll get into that more below. If you like the idea of wearing something that feels more substantial, the Ultra 2’s design has a lot going for it.

The final thing worth mentioning is that the Ultra offers an exclusive “Modular Ultra” watch face, which has a handy “night mode” that turns the face a gentle red in low light, so you're not blinding your partner at 2am. It’s a feature that's more useful than I expected.

2. Battery Life

Here’s where the Ultra 2 and Series 10 start to pull apart with the real-world differences.

Series 10

The Series 10 has "all-day" battery life according to Apple, which is around 18 hours. In my actual use, I get about 30 hours on the 42mm size with the Always-On Display (AOD) enabled, and 36 hours with it off. The 46mm model lasts slightly longer, about 32 hours with AOD on, and 40 hours with it off. And with quick charging, it’s easy to get a boost when I need it—30 minutes gets back to 80%, which is faster than the Series 9.

If you want to wear your Apple Watch to bed, the Series 10 is way more comfortable. I rely on my Eight Sleep for sleep tracking, but because the Series 10 is so lightweight, I occasionally end up sleeping with it on because I forget it’s there.

Ultra 2

If you’re after a longer-lasting battery, the Ultra 2 has a huge advantage. Apple lists the Ultra’s battery runtime as 36 hours, which is twice the runtime of the Series 10. In my testing, I averaged about 63 hours with AOD enabled and 76 hours with it off. This kind of battery life is awesome if you don’t want to charge your watch every day.

As an avid closer of my activity rings, not having a charged Apple Watch is not an option. With non-Ultra models, I always pack my charger for overnight stays or trips. But with the Ultra, a single night away from home doesn’t require the charger at all. This kind of flexibility is nice, and more useful than I originally anticipated.

And while the Ultra’s battery should make it great for sleep tracking, the thickness and shape make it less comfortable. Since the watch sits higher off the wrist, I’ve noticed it sometimes gets caught on pillows if my hand is under my head, which can be annoying. Personally, if I’m not reviewing it, you’d never catch me wearing the Ultra in bed.

The Ultra’s battery also offers better longevity too. If you plan to keep your watch for 4-5 years, the Ultra is more likely to still last a full day by year five, unlike the Series 10, which will likely struggle to get through a full day by that mark. You can also enable the "Optimized Battery Charging" feature that will learn from your daily usage to determine when to charge to an optimized limit and when to allow a full charge, which will help your battery’s lifespan as well.

The Ultra's battery is awesome if you travel a lot, but if you're charging every night anyway, the extra runtime doesn't matter much.

3. Everyday Use

Series 10

Get the Series 10 Titanium if you want the lightest and most comfortable premium Apple Watch. It disappears on your wrist, it's easy to sleep in, and the 42mm size is my favorite for that. The screen goes nearly edge to edge, and the titanium build feels premium without the extra weight.

If premium materials aren't a priority, you can save a ton by going with the aluminum Series 10 at $399 (or $499 with cellular), which is half the price of the Ultra. You'll still get all the core Apple Watch functionality.

Ultra 2

Get the Ultra 2 if you want a watch that looks different than what everyone else is wearing and doesn't need daily charging. You don't need to be running marathons to appreciate the battery life, flat screen, and durability. The Action Button is useful too. I've set mine to open the workout app, but you can program it for HomeKit controls or Siri Shortcuts if fitness isn't your thing.

The Ultra also beats the Series 10 in a handful of small ways: a 3,000-nit screen (50% brighter), a built-in siren, dual-frequency GPS, and twice the water resistance. But for most people, these extras aren't game changers. The Series 10 actually has a better chip with the S10 compared to the Ultra 2's S9, but I never once noticed a difference in speed.

Which Model Am I Keeping?

After wearing the Ultra 2 for a year, I’ve enjoyed the Series 10’s ability to disappear on my wrist again. It’s easy to forget I’m even wearing a watch. I considered keeping it after this review and would’ve if I needed sleep tracking, but I’ll be selling it.

I still love the Ultra’s flat screen, action button, statement-making design, and the longer battery life for quick overnight trips, more than I expected to. That said, I wouldn’t be mad about sticking with the Series 10 either; they’re both incredible watches.

If I were keeping the Series 10, I'd go with the smaller 42mm (speaking as a guy with an athletic build and average wrists). The 46mm is solid and I wore it for a couple weeks, but if you want max screen real estate, just go all in with the Ultra.