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It’s time for a good old Apple Watch Series 9 against. Apple Watch Ultra2 faceoff.

It is not really disputed that Apple manufactures some of the best smart watches around, but which one is right for you?

As usual, it depends on several factors such as features, battery life and perhaps most importantly, price. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are both great choices, but they’re aimed at different groups of people.

One is more of a general-purpose device while the other is definitely for the more adventurous among us. Here’s how the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 compare.

Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Ultra 2: price

As expected, the Series 9 is much cheaper than the Ultra 2. You can find the older for $399but it is often regularly reduced.

It comes in two models: a variant with a 41mm case and a configuration with a 45mm case.

The Apple Watch Series 9 looks really good on Mashable’s Stan Schroeder.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

There are of course hidden costs with the Series 9 that aren’t present with the Ultra 2, which comes with all the possible bells and whistles you could want. With the Series 9, adding extra details like a stainless steel case (the default is aluminum) and LTE cellular coverage can push the total cost up to $749, the same as the Ultra 2.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2, on the other hand, only offers a 49mm case – and has a starting price of $799.99.

Winner: Series 9

Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Ultra 2: Design

Apple Watch is arguably the most customizable product Apple sells, with a variety of case materials, colors, and watch bands to choose from.

Depth detection!
Credit: Apple

For this category, we’ll stick to the inherent design features of each device, because each permutation would take forever.

Unsurprisingly, Ultra 2 has a head start. Its titanium casing will be more durable than the Series 9’s aluminum and stainless steel options, although that doesn’t matter if you’re not a hiker or athlete. Meanwhile, the Ultra 2’s 49mm body is slightly larger than the 45mm or 41mm varieties of the Series 9. This means the screen is also slightly larger, providing more screen real estate. screen than the Series 9.

The real secret weapon in the Ultra 2’s arsenal is the programmable action button on the side of the watch.

You can really trick your Apple Watch.
Credit: Apple

You can make it activate just about any app shortcut you want – the Series 9 doesn’t have this button at all. This is arguably the only feature of the Ultra 2 that is useful for everyonenot just people who like hiking, so it’s a shame the 9 series doesn’t have it.

Winner: Ultra2

Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Ultra 2: Features

A look at Apple’s official comparison website for the different Apple Watch models is enlightening. Despite the big difference in (starting) price, these two devices have almost all the same basic features.

Ultra 2 has a slight advantage over the Watch Series 9 (pictured) with its feature set.
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

For example, both (obviously) support Siri and the new Double tap functionality. Health features are also the same across the board, with both watches supporting blood oxygen monitoring, ECG, heart rate notifications, skin temperature detection, and cycle tracking .

The differences are in the margins, and of course Ultra still wins by default. It comes with built-in LTE (it’s an optional add-on for the Series 9) and can sink to a depth of 100m underwater, which is 50m deeper than the Series 9. It also comes equipped with a depth gauge and a water temperature sensor, so diving fanatics don’t. I don’t really have a choice here. Oh, and there’s an emergency siren on Ultra 2 for emergencies. Series 9 doesn’t have this.

Winner: Ultra2

Apple Watch Series 9 vs Ultra 2: Battery life

The simplest category yet.

The Ultra 2 easily has a better battery than the 9 series.
Credit: Apple

The Series 9 has a battery life of up to 6 p.m. on a full charge and up to 36 hourss in low power mode.

Ultra 2 is priced at literally twice as much: 36 hours by default and 72 hours in low consumption mode. This is an upgrade that benefits everyone, not just outdoor enthusiasts.

Winner: Ultra2

Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Ultra 2: Winner

As is usual in device comparisons featuring two gadgets so disparately priced, the more expensive one looks better on paper. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is larger, more durable, more durable, and has more features than the Series 9. It’s also not for everyone.

Ultra 2 is definitely designed for outdoor adventurers. It’s for people who might get lost in the woods or need to measure depth while diving in the ocean. I’m definitely not one of those people and I would venture to guess that you might not be either. If that’s the case, there’s nothing wrong with the Apple Watch Series 9; it’s cheaper and has almost all the same software features as Ultra 2.

But it’s still a competition and someone has to win. Congratulations, Apple.

Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 2 (but Series 9 is also good for most people)