| Apple Watch Ultra | Xiaomi Watch | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $799 | $285★ |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 63g | 56g★ |
| Water resistance | 100m★ | 5ATM |
| Battery | 2.1 days | 6 days★ |
| Always-on display | ✅ | ✅ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ✅ | ✅ |
| Platform | iOS only | Android only |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Smartwatch |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Sep 18, 2026 | Feb 28, 2026 |
| Cycle advice | good★ | neutral |
| Deals advice | neutral | great★ |
| Next model | — | — |
The Ultra 4 lasts roughly twice as long as the Series 12, with up to 45 hours of GPS workout tracking in Max Extended Workout mode. Satellite Emergency SOS works without cellular or WiFi coverage.
The new health sensing system samples heart rate every five seconds all day and HRV every five minutes, feeding a 0–10 readiness score.
The 49mm titanium case and 3000-nit display make this watch usable in full direct sunlight and water depths up to 100m (recreational scuba diving to 40m).
Dual-chip design keeps the main Snapdragon W5 dormant during light tasks, dramatically extending battery life beyond any rival Wear OS watch.
First Wear OS 6 device on the market — with ECG monitoring, EMG gesture control, and eSIM for standalone calling.
A larger display than the Galaxy Watch 9 (1.47") or Pixel Watch 5 (1.4"), though not as bright as their 3,000-nit panels, with Hasselblad-tuned health sensors, starting at around $285.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$285 vs $799 over 3 years.
6 days vs 2.1 days battery.
12 sensors · 0.2 Hz HR sampling.
56g.
Serious athletes, trail runners, triathletes, and outdoor adventurers who need the most durable, most accurate GPS watch Apple makes. Also for iPhone users who simply want the best Apple Watch regardless of sport, and value the extra battery life over the Series 12.
Full details →Android users who want a full-featured Wear OS smartwatch — ECG, eSIM, a large bright screen — at a price well below Samsung and Google competitors. A natural pairing with Xiaomi phones but fully compatible with any Android device.
Full details →