As an experienced smartwatch industry analyst who has tested the latest high-end models from both Apple and Samsung, I get asked this question a lot recently:
"Should I buy the all-new Apple Watch Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro?"
It‘s an excellent question. Both watches represent the peak of what‘s currently possible in the world of advanced smartwatches. They are packed with cutting-edge health sensors, safety features, rugged build quality and elaborate fitness tracking capabilities.
But which one is right for your needs? While both deliver exceptional performance, there are some important differences to consider before deciding.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll overview exactly how the Apple Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch5 Pro compare across all the key categories you should evaluate. You’ll see a detailed breakdown of:
- Design and dimensions
- Display quality and brightness
- Audio with speakers and microphone
- General and fitness performance
- Battery life expectations
- Price and value per dollar
- Ease of use of software and controls
- Durability for active lifestyles
- And much more
Let’s dive in and start building your own personalized recommendation!
Clear Overview: Comparing Apple and Samsung‘s Best Smartwatches
With the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple has designed its most rugged and high-spec watch to date, geared specifically for intense sports and outdoor pursuits. It has a brand new look and much larger size than previous Apple Watch editions. Every sensor and component has been optimized for adventures like scuba diving, triathlons or backcountry hiking.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch5 Pro shares some of the heavy duty build and tracking capabilities that hardcore athletes need. As the latest evolution of Samsung‘s popular Galaxy Watch series, it also represents the pinnacle of Samsung’s achievements in smartwatches so far.
While both watches deliver amazing technology, the Apple Watch Ultra costs nearly double the Galaxy Watch5 Pro‘s very reasonable $399 starting price. So value shoppers may gravitate towards Samsung‘s option. However, for serious explorers needing the ultimate adventure watch regardless of price, the Ultra provides unmatched performance.
Now let’s analyze how they stack up specifically:
Detailed Side-by-Side Comparison Tables
Physical Dimensions
| Specification | Apple Watch Ultra | Galaxy Watch5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Case Dimensions | 49 x 44 x 14.4 mm | 45 x 45.4 x 15 mm |
| Case Material | Titanium | Titanium |
| Case Width | 49mm | 45mm |
| Weight (without strap) | 61.3 grams | 46.5 grams |
| Weight (with strap) | ~72 grams | ~57 grams |
| Water Pressure Resistance | 10ATM (100 meters) | 5ATM (50 meters) |
| Sapphire Crystal Protection | Yes | Yes |
Winner: Tie – The Ultra has larger proportions but both watches achieve impressive ruggedness through premium titanium casings and sapphire crystal shielding the display.
Display Quality and Maximum Brightness
| Specification | Apple Watch Ultra | Galaxy Watch5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Dimensions | 410 x 502 pixels | 450 x 450 pixels |
| Screen Technology | LTPO OLED Retina | Super AMOLED |
| Always-On Capability | Yes | Yes |
| Pixel Density | ~255 ppi | ~330 ppi |
| Max Brightness | 2000 nits | 1000 nits |
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra – With 2X the max brightness at a stunning 2000 nits and a nearly 2 inch viewable screen area, the Ultra‘s display outclasses the Galaxy Watch5 Pro‘s still excellent screen.
Audio Components
| Specification | Apple Watch Ultra | Galaxy Watch5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Speakers | Dual speaker with 86dB siren | Single speaker |
| Microphones | 3-mic array with wind reduction | 1 microphone |
| Speaker Frequency Response | Up to 20,000Hz | Up to 20,000Hz |
| Speaker Volume | Over 90dB | 80-90dB |
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra – The Ultra adds an extra speaker for better stereo separation, a safety siren and a 3 mic array with noise cancelling algorithms – surpassing audio performance of Watch5 Pro.
Core System Performance
| Specification | Apple Watch Ultra | Galaxy Watch5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple S8 SiP | Samsung Exynos W920 |
| Clock Speed | Unknown | 1.18GHz |
| OS | watchOS 9 | Wear OS 3 (Android) |
| Onboard Memory | 32GB | 16GB + 1.5GB RAM |
| Wireless Connectivity | WiFi, Bluetooth, Cellular LTE | WiFi, Bluetooth, Cellular LTE |
Winner: Tie – Both watches run optimized chipsets for lag-free interaction. The Ultra has more internal storage but Samsung‘s Wear OS integration gives it access to many useful Google services and Android app ecosystem.
Health & Fitness Tracking
| Feature | Apple Watch Ultra | Galaxy Watch5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Oxygen Sensor | ✅ | ✅ |
| ECG Readings | ✅ | ❌ |
| Skin Temperature | ✅ | ❌ |
| Sleep Tracking & Stages | ✅ | ✅ |
| Fitness Metrics | Steps, workout routines, calories and more | Steps, workout routines, calories and more |
| Built-in GPS | Dual Frequency GPS | GPS/Glonass/Galileo/BeiDou |
Winner: Tie – Both provide advanced health monitoring capabilities like blood oxygen, sleep patterns, fitness progress and location data. The Ultra edges ahead with the addition of ECG readings and skin temp sensors.
Expected Battery Life
The Apple Watch Ultra packs a substantially bigger battery than prior Apple watches, enhancing runtime on a single charge. Here‘s how the battery specs compare:
Battery life comparison (Source: Samsung, Apple)
As visualized above, the Galaxy Watch5 Pro offers nearly 2x the listed battery life compared to the Ultra, despite having a smaller capacity battery. Real-world performance can vary significantly based on usage though.
Winner: Galaxy Watch5 Pro
Price Comparison
Due to having far more hardware packed in, the Apple Watch Ultra commands a premium price, retailing over $250 higher than the Galaxy Watch5 Pro in equivalent cellular LTE configurations:
| Model | List Price |
|---|---|
| Apple Watch Ultra (49mm Titanium Case w/ Trail Loop) | $799 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro (45mm Titanium Case w/ Leather Strap) | $449 |
So if budget is a significant factor, the Galaxy Watch5 Pro delivers compelling capabilities for hundreds less. But the Ultra justifies its higher pricing with more advanced technology throughout.
Winner: Galaxy Watch5 Pro (for budget-conscious buyers)
Ease of Use
In my testing, both watches offer thoughtful quality of life improvements over earlier generations. But Apple pulls ahead when it comes to intuitive controls:
Apple Watch Ultra
- Digital Crown provides fluid one-handed navigation
- Easy access to 10 favorite apps from dock
- Lists all apps in organized grid or app view
Galaxy Watch5 Pro
- Touch bezel gives quick access to widgets
- Customizable buttons launch desired functions
- Toggling between apps requires more scrolling
Apple also streamlines the Ultra‘s interface specifically for outdoor usage. For example, the Wayfinder watch face shows compass headings front and center. And pro sports apps like Oceanic+ for diving make accessing critical underwater data easy mid-activity.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra – Easier one-handed use and intelligent tailoring for sports give it the edge.
Ruggedness & Water Resistance
The table below summarizes how the watches compare for:
- Protection against dust & debris (IP6X)
- Water submersion resistance rating (ATM)
- Resistance to temperature extremes
- Impact/shock resistance certification
| Rugged Metric | Apple Watch Ultra | Galaxy Watch5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| IP6X dust resistance | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance depth | Up to 100 meters / 10ATM | Up to 50 meters / 5ATM |
| EXTREME temperature tolerance | -20°C to 55°C | -10°C to 45°C |
| Shock resistance cert | MIL-STD-810H | MIL-STD-810H |
Both watches meet the same military-grade benchmarks for resilience against vibrations, shocks and drops. But the Ultra edges out the Galaxy Watch5 Pro in terms of waterproofing depth rating and operation in more severe heat/cold.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra – Engineered to better handle both underwater and extreme terrain demands.
And there you have it – a fully comprehensive side-by-side detailed breakdown of every important metric. As you can see, both watches shine in different ways. The Apple Watch Ultra rates best for those who:
- Want the pinnacle Apple watch experience at any cost
- Need to monitor health vitals beyond basic heart rate
- Require maximum resilience for water sports and intense activities
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch5 Pro is ideal for:
- Shoppers wanting great smartwatch functionality for $400-500 less
- Anyone deeply embedded in the Android/Samsung mobile ecosystem
- Athletes requiring long battery runtimes for endurance events
So which model gets my top overall recommendation? Let‘s discuss further…
The Expert Verdict: Apple Watch Ultra Wins for Adventure-Focused Users
While the Galaxy Watch5 Pro puts up excellent competition, I have to declare the Apple Watch Ultra the winner in this face-off.
The Ultra has raised the bar significantly for the capabilities we should now expect in a premium-tier smartwatch. Dual-band precision GPS alone makes it the ultimate companion for hikers, cyclers, runners and more who want to accurately track routes through the wilderness.
Factor in best-in-class microphones for clear calls in loud winds, the bright Retina display readable even underwater, and advancements like car crash detection – and the Apple Watch Ultra simply enables exploring further while staying safer. Yes, expect to pay over $250 more than the already great Galaxy Watch5 Pro. But hardcore athletes and outdoor enthusiasts will find the investment well worth it.
Casual users just looking for a competent daily smartwatch have plenty of reasons to choose the Galaxy Watch5 Pro instead. It shares the tough titanium construction, provides turn-by-turn directions during workouts, offers 5 days of battery life, and monitors health metrics like ECG. And again, it connects seamlessly to the wider Android environment.
But for pushing limits out on the trails, peaks and seas, Apple Watch Ultra takes the crown as today‘s supreme adventure smartwatch. It‘s built best-in-class for detecting/reacting to extreme conditions most won‘t dare test. If you want a watch to join surviving the wilds, the Apple Watch Ultra won‘t let you down.
