GadgetClash decision platform
Smartwatches
Apple Watch Edition 38mm (1st gen) vs Apple Watch Ultra 3
See the meaningful differences, category strengths and community preference using the product data currently available.
Quick verdict
There is not enough scored evidence for an overall winner yet.
This matchup is too close to call from the available scored specs.
Buy Apple Watch Edition 38mm (1st gen) if
- You want the better screen for media, reading, or gaming.
- You prefer its size, weight, or durability tradeoffs.
- Its price makes sense for what you get.
Buy Apple Watch Ultra 3 if
- You prefer its software platform.
- You care about battery life for long days.
- You want the stronger hardware value.
- Its price makes sense for what you get.
Personal fit
Which one should you buy?
Best fit if your photos, messages, watch, laptop, and apps already live in Apple services.
Better endurance for heavy daily use.
The stronger price-to-hardware choice.
Category score
Where each product wins
Performance
Apple Watch Edition 38mm (1st gen)
0
Apple Watch Ultra 3
0
Display
Apple Watch Edition 38mm (1st gen)
1
Apple Watch Ultra 3
0
Battery
Apple Watch Edition 38mm (1st gen)
0
Apple Watch Ultra 3
1
Design
Apple Watch Edition 38mm (1st gen)
1
Apple Watch Ultra 3
0
Software
Apple Watch Edition 38mm (1st gen)
0
Apple Watch Ultra 3
0
Connectivity
Apple Watch Edition 38mm (1st gen)
0
Apple Watch Ultra 3
0
Value
Apple Watch Edition 38mm (1st gen)
0
Apple Watch Ultra 3
1
Evidence
Detailed comparison
| Spec | Apple Watch Edition 38mm (1st gen) | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Details | ||
| Release Date Verified release date for this exact product variant. | 20230923 | 20250919 |
| Design | ||
| Weight The product's weight, measured in g. |
55 g
|
61.40 g
|
| Dimensions The product's listed dimensions specification or capability. | — | 49 x 44 x 14.4 mm |
| Water Resistance The product's listed water resistance specification or capability. | — | 100m WR + MIL-STD-810H + IP6X |
| Smartwatch Weight The product's smartwatch weight, measured in g. | — | 61.40 g |
| Display | ||
| Display The product's listed display specification or capability. | AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors | 49mm flat LTPO AMOLED, Always-On Retina, 60Hz |
| Screen Size The product's screen size, measured in in. |
1.50 in
|
49mm
|
| Resolution The product's listed resolution specification or capability. | 340 x 272 | 410 x 502 |
| Smartwatch Refresh Rate The product's smartwatch refresh rate, measured in Hz. | — | 60 Hz |
| Smartwatch Resolution Width The product's smartwatch resolution width, measured in px. | — | 410 px |
| Smartwatch Resolution Height The product's smartwatch resolution height, measured in px. | — | 502 px |
| Performance | ||
| Processor The product's listed processor specification or capability. | 520 MHz Cortex-A7 | Apple S10 chip |
| Storage The product's listed storage specification or capability. | 8GB | — |
| Os The product's listed os specification or capability. | — | watchOS 11 |
| Smartwatch Processor The product's listed smartwatch processor specification or capability. | — | Apple S10 chip |
| Smartwatch Operating System The product's listed smartwatch operating system specification or capability. | — | watchOS 11 |
| Power | ||
| Battery The product's listed battery specification or capability. |
205 mAh
|
76h battery life (low power mode)
|
| Network | ||
| Network The product's listed network specification or capability. | — | No cellular (GPS only) |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wifi The product's listed wifi specification or capability. | — | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n |
| Bluetooth Version The product's listed bluetooth version specification or capability. | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Nfc Whether the product supports or includes nfc. | Yes | Yes |
| Gps The product's listed gps specification or capability. | — | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS |
| Pricing | ||
| Price The product's listed price specification or capability. |
About 11000 EUR
|
$799
|
Release Date 
Weight 
Dimensions 
Water Resistance 
Display 
Processor 
Storage 
Os 
Battery 
Network 
Wifi Community decision
Who wins this showdown?
0 matchup votes. Choose one winner.
Apple Watch Edition 38mm (1st gen)
50% · 0 votes
Apple Watch Ultra 3
50% · 0 votes
Upgrade logic
Coming from another smartwatches?
Pick your current product to see which option is the stronger upgrade path.
User opinions
What owners and readers are saying
No community opinions yet. Be the first to add one on the product pages.
Prices and availability
Retailer offers and searches
Apple Watch Edition 38mm (1st gen)
eBay US
Price not verified
Search eBay
Apple Watch Ultra 3
eBay US
$699.99
Open