Apple Watch 38mm (1st gen) vs Apple Watch Ultra 3

The short verdict

Watch Ultra 3 is scored, the other is pending

We haven’t scored the Watch 38mm (1st gen) yet. Compare the measured differences and prices below.

Watch 38mm (1st gen)

—

Watch Ultra 3

8.3

Choose the Watch 38mm (1st gen) if

Lighter in the hand (40 vs 61 g)

Check price at eBay →

Choose the Watch Ultra 3 if

iPhone owners who want satellite SOS and multiday battery and can find an Ultra 3 discounted.

Check price at eBay →

At a glance

Key differences

Measured differences only. Ties and tiny gaps are left out.

Why pick theWatch 38mm (1st gen)1 win

−21 gLighter in the hand40 vs 61 g

Check priceBest price · eBay · check the store for today’s priceCheck price at eBay ↗

Why pick theWatch Ultra 31 win

+3167%Larger screen49 vs 1.5 in

Check priceBest price · eBay · check the store for today’s priceCheck price at eBay ↗

Full specs

Side-by-side specifications

Battery1 difference

Battery life

205 mAh

76h battery life (low power mode)

Display6 differences

Screen size

1.5"

49"

Panel

AMOLED capacitive touchscreen

49mm flat LTPO AMOLED

Display type

AMOLED

LTPO AMOLED

Resolution

340 x 272

410 x 502 pixels

Pixel density

290 ppi

338 ppi

Refresh rate

—

1 Hz

Performance2 differences

Chipset

520 MHz Cortex-A7

Apple S10 chip

Storage

8 GB

64GB

Connectivity1 difference

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 4.0

Bluetooth 5.3

Body1 difference

Weight

40 g

61 g

Launch1 difference

Released

September 23, 2023

September 19, 2025

Where to buy

eBayCheck price

Specs verified against manufacturer data. Prices in USD before tax; we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Community

Which would you buy?

One vote per person. Results appear after you vote.

Watch 38mm (1st gen) vs Watch Ultra 3

Watch Ultra 3 is scored, the other is pending

Key differences

Side-by-side specifications

Which would you buy?