watchOS Operating System — 5 Smartwatches Compared

Decision table

watchOS Operating System: which one for what?

The 5 models on this page are scored only against each other, for the use you pick. Scores come from the spec sheets; no price and no advertising go in.

What will you use it for? Health Tracking Sport & Outdoors Battery Life Daily Use

Leads for Health Tracking: Apple Watch Series 11 42mm77%

Leads for Sport & Outdoors: Apple Watch Ultra 390%

Leads for Battery Life: Apple Watch Ultra 376%

Leads for Daily Use: Apple Watch Series 11 42mm70%

#2#3#3#2
Apple Watch Series 11 46mmApple
46 mm · Up to 24 h · Yes
77% 60% 57% 67%
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Health Tracking
- ECG
- Blood oxygen sensor
Why it ranks here
- Water resistance to 50 m
Why it ranks here
Nothing stands out for this use; the score comes from overall balance.
How long does the battery last?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Daily Use
- 46 mm case
#1#2#2#1
Apple Watch Series 11 42mmApple
42 mm · Up to 24 h · Yes
77% 60% 57% 70%
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Health Tracking
- ECG
- Blood oxygen sensor
Why it ranks here
- Water resistance to 50 m
Why it ranks here
Nothing stands out for this use; the score comes from overall balance.
How long does the battery last?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Daily Use
- 42 mm case
#4#5#5#4
Apple Watch SE 3 44mmApple
44 mm · up to 18 hours · 50m
65% 53% 50% 56%
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Health Tracking
Why it ranks here
- Water resistance to 50 m
Why it ranks here
Nothing stands out for this use; the score comes from overall balance.
How long does the battery last?
Why it ranks here
- 44 mm case
#3#4#4#3
Apple Watch SE 3 40mmApple
40 mm · up to 18 hours · 50m
65% 53% 50% 59%
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Health Tracking
Why it ranks here
- Water resistance to 50 m
Why it ranks here
Nothing stands out for this use; the score comes from overall balance.
How long does the battery last?
Why it ranks here
- 40 mm case
#5#1#1#5
Apple Watch Ultra 3Apple
49 mm · up to 42 hours · Yes
65% 90% 76% 53%
Why it ranks here
- ECG
- Blood oxygen sensor
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Sport & Outdoors
- 42 hours of battery
- Dual-band GNSS
- Water resistance to 100 m
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Battery Life
- 42 hours of battery
How long does the battery last?
Why it ranks here
- 49 mm case