Apple Watch UltravsFitbit Charge

7d vs 2.1d

battery life

Fitbit Charge lasts longer

$679

price gap

Fitbit Charge cheaper

0.2 Hz

HR sampling

Apple Watch Ultra only — Fitbit Charge undisclosed

48g

lighter

Fitbit Charge

Apple Watch Ultra

Buy/Wait:good

Current model just released

Full details →

Fitbit Charge

Buy/Wait:superseded

This model is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Fitbit Edge.

Full details →

	Apple Watch Ultra	Fitbit Charge
Pricing
Starting price	$799	$120★
Subscription	✓ None	ℹ️ Optional — $79/yr
Hardware
Weight	63g	15g★
Water resistance	100m★	50m
Battery	2.1 days	7 days★
Always-on display	✅★	❌
GPS	✅	✅
Cellular	✅★	❌
Platform	iOS only	iOS & Android
Tier	Sports GPS	Fitness Tracker
Buy timing
Released	Sep 18, 2026	Sep 28, 2023
Cycle advice	good	superseded
Deals advice	neutral	clearance
Next model	—	—

Health Sensors

Apple Watch Ultra only

7 exclusive sensors

Irregular RhythmBackground optical check for irregular heart rhythms

Fall DetectionAuto-calls emergency services after a hard fall

Crash DetectionDetects vehicle crashes and alerts emergency contacts

Sleep ApneaFDA-cleared detection of signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea

Blood PressureDetects hypertension patterns — trend tracking, not clinical mmHg

Depth GaugeMeasures water depth — certified for recreational diving to 40m

Water TempMeasures water temperature during swimming and diving

Both

5 shared

Heart RateContinuous or on-demand pulse tracking

ECGDetects irregular heart rhythms (AFib)

SpO2Blood oxygen saturation, tracked during sleep

Skin TempOvernight changes linked to illness or cycle tracking

HRVHeart rate variability — stress & recovery scores

Fitbit Charge only

1 exclusive sensor

EDA / StressSkin conductance sensor measuring stress responses

Why buy each?

Apple Watch Ultra

50-hour battery + satellite SOS

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.

Heart rate every five seconds

The new health sensing system samples heart rate every five seconds all day and HRV every five minutes, feeding a 0–10 readiness score.

3000-nit titanium-cased powerhouse

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).

Fitbit Charge

ECG and EDA stress in a slim band

Full ECG, electrodermal activity stress sensing, SpO2, and continuous heart rate in a tracker thinner than most smartwatches.

Google apps integration

Google Maps navigation, Google Wallet NFC payments, and YouTube Music controls — more useful on-device apps than any previous Charge.

7-day battery with GPS

7 days of typical use, dropping to around 30 minutes per GPS workout session before needing a charge.

Quick Winner

The right pick depends on what you optimize for.

Bottom Line

Technical gaps

Watch Ultra-only sensors: Irregular Rhythm, Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Sleep Apnea, Blood Pressure, Depth Gauge, Water Temp.
Charge-only sensors: EDA / Stress.
Weight. Charge is 48g lighter — relevant for all-day comfort and sleep.
Water resistance. Watch Ultra rates 100m vs 50m on Charge.

Commercial gaps

Hardware cost. Charge is $679 cheaper upfront ($120 vs $799).

Pick the Apple Watch Ultra if…

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.

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Pick the Fitbit Charge if…

Anyone who wants serious health and fitness tracking without the bulk or cost of a full smartwatch. Works with both Android and iPhone, making it the most accessible Fitbit tracker in the lineup.

Full details →