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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerCOROS VERTIX 2S vs Apple Watch Ultra 2
Choosing between COROS VERTIX 2S and Apple Watch Ultra 2 can be tricky. Both are excellent, but they serve different priorities. This guide highlights what matters for US shoppers.
Ratings: 4★ vs 4.7★
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COROS VERTIX 2S
★4
(89)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android and iOS (via COROS app)
Operating System:COROS UI
Case Size:50.3mm (50.3 x 50.3 x 16.0 mm / 1.98 x 1.98 x 0.63 in)
Case Material:Bezel: Grade 5 Titanium Alloy with PVD coating; Body: Titanium Alloy with PVD coating; Glass: Sapphire crystal
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Apple Watch Ultra 2
★4.7
(1,082)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone Xs or later with iOS 18 or later
Operating System:watchOS
Case Size:49mm (49mm H x 44mm W x 14.4mm D)
Case Material:Aerospace-grade titanium (Natural or Black finish)
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Comparison: COROS VERTIX 2S vs Apple Watch Ultra 2
COROS VERTIX 2S
★4(89)Amazon
Apple Watch Ultra 2
★4.7(1,082)Amazon
| Criterion | COROS VERTIX 2S | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4(89)Amazon | ★4.7(1,082)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android and iOS (via COROS app) | iPhone Xs or later with iOS 18 or later |
Operating System | COROS UI | watchOS |
Case Size | 50.3mm (50.3 x 50.3 x 16.0 mm / 1.98 x 1.98 x 0.63 in) | 49mm (49mm H x 44mm W x 14.4mm D) |
Case Material | Bezel: Grade 5 Titanium Alloy with PVD coating; Body: Titanium Alloy with PVD coating; Glass: Sapphire crystal | Aerospace-grade titanium (Natural or Black finish) |
Display Type | Transflective Memory-in-Pixel (LCD) touchscreen | Always-On Retina LTPO2 OLED (flat sapphire crystal display) |
Display Size | 1.4 in | 1185 sq mm display area |
Resolution | 280 x 280 pixels (64 colors) | 410 x 502 pixels (326 ppi) |
Always On Display | Yes (Memory LCD technology) | Yes |
Water Resistance | 10 ATM (100 m) | 100 m (ISO 22810); 40 m recreational high-speed water sports (EN13319) |
Durability | Operating temp: -22°F to 122°F (-30°C to 50°C); scratch-resistant sapphire; titanium chassis | IP6X dust resistant; tested to MIL-STD 810H (altitude, high/low temp, temperature shock, immersion, freeze/thaw, ice/freezing rain, shock/vibration) |
GPS | Dual-Frequency GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS | Precision dual-frequency GPS: L1 and L5 (GPS, GNSS, Galileo, and BeiDou) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for data sync and firmware updates) | LTE and UMTS (Cellular is standard); Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip |
NFC Payments | No (Not supported) | Apple Pay |
Sensors | Next-Gen Optical Heart Rate; Barometric Altimeter; Accelerometer; Gyroscope; 3D Compass; Thermometer; Optical Pulse Oximeter; ECG Sensor | Electrical heart sensor (ECG app); 3rd-generation optical heart sensor; temperature sensing; depth gauge (±1 m accuracy); water temperature sensor; compass; always-on altimeter; high-g accelerometer; high dynamic range gyroscope; ambient light sensor; blood oxygen sensor (feature availability subject to US patent rulings) |
Health Features | HRV Index; Sleep tracking (REM/Deep/Light); SpO2 (Altitude mode); Daily Stress; Recovery time; Resting Heart Rate | ECG app; High/low heart rate notifications; Irregular rhythm notifications; Sleep tracking with stages; Sleep apnea notifications; Vitals app; Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates; Noise app |
Workout Modes | Multi-pitch climbing, Trail Running, Hiking, Skiing (XC/Touring/Downhill), Surfing (Speed/Wind), Whitewater, Triathlon, Strength | Customizable Action Button for instant workout start; Advanced running metrics (stride length, ground contact time); Multisport; Swimming; Hiking; Diving (Oceanic+ app required for dive computer functions) |
Storage | 32 GB (Music storage and Maps) | 64GB |
Speaker Mic | No (Beep alerts and vibration only) | Dual speakers (40% louder than Series 8); Three-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation |
Calls | No (Notification alerts only) | Yes (Cellular, Wi-Fi, and iPhone tethering) |
Battery | Up to 40 days (Daily Use); 118 hours (Standard Full GPS); 73 hours (All Systems On); 43 hours (Dual Frequency) | Up to 36 hours (normal use); Up to 72 hours (Low Power Mode) |
Charging | COROS proprietary charging cable (USB-A) | Fast charging capable (0–80% in approx. 1 hour); USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable included |
Weight | 87 g (with Silicone band) / 70 g (with Nylon band) / 61 g (Body only) | 61.4 g (Natural Titanium); 61.8 g (Black Titanium) [case only] |
Band Sizes | Silicone: 130–240 mm; Nylon: 155–225 mm; 26 mm Quick Fit width | Trail Loop (S/M, M/L); Alpine Loop (S, M, L); Ocean Band (One Size); fits 130–210mm wrists depending on selection |
Extras | Global offline landscape/topo maps; Music playback (MP3 via Bluetooth); GoPro/Insta360 camera control; Digital Dial navigation; Storm alerts | S9 SiP with 4-core Neural Engine; Double tap gesture; On-device Siri; Precision Finding for iPhone 15/16 lineup; 86-decibel Siren; Night Mode (Modular Ultra face) |
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COROS VERTIX 2S
Rating:★4(89)Amazon
Compatibility:Android and iOS (via COROS app)
Operating System:COROS UI
Case Size:50.3mm (50.3 x 50.3 x 16.0 mm / 1.98 x 1.98 x 0.63 in)
Case Material:Bezel: Grade 5 Titanium Alloy with PVD coating; Body: Titanium Alloy with PVD coating; Glass: Sapphire crystal
Display Type:Transflective Memory-in-Pixel (LCD) touchscreen
Display Size:1.4 in
Resolution:280 x 280 pixels (64 colors)
Always On Display:Yes (Memory LCD technology)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (100 m)
Durability:Operating temp: -22°F to 122°F (-30°C to 50°C); scratch-resistant sapphire; titanium chassis
GPS:Dual-Frequency GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS
Connectivity:Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for data sync and firmware updates)
NFC Payments:No (Not supported)
Sensors:Next-Gen Optical Heart Rate; Barometric Altimeter; Accelerometer; Gyroscope; 3D Compass; Thermometer; Optical Pulse Oximeter; ECG Sensor
Health Features:HRV Index; Sleep tracking (REM/Deep/Light); SpO2 (Altitude mode); Daily Stress; Recovery time; Resting Heart Rate
Workout Modes:Multi-pitch climbing, Trail Running, Hiking, Skiing (XC/Touring/Downhill), Surfing (Speed/Wind), Whitewater, Triathlon, Strength
Storage:32 GB (Music storage and Maps)
Speaker Mic:No (Beep alerts and vibration only)
Calls:No (Notification alerts only)
Battery:Up to 40 days (Daily Use); 118 hours (Standard Full GPS); 73 hours (All Systems On); 43 hours (Dual Frequency)
Charging:COROS proprietary charging cable (USB-A)
Weight:87 g (with Silicone band) / 70 g (with Nylon band) / 61 g (Body only)
Band Sizes:Silicone: 130–240 mm; Nylon: 155–225 mm; 26 mm Quick Fit width
Extras:Global offline landscape/topo maps; Music playback (MP3 via Bluetooth); GoPro/Insta360 camera control; Digital Dial navigation; Storm alerts
✓ Pros:
- • Class-leading battery life (118 hours standard GPS, 40 days daily use)
- • Updated next-gen heart rate sensor for improved accuracy over Vertix 2
- • Dual-frequency GNSS provides rock-solid tracking in steep terrain
- • Bombproof build quality with full titanium body and sapphire glass
- • 32GB storage for offline global maps and music without phone dependency
✗ Cons:
- • No NFC payments or streaming music support (Spotify/Apple Music)
- • Large 50.3mm case is very bulky for smaller wrists
- • Screen is less vibrant and lower resolution than AMOLED competitors
- • No built-in speaker or microphone for voice notes or calls
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Apple Watch Ultra 2
Rating:★4.7(1,082)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone Xs or later with iOS 18 or later
Operating System:watchOS
Case Size:49mm (49mm H x 44mm W x 14.4mm D)
Case Material:Aerospace-grade titanium (Natural or Black finish)
Display Type:Always-On Retina LTPO2 OLED (flat sapphire crystal display)
Display Size:1185 sq mm display area
Resolution:410 x 502 pixels (326 ppi)
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:100 m (ISO 22810); 40 m recreational high-speed water sports (EN13319)
Durability:IP6X dust resistant; tested to MIL-STD 810H (altitude, high/low temp, temperature shock, immersion, freeze/thaw, ice/freezing rain, shock/vibration)
GPS:Precision dual-frequency GPS: L1 and L5 (GPS, GNSS, Galileo, and BeiDou)
Connectivity:LTE and UMTS (Cellular is standard); Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip
NFC Payments:Apple Pay
Sensors:Electrical heart sensor (ECG app); 3rd-generation optical heart sensor; temperature sensing; depth gauge (±1 m accuracy); water temperature sensor; compass; always-on altimeter; high-g accelerometer; high dynamic range gyroscope; ambient light sensor; blood oxygen sensor (feature availability subject to US patent rulings)
Health Features:ECG app; High/low heart rate notifications; Irregular rhythm notifications; Sleep tracking with stages; Sleep apnea notifications; Vitals app; Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates; Noise app
Workout Modes:Customizable Action Button for instant workout start; Advanced running metrics (stride length, ground contact time); Multisport; Swimming; Hiking; Diving (Oceanic+ app required for dive computer functions)
Storage:64GB
Speaker Mic:Dual speakers (40% louder than Series 8); Three-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation
Calls:Yes (Cellular, Wi-Fi, and iPhone tethering)
Battery:Up to 36 hours (normal use); Up to 72 hours (Low Power Mode)
Charging:Fast charging capable (0–80% in approx. 1 hour); USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable included
Weight:61.4 g (Natural Titanium); 61.8 g (Black Titanium) [case only]
Band Sizes:Trail Loop (S/M, M/L); Alpine Loop (S, M, L); Ocean Band (One Size); fits 130–210mm wrists depending on selection
Extras:S9 SiP with 4-core Neural Engine; Double tap gesture; On-device Siri; Precision Finding for iPhone 15/16 lineup; 86-decibel Siren; Night Mode (Modular Ultra face)
✓ Pros:
- • Brightest Apple display ever (up to 3,000 nits) for superior outdoor visibility
- • Excellent battery life for an Apple Watch (up to 36 hours standard, 72 hours low power)
- • Rugged titanium build with sapphire crystal and 100m water resistance
- • Fast S9 SiP allows for Double Tap gesture and on-device Siri
- • Precision dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) offers accurate tracking in dense environments
✗ Cons:
- • Large 49mm x 14.4mm casing is bulky on smaller wrists
- • Blood Oxygen feature is disabled on units sold by Apple in the US (post-Jan 2024)
- • Requires an iPhone to function; no Android compatibility
- • Expensive entry price compared to standard Series models
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Which one is better?
Based on ratings and feature balance, Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a slight edge for overall satisfaction. COROS VERTIX 2S remains a strong alternative if its strengths match your needs.
Who should buy each?
For performance and polish: COROS VERTIX 2S (Class-leading battery life (118 hours standard GPS, 40 days daily use), Updated next-gen heart rate sensor for improved accuracy over Vertix 2)
For value or versatility: Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Brightest Apple display ever (up to 3,000 nits) for superior outdoor visibility, Excellent battery life for an Apple Watch (up to 36 hours standard, 72 hours low power))
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
COROS VERTIX 2S excels if you value class-leading battery life (118 hours standard gps, 40 days daily use). Apple Watch Ultra 2 is better if you prioritize brightest apple display ever (up to 3,000 nits) for superior outdoor visibility. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
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