Below is a side‑by‑side comparison of the Honor Watch 5 Ultra (Honor’s premium 2025 wearable) and the Apple Watch Series 9 (Apple’s 2023 mainstream model). I’ve focused on the points that most people care about: design/build, display, health & sensors, battery, software/compatibility, GPS/fitness features, and value — with sources for the key facts.

Summary (one line)

• If you use an iPhone and want the best integrated experience, Series 9 is the safer choice (watchOS, apps, safety features). If you want longer battery life, a titanium build, eSIM on an Android-compatible watch and strong fitness/AI features at a lower price (esp. in China), the Honor Watch 5 Ultra is very attractive. (support.Apple.com)

Design & build

• Honor Watch 5 Ultra: aerospace‑grade titanium case options, sapphire crystal protection, octagonal/robust styling, ~46.3 mm case, ~51.8 g (no strap). 5ATM + IP68. (gadgets360.com)
• Apple Watch Series 9: available 41 mm and 45 mm sizes, aluminum or stainless steel cases, ion‑X or sapphire front crystals depending on model; WR50 (50 m) water resistance and IP6X dust rating (aluminum models). Slimmer, more mainstream squared Apple design. (support.Apple.com)

Display

• Honor: 1.5‑inch circular LTPO AMOLED, 466×466 (≈310 ppi), always‑on supported, sapphire glass. (gadgets360.com)
• Apple: Always‑On Retina LTPO OLED, edge‑to‑edge, up to 2,000 nits peak brightness (very bright for outdoor visibility). 41/45 mm sizes with high pixel density. (support.Apple.com)

Sensors & health features

• Both: optical heart sensor, ECG capability (Honor advertises ECG sensor; Apple has electrical heart sensor and ECG app). Both also offer SpO2 readings, accelerometer/gyro and other common sensors. Honor adds several specialized health algorithms (China‑PAR/CV risk assessments, autonomic nervous system monitoring) and claims instant ECG readings. Apple adds established features like ECG app, irregular rhythm alerts, sleep stages, cycle tracking and broad regulatory approvals in many markets. (gadgets360.com)

Battery & charging

• Honor Watch 5 Ultra: 480 mAh battery; Honor’s claims — up to ~15 days typical usage without eSIM, ~7 days with always‑on display enabled, ~3 days in full eSIM mode (Honor’s published figures vary by mode). Wireless charging supported. (gadgets360.com)
• Apple Watch Series 9: “All‑day” battery up to ~18 hours typical use (up to ~36 hours in Low Power Mode). Fast charge capable (Apple: ~80% in ~45 minutes). Expect much shorter runtime than Honor in regular multi‑day usage. (support.Apple.com)

Software, ecosystem & compatibility

• Honor Watch 5 Ultra: runs MagicOS (Honor’s wearable OS) with YOYO/DeepSeek AI assistant, many built‑in sports modes, NFC, eSIM and Bluetooth calling. Primarily designed for Android pairing (Honor lists Android 9+/some versions). App/ecosystem is more limited vs. watchOS. (gadgets360.com)
• Apple Watch Series 9: runs watchOS with a mature app ecosystem, tight integration with iPhone (notifications, Messages, Apple Pay, Fitness+, on‑device Siri, Family Setup for cellular models, Crash/Fall Detection, Backtrack GPS features). Requires an iPhone (iOS). If you have an iPhone, Series 9 is far more integrated and has a larger app and services ecosystem. (support.Apple.com)

Fitness tracking & GPS

• Honor: supports multi‑GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS), many sports modes (Honor advertises 100+ / 105 modes) and features tuned for long battery endurance during outdoor activities. Honor touts professional/diving modes and specialized sports modes. (gizmochina.com)
• Apple: strong workout tracking, advanced running metrics (stride length, ground contact time, vertical oscillation), route features, Backtrack, topographic park maps (some features region‑dependent). GPS performance on Series 9 is excellent and tightly integrated with Fitness/Health and iPhone. (support.Apple.com)

Connectivity & extras

• Honor: eSIM (calls from wrist), Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, speaker/mic for calls, YOYO AI assistant/DeepSeek AI. Compatibility emphasis on Android phones. (gadgets360.com)
• Apple: Cellular models with eSIM (phone independence when paired to iPhone plan), Ultra Wideband, Apple Pay, superior third‑party app support, on‑device Siri improvements with S9 chip. (support.Apple.com)

Performance & storage

• Honor: modest onboard storage (reported 8GB) and microcontroller/chip details focused on power efficiency and AI features (Honor’s Tri‑chip smart control / MagicOS). (gadgets360.com)
• Apple: S9 SiP, powerful neural engine for on‑device Siri and faster processing; Series 9 includes 64 GB storage. Performance and responsiveness are best‑in‑class on watchOS. (support.Apple.com)

Price & availability

• Honor Watch 5 Ultra: launched in China with aggressive pricing (examples: CNY 1,999–2,899 depending on strap/model; roughly $275–$399 at launch) — availability outside China depends on Honor’s regional roll‑out. Price makes it very competitive vs. premium watches. (gadgets360.com)
• Apple Watch Series 9: launched September 2023, U.S. starting price historically around $399 for base GPS model. Widely available in US and many countries via Apple and carriers. (support.Apple.com)

Which should you pick?

• Choose Apple Watch Series 9 if:
  • You own an iPhone and want the smoothest, most integrated experience (apps, Apple Pay, safety features, Fitness+), or you value on‑device Siri, proven health features and extensive third‑party apps. (support.Apple.com)
• Choose Honor Watch 5 Ultra if:
  • You want much longer battery life, a premium titanium build and sapphire glass, native eSIM + Bluetooth calling on a generally cheaper device, and you pair with Android (or don’t need the Apple ecosystem). Honor also offers many sports modes and AI features at a lower price point. (gadgets360.com)

Limitations / practical notes

• Apple Watch requires an iPhone for full functionality; Honor’s wearable is primarily Android‑focused — check carrier support for eSIM and regional availability before assuming eSIM/calling works in your country. Honor’s health claims (ECG, advanced risk assessments) are often region‑dependent and may not have the same regulatory approvals as Apple in all markets. (gadgets360.com)

If you want, I can:

• Give a concise recommendation based on whether you have an iPhone or Android phone and what you prioritize (battery, health accuracy, apps).
• Pull pricing and availability for both devices in the United States (I can check current US retail/launch availability and real‑time prices).

Which follow up would you like?