Live Science Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra is n’t for everyone , but it should be the blueprint for the Apple Watch going forward — peculiarly in terms of barrage fire life .
Big , bright display
Customizable natural action button
Improved battery life
Battery living still not as dear as some competitors
dear , comparatively
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The original Apple Watch has long held the top point on our list of thebest fitness trackers , but Apple change things up in 2022 with the arrival of the Apple Watch Ultra .
To set expectation , there ’s little the Ultra can do that the significantly cheaperSeries 8can’t . However , anyone that dedicates a significant fate of their life to work out or braving difficult conditions will take account the variety .
The screen is declamatory and double as bright , while the broken construction is amazingly comfy despite our initial concerns . In fact , upgrading from a unsullied steelSeries 7to the Apple Watch Ultra was barely obtrusive at all .
If you could justify the price , it ’s the first Apple Watch to come with a more than respectable battery life too , hold up twice as long as the Series 8 . Keep reading to find out how it performed in term of accuracy and public presentation .
Apple Watch Ultra: Price and release date
The Apple Watch Ultra get in worldwide on September 23 , 2022 .
It be $ 799 and there ’s currently just one size available — 49 millimeter ( mm ) — unlike the standard Apple Watch which come in two size .
Apple Watch Ultra: Design and display
The Apple Watch Ultra certainly get up some eyebrows at its unveiling , with many worrying if it ’d be too bulky or akin to a sci - fi carpus communicator from an eighty movie .
In reality , it ’s much less noticeable for even Apple Watch wearer than it looks . At just over 61 gramme ( g ) , it ’s a little under 10 g heavier than the 45 millimeter Apple Watch Series 8 in stainless steel . The positive is that the Ti organic structure feel much more durable and even after the occasional knocks on door frames and desk , it ’s not prove any seeable marks .
The 49 millimeter display is recessed ever so slightly under the titanium ridgeline around the sides , and while it ’s still a conversant rounded foursquare , it ’s more than just a sizing difference . There ’s still optional always - on functionality , but it now run up to 2000 nit of brightness so it ’s legible in the harsh weather conditions . It ’s much more durable too .
Sadly , much of watchOS 9 has barely shifted to take reward of the young blank space , but here ’s hoping Apple can find more to offer than a circumstances of pitch-black space .
One very positive addition is the new Action Button . We ’ll cover it shortly , but it ’s on the opposite side of the twist from the standard side button and the Digital Crown and is a metallic orangeness colouring .
Apple only offers the Apple Watch in titanium ( ash gray ) but there are a trio of circle choice , each with their own colors . Our unit has the green Trail Loop , but there are Alpine Loop and Ocean Band alternatives . And , yes , exist bands connect in the same way as they have since 2015 .
Apple Watch Ultra: Features
On the surface , the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra do the same things . Both propose an university extension of the iPhone , with access to the App Store that name them much more capable than the likes of competitors such as Fitbit .
Crash detection and a temperature sensor ( both new additions in the Series 8) are included , but the Apple Watch Ultra improve on most core vista . For example , the display is brighter and you’re able to float as deep as 100 m. With the proper apps , it can even pull double tariff as a dive computer .
The Ultra has double over the battery biography too , furthing foreground how much of a assault and battery issue the standard Apple Watch has . While 36 hr is still far behind the weeks of barrage fire lifespan get hold in Fitbit and Amazfit options , being able to complete a workout , go about our daylight , track slumber and then find it with another full day ’s worth of battery is a immense assistant — and you could extend it with some pick off in the configurations .
In term of new feature for more challenging consideration ( not detect in the standard Series 8) , there ’s a work up - in Siren that can be learn from up to 180 beat aside and the said unexampled Action Button .
So , what does this do ? Well — a little of everything . Apple offers a series of presets , such as commence a favorite workout , setting a waypoint or starting a dive , but with Io Shortcuts you’re able to mark it to do anything . We ’ve got it set to open a computer menu with pick for messages , task , and more . Holding the button triggers the siren too , but you could turn this feature off .
Apple Watch Ultra: Performance
As you ’d expect from an Apple Watch , the Ultra version is an excellent tracker when it comes to fitness .
While we ’ve traditionally used Strava to map out our runs , Apple ’s own Workout app has received some neat novel tricks with the up-to-the-minute version of watchOS . For one , it can now dog stride length following a brief full point of calibration , as well as ground liaison fourth dimension .
The workout concealment is more customizable , meaning you’re able to total the metrics that are most important to you . The Action Button can also lumber your current time , electrical switch between utilization in a triathlon and plenty more .
As has become custom , positioning tracking is great with the Apple Watch Ultra and the inclusion of dual - band GPS have in mind that it ’s more exact when triangulate your billet between buildings — ideal for users that go urban marathons .
Apple Watch Ultra: Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra is an easygoing recommendation for extremist - marathon runner and rock and roll climbers , but for the vast bulk of client , it offers feature film and a rugged design that is n’t likely to be necessary .
Still , if you ’re looking for the best Apple Watch around , then the Apple Watch Ultra ’s combination of refined characteristic , a customizable clit and improved barrage fire life history are well deserving the toll of entrance fee .
Apple Watch Ultra: If this isn’t for you
by nature , if you ’re look for the same functionality as the Apple Watch Ultra but with a less rugged design , the Apple Watch Series 8 is a neat alternative .
In fact , the lineament contribute to that watch ( smash detection and a temperature sensor for menstrual bike tracking ) are slim enough to justify giving the Series 7 a look if you could determine it inexpensive .
