Review of the Apple Watch Ultra: A Promising Initial Offering with High Ambitions
The Apple Watch Ultra is notably large and somewhat bulky, packed with features that might exceed the requirements of the average individual’s daily life. With a price tag of $799, it holds the title of the most expensive option within Apple’s current lineup of watches, excluding the Hermès edition. After a week of testing, it seems unlikely that it will outperform Garmin, Polar, or Coros watches for sports like Ironman, through-hiking, or deep-sea diving, at least not in the immediate future. However, it does prove to be a solid choice for casual athletes and those at an intermediate level. Additionally, it’s highly appealing to individuals aspiring to achieve that athletic status, as well as those who simply desire the most robust and largest Apple Watch available.
Before the introduction of the Ultra (formerly anticipated as the “Apple Watch Pro”), I discussed the necessary features for its success, which encompassed enhanced durability, physical controls, extended battery life, and more comprehensive recovery metrics.
Initial attempts at introducing new design styles tend to be a mixed bag — featuring promising elements along with minor oversights or issues that will likely be resolved over time. This holds true for the Ultra. Apple has, however, demonstrated its thorough preparation by incorporating the Action button, reinforcing durability with features like multiband GPS, and enhancing battery life to the extent that daily charging is unnecessary. While it might not completely satisfy Garmin enthusiasts, it has the potential to arouse curiosity among a portion of that user base.
I have a strong preference for large screens and I’m not shy about it.
I have a preference for larger screens, and I must confess that I am drawn to them. Typically, I’m not a fan of oversized smartwatches. Given my small wrists, anything larger than 45mm usually becomes uncomfortable for extended wear, appears quite out of place on my arm, and tends to result in inaccuracies in activity tracking. However, I’ve come across certain watches that manage to “wear small” despite their size — examples being the Polar Grit X Pro, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, and Suunto 7. Strangely enough, the 49mm Apple Watch Ultra falls into this category as well, much to my surprise.
Expressing this aspect solely through images is challenging. In photographs, the Watch Ultra seems significantly larger than my wrist. However, when seen in person, it gives the impression of being smaller than some of the round 45mm to 47mm watches I’ve tested. I was starting to suspect that I might have become overly convinced by the Ultra’s size, so I took it upon myself to acquire digital calipers to verify its dimensions. True to its specifications, it measures 49mm in height, 44mm in width, and slightly over 14mm in thickness — more than 3mm thicker than the Series 8. The added thickness isn’t an issue during the summer, but it does occasionally catch on the cuffs of my leather jacket. When equipped with the Alpine Loop strap, it spans approximately 57mm from lug to lug. This is genuinely wider than my 46mm wrist measurement. While the watch is undeniably sizable, trust me when I say that it manages to not feel as substantial in person as its dimensions might suggest.
On one hand, the larger screen proves advantageous for readability. Given my poor eyesight, a spacious screen allows me to increase the font size, thereby making reading easier. (Although, with a screen of this size, curious onlookers might have the ability to read your texts from a decent distance.) Additionally, it significantly improves texting via the wrist, especially when compared to the error-prone experience I’ve become accustomed to with swipe-to-type on the 41mm Apple Watch that I typically wear. If these features hold significance for you, or if you appreciate the appearance of an oversized watch, then the Ultra is certainly tailored to your preferences.
For individuals with extremely small wrists (measuring under 130mm in circumference), wearing the Ultra might be physically impractical. Furthermore, even among those with larger wrists, not everyone desires a significantly large watch.
My persistent discomfort with sizable smartwatches has always been rooted in their lack of comfort. Many tend to be too weighty for me, so when I had the opportunity to try out the Ultra following Apple’s launch event, I was pleasantly surprised by its lightweight feel considering its size. However, over the course of a few months, my conviction solidified that a 49mm rectangular watch fits similarly to a 50–51mm round watch. Thanks to its titanium construction, it registers at 61.3 grams without the strap, a weight that’s not far from the 61g of the 51mm Fenix 7X. I do sense the weight while running compared to the Series 8, but much like the experience with the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, it’s not excessively burdensome. The unexpectedly lighter weight helps to balance out the substantial dimensions.
Engineered for Outstanding Performance
The Series 8 watch stands as an impressive device. Its speed and durability cater to the needs of almost every user. However, here comes the Ultra, ready to raise the stakes.
Similar to the Series 8, the Ultra is equipped with an S8 chip, novel temperature sensors, the new high-G accelerometer, and an enhanced gyroscope designed for Crash Detection. The Ultra takes things up a notch by incorporating a water temperature sensor aimed at swimmers and divers. Additionally, it cranks up the maximum brightness of the always-on display to a striking 2,000 nits, ensuring optimal visibility even under direct sunlight. A three-microphone setup enhances voice call quality in various environments, while an additional speaker serves dual purposes: emitting an emergency siren and amplifying the volume of phone calls and Siri responses.
While not intended as a substitute for a dedicated dive watch for professional divers, the Ultra boasts a WR100 water resistance rating and EN13319 certification, granting the capability for scuba diving (down to a recommended 40 meters by Apple) and participation in high-speed water activities. The battery has been significantly upgraded, being 76 percent larger than that of the 45mm Series 8. It offers an estimated 36 hours of typical usage on a single charge, which can be extended to 60 hours using low-power battery settings. Additionally, Apple has incorporated multiband GPS to enhance accuracy in challenging surroundings.
Distinctive design adjustments set the Ultra apart visually from the Series 8 and SE. The digital crown has been enlarged, featuring deeper grooves for easier manipulation during workouts, and a raised guard to prevent inadvertent presses. Moreover, a customizable Action button has been added as an extra physical control. Similar to the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, the Ultra boasts a raised edge for screen protection, although it’s shallower compared to Samsung’s counterpart. Unlike any other Apple Watch, the Ultra’s face screen is entirely flat, reducing the likelihood of damage in case of impact. This design choice also lends the Ultra the appearance of a mini iPhone on your wrist.
Introducing the First Apple Watch with Multiday Battery Life (if two days qualify as “multi”)
Apple has historically provided conservative battery life estimates for the Watch, maintaining a stated 18-hour battery life for the past few years — even though actual usage tends to yield a bit more. The Ultra’s 36-hour battery projection is similarly cautious; if you’re not engaged in an intensive triathlon, you’re likely to approach closer to 48 hours. And that’s without activating low-power mode.
Here are some real-life instances, all without low-power mode enabled: During the recent weekend, I charged the Ultra to its full 100 percent. Subsequently, I embarked on a two-hour and 15-minute hike, utilized the compass and GPS extensively, and tracked my sleep that night. Upon awakening the following morning, I still had 50 percent of the battery remaining. On another day, I embarked on a 30-minute GPS-guided run, followed by a 20-minute rowing session. Additionally, I took a brief call on the watch and concluded the day with 84 percent battery life.
Our editor-in-chief, Nilay, managed to achieve an impressive 56 hours on a single charge and was still left with 14 percent. Given that he mostly remained at home, forgoing cellular data and GPS, this provides an understanding of the battery life one might expect when not actively using the Ultra’s fitness capabilities or during periods of reduced activity. After approximately three months of testing, I consistently surpassed the 36-hour projection. Moreover, thanks to its rapid charging capabilities, the Ultra stands out as the optimal Apple Watch for sleep tracking. I never felt compelled to activate the low-power mode within the scope of my everyday training routine.
