The Apple Watch Ultra, launched in September 2022, represents Apple’s boldest entry into the smartwatch market. It was specifically designed for adventurers, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts, aiming to meet their demanding needs. This smartwatch significantly departs from Apple’s traditional lineup, offering a rugged design with improved durability for extreme environments.
The Apple Watch Ultra features advanced functionalities tailored to users engaged in high-intensity activities and outdoor adventures. In this review, we will assess the smartwatch’s design, performance, health and fitness capabilities, battery life, and pricing to highlight its unique position in wearable technology.
Table of Contents
- Release Date and Price
- Apple Watch Ultra Specifications
- Apple Watch Ultra Review
- 1. Design and Build Quality
- 2. Performance and Processor
- 3. Battery Life and Charging
- 4. Health and Fitness Features
- 5. Software and Ecosystem Integration
- 6. Connectivity: Always Ready, Anywhere
- Comparison: Apple Watch Series 8 vs Apple Watch Ultra vs Series 9
- Conclusion: A Game-Changer for Adventurers and Athletes
Release Date and Price
Apple officially released the Apple Watch Ultra on September 23, 2022, after announcing it at the September keynote event. Apple designed the Watch Ultra as the most rugged and feature-packed Apple Watch, targeting outdoor enthusiasts and extreme sports lovers.
Apple priced the Apple Watch Ultra at $799, reflecting its premium build quality, advanced features, and robust design.
Apple Watch Ultra Specifications
See Full Specifications for: the Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch Ultra Review
Let’s start the review with:
1. Design and Build Quality
The Apple Watch Ultra stands out with its rugged design, built to withstand extreme conditions. Encased in aerospace-grade titanium, the Ultra offers enhanced durability while remaining relatively lightweight at just 61.3 grams for the 49mm model.
This material is not only corrosion-resistant but also adds a premium feel to the watch. The Ultra is equipped with a supplier crystal display, providing exceptional scratch resistance and ensuring long-term durability.
The display itself is the best feature. The smartwatch boasts a 49mm Retina LTPO OLED display with an impressive peak brightness of 2,000 nits, making it the brightest Apple Watch ever. This ensures excellent visibility in all environments, whether you’re hiking in bright sunlight or exploring caves in low light.
The Ultra features a redesigned, customizable Action button on the side, allowing quick access to essential functions.
2. Performance and Processor
The Apple Watch Ultra is powered by the S8 SiP, a dual-core processor shared with Series 8. This chip offers smooth performance for various tasks, including app launches and health tracking features. Despite its robust design, the Ultra remains quick and efficient, making it suitable for activities like hiking or checking emails.
The Ultra includes the W3 wireless chip, improving both connectivity and power efficiency for better overall performance. With 32GB of storage, the Watch provides ample space for apps, music, and more, ensuring it’s a versatile companion during extended adventures.
3. Battery Life and Charging
One of the outstanding features of this smartwatch is its extended battery life. Designed for long trips and outdoor activities, the Ultra offers up to 36 hours of battery life on a single charge, significantly more than the 18-hour battery life of the standard Apple Watch Series 9. In Low Power Mode, the battery life can be extended up to 60 hours, making it ideal for multi-day excursions without access to charging.
Charging the Apple Watch Ultra is also faster than previous models. With the included USB-C magnetic fast charger, the watch can be charged from 0% to 80% in just under an hour, ensuring minimal downtime between adventures.
4. Health and Fitness Features
The Apple Watch Ultra is packed with advanced health and fitness features, catering to both casual users and serious athletes. It includes all the standard health monitoring tools like heart rate tracking, blood oxygen monitoring (SpO2), ECG, and sleep tracking. However, it goes a step further with specialized features for outdoor activities.
One of the Ultra’s key features is its dual-frequency GPS system, which provides more accurate location tracking, especially in challenging environments like dense forests or urban areas with tall buildings. This makes Ultra a reliable tool for navigation during outdoor adventures.
Additionally, the watch includes a depth gauge and water temperature sensor, making it suitable for diving up to 100 meters, with a certification of EN13319, the internationally recognized standard for diving computers.
For runners and hikers, the Ultra offers advanced workout metrics, including running power, vertical oscillation, and ground contact time. The watch also features a built-in compass with waypoints and backtrack functionality, ensuring you never lose your way during an expedition.
5. Software and Ecosystem Integration
Running on watchOS 10, the Apple Watch Ultra benefits from all the latest software enhancements Apple has to offer. The new Compass app is particularly useful for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a combination of GPS, altimeter, and barometer data to provide real-time information about your surroundings.
The Ultra integrates seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem, supporting features like Apple Pay, Apple Music, and Siri. It also has enhanced support for third-party apps, particularly those focused on health, fitness, and outdoor activities.
Ultra’s ability to sync effortlessly with iPhones, AirPods, and other Apple devices further cements its position as the ultimate smartwatch for Apple users.
6. Connectivity: Always Ready, Anywhere
The Apple Watch Ultra is designed to keep users connected, no matter where they are, with robust connectivity features that ensure reliable performance in remote areas.
- Bluetooth: 3
- Wi-Fi: 11b/g/n 2.4GHz and 5GHz
- GPS: Dual-frequency GPS (L1 and L5)
- Cellular: Built-in, allowing phone-free usage
- NFC: Apple Pay support
The Ultra’s dual-frequency GPS is a standout feature, offering improved accuracy in challenging environments like dense forests or urban canyons. The built-in cellular connectivity ensures that users can make calls, send messages, and access data without needing to carry their iPhones, which is crucial for outdoor activities.
The watch also supports Bluetooth 5.3 and dual-band Wi-Fi, providing fast and stable connections.
Comparison: Apple Watch Series 8 vs Apple Watch Ultra vs Series 9
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 8 | Apple Watch Ultra | Apple Watch Series 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Midnight Aluminum, Starlight Aluminum, Silver Aluminum, Product Red Aluminum, Silver Stainless, Graphite Stainless, Gold Stainless | Midnight Aluminum, Starlight Aluminum, Silver Aluminum, Pink Aluminum, Product Red Aluminum, Silver Stainless, Graphite Stainless, Gold Stainless, Natural Titanium | Midnight Aluminum, Starlight Aluminum, Silver Aluminum, Pink Aluminum, Product Red Aluminum, Silver Stainless, Graphite Stainless, Gold Stainless |
| Case Size | 45mm or 41mm (aluminum or stainless steel) | 49mm (titanium case) | 45mm or 41mm (aluminum or stainless steel) |
| Display | LTPO OLED Always-on Retina, Up to 1000 nits | LTPO2 OLED Always-on Retina, Up to 2000 nits | LTPO OLED Always-on Retina, Up to 2000 nits |
| ECG App | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Notifications | High and low heart rate notifications | High and low heart rate notifications | High and low heart rate notifications |
| Irregular Rhythm Notifications | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Blood Oxygen App | Yes | Yes | Not Available |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature Sensing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cycle Tracking | Yes (retrospective ovulation estimates) | Yes (retrospective ovulation estimates) | Yes (retrospective ovulation estimates) |
| Emergency SOS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| International Emergency Calling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fall Detection & Crash Detection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | 50m (Swimproof) | 100m (Swimproof, recreational scuba to 40m) | 50m (Swimproof) |
| GPS | GPS, Cellular and Wi-Fi only options | Precision dual-frequency GPS | GPS, Cellular and Wi-Fi only options |
| Chip | S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor | S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor | S9 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours, Up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode | Up to 36 hours, Up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode | Up to 18 hours, Up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode |
| Fast Charging | Yes (0-80% in 45 minutes) | Yes (0-80% in about 1 hour) | Yes (0-80% in 45 minutes) |
| Materials | Aluminum, Stainless Steel | Titanium, Aluminum | Aluminum, Stainless Steel |
| Sensor Suite | Electrical heart sensor, third-generation optical heart sensor, ambient light sensor | Electrical heart sensor, third-generation optical heart sensor, ambient light sensor | Electrical heart sensor, third-generation optical heart sensor, ambient light sensor |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS | Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS | Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS |
| Battery Charging | Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery | Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery | Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery |
| Siren | Not Available | Yes | Not Available |
| Waypoints, Backtrack, and Elevation View | Not Available | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Depth Gauge | Not Available | Yes | Not Available |
| Price | Starting from $399 | Starting from $799 | Starting from $399 |
The Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and Series 9 cater to distinct user needs effectively. The Series 8 is perfect for general users, featuring advanced health tracking like ECG, blood oxygen, and sleep monitoring. Available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, it offers aluminum or stainless steel cases and supports water resistance up to 50m. Its battery lasts up to 18 hours, making it a reliable option for daily wear.
Designed for outdoor enthusiasts, the Apple Watch Ultra offers a durable titanium case and advanced features. It provides water resistance up to 100m and supports recreational scuba diving to 40m. With a brighter 2000 nits display and precision GPS, it performs well under extreme conditions. The Ultra also boasts longer battery life, lasting up to 36 hours, ensuring durability during adventures.
The Series 9 includes similar health features as the Series 8 but adds the S9 SiP chip for better performance. It also features a 2000 nits display and enhanced battery life lasting up to 36 hours. Users seeking faster performance, quicker Siri responses, and advanced wellness tracking will appreciate the Series 9’s improvements.
Conclusion: A Game-Changer for Adventurers and Athletes
The Apple Watch Ultra is more than just a smartwatch; it’s a tool designed for those who push the boundaries of what’s possible. With its rugged design, advanced health and fitness features, and extended battery life, the Ultra is a game-changer for adventurers, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Whether you’re diving, hiking, running ultramarathons, or exploring the wilderness, the Apple Watch Ultra offers the durability, functionality, and performance you need. While it may not be for everyone, for those who require a watch that can keep up with their extreme lifestyle, this smartwatch is an unparalleled choice.
FAQs: Apple Watch Ultra Review: 6 Amazing Features and Specs
Why Is the Apple Watch Ultra So Expensive?
The Apple Watch Ultra is expensive due to its premium materials, rugged design, and advanced features tailored for extreme sports and outdoor adventures. It features a titanium case, which is more durable and lightweight than aluminum or stainless steel.
Additionally, it has a larger and brighter display, a longer battery life, and exclusive features like dual-frequency GPS, a depth gauge for diving, and extra water resistance. These high-end components and specialized functionalities justify its higher price tag compared to standard Apple Watches.
Does the Apple Watch Ultra Have a Camera?
No, the Apple Watch Ultra does not have a built-in camera. While some third-party accessories allow users to attach a camera, the Ultra model itself lacks a native camera function. However, it can be used as a remote control for the iPhone’s camera, allowing users to take photos and videos hands-free.
Does the Apple Watch Ultra Have ECG?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra includes an ECG (electrocardiogram) app that enables users to monitor heart health and detect signs of atrial fibrillation. This FDA-approved feature records heart rhythms using the built-in sensors, providing valuable insights into cardiovascular health. Users can take an ECG reading by placing a finger on the Digital Crown, generating results in just 30 seconds.
What Is the Most Expensive Smartwatch?
The most expensive smartwatch ever sold is the Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45 Full Diamond, which costs around $180,000. This luxury smartwatch is crafted from 18K white gold and encrusted with 589 diamonds. Among Apple Watches, the Apple Watch Edition (Series 1) made of 18K gold was the priciest, initially selling for $10,000 to $17,000.
How Long Does the Apple Watch Ultra Last?
The Apple Watch Ultra offers up to 36 hours of battery life on a single charge, significantly longer than standard Apple Watch models. With Low Power Mode enabled the battery can last up to 60 hours, making it ideal for extended outdoor adventures, ultra-marathons, or multi-day trips without frequent charging.
