Explore the key considerations and features in our review of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, helping you make an informed decision on whether to upgrade to this latest iteration of the popular smartwatch.
The
initial release of the Apple Watch Ultra was a bold move, marked by its unique
focus on a relatively niche market segment. While there is a population of
outdoor enthusiasts, the specific target audience seeking a smartwatch for
activities like hiking, ultramarathon running, and diving is comparatively
small within the broader smartwatch market.
It's
worth noting that this niche isn't completely untapped; Garmin, for example,
has been catering to this demographic for a while. Garmin has successfully
transitioned from standalone GPS devices to more advanced smartwatches as
smartphones have largely taken over the standalone GPS market.
Apple,
on the other hand, could have chosen to maintain a presence in this niche
through app partnerships on its standard Watch line. However, the Apple Watch
Ultra is far from a half-hearted
endeavor. It's a substantial, robust device
designed to excel in challenging environments that most people actively avoid.
The
initial reception of the Apple Watch Ultra was mixed, partly because many tech
reviewers, including myself, aren't typically ultramarathon runners or extreme
athletes. This raised questions about the size of the target market and the
necessity of such a specialized device. However, there is a subset of extreme
athletes who genuinely appreciate and rely on high-tech gadgets.
One
common drawback of devices built for extreme sports is their bulkiness and
complexity. The Apple Watch Ultra differentiates itself by retaining the core
functionality and refinement of previous Apple Watch generations, avoiding many
of the usability issues associated with purpose-built devices.
Design
is another key factor in the Ultra's appeal. While its large, robust metal body
may not suit everyone's taste, those who appreciate it often do so
passionately. In fact, some individuals who aren't ultramarathon runners have
opted for the Ultra solely based on its design, including some colleagues I
know.
The
Apple Watch Ultra 2 isn't a revolutionary overhaul; it adheres to the old adage
that "you have your whole life to write your first album and eight months
to write your second." Given the significant investment in the first
Ultra, it was unlikely that the second iteration would bring groundbreaking
changes. Moreover, Apple has spent a decade refining the platform on which this
product is built.
For
a more in-depth look at the entire Apple Watch lineup this year, you can refer
to the Series 9 review. Many of the improvements in the Ultra 2 are also
present in the Series 9. Unlike the iPhone/iPhone Pro bifurcation, where one
model gets exclusive updates, these two products share most upgrades, with some
exclusives for each to cater to specific user needs.
One
of the standout features in the Ultra 2 is its brighter display, peaking at
3,000 nits, making it the brightest always-on screen Apple has produced. It
also offers a wide dimming range, going down to a single nit when needed.
Storage capacity has also doubled to 64GB.
Both
new watches don't represent a significant upgrade over their predecessors,
especially if you already own the previous generation. This is even truer for
the Ultra, considering its starting price of $799. With the new model on the
horizon, you can now find the original Ultra at a substantial discount. It
still boasts distinguishing features like a rugged case and long battery life
(36 hours standard, 72 in low power mode).
However,
if the latest upgrades, such as Double Tap and the enhanced S9 chip with its
4-core Neural Engine for faster machine learning processing, are valuable to
you, the Ultra 2 is worth considering, even with the higher price tag.
Ultimately, the decision to upgrade depends on how much you value these
additional features.