I have been an Apple Watch Ultra user since its launch in September 2022. For many years I’ve owned a regular Ultra and now a black titanium Ultra 2, which I wear almost every day. The things I wanted from the Ultra were little things like a better battery, bigger display, and better construction materials. I just wanted to see what Apple could do with its “best” Apple Watch. After nearly four years of use, I can confidently say that this is the best Apple Watch Apple has ever made, but it’s also the Apple Watch I don’t need. Let me explain.
Be sure to check out our in-depth Apple Watch Ultra hands-on video to see what we think.
So what actually sets the Apple Watch Ultra apart from the rest of the Apple Watch lineup? Apple Watch Ultra is supposed to be the most premium version of the entire software-to-hardware experience. There are several key differentiators.
- Bigger and brighter display
- Titanium case, more sturdy and durable
- Additional physical controls such as action buttons
- Longer battery life than the regular Apple Watch lineup
- Every Ultra has built-in data connectivity
- Clearly designed for those looking for something more “adventure ready”
Everything else is exactly the same, including the inside. Both Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch Series 11 use the same S10 SiP (system-in-package) chip. So if you think Ultra offers better smoothness and performance than Series 11, that’s actually not the case. This is a common misconception among customers. That means you get more batteries and sturdier construction materials.
Now, I’d like to talk about how I use the Apple Watch Ultra.
Apple is marketing this watch to extreme sports and athletes. We see commercials and videos of climbers, divers, and hikers in extreme conditions. However, they are also very good at all daily tasks. There are a few key use cases where I use Ultra almost every day.
The fitness and wellness tracking features are all great. Workout tracking is still the biggest reason I have it on my wrist. I use it for workouts, exercise goals, and just to keep myself consistent. I feel like my workouts don’t count if I’m not wearing my Apple Watch. The same goes for the new sleep and vitals tracking. I go to bed with a clock every night so I can see what score I get. It’s great to see trend data, especially as I recently became a father of two, as sleep deprivation affects sleep scores. And recently, the Vitals app detected that I had the flu a few days early by letting me know that all of my vitals were abnormal.
It also takes advantage of the Apple Watch’s ecosystem features. Features include using your Watch as a viewfinder for your iPhone camera. You can also use your Apple Watch as an alternative to Touch ID and Face ID biometric unlocking. It’s as simple as an alarm clock, and the vibrations gradually get louder and more intense to gently wake you up. Great feature!
All these use cases add up to a great device.
Apple Watch Ultra Dilemma
But the more I used the Apple Watch Ultra, the more I realized I didn’t need any of its features. All of the use cases mentioned above are things you can do with a regular Apple Watch Series 11. All of the extreme aspects of the Apple Watch Ultra remain relatively untouched. I don’t use the deep sea diving feature. I also don’t use GPS for directions while hiking. I have never used the SOS feature either. Always have your cell phone with you if you need it. So, at this point, I’ve found that the only “feature” I’m using is the extended battery life on the Apple Watch Ultra.
I love the look and sturdy construction of the Apple Watch Ultra, but I don’t need it. So my next Apple Watch will be a Series 11 or Series 12 (once they’re released) because it can do everything I need.
final take
To sum up my long-term thoughts on the Apple Watch Ultra, my experience was honestly great. It’s reliable, battery life is still great, and it’s everything you want from an Apple Watch. It includes fitness tracking, health features, sleep tracking, and all the great features of the Apple ecosystem that make your life easier. But at the same time, I learned something important. For most people, the Ultra’s extra features aren’t enough to justify paying nearly twice the price.
That said, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is currently on sale for $549 new on Amazon, and at that price you’d be telling a whole different story. For only about $30 more than the cellular-enabled Apple Watch Series 11, you get all the Ultra features and cellular capabilities.
So I’m interested. At $549, does the Apple Watch Ultra actually feel justified? Let’s discuss below. 👇
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