Who should buy an Apple Watch Ultra?

Apple’s new Ultra Series was released in September 2022 and instantly became popular among professional athletes and adventurers. In this review, we explain who they are best suited for and why.

What matters

The battery power is one of the most important indicators. It is with him that buyers start when choosing an electronic companion for sports. By releasing the Apple watch Ultra, the company has made a giant leap forward compared to the previous series: 36 hours on a single charge, which can be increased to 60 hours in power-saving mode.

This is more than enough time to complete a triathlon consisting of swimming, cycling, and running – and more than one. But if you are planning a week-long trip to the mountains, taking grabbing a portable power source won’t hurt you.

In Apple music playback mode Ultra series proved to be even more durable than Garmin’s more specialized Fenix 7 fitness watch: 20 hours versus 10 hours. This is because Apple continues to bet on the functionality of its product.

The GPS tracking feature has also received an important upgrade. The watch integrates a multi-band GPS that uses the L1 frequency and the latest L5 frequency. Thus, the user will have access to the most accurate data about the distance and pace of the training, as well as the most beautiful routes. Apple Watch Ultra supports every common satellite network: GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), GALILEO (EU), QZSS (Japan), and BeiDou (China).

The design is very different too. From year to year, it remained virtually unchanged. But the Ultra series got a stylish new case measuring 49 mm and weighing 61.3 grams without a strap, as well as an incredible brightness of 2000 nits for comfortable use on sunny days. The screen is large, which makes it even more user-friendly.

Look at the Apple watch Ultra versus Series 8: the difference immediately stands out. Ultra is much larger, which made the tall and large-hand people very happy. If in doubt about the size, visit one of our stores and try on the watch before buying.

The reliability of the Apple Watch Ultra is hard to overestimate. They meet military protection standards. “Killing” a titanium case with a ceramic case back and sapphire crystal will not be so easy. The web is full of video experiments in which enthusiasts effectively prove the endurance of the new model. The watch was dropped from a height of several meters, lowered into a jar of nails, and even hit with a hammer on the screen.

Ultra is good not only on land but also on water. The watch has been certified according to the international standard EN 13319, which is trusted by diving enthusiasts around the world. The case will withstand immersion to a depth of 40 meters. Oceanic App is available exclusively for Apple Watch Ultra and displays indicators of the diver’s condition, route, topography, and water temperature.

Ultra series is not afraid of extreme conditions either – both in the icy mountains at -20°C and in the hot desert at + 55°C. By the way, Garmin Fenix 7 has a lower maximum temperature of +45 °C.

The interface is also very user-friendly. We can customize all functions for ourselves. In addition, the Ultra series has a new Explorer watch face that shows all the most important information for an athlete and an updated Night Mode, thanks to which the display remains readable in any conditions.

What you like, nothing less

Apple Watch Ultra can be considered the most high-tech smartwatch in existence. They will be useful to everyone who leads a dynamic lifestyle – including sports. Inside them are a powerful dual-core S8 processor and watchOS 9 operating system. You can monitor your heart rate, body temperature, and pulse; navigate the terrain with a compass, even when there is no network; make calls and answer messages when there is no iPhone at hand; and use the Siri voice assistant, which, in principle, not all smartwatches on the market can boast of.

Let’s dwell on a few innovations of the Ultra model. They will fit and suit you.

Action button. Do not confuse with the Digital wheel Crown and a standard side button. Once you find the orange button on the left side of the body, adjust it to your liking. By default, you will launch the Workout app, but you can customize it for yourself: different button actions will be available for different apps.

For example, if you like hiking, you can use Action to instantly set compass waypoints, or if you’re a swimmer or scuba diver, you can use Action to start diving. In winter, when you don’t need to take off your gloves and press the screen while jogging, this button will help you out more than once.

3 built-in microphones and a loudspeaker. With the help of new algorithms, the watch has learned to isolate the user’s voice, reducing the rumble of cars, and the sound of wind or rain. You can solve work issues right during a run and the sound will be clear and legible. And an additional loudspeaker is useful for emergency calls. If you find yourself in an extreme situation – for example, getting into the snow at a ski resort – you can turn on Apple Watch the rescue siren and report your location in this way.

Sports straps are suitable for both men and women. Silicone is designed for those involved in water sports. If the diver’s hand in the wetsuit changes in volume due to the pressure difference, the user will not feel discomfort. The alpine loop has several layers and a hook to hold it, which is great for climbers. The trail loop is chosen by runners and other outdoor enthusiasts because it is made from lightweight fabric and can be adjusted on the go. And all three strap options can be purchased in different colors.

By the way, straps from other Apple Watch models are also suitable for Ultra.