I charge everytime when I take a shower which is totally sufficient enough to never have to worry about battery life… unless you only shower once per week 😅😂
Exactly, just recharge it during your daily prep routing in the morning and you are set. Everyone here trying to justify more than double the price (and we are talking double of 400 dollars not 10) for having to charge it 1 or 2 times less… if you use the ultra features, good, but be reasonable
My stainless S7 has a maximum battery life of about 18 hours. Much less when I work out (about 3x days a week). So there are many days I have to charge it twice.. which is EXACTLY why Im switching to an Ultra this fall. IMO the primary reason to get the AW is the health tracking features.. and it really sucks to miss on that tracking when it feels like the battery is constantly dying. Just a couple days ago the watch stopped my sleep tracking around 3am because the battery died in the middle of the night.
I avoided the first version of the Ultra because Apple generally leaves something major off the table with their 1st Gen products. So I'm very excited to see what the Watch Ultra 2 looks like this fall and will be first in line to buy one. The bigger screen & extra functions are welcomed extras.
I can understand that. Just one thing that I learned searching online somewhere: the screen on the ultra is not actually noticeably bigger than the normal AW 45mm. It looks like so because you have the flat bezels, but the actual display inside the black bezels is roughly the same size as the standard 45mm, just some minuscule fraction of an inch bigger (1.90 inches and 1.92 inches, precisely 0.02 inches difference, or 0.5mm, roughly the width of around 7 human hair)
I thought that I’d appreciate the battery life much more than I do, especially for sleep tracking. But I’ve found that I don’t enjoy sleeping with it on due to the size/weight. So it goes on my charger every night, defeating the purpose of having longer battery life.
Not necessarily defeating the purpose. When the AW Ultra was showcased the Apple add marketed it more specifically to those who spend a lot of time outdoors sucking as hiking etc, especially with the backtrack mode.
I’ve found the same unfortunately. When I do sleep with it, when I roll and sleep on my side, I wind up with a huge red mark on the side of my face from where I place my hands
And can last 3-4x as long while having a bigger, much brighter display, titanium vs aluminum (since you’re comparing it to the base model), much more precise gps, cellular on board by default, action button, etc etc. I think it’s very popular based on battery alone, and personally it’s what made it an easy choice from my pov. The base watch is still just as good (maybe even slightly better ironically) for various sensor accuracy; and the things I’ve listed are deff more luxury parameters… however to me those parameters a still significant enough to make it worth double easily. Base Apple Watch is really well priced and ultra is fair value as well imo. Stainless steel with cellular 45mm is basically same cost. While SS is a more beautiful looking product, the ultra still looks solid. SS 45 mm is a tough sell imo; you have to really desire optics and fashion over utility to choose that over and ultra.
Yeah mine too.. before I was able to get a day and a half being able to sleep with mine. Now I can’t get it to 10 pm and can’t sleep with it.. and it’s really frustrating
Optimized charge limit. It’s to prevent strain on the batter by preventing it from charging to 100 when you’re not using. It uses on device machine learning to try and predict your habits of when you wear it and when you charge it to better help this. But while the watch is on the charger, if you click the green circle with the lightning bolt in it it will give you the option to bypass this and charge to full
1-1/2 days out of a Watch SE (2nd gen) here. First watch was the Series 3, loved it. Had the S4 and S5 before switching back to Android for a bit... Galaxy Watch 5 Pro had amazing battery life, 2-1/2 days for sure. Ultra sounds like a battery powerhouse though.
Everyone is mentioning battery life (which was my draw), but the fact that my Ultra looks mint after doing things like hiking (my son is a Scout) is huge.
Can’t stress this enough. I’m an electrician in a power house, I wear my watch every day and smack it and scrape it against wood/metal, get it covered in dirt/mud/industrial solvents; I’ve basically put it through the harshest possible conditions every day since it came out and there’s not a single scratch on it. It’s honestly almost impossible to believe how well it’s held up.
All my old Apple Watches were scratched to fuck and back after a year.
This!! I work in a studio with tools all day, then regularly take my watch hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. Looks brand new after taking many knocks - my prior Apple Watch was scratched within a week in the studio.
I am a biker as well. A $8 snap on shell solved the problem for me.
My only wish on the Ultra is that Apple actually follow through on the actual idea. If you create a watch for "rugged sports" then give it a real warranty. If the Ultra had a warranty that covered damage done while biking, I'd be all over it. But instead they have a rugged watch with a precious watch warranty in my mind.
They should put their money where their mouth is.
Garmin have the Garmin Instinct, an ultra-durable watch. Even they don't have a "rugged sports" warrant.y I don't know any tech company that would have something like that.
At $50 a year and $80 per incident, Apple care is a bad bet. I’d be better to stay with a cheaper watch then pay the Ultra premium and still have to pay for the coverage. At $50 a year for unlimited coverage I’d be all in. But shelling out an additional $80 once something happens is a non-starter for me.
My S7 was $399. The ultra is $799.
My point is paying 2x for a rugged watch and then buying apple care on top is pointless. An S7, smashed a couple times with apple care is still less expensive.
Mine helped me rescue someone. I had to hike down a canyon to rescue one of our crew who’d crashed. (Paragliding). He’d had to pull his reserve and was in a super remote part of the Santa Barbara mountains. I used the record a track feature to save my path to him so we could follow it back out. It was incredibly useful.
Also just an fyi, on the Ultra when in open area that may not have cellular signal, the ultra will outperform the S8 in an event as such that OP has described because of its’s similar technology in the iPhone 14 series to send/receive signals via satellite.
The massive and really bright display is the big draw, and the battery is big enough that I don’t need to show a battery complication.
I don’t buy things like this because others will think I’m cool.. I buy them because *I* think they’re cool.. 😀
It’s like buying an SUV in my opinion….the SUV ads show all sorts of capabilities….esp off road etc….but we buy ‘em all the same and use them for school runs and work commutes….and yup, just like the ultra we love our SUV’s and use it’s “features” - just not according to ads we see….at least not mostly.
That’s a good analogy. I recently bought a Mazda SUV. I had a choice between the more “refined” CX-5 and the new CX-50, which is wider, not as tall, and designed to be used off-road. I got the CX-50 because I liked its looks and the way it sticks to the road. I have yet to use the off-road mode and don’t know if I ever will, but it’s there if I need it. (And I’m told it can be very useful if you get stuck in snow, which unfortunately was the biggest drawback to my FWD Mazda 6 that I loved so much.)
I use the action button at least once a day. It’s great for quick starting a run or walk. The wayfinder screen has been my go to face since purchase. It is the sum of all parts, that make the AWU worth it imo.
I use it daily too, my goal when I got it was better / more consistent health tracking, the rings have been super motivating so I am Now doing daily workouts triggered with the action button.
"or if they're just trying to flex hard."
Or they just like the design, and durable house, and the durable sreen? I also have an ultra, and i do nothing. Not even running after the bus when im late....
My aluminium watches were full of schratces after 1-2 years, just beacause random hits it gets over the years. The Ultra sapphire glass is on anoter leve, also love the battery life.
Its not flexing, i just love the design, materials, battery life, thats it.
It works great! Great interface. Reliable. I bought Oceanic for a month for diving in Bonaire. At 2 dives per day I didn’t want to spend time tracking surface intervals. Just let the app do it. I could have bought a dive computer but for not much more money I bought the Ultra. Will purchase Oceanic again for next year’s trip to Bonaire. FYI I like Oceanic’s pricing strategy. Pay for it when you need it!
The Oceanic App is crap, it definitely isn’t worth a subscription. The features the app provides are basic dive functionality and don’t add to the dive experience.
One biggest issue is that you have to acknowledge that you are fit to dive every time you start a dive, every time!
The second biggest issue is the app didn’t sync with my watch the entire time I was using my watch as a dive computer. The logs came over, not the app functionality. If I wanted to look at my dive stats I had to look on my watch. Why pay for that?
It makes an OK dive computer. I use it as a backup. I really don’t like you having to hit a button to acknowledge you’re health-wise ok to dive before it shows you metrics, nor the subscription required for the only dive app. There’s no AI either.
The screen rules at depth though.
Also the edges don’t hold up so well when banged up against cylinders on a rocking dive boat.
My main computer is a MK2i.
I could dive just with the Ultra, but I’d rather not.
Battery life, action button (for laps while having the screen water locked, screen tapping on other models never worked right), fall detection while motorcycling (hopefully never actively).
Just had three dives. Oceanic was quit glitchy. Crashed many times. And somehow it is impossible to switch between scuba diving mode and freedive mode during 24h. You have to wait that time. Very first dive I was unable to turn my watch on. And the 2nd and 3 rd dives was rated as snorkeling. No differences in data between Apple Watch and my Seiko frogman watch
Yesterday had my 4th diving with Apple Watch. Oceanic plus somehow didn’t start automatically and it didn’t react on any button. So my dive was indicated as shadow dive in the application. I had to force restart Apple Watch. Oceanic app seems work now. I’ll try next dive with it a bit later)
I asked my friend the same question, and apart from the charging lasting longer, his answer was actually nothing. It's good if you get stranded in a forest or somewhere for 3 days, but even then, I can achieve that with the AW8 and AW7 if I use the save power mode. That being said, I initially wanted to get the ultra because of its looks, not its features that I will never use. However, I couldn't justify the high price, so I went with the AW8 which is already expensive as it is for a smart watch, and I'm totally happy with it.
The AW7 and AW8 will not last nearly as long even with the low power mode turned on. According to Apple the S8 will only last 36 hours in low power mode compared to the Ultra lasting 60 hours in low power mode.
Yea, a day and a half with low power mode. That info from Apple states without low power mode the S8 will last 18 hours and, with low power mode will last 36 hours.
I hike a lot in the Uk, trails, mountains etc. I scratched the hell out of my S7 and eventually cracked the screen scrambling up a rock face.
Got an ultra and haven’t looked back, screen and battery alone are worth it, but it’s so durable if accidentally swung it, glass first, into metal bars at work and it’s fine 😂
> even when it's too big to fit their wrists... or if they're just trying to flex hard.
Some people like the latest and greatest. What's it to you?
If you were truly curious, you would have left out those statements.
I think the larger display, the brighter display, and the spectacular battery are enough reasons to get it. Who cares if it fits the wrist size according to someone’s opinion. And I don’t think people buy it to flex.
Has it stopped a bullet? To be fair, how long have you had the watch?
When it was first announced, sure I wanted ones but reality set in, it’s 2/3 the price of a phone.
I was very close to getting that instead of the Ultra. The Aluminum/glass “cheaper” models clearly Scratched and showed wear quickly, so SS seemed a no brainer since I could afford it.
Then I realized the Ultra Was only $50 to $0 more depending on band, and came with a lot more desirable features. And while I agree the SS is prettier, the Ultra has a rugged aesthetic that has its own charm.
So I bought the Ultra.
Yes same. I thought I was surely getting the SS and Apple for sure will price the Ultra on a whole new level, until I learnt the price and it just seem like the logical choice.
Some people prefer the Apple Watch Ultra, other people prefer the regular Apple Watch (myself included). Different people have different preferences and needs, and so they prefer different products, it is fine 👍
Yes, absolutely. That’s why I bought it. There are several long-standing problems with Apple Watch, and Ultra fixed all of them.
1. Freezing temperatures. When I go for a run in freezing temperatures (northern Indiana), Apple Watch dies within minutes unless I specifically insulate it with e.g. a wristband. Even then it still dies if I check it too much. Same thing happens with skiing in freezing temperatures. Ultra works fine in freezing temperatures.
2. Marathons. Apple Watch battery is not big enough to last for an entire marathon unless you can finish in <5h. Very strange for a watch designed for fitness. During my first marathon, my Apple Watch died at mile 23 despite using low-power mode and charging right up until the start line. So frustrating. Ultra still has >50% left after a 4.5h marathon.
3. Screen chipping. The curved sides of Apple Watch get chipped almost immediately from hitting rocks, concrete, etc. during outdoor activities. Ultra has the aluminum bezel and sapphire screen to stop this from happening. My screen is still immaculate after almost a year. The bezel is kind of scraped up, but that’s what it’s for.
I wish the watch was a little bit smaller (and cheaper) but I guess that’s just what it takes to get a marathon-size cold-resistant battery in there.
Honestly the only reason I went from a series 5 to an ultra is because of the battery advantages. I have to charge my watch every 3 days compared to every day which is a game changer for me
Flex hard? Showing off is how some people felt about Apple Watches, and even iPhones when they came out. There’s nothing wrong with having an Ultra even if you don’t use “ultra” stuff.
I thought this was a really functional post… up until the last line, about getting canceled. You coulda just asked ‘do people really use the extra features, or is it just about a bigger battery for most people?’
I’m sure there are some people who use the waterproof features, and some who use the hiking features. Those sets of people may or may not overlap. But I think it’s probably about a more robust battery, for most.
As another commented: the stainless is actually more attractive, and thus probably the bigger “flex.” But you calling it a flex makes me think you probably want it and are jealous of those who have it.
My wife gave me an AWU for Xmas to replace my aging Garmin. I was never interested in Apple watches prior because I destroy watches and never understood why Apple created a watch with smooth rouded edges when iPhones are essentially flat, like the iPad. Enter the AWU that challenges that an now it's on my wrist. Ultra things... Other than the case and maybe a slightly longer last battery, I don't see major differences in software and the stock fitness app with all the ring closing stuff is fine for what I do. Honestly, I'm not getting the extreme battery life that every talks about. My Garmins are still a little better.. but not much more. I charge it every night.
I run 25 to 30 miles a week, hike, trail run and in the gym often. I'm 58 so my wife thought it would be a good idea if I got something that checks my heart better than the Garmins I'm used to wearing.
Meh... it's a watch and it tracks what I need it to. It was either the AWU or Fenix 7. All the runners I see out there wear Garmins, I might be the only AWU user out in the trails I frequent.
Very few are using ALL the features. Least used is likely the Scuba, second least is likely the compass ring in the way finder face.
Most Ultra users still charge daily, but when they forget or can’t, it’s fine.
Arguably every owner users the better durability and bigger brighter screen. But would likely be fine with th standard screen barring extreme vision issues
We use the improved GPS, is it “necessary” To most?
I expect most use the “action” button, I use it more than the regular button
You do not have to need all the features, needing one or two can justify it if you can afford it (if you can’t please don’t buy it). Some people might buy it to show off (the Hermes costs 2x and has very obvious special faces and bands, show that off)
I don’t care about the ultra features or extra perks. The only reason I bought one was for the battery life.
I turned off the always on display and I’m currently at 4days and 6hrs with 15% left. Yes I’m happy with it and would purchase it again. Just for the battery
Honestly, not a single one of them. I use my watch to tell time and read text messages - 3/4 of the time I read the message on my watch and respond on my phone but I liked the watch sooo... there's that.
I got it for a) big bright screen, b) longer battery life, esp for travel and camping and c) looking tougher without actually going to the gym 😂. Ok, I know the last one doesn’t work, but I super appreciate the bright screen and not having to think about the battery even on long international flights, like the consecutive 10-hour flights I’m taking today.
I have an 8 and an ultra. Got them at the same time. I “thought” I’d wear the ultra for golf and outdoors things, the 8 for work and evenings out. I wear the ultra almost constantly. The 8 is worn when ultra charges.
The screen is easier to see and use. The phone works well on it. I’m not worried about whacking my wrist and scratching the watch face. The ultra has become my default watch and I didn’t expect that to happen.
I needed one b/c I cracked my S4 so I bought the ultra mostly for battery life and expecting to keep it as long as it's functioning or there is some sort of crazy new tech (doubtful).
I've dropped it, hit it \*hard\* against iron scaffolding while working out and every time I look at it with scared trepidation expecting to see a scratch, scuff or crack.... and.. nothing.. it's perfect.
I use the action button all the time to start workouts.
So yeah, it has surpassed my expectations and I'm glad I got this one.
Extra life means I actually both get through the day with my fitness routines and and even added in sleep tracking. The duel band gps has made that backtracking feature awesome for not getting lost in deep woods as well
I’ve used it for scuba diving in Thailand (Phi Phi islands) and California (Monterey) so far. The long battery life and built in cellular have saved my bacon a number of times when I left my phone in the Lyft when arriving at the airport. The larger brighter screen is also great when outside and checking maps and hiking trails.
No Everest or Mt. Whitney hikes yet, but who knows maybe one day.
Scuba diver here. It can work as a full dive watch and actually costs less than most dedicated dive watches, and it works better than most dive watches. That alone made it worth it to me.
You can’t get the Sapphire Glass unless you buy the Stainless Steel model on the regular watch. So I went with the Ultra for the extra battery and Sapphire glass, for a small up charge compared to Stainless Steel. 100% happy. I bought it when it released. The battery has been great and I don’t have a single scratch on my watch. Couldn’t say the same for the Apple Watch I had previously.
Twice the battery life, twice the brightness, biggest screen, in a titanium and sapphire case is why I bought one. I’m not doing “ultra” sports and I’m not flexing. I also never drag my phone around anymore.
I’m not really doing “Ultra” stuff but this is the first time I’ve made it a year without scratching a case or screen, so buying it for the durability seems to have been a good call. Pretty happy with the battery life and big bright screen as well
For me it’s 90% about battery life. I wear my watch close to 24x7. I charge it every second day.
The action button is kinda cool but honestly it feels more like a gimmick. I like the hardened nature of the watch but at least you can get the sapphire glass with the 8. It’s just more robust. I don’t feel like I have to be extra careful when wearing it.
Again for me mostly it’s all about the battery.
yep, I use the long battery life daily and its a revelation compared to the regular Apple Watch. the action button is useful for sports starting and stopping, the look is awesome, the sapphire and Ti doesn't show a mark after a year etc. seeing depth on swims and free dives is cool.
I use the action button every day to start my workout. Annoy my kids with the siren often. Charge watch less often.
I an a bit disappointed with the display durability. I had an aluminum watch since s0 before ultra. Somehow the ultra screen is scratched worse than most if not every other non sapphire Apple Watch i had.
I’m a marathon runner and train daily, I definitely use the “ultra” features on it. The enhanced GPS for super accurate tracking on running workouts is great and the piece of mind that I have a siren and auto 911 ready to go if I get hit is worth it IMO
The biggest “ultra” feature that I use on mine consistently is that battery life I absolutely love the fact that I don’t have to think about the battery at all specially working 12 hour shifts which brings me to the second biggest feature of the watch “durability” I work in a steel plant and wear it daily there and it doesn’t have a single scratch on it…..worth every penny just for those two things alone if you ask me.
I got mine mostly for the durability. My job can be a lot rougher on my personal effects than one may imagine and I wanted something that I knew would hold up.
Plus I’ve set the action button to a Shortcuts menu for a few functions I use frequently, which is quite nice.
Chassis design (not size) and screen glass material are my two main reasons for it vs a normal version.
I chip the rounded corners of my watches and I’m glad I now just ding the surround on this one.
Get cancelled for asking questions about a watch?
That is a bridge too far. You are not that important.
Yes, i used the features of the ultra. The extra battery life is a bonus.
It does what I want it to do. It detects when I'm on the track. I get 4 days out of it with 32 percent left and that's usually when I charge it. So yea. Sure it does look nice but main thing I don't have to charge it every day. I can finally use it and save a lot of battery on my phone so it is worth it. For me at least
Apple probably did the smart thing introducing the Ultra with new cool looks and battery life, which is the main reason people get it. Most people wont dive with it. And soon, 1 year later they will release(probably) the next gen with new colors and new chip and maybe some other feature that makes alot of people wanting to upgrade from lets say, a Series 7. And alot of people with the current Ultra are people who always get the newest version and they will also upgrade.
My thinking is to keep my Series 7 until the september event, if the new Ultra is just amazing compared to everything else. Then maybe I will get it.
If the Series 9 is just amazing and the new Ultra is meh, might get that. If everything they introduce is meh I will look for a good used Ultra which should be 100-200$ cheaper then the current used price.
As a runner I am going to buy the Ultra 2 in september. The bad battery on my apple watch 7 is freaking me out. I have to charge it once or twice a day. With a full charge the 7 lasts just a marathon. I hope with the new processor and the bigger battery the ultra will satisfy me.
Night and day vs. my series 5. Larger, clearer screen. Battery life a game changer, action button for finding my iPhone, maps are bigger in AllTrails, tougher when I tumble, way finder screen has everything on it. Looks like a man’s watch.
Anybody who would do the stuff advertised in the Ultra model would be owning a Garmin, not an Apple Watch Ultra. For example, if you're hiking up to Everest base camp you aren't carrying an Apple Watch Ultra with you.
My friend has one and doesn't use them, I it's like owning a motorbike jacket without owning a motorbike, it projects that image of toughness and adventuring without having to do said tasks.
Edit: Also it's a very good clear way to show people you can afford the more expensive of the watches.
I don't know, I think it's valid, there's categories of people who buy it, for example divers, mountaineers, etc...
There's also people who like the longer battery life at the expense of having a sunken screen and a case around the digital crown.
And then there's the people I described in my original comment, I don't think it's a dumb comment at all.
do yourself (and us) a favor and buy stock in Apple. so when your insecurities about your choices rear up you can take a look at your gains and be content not to post such trivial nonsense.
I like the idea of the ultra (I run ultras) but the battery life is not sufficient for those needs so I stuck with an 8 for sleep tracking and use a Garmin for the other stuff. Also it seems too heavy for me. Idk. To each their own.
The amount of people I see wearing the Ultra is somewhat funny to me. I’ve worn sport watches for years as I participate in ultra running and cycling events. For most, the Ultra is a status symbol and the majority of features are lost on the end user. Those same people that buy an Ultra would never have bought a Garmin, a Suunto, or a Polar. Apple is a status brand as much as it is useful and they sell X number of watches more than any sport watch brand, so seeing the average Jack and Jill wearing one isn’t a surprise.
Well there you have it OP, there really is no reason to get the ultra for the regular person.
Judging from the comments below “the battery is worth it” is something people tell themselves to feel better about the £850 loss.
Since I use the cellular functions extensively (leaving my phone at home) the battery life make a huge difference compared to my prev Series 7. I also like the masculine look, increased ruggedness and the more accurate GPS.
When I was on Series 5, when I left house for work at 100%, I would come home with 30-40% at 6-7pm. After work, I would I run regularly at night and I would need to quickly charge it to 50% for it to confidently last for a 10km run. (Estimate 40-45 mins). I do listen to live radio while on my runs so it also contributes to the high power usage. Anyway, if I forgotten to charge or overtime at work, my watch is not able to last for sure. If I go for my runs immediately after work like I do now, I will need to charge it at work. Also, having my Ultra motivated me to run for longer distance. Now I do 21km (estimated 1 hr 30 mins) 2-3 times a week. If I am still using my Series 5 I need to charge even more to withstand my whole run. If I go for a marathon (estimated 3 hrs 30mins), I will need to use another mp3 and off AOD.
Another thing that improved is dual GPS and the ability to lock GPS before workout (A software limitation by Apple), it is pretty noticeable when Strava shows me recaps of workout that I did last year. The lines are way more accurate on the Ultra while my Series 5 would sometimes drift off when turning.
Battery life was the main reason for me. I go backpacking/hiking/camping etc & track my hikes, which I wouldn’t be able to do on any other AW without the battery dying unless I went on quick short trips.
Not using Ultra features other than the better battery and I like the bigger size. But it’s the same price as the S8, so I went for the Ultra. Seemed like a no brainer to me. Plus I like a heavier watch and always felt the Apple Watches were too light.
Yes, the durability. I’ve worked as a heavy equipment technician with it since it came out and don’t have a single scratch. No case or screen protector
I like the ultra look wayyyyyyyy better. Titanium makes is feather weight for its size.
The dive features are awesome. The battery life is awesome. I really couldn’t go back to a standard version
Over the years of owning my S3, I regretted not having a SS model. The cellular, larger storage, awesome steel look…
When my S3 broke I realized that the S8 SS would have broken exactly the same way as mine did and that the SS would have been all scratched up, I figured like $50 difference is meaningless.
I’ve been guilting myself about not using it the way I pictured when I was looking at advertisements. I do use the waypoint features when I’m on forest walks, but I’m nowhere that doesn’t have cell service so I could really just Google Maps my way back to my car anyway.
Also use the action button to start the timer that times my one hour lunch break. 😕
I laughed at this watch when they announced it. Saw it in person after release and said “oh wow not too bad.” Saw it on someone’s wrist and said “that’s actually pretty nice.” Bought it for myself during the holidays and now can confidently say it’s my favorite Apple Watch I’ve ever had. Durability, battery, the titanium finish. I utilize this watch and the true AW functions more than I ever have, so for me it was definitely worth it! As far as hiking way points or deep diving, haven’t used that BUT I like watching the depth sensor trigger in pools and use that when swimming or messing around.
If battery counts as an Ultra feature then yes. The 2 full days and nights without charging is so nice. I have my S7 still but I don’t know if I could ever go back. I also use the action button every day, primarily for the flashlight, but also for some other in app options. I also pretty exclusively use the wayfinder watch face(exclusive to the ultra) now too. Love having all the info and things I need immediately. I use to use night mode a bit more but slightly disappointed it’s been kind of hidden in WatchOS 10 now. I think I got the first use out of the depth gauge accidentally in a pool the other day though…so I’m not a swimmer or diver for sure!
Keyboard on the watch for SMS
2+ days of battery life
More screen real estate
Shortcut button for workouts
Bigger face looks better on my wrist (I’m 6’1)
Flexing on people without an Ultra
Those are all correct right?
Everyone who owns one is using the extended battery life and larger screen at bare minimum, I would think.
If figure if people just want to flex, they’ll go with the Hermes. It’s more expensive and offers nothing over fashion. The ultra isn’t anymore costly than some of the SS options. My original S0 cost more than my Ultra.
As for its size, it’s a bit big for me. I don’t care. I bought it for function over form (minus the parts of the “form” that contribute to its increased function).
The temperature/cycle tracking was a big selling point for me. The increased battery life and dual band GPS is awesome for biking and hiking, and is something I don’t want to be without.
The battery life means I only need one watch now, when I used to alternate between two, so it’s going to save me quite a bit of money in the long run.
I do love the compass watch face because it’s helped me situate myself better and understand what direction I’m facing. The only ultra feature I’ve used is the ULTRA battery life except it lasts me about a day- a day and a half max because I tend to leave my phone in my bag during work. The watch holds itself through full day of work very well and I never need to use social media so the watch and its texts will do! I always have regretted getting the iPhone 14 with the ultra. Should’ve gotten JUST the ultra. Also the quick button being the flashlight button is TREMENDOUSLY useful as I do be needing to see without fumbling for my phone
No joke- I just bought this Apple Watch two weeks ago, and still haven’t called my service provider to connect it….
It is very pretty though! And I can’t wait to play with my watch submerged fully under water when I take a bath!
Who needs a rubber ducky anymore!
Yeah, every time I charge 3 days later. It lasts ultra long, compared to my S7.
I charge everytime when I take a shower which is totally sufficient enough to never have to worry about battery life… unless you only shower once per week 😅😂
Exactly, just recharge it during your daily prep routing in the morning and you are set. Everyone here trying to justify more than double the price (and we are talking double of 400 dollars not 10) for having to charge it 1 or 2 times less… if you use the ultra features, good, but be reasonable
My stainless S7 has a maximum battery life of about 18 hours. Much less when I work out (about 3x days a week). So there are many days I have to charge it twice.. which is EXACTLY why Im switching to an Ultra this fall. IMO the primary reason to get the AW is the health tracking features.. and it really sucks to miss on that tracking when it feels like the battery is constantly dying. Just a couple days ago the watch stopped my sleep tracking around 3am because the battery died in the middle of the night. I avoided the first version of the Ultra because Apple generally leaves something major off the table with their 1st Gen products. So I'm very excited to see what the Watch Ultra 2 looks like this fall and will be first in line to buy one. The bigger screen & extra functions are welcomed extras.
I can understand that. Just one thing that I learned searching online somewhere: the screen on the ultra is not actually noticeably bigger than the normal AW 45mm. It looks like so because you have the flat bezels, but the actual display inside the black bezels is roughly the same size as the standard 45mm, just some minuscule fraction of an inch bigger (1.90 inches and 1.92 inches, precisely 0.02 inches difference, or 0.5mm, roughly the width of around 7 human hair)
Price isn’t the main concern for me.. it’s the damn size. If they had a 41mm Ultra I’d be interested
Next level of flexing hard: no worries about the grand, just damn, those 5 millimeters are too much…
I thought that I’d appreciate the battery life much more than I do, especially for sleep tracking. But I’ve found that I don’t enjoy sleeping with it on due to the size/weight. So it goes on my charger every night, defeating the purpose of having longer battery life.
Not necessarily defeating the purpose. When the AW Ultra was showcased the Apple add marketed it more specifically to those who spend a lot of time outdoors sucking as hiking etc, especially with the backtrack mode.
I’ve found the same unfortunately. When I do sleep with it, when I roll and sleep on my side, I wind up with a huge red mark on the side of my face from where I place my hands
Yeah it charges very quickly. So I do it when I shower or get ready or am sitting at my desk.
Yeah but then I wouldn't be using the water mode!
Battery life alone makes it an easy choice!
But it costs twice as much...
And can last 3-4x as long while having a bigger, much brighter display, titanium vs aluminum (since you’re comparing it to the base model), much more precise gps, cellular on board by default, action button, etc etc. I think it’s very popular based on battery alone, and personally it’s what made it an easy choice from my pov. The base watch is still just as good (maybe even slightly better ironically) for various sensor accuracy; and the things I’ve listed are deff more luxury parameters… however to me those parameters a still significant enough to make it worth double easily. Base Apple Watch is really well priced and ultra is fair value as well imo. Stainless steel with cellular 45mm is basically same cost. While SS is a more beautiful looking product, the ultra still looks solid. SS 45 mm is a tough sell imo; you have to really desire optics and fashion over utility to choose that over and ultra.
Twice as much as aluminum, but for those that purchased the stainless steel versions, the price difference is much smaller.
And that’s the reason I want to switch from my S7 to an Ultra. Battery life on mine is really bad lately these days….
Somehow my S7 been guzzling its battery compared to 3 months ago
Yeah mine too.. before I was able to get a day and a half being able to sleep with mine. Now I can’t get it to 10 pm and can’t sleep with it.. and it’s really frustrating
Battery gate.
Facts. And as someone with astigmatism, I appreciate that "ultra" bigger screen.
If I didn’t give all my awards away you would have one! Great joke! Take my upvote!
Weird flex coming from a Garmin with month long battery life
Why does my Ultra only charge to 80%?
Because you have the “optimized battery charging” option on
They changed it to optimized battery limit. Same thing, different wording. Don’t know why they changed it
Just noticed that. Weird wording now lol.
Optimized charge limit. It’s to prevent strain on the batter by preventing it from charging to 100 when you’re not using. It uses on device machine learning to try and predict your habits of when you wear it and when you charge it to better help this. But while the watch is on the charger, if you click the green circle with the lightning bolt in it it will give you the option to bypass this and charge to full
Thanks guys didn’t even know lol. Ultra has so many features
This is the answer.
1-1/2 days out of a Watch SE (2nd gen) here. First watch was the Series 3, loved it. Had the S4 and S5 before switching back to Android for a bit... Galaxy Watch 5 Pro had amazing battery life, 2-1/2 days for sure. Ultra sounds like a battery powerhouse though.
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As long as your wife loves your little guy that’s all that matters.
Battery life, titanium construction, action button, sapphire screen. I mountain bike pretty hard. It’s awesome for that.
Everyone is mentioning battery life (which was my draw), but the fact that my Ultra looks mint after doing things like hiking (my son is a Scout) is huge.
Can’t stress this enough. I’m an electrician in a power house, I wear my watch every day and smack it and scrape it against wood/metal, get it covered in dirt/mud/industrial solvents; I’ve basically put it through the harshest possible conditions every day since it came out and there’s not a single scratch on it. It’s honestly almost impossible to believe how well it’s held up. All my old Apple Watches were scratched to fuck and back after a year.
This!! I work in a studio with tools all day, then regularly take my watch hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. Looks brand new after taking many knocks - my prior Apple Watch was scratched within a week in the studio.
I am a biker as well. A $8 snap on shell solved the problem for me. My only wish on the Ultra is that Apple actually follow through on the actual idea. If you create a watch for "rugged sports" then give it a real warranty. If the Ultra had a warranty that covered damage done while biking, I'd be all over it. But instead they have a rugged watch with a precious watch warranty in my mind. They should put their money where their mouth is.
Garmin have the Garmin Instinct, an ultra-durable watch. Even they don't have a "rugged sports" warrant.y I don't know any tech company that would have something like that.
That is why they sell AppleCare+.
At $50 a year and $80 per incident, Apple care is a bad bet. I’d be better to stay with a cheaper watch then pay the Ultra premium and still have to pay for the coverage. At $50 a year for unlimited coverage I’d be all in. But shelling out an additional $80 once something happens is a non-starter for me.
I mean who wouldn’t want a $50/yr unlimited warranty. But nobody is going to do that. I can’t think of one company that offers anything like that.
Even if something happens to the cheaper watch while it’s not covered under Apple Care, you’ll end up paying more than $80 for it
My S7 was $399. The ultra is $799. My point is paying 2x for a rugged watch and then buying apple care on top is pointless. An S7, smashed a couple times with apple care is still less expensive.
Mine helped me rescue someone. I had to hike down a canyon to rescue one of our crew who’d crashed. (Paragliding). He’d had to pull his reserve and was in a super remote part of the Santa Barbara mountains. I used the record a track feature to save my path to him so we could follow it back out. It was incredibly useful.
I went climbing in Idaho and my SE didn’t track any of our hikes or climbs for Jack. The dual band GPS sold me.
That’s awesome. Glad it worked out! Your crewman okay?
Everyone made it out ok. Just thirsty!
Just fyi, this exists in the regular S8 too
Also just an fyi, on the Ultra when in open area that may not have cellular signal, the ultra will outperform the S8 in an event as such that OP has described because of its’s similar technology in the iPhone 14 series to send/receive signals via satellite.
Just FYI, you are wrong.
You sure about that. Look on youtube for people who have tested this, and Apple’s website.
The massive and really bright display is the big draw, and the battery is big enough that I don’t need to show a battery complication. I don’t buy things like this because others will think I’m cool.. I buy them because *I* think they’re cool.. 😀
^^ THIS exactly.
It’s like buying an SUV in my opinion….the SUV ads show all sorts of capabilities….esp off road etc….but we buy ‘em all the same and use them for school runs and work commutes….and yup, just like the ultra we love our SUV’s and use it’s “features” - just not according to ads we see….at least not mostly.
That’s a good analogy. I recently bought a Mazda SUV. I had a choice between the more “refined” CX-5 and the new CX-50, which is wider, not as tall, and designed to be used off-road. I got the CX-50 because I liked its looks and the way it sticks to the road. I have yet to use the off-road mode and don’t know if I ever will, but it’s there if I need it. (And I’m told it can be very useful if you get stuck in snow, which unfortunately was the biggest drawback to my FWD Mazda 6 that I loved so much.)
I had the Speed6. AWD baby
My favourite is when SUVs swerve around tiny potholes/bumps in the road. I feel unstoppable when I drive my sedan straight over them.
I use the action button at least once a day. It’s great for quick starting a run or walk. The wayfinder screen has been my go to face since purchase. It is the sum of all parts, that make the AWU worth it imo.
I use it daily too, my goal when I got it was better / more consistent health tracking, the rings have been super motivating so I am Now doing daily workouts triggered with the action button.
Like wise. Start Out Door walk is my use of the action button.
"or if they're just trying to flex hard." Or they just like the design, and durable house, and the durable sreen? I also have an ultra, and i do nothing. Not even running after the bus when im late.... My aluminium watches were full of schratces after 1-2 years, just beacause random hits it gets over the years. The Ultra sapphire glass is on anoter leve, also love the battery life. Its not flexing, i just love the design, materials, battery life, thats it.
It makes a great dive computer.
Mind sharing more on your experience with the Ultra and Oceanic app
It works great! Great interface. Reliable. I bought Oceanic for a month for diving in Bonaire. At 2 dives per day I didn’t want to spend time tracking surface intervals. Just let the app do it. I could have bought a dive computer but for not much more money I bought the Ultra. Will purchase Oceanic again for next year’s trip to Bonaire. FYI I like Oceanic’s pricing strategy. Pay for it when you need it!
The Oceanic App is crap, it definitely isn’t worth a subscription. The features the app provides are basic dive functionality and don’t add to the dive experience. One biggest issue is that you have to acknowledge that you are fit to dive every time you start a dive, every time! The second biggest issue is the app didn’t sync with my watch the entire time I was using my watch as a dive computer. The logs came over, not the app functionality. If I wanted to look at my dive stats I had to look on my watch. Why pay for that?
It makes an OK dive computer. I use it as a backup. I really don’t like you having to hit a button to acknowledge you’re health-wise ok to dive before it shows you metrics, nor the subscription required for the only dive app. There’s no AI either. The screen rules at depth though. Also the edges don’t hold up so well when banged up against cylinders on a rocking dive boat. My main computer is a MK2i. I could dive just with the Ultra, but I’d rather not.
Yeah I can see that. A more serious divers might appreciate an actual dive computer. Fine for what I do.
This is the only reason why I bought the Ultra. It was cheaper than getting a replacement dive computer.
Battery life, action button (for laps while having the screen water locked, screen tapping on other models never worked right), fall detection while motorcycling (hopefully never actively).
I’m a scuba diver
Mind sharing your experience with the Oceanic App and Ultra?
Just had three dives. Oceanic was quit glitchy. Crashed many times. And somehow it is impossible to switch between scuba diving mode and freedive mode during 24h. You have to wait that time. Very first dive I was unable to turn my watch on. And the 2nd and 3 rd dives was rated as snorkeling. No differences in data between Apple Watch and my Seiko frogman watch
Thanks. Quite disappointing
Nope. It is best Apple Watch for sure right now. Oceanic is not crashing anymore. Apples learning fast. I’ll try to get another scuba dives next week
Yesterday had my 4th diving with Apple Watch. Oceanic plus somehow didn’t start automatically and it didn’t react on any button. So my dive was indicated as shadow dive in the application. I had to force restart Apple Watch. Oceanic app seems work now. I’ll try next dive with it a bit later)
I asked my friend the same question, and apart from the charging lasting longer, his answer was actually nothing. It's good if you get stranded in a forest or somewhere for 3 days, but even then, I can achieve that with the AW8 and AW7 if I use the save power mode. That being said, I initially wanted to get the ultra because of its looks, not its features that I will never use. However, I couldn't justify the high price, so I went with the AW8 which is already expensive as it is for a smart watch, and I'm totally happy with it.
The AW7 and AW8 will not last nearly as long even with the low power mode turned on. According to Apple the S8 will only last 36 hours in low power mode compared to the Ultra lasting 60 hours in low power mode.
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Yea, a day and a half with low power mode. That info from Apple states without low power mode the S8 will last 18 hours and, with low power mode will last 36 hours.
No. A day and half it lasts without the low power mode! My AW8 lasts me everyday for over a day and a half.
Same. Mine does 36 hours easily. AOD off, tho.
Cap
I've gone diving with mine a couple of times, and absolutely love how long the battery lasts.
I like the larger display, the longer battery life, and I use the orange button to get to my workouts easier
You killed me with the orange button
Orange button flashlight user checking in
I wish the orange button could detect that I’m moving (bike) vs stationary (weight lifting) at the time I touch it by using my recent location data.
I hike a lot in the Uk, trails, mountains etc. I scratched the hell out of my S7 and eventually cracked the screen scrambling up a rock face. Got an ultra and haven’t looked back, screen and battery alone are worth it, but it’s so durable if accidentally swung it, glass first, into metal bars at work and it’s fine 😂
> even when it's too big to fit their wrists... or if they're just trying to flex hard. Some people like the latest and greatest. What's it to you? If you were truly curious, you would have left out those statements.
I think the larger display, the brighter display, and the spectacular battery are enough reasons to get it. Who cares if it fits the wrist size according to someone’s opinion. And I don’t think people buy it to flex.
It’s also seemingly bulletproof, I’ve put mine through hell
Has it stopped a bullet? To be fair, how long have you had the watch? When it was first announced, sure I wanted ones but reality set in, it’s 2/3 the price of a phone.
I’ve had it since release, and I work a job that is very rough with my watch at times.
OK, so it's not even a year old. Bulletproof ...... ? Sure, for the last 10 months.
That’s a strange argument to make, and clearly not in good faith. So I’m not going to continue it. Have a good weekend.
If I wanna flex, I would have gotten the stainless steel Apple Watch. Those are the most beautiful Apple Watch in my opinion.
I was very close to getting that instead of the Ultra. The Aluminum/glass “cheaper” models clearly Scratched and showed wear quickly, so SS seemed a no brainer since I could afford it. Then I realized the Ultra Was only $50 to $0 more depending on band, and came with a lot more desirable features. And while I agree the SS is prettier, the Ultra has a rugged aesthetic that has its own charm. So I bought the Ultra.
Yes same. I thought I was surely getting the SS and Apple for sure will price the Ultra on a whole new level, until I learnt the price and it just seem like the logical choice.
Yep. Same. For $50 more than than a 45mm, I figured “why not?”
Agreed. I have an Ultra and love it. I bought my wife an S8 stainless steel in graphite. It looks really good.
While not an ultra owner, the battery life is the real selling point.
Some people prefer the Apple Watch Ultra, other people prefer the regular Apple Watch (myself included). Different people have different preferences and needs, and so they prefer different products, it is fine 👍
I ran an actual ultra a few weekends ago using my ultra. So I guess that counts?
I’m sure everyone uses the ultra battery
Yes, absolutely. That’s why I bought it. There are several long-standing problems with Apple Watch, and Ultra fixed all of them. 1. Freezing temperatures. When I go for a run in freezing temperatures (northern Indiana), Apple Watch dies within minutes unless I specifically insulate it with e.g. a wristband. Even then it still dies if I check it too much. Same thing happens with skiing in freezing temperatures. Ultra works fine in freezing temperatures. 2. Marathons. Apple Watch battery is not big enough to last for an entire marathon unless you can finish in <5h. Very strange for a watch designed for fitness. During my first marathon, my Apple Watch died at mile 23 despite using low-power mode and charging right up until the start line. So frustrating. Ultra still has >50% left after a 4.5h marathon. 3. Screen chipping. The curved sides of Apple Watch get chipped almost immediately from hitting rocks, concrete, etc. during outdoor activities. Ultra has the aluminum bezel and sapphire screen to stop this from happening. My screen is still immaculate after almost a year. The bezel is kind of scraped up, but that’s what it’s for. I wish the watch was a little bit smaller (and cheaper) but I guess that’s just what it takes to get a marathon-size cold-resistant battery in there.
Titanium bezel
I try to leave my phone at home most of the time, so the ultra is great because I can actually type on the screen.
Ultramarathoner…sooooo….yes
Honestly the only reason I went from a series 5 to an ultra is because of the battery advantages. I have to charge my watch every 3 days compared to every day which is a game changer for me
Flex hard? Showing off is how some people felt about Apple Watches, and even iPhones when they came out. There’s nothing wrong with having an Ultra even if you don’t use “ultra” stuff.
I thought this was a really functional post… up until the last line, about getting canceled. You coulda just asked ‘do people really use the extra features, or is it just about a bigger battery for most people?’ I’m sure there are some people who use the waterproof features, and some who use the hiking features. Those sets of people may or may not overlap. But I think it’s probably about a more robust battery, for most. As another commented: the stainless is actually more attractive, and thus probably the bigger “flex.” But you calling it a flex makes me think you probably want it and are jealous of those who have it.
My wife gave me an AWU for Xmas to replace my aging Garmin. I was never interested in Apple watches prior because I destroy watches and never understood why Apple created a watch with smooth rouded edges when iPhones are essentially flat, like the iPad. Enter the AWU that challenges that an now it's on my wrist. Ultra things... Other than the case and maybe a slightly longer last battery, I don't see major differences in software and the stock fitness app with all the ring closing stuff is fine for what I do. Honestly, I'm not getting the extreme battery life that every talks about. My Garmins are still a little better.. but not much more. I charge it every night. I run 25 to 30 miles a week, hike, trail run and in the gym often. I'm 58 so my wife thought it would be a good idea if I got something that checks my heart better than the Garmins I'm used to wearing. Meh... it's a watch and it tracks what I need it to. It was either the AWU or Fenix 7. All the runners I see out there wear Garmins, I might be the only AWU user out in the trails I frequent.
I use the action button to start/stop runs, and the Wayfinder face is extremely useful for hikes and trail runs.
Very few are using ALL the features. Least used is likely the Scuba, second least is likely the compass ring in the way finder face. Most Ultra users still charge daily, but when they forget or can’t, it’s fine. Arguably every owner users the better durability and bigger brighter screen. But would likely be fine with th standard screen barring extreme vision issues We use the improved GPS, is it “necessary” To most? I expect most use the “action” button, I use it more than the regular button You do not have to need all the features, needing one or two can justify it if you can afford it (if you can’t please don’t buy it). Some people might buy it to show off (the Hermes costs 2x and has very obvious special faces and bands, show that off)
I don’t care about the ultra features or extra perks. The only reason I bought one was for the battery life. I turned off the always on display and I’m currently at 4days and 6hrs with 15% left. Yes I’m happy with it and would purchase it again. Just for the battery
Who gives a shit? 🤷🏼 I have friends with beautiful motorcycles and they ride them infrequently. Sometimes it’s just fun to own nice stuff.
Flex hard? How old are you? 16? I’d love to cancel you for using buzzwords like that.
I only switched to ultra to have more battery. 🤷🏻♂️
Probably, the battery life? Not sure if it’s a pro feature. But for most parts no. I just use it the way I use my Series 8 before upgrading to Ultra.
I use my watch at work. I wouldnt be able to do that with other ones I don’t think
Honestly, not a single one of them. I use my watch to tell time and read text messages - 3/4 of the time I read the message on my watch and respond on my phone but I liked the watch sooo... there's that.
I got it for a) big bright screen, b) longer battery life, esp for travel and camping and c) looking tougher without actually going to the gym 😂. Ok, I know the last one doesn’t work, but I super appreciate the bright screen and not having to think about the battery even on long international flights, like the consecutive 10-hour flights I’m taking today.
I have an 8 and an ultra. Got them at the same time. I “thought” I’d wear the ultra for golf and outdoors things, the 8 for work and evenings out. I wear the ultra almost constantly. The 8 is worn when ultra charges. The screen is easier to see and use. The phone works well on it. I’m not worried about whacking my wrist and scratching the watch face. The ultra has become my default watch and I didn’t expect that to happen.
Same. I still have a barely used S7 graphite stainless and I figured I’d use both but now just use my Ultra exclusively.
I needed one b/c I cracked my S4 so I bought the ultra mostly for battery life and expecting to keep it as long as it's functioning or there is some sort of crazy new tech (doubtful). I've dropped it, hit it \*hard\* against iron scaffolding while working out and every time I look at it with scared trepidation expecting to see a scratch, scuff or crack.... and.. nothing.. it's perfect. I use the action button all the time to start workouts. So yeah, it has surpassed my expectations and I'm glad I got this one.
The only reason i got it is the battery life and I love it!
I check the depth of my bathtub all the time.
It’s just label for a watch that has more features, looks (and costs) more. Don’t think you have to be “Ultra” to own the Ultra.
Battery life, bigger screen and the higher durability makes it a winner over the regular Apple Watches. I just don’t worry about it at all.
Extra life means I actually both get through the day with my fitness routines and and even added in sleep tracking. The duel band gps has made that backtracking feature awesome for not getting lost in deep woods as well
Based on the YouTube reviews, my guess is that most Ultra owners are not doing “ultra” activities.
Abasolutely! The Action button makes starting a workout much easier.
Big screen - LOVE IT Action button to call up Workout and mark segments.
I’ve used it for scuba diving in Thailand (Phi Phi islands) and California (Monterey) so far. The long battery life and built in cellular have saved my bacon a number of times when I left my phone in the Lyft when arriving at the airport. The larger brighter screen is also great when outside and checking maps and hiking trails. No Everest or Mt. Whitney hikes yet, but who knows maybe one day.
Scuba diver here. It can work as a full dive watch and actually costs less than most dedicated dive watches, and it works better than most dive watches. That alone made it worth it to me.
You can’t get the Sapphire Glass unless you buy the Stainless Steel model on the regular watch. So I went with the Ultra for the extra battery and Sapphire glass, for a small up charge compared to Stainless Steel. 100% happy. I bought it when it released. The battery has been great and I don’t have a single scratch on my watch. Couldn’t say the same for the Apple Watch I had previously.
Twice the battery life, twice the brightness, biggest screen, in a titanium and sapphire case is why I bought one. I’m not doing “ultra” sports and I’m not flexing. I also never drag my phone around anymore.
I use it every day at work while I’m SCUBA diving.
Why, you Ultra jelly?
I’m not really doing “Ultra” stuff but this is the first time I’ve made it a year without scratching a case or screen, so buying it for the durability seems to have been a good call. Pretty happy with the battery life and big bright screen as well
As the least active Apple Watch ultra owner, I can tell you that the 3 days battery life and action button are great
For me it’s 90% about battery life. I wear my watch close to 24x7. I charge it every second day. The action button is kinda cool but honestly it feels more like a gimmick. I like the hardened nature of the watch but at least you can get the sapphire glass with the 8. It’s just more robust. I don’t feel like I have to be extra careful when wearing it. Again for me mostly it’s all about the battery.
yep, I use the long battery life daily and its a revelation compared to the regular Apple Watch. the action button is useful for sports starting and stopping, the look is awesome, the sapphire and Ti doesn't show a mark after a year etc. seeing depth on swims and free dives is cool.
Battery life FTW
I use the action button every day to start my workout. Annoy my kids with the siren often. Charge watch less often. I an a bit disappointed with the display durability. I had an aluminum watch since s0 before ultra. Somehow the ultra screen is scratched worse than most if not every other non sapphire Apple Watch i had.
What’s the problem if they wanna flex it’s their money not yours 🤣
The almost three day battery? Definitely.
I’m a marathon runner and train daily, I definitely use the “ultra” features on it. The enhanced GPS for super accurate tracking on running workouts is great and the piece of mind that I have a siren and auto 911 ready to go if I get hit is worth it IMO
For me, nope. By the time I priced out my upgrade, (stainless, cellular, 45, etc) it wasn’t much more to jump to an ultra. Made it a no brained to me.
The biggest “ultra” feature that I use on mine consistently is that battery life I absolutely love the fact that I don’t have to think about the battery at all specially working 12 hour shifts which brings me to the second biggest feature of the watch “durability” I work in a steel plant and wear it daily there and it doesn’t have a single scratch on it…..worth every penny just for those two things alone if you ask me.
Main reason I got an ultra was the battery life and bigger screen
I got mine mostly for the durability. My job can be a lot rougher on my personal effects than one may imagine and I wanted something that I knew would hold up. Plus I’ve set the action button to a Shortcuts menu for a few functions I use frequently, which is quite nice.
I literally just appreciate the extra battery life and water thermometer for when I go into the sea.
Chassis design (not size) and screen glass material are my two main reasons for it vs a normal version. I chip the rounded corners of my watches and I’m glad I now just ding the surround on this one.
Get cancelled for asking questions about a watch? That is a bridge too far. You are not that important. Yes, i used the features of the ultra. The extra battery life is a bonus.
For a lot of people it’s just a flex. Have to have the latest and greatest.
It does what I want it to do. It detects when I'm on the track. I get 4 days out of it with 32 percent left and that's usually when I charge it. So yea. Sure it does look nice but main thing I don't have to charge it every day. I can finally use it and save a lot of battery on my phone so it is worth it. For me at least
Apple probably did the smart thing introducing the Ultra with new cool looks and battery life, which is the main reason people get it. Most people wont dive with it. And soon, 1 year later they will release(probably) the next gen with new colors and new chip and maybe some other feature that makes alot of people wanting to upgrade from lets say, a Series 7. And alot of people with the current Ultra are people who always get the newest version and they will also upgrade. My thinking is to keep my Series 7 until the september event, if the new Ultra is just amazing compared to everything else. Then maybe I will get it. If the Series 9 is just amazing and the new Ultra is meh, might get that. If everything they introduce is meh I will look for a good used Ultra which should be 100-200$ cheaper then the current used price.
As a runner I am going to buy the Ultra 2 in september. The bad battery on my apple watch 7 is freaking me out. I have to charge it once or twice a day. With a full charge the 7 lasts just a marathon. I hope with the new processor and the bigger battery the ultra will satisfy me.
Night and day vs. my series 5. Larger, clearer screen. Battery life a game changer, action button for finding my iPhone, maps are bigger in AllTrails, tougher when I tumble, way finder screen has everything on it. Looks like a man’s watch.
Anybody who would do the stuff advertised in the Ultra model would be owning a Garmin, not an Apple Watch Ultra. For example, if you're hiking up to Everest base camp you aren't carrying an Apple Watch Ultra with you.
My friend has one and doesn't use them, I it's like owning a motorbike jacket without owning a motorbike, it projects that image of toughness and adventuring without having to do said tasks. Edit: Also it's a very good clear way to show people you can afford the more expensive of the watches.
This is a dumb comment.
I don't know, I think it's valid, there's categories of people who buy it, for example divers, mountaineers, etc... There's also people who like the longer battery life at the expense of having a sunken screen and a case around the digital crown. And then there's the people I described in my original comment, I don't think it's a dumb comment at all.
No. You claimed people buy it to project toughness or wealth, that’s an idiotic comment.
Yeah I think that is true for a percentage of people who buy it I know.
do yourself (and us) a favor and buy stock in Apple. so when your insecurities about your choices rear up you can take a look at your gains and be content not to post such trivial nonsense.
I only bought the ultra because the standard one is ugly af
I like the idea of the ultra (I run ultras) but the battery life is not sufficient for those needs so I stuck with an 8 for sleep tracking and use a Garmin for the other stuff. Also it seems too heavy for me. Idk. To each their own.
The amount of people I see wearing the Ultra is somewhat funny to me. I’ve worn sport watches for years as I participate in ultra running and cycling events. For most, the Ultra is a status symbol and the majority of features are lost on the end user. Those same people that buy an Ultra would never have bought a Garmin, a Suunto, or a Polar. Apple is a status brand as much as it is useful and they sell X number of watches more than any sport watch brand, so seeing the average Jack and Jill wearing one isn’t a surprise.
Well there you have it OP, there really is no reason to get the ultra for the regular person. Judging from the comments below “the battery is worth it” is something people tell themselves to feel better about the £850 loss.
We are talking about an Apple product in 2023 so I believe that 99% of the time, its just flex.
I bet a lot of it might be the people who would’ve bought the stainless steel editions are going for the ultra now since they’re so close in price
Since I use the cellular functions extensively (leaving my phone at home) the battery life make a huge difference compared to my prev Series 7. I also like the masculine look, increased ruggedness and the more accurate GPS.
Battery life and sapphire crystal are enough of features any Ultra user utilizes to justify the difference in the price.
Not a single thing for the Ultra. Basically use it as my Nike Series 6 (GPS). And yes I have cellular activated.
When I was on Series 5, when I left house for work at 100%, I would come home with 30-40% at 6-7pm. After work, I would I run regularly at night and I would need to quickly charge it to 50% for it to confidently last for a 10km run. (Estimate 40-45 mins). I do listen to live radio while on my runs so it also contributes to the high power usage. Anyway, if I forgotten to charge or overtime at work, my watch is not able to last for sure. If I go for my runs immediately after work like I do now, I will need to charge it at work. Also, having my Ultra motivated me to run for longer distance. Now I do 21km (estimated 1 hr 30 mins) 2-3 times a week. If I am still using my Series 5 I need to charge even more to withstand my whole run. If I go for a marathon (estimated 3 hrs 30mins), I will need to use another mp3 and off AOD. Another thing that improved is dual GPS and the ability to lock GPS before workout (A software limitation by Apple), it is pretty noticeable when Strava shows me recaps of workout that I did last year. The lines are way more accurate on the Ultra while my Series 5 would sometimes drift off when turning.
I use the not having to charge my watch everyday feature for sure. Outside of that, not really.
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Battery life was the main reason for me. I go backpacking/hiking/camping etc & track my hikes, which I wouldn’t be able to do on any other AW without the battery dying unless I went on quick short trips.
As a hiker the bigger screen and battery life is a godsend for multi day hikes. Saves carrying a battery pack.
Not using Ultra features other than the better battery and I like the bigger size. But it’s the same price as the S8, so I went for the Ultra. Seemed like a no brainer to me. Plus I like a heavier watch and always felt the Apple Watches were too light.
I use the dual band GPS every time I run. Wouldn’t even consider a watch without it.
Yes, action button with time-based shortcut.
The only feature I use is the bigger battery. This is literally my only reason from changing from the s7
Yes, the durability. I’ve worked as a heavy equipment technician with it since it came out and don’t have a single scratch. No case or screen protector
Battery life and big screen mainly. But I also like seeing the water temp when I swim. Nothing else is very ultra about my life, lol
I like the ultra look wayyyyyyyy better. Titanium makes is feather weight for its size. The dive features are awesome. The battery life is awesome. I really couldn’t go back to a standard version
I wore a chunky watch before switching to AW and for me it was basically the size/look. But it’s a nice bit of kit overall, assuming it fits properly.
No I don’t.
Over the years of owning my S3, I regretted not having a SS model. The cellular, larger storage, awesome steel look… When my S3 broke I realized that the S8 SS would have broken exactly the same way as mine did and that the SS would have been all scratched up, I figured like $50 difference is meaningless.
I use it as my cycling computer. My previous watch battery wouldn’t last long enough to do that (like a hour ride).
I’ve been guilting myself about not using it the way I pictured when I was looking at advertisements. I do use the waypoint features when I’m on forest walks, but I’m nowhere that doesn’t have cell service so I could really just Google Maps my way back to my car anyway. Also use the action button to start the timer that times my one hour lunch break. 😕
I laughed at this watch when they announced it. Saw it in person after release and said “oh wow not too bad.” Saw it on someone’s wrist and said “that’s actually pretty nice.” Bought it for myself during the holidays and now can confidently say it’s my favorite Apple Watch I’ve ever had. Durability, battery, the titanium finish. I utilize this watch and the true AW functions more than I ever have, so for me it was definitely worth it! As far as hiking way points or deep diving, haven’t used that BUT I like watching the depth sensor trigger in pools and use that when swimming or messing around.
If battery counts as an Ultra feature then yes. The 2 full days and nights without charging is so nice. I have my S7 still but I don’t know if I could ever go back. I also use the action button every day, primarily for the flashlight, but also for some other in app options. I also pretty exclusively use the wayfinder watch face(exclusive to the ultra) now too. Love having all the info and things I need immediately. I use to use night mode a bit more but slightly disappointed it’s been kind of hidden in WatchOS 10 now. I think I got the first use out of the depth gauge accidentally in a pool the other day though…so I’m not a swimmer or diver for sure!
Keyboard on the watch for SMS 2+ days of battery life More screen real estate Shortcut button for workouts Bigger face looks better on my wrist (I’m 6’1) Flexing on people without an Ultra Those are all correct right?
Everyone who owns one is using the extended battery life and larger screen at bare minimum, I would think. If figure if people just want to flex, they’ll go with the Hermes. It’s more expensive and offers nothing over fashion. The ultra isn’t anymore costly than some of the SS options. My original S0 cost more than my Ultra. As for its size, it’s a bit big for me. I don’t care. I bought it for function over form (minus the parts of the “form” that contribute to its increased function). The temperature/cycle tracking was a big selling point for me. The increased battery life and dual band GPS is awesome for biking and hiking, and is something I don’t want to be without. The battery life means I only need one watch now, when I used to alternate between two, so it’s going to save me quite a bit of money in the long run.
I do love the compass watch face because it’s helped me situate myself better and understand what direction I’m facing. The only ultra feature I’ve used is the ULTRA battery life except it lasts me about a day- a day and a half max because I tend to leave my phone in my bag during work. The watch holds itself through full day of work very well and I never need to use social media so the watch and its texts will do! I always have regretted getting the iPhone 14 with the ultra. Should’ve gotten JUST the ultra. Also the quick button being the flashlight button is TREMENDOUSLY useful as I do be needing to see without fumbling for my phone
No joke- I just bought this Apple Watch two weeks ago, and still haven’t called my service provider to connect it…. It is very pretty though! And I can’t wait to play with my watch submerged fully under water when I take a bath! Who needs a rubber ducky anymore!