Although it’s a modest improvement over the original, Apple’s high-end wearable becomes a formidable choice with the addition of Double Tap and a brighter screen.
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- The Apple Watch Ultra 2 takes the foundation of its successful predecessor and enhances it with a brighter screen and a quicker processor.
- The addition of the innovative Double Tap feature permits users to interact with the watch without physical contact, offering a convenient and hands-free experience.
- While there are no groundbreaking breakthroughs, the Ultra 2 introduces several appealing features to the already winning formula, solidifying its position as the top choice among smartwatches on the market.
Following a series of gradual enhancements to both hardware and software, Apple took a different path with the introduction of the original Apple Watch Ultra in 2022. Featuring a larger display, improved battery life, and a durable design, it became a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts and those with a penchant for hiking and diving.
Now, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has arrived, bringing with it several noteworthy upgrades, though they may not revolutionize the landscape. Let’s delve into the latest features and assist you in determining if this high-end model aligns with your needs.
Design of the Apple Watch Ultra 2
When you lay eyes on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, you may find it looks just like the original, and distinguishing between the two is impossible. Even on the rear of the device, where you’d typically find the model name, it still proudly bears the label “Apple Watch Ultra.”
However, this isn’t necessarily a drawback. The titanium casing measures 49mm in height, 44mm in width, and 14.4mm in depth, with a weight of 61.4g. On the right side of the case, you’ll find the Digital Crown and Side Button. While it’s possible that we’ll eventually see a smaller Ultra version and a black titanium variant, the natural metal design looks impressive, particularly when paired with the lighter colors of the iPhone 15 Pro series.
On the left side, you’ll notice the speaker and the versatile Action Button. The ability to customize the Action Button remains one of the standout features of the Apple Watch Ultra. With a single tap, you can initiate various functions such as starting a workout, using a stopwatch, setting waypoints, backtracking, going for a dive, activating the flashlight, or using shortcuts. Shortcut support expands the range of tasks you can accomplish with just a simple button press.
In contrast to the curved design and screen of the Apple Watch Series 9, the Ultra 2 boasts a flat sapphire display with a raised edge for protection. While the Apple Watch with Ion-X glass is known for easily acquiring scratches from minor impacts, the sapphire display is remarkably durable.
Even after a year of wearing the original Apple Watch Ultra in all sorts of activities like gardening, swimming, and hiking, it still looked as pristine as the day it was unboxed. I have every reason to believe that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will prove equally resilient in the face of time and vigorous use.
Impressive Battery Life Maintained Despite a Brighter Screen
Here’s a silver lining for those seeking a substantial upgrade: the screen is now capable of reaching a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits when exposed to direct sunlight, a significant improvement over the original’s 2,000-nit screen. I was initially skeptical about how much of a difference this increased brightness would make in practical use, but I was pleasantly surprised by the results.
I put both my Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the original Apple Watch Ultra to the test while coaching my son’s baseball game under the most challenging conditions for screen visibility. It was a scorching, cloudless noon with the sun glaring overhead, and I was wearing dark, polarized sunglasses. Despite the challenging conditions and my darker Modular Ultra watch face, I could clearly see everything on the Ultra 2’s screen. However, with the original Ultra and the same watch face, I had to seek refuge in the shadow of a tree to discern most of the screen content. If you frequently find yourself outdoors and need your watch’s screen to be consistently visible, you won’t encounter any issues with the Ultra 2.
Even during nighttime use, the enhanced screen brightness proves handy. When utilizing the built-in flashlight, you can turn the Digital Crown to momentarily maximize the brightness. In comparison to the Ultra’s illumination, the maximum brightness of the Ultra 2 is sufficient for me to forego my long-standing keychain with its integrated flashlight.
As for concerns about the brighter screen impacting battery life, fear not. The Ultra 2 can endure up to 36 hours of regular use or 72 hours in Low Power Mode before requiring a recharge. Notably, the Low Power Mode offers an additional 12 hours compared to the original. In my own testing, I managed to slightly surpass these estimates. In standard mode, I achieved three days of moderate use, which encompassed workout tracking and cellular usage without an iPhone. In Low Power Mode, I managed to stretch it to just over four days of the same moderate usage.
Significant Internal Transformation: The S9 Chip
The most significant alteration in the Ultra 2 is undoubtedly its internal component—the S9 chip. The Ultra’s S8 chip is essentially the same processor introduced with the Apple Watch Series 6 back in 2020, which, while sufficient for the original Ultra, sees a substantial upgrade with the S9 chip. According to Apple, the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine have all undergone improvements.
I was curious about how much of a difference a faster chip would make in the day-to-day use of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the difference was quite noticeable. Animations became much smoother, and even when navigating through apps by rotating the Digital Crown, the icons and text zipped across the screen. Other tasks also saw a noticeable boost in speed.
For those who prefer storing music directly on their watch, the Ultra 2 offers double the storage of the Ultra, boasting 64GB.
The chip also unlocks three new features. First is on-device Siri processing. Previously, any command, even simple tasks like starting a workout, necessitated an internet connection. However, with the S9 chip, any command that doesn’t require an internet connection is processed directly on the device. As someone who frequently runs with just an Apple Watch and AirPods, often in areas with poor or no cell signal, it’s a relief to have the ability to use Siri even in such zones. Additionally, later this year, thanks to on-device Siri processing, you’ll be able to use Siri to access and retrieve health-related information, like your resting heart rate and more.
Another valuable new feature is Double Tap. Stemming from the AssistiveTouch accessibility feature, it enables interaction with the Ultra 2 without the need to physically touch the screen.
Double Tap Offers Touch-Free Control
Although Double Tap wasn’t initially available on the Ultra 2 upon its initial release, it was activated with the introduction of watchOS 10.1. I’ve been exploring this feature in a developer beta version.
Instead of relying on screen taps to perform actions such as answering a phone call or dismissing a notification, you can simply double-tap your thumb to your index finger in quick succession.
I previously experimented with the AssistiveTouch gestures on my Ultra, but they often proved to be unreliable. In contrast, Double Tap has been consistently reliable. The gesture works seamlessly, provided you execute the taps in rapid succession.
Following a successful Double Tap, an icon appears on top of the watch screen. If any part of the screen is activated by the gesture, such as the Dismiss button for a notification, it’s highlighted to provide better visibility of the action.
One of my preferred applications for this gesture is responding to texts without touching the screen. When a text message arrives, a Double Tap quickly brings up the dictation option, enabling you to speak a response displayed on the screen. Another Double Tap sends the response.
From the watch face, a Double Tap will, by default, bring up the Smart Stack and a cluster of widgets, offering convenient access to information. You can either scroll through the widgets or select the top widget with a Double Tap.
I’ve also found it enjoyable to navigate through the Smart Stack using Double Tap, and I hope that Apple might eventually allow users to have more than seven widgets for greater versatility.
While Double Tap may not be a feature that warrants an immediate upgrade, it offers a distinct and user-friendly method for using the Apple Watch Ultra 2 when you prefer not to touch the screen.
Enhanced Visuals Courtesy of watchOS 10
While not exclusive to the Ultra 2, watchOS 10 brings out the best in the larger screen. One of the most significant changes is the comprehensive redesign of a majority of Apple’s native apps, many for the very first time, to capitalize on the expanded watch screen, just like with the Ultra 2.
When not utilizing Double Tap, you can easily access the Smart Stack by swiping up on any watch face or by turning the Digital Crown. A single press of the Side Button will now bring up the Control Center. However, it’s worth noting that a somewhat disappointing change is the removal of the ability to swipe left or right for quick switching between watch faces. It’s possible that Apple might reconsider this decision in the future.
As is customary with software updates, new watch faces are introduced. The Modular Ultra face is exclusive to both Apple Watch Ultra models and accommodates seven complications, with additional information displayed on the outer rim of the face, including seconds, depth, or altitude.
Two other fresh additions include the Snoopy face featuring the beloved beagle and his companion Woodstock. This is undoubtedly one of the most interactive and enjoyable watch faces ever, with the duo interacting with the clock hands, and animations adapting to your activities. For instance, when you’re in the pool, Snoopy will sport a scuba suit on the watch face.
A more minimalist option, Palette offers a dynamic range of colors that shift throughout the day, with three overlapping layers for added visual depth.