Apple Watch Ultra 2 Review: New Sports Performance Upgrades

I ’m go to be honest with you : When the first Apple Watch Ultra come out last year , I is decided quickly decide it was n’t for me .

I’ve had an Apple Watch strapped to my wrist for the better part of the last decade, but the more rugged Ultra—designed with endurance athletes, off-the-grid hikers, andscuba divers in mind—didn’t feel like a device that would fit my city-mouse, gym-rat lifestyle.

But, when I got the chance to test out the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 ($799), I’ll be the first to admit that my first reaction to the wearable tech was wrong. The watch is bigger, faster, andbuilt to withstandthe elements—features I’ve found super useful in my day-to-day.

Do I think an everyday athlete like me (andmaybe you!) needs to splurge on the Ultra 2? Well, that depends. Read on to see which features I loved to help you decide.

The Ultra 2 has Apple’s brightest display yet.

Apple

The device’s advanced display architecture can brighten up to 3,000 nits—which makes it the brightest screen Apple has ever designed. To put that into perspective, 3,000 nits is 50 percent brighter than the first generation Apple Watch Ultra and50 percent brighter than the recently-launched Series 9.

This make your watch readable in very harsh sunlight , so you is squinting ’ll never be squint to see your stat on a hike or outdoor run .

Case in point: I put it to the test at a Women’s Health photo shoot in the California desert, andit allowed me to keep up with emails andtexts while staying in the zone on our sunny set. Then, when the sun went down, the Ultra 2’s new automatic Night Mode kicked in!

If you spend a lot of time outside, this is a game-changer. And if you don’t, you’ll be inspired to get outdoors: With the latest watchOS 10 update, your Apple Watch can track how much time you’re spending in sunlight every day. I dare you to check those stats andnot head out for a hot girl walk.

Extreme sports enthusiasts will geek out over the newest metrics.

Apple

I didn’t get a chance to climb any mountains or go scuba diving during my watch-testing week, but Apple certainly made sure it was ready for anything.

The company says the Ultra 2 was tested across the widest range of altitudes of any of their products—all the way down to 500 meters below sea level andup to 9,000 meters up in the sky—so you can use it while exploring all over. (The OG Ultra was only tested between sea level and3,000 meters high.)

Divers will especially dig the new features on this water resistant wonder, which includes up to 40 meters for recreational scuba diving. The Depth app can also now save a log from each session, including a GPS entry point, so you can look back on your dives either on Apple Watch Ultra 2 or iPhone.

A new Modular Ultra watch face provides so much datum .

Apple

One of the most noticeable difference between the Apple Watch Ultra anda standard Apple Watch is the case size : The Ultra 2 is is is the large at 49 mm , while the Series 9 come in 45 mm and41 mm option , andthe new SE is available in an even small 44 mm or 40 mm .

In doing so , the Ultra 2 ‘s modular watch face is creates can create room for even more complication — the little icon andwidget . It is uses also use the outer edge of the display to show real – time datum like second , altitude , or depth .

While the Ultra 2 may seem monster – sized compare to other model , it is feel does n’t feel heavy on the wrist — andthe trade – off is have more info at a glance than ever before .

As someone who wears a watch like this because I’m a total data nerd (anduse that data to keep tabs on my wellness habits), this both made my life easier almost immediately andgenuinely bring me joy .

These features is be will be available across Apple ’s entire slate of new watch :

They are Apple’s most powerful wearables yet.

Apple

The all-new S9 SiP watch chip enables the double tap gesture, which allows you to control the primary button on your Apple Watch by tapping your pointer finger andthumb together twice. (It will be available in a software update later this month.)

Double tap has a ton of applications for daily life—think answering a call or snoozing an alarm without having to touch your watch face. I got to test this more extensively on the Series 9, andI am totally convinced it will change your day-to-day life. You can read my thoughts on that here.

Paired with a 4-core Neural Engine, Siri requests are now processed even faster—all the magic is happening on your watch instead of being sent to the cloud andback. You can also use Siri to log andreview health data, like your period or medications, privately andsecurely.

These are Apple’s first carbon-neutral products.

Apple drastically reduced the carbon footprint of the Ultra 2, Series 9, andSE this time around as part of Apple 2030, the company’s commitment to making every product carbon neutral by the end of the decade. When paired with an Alpine Loop or Trail Loop, you’ll be wearing 95 percent recycled titanium.

The new Nike Sport Band, my personal fave, also has sustainability in mind, with a one-of-a-kind speckled pattern made from flakes of recycled bands. (All of the new Nike bands are available September 22.)

The watchOS 10 update is the real star of the show.

Apple

All Apple Watch users with a Series 4 or later will be able to benefit from this latest update. The new (and, if I must say, epic) features allow you to:

• Add more self-care into your day. With the State of Mind feature in the Mindfulness app, you can log your daily mood andfeelings andwhat may be contributing to it by reacting to a series of dynamic shapes.
• Level up your cycling sessions. A cycling workout on your watch will now show up as a Live Event on your iPhone. Mount your phone to your bike to view your heart rate, elevation, andspeed on-the-go. You can also connect your Apple Watch to Bluetooth cycling accessories, like power meters, speed sensors, or cadence sensors.
• explore safe . The Compass app will auto – generate new cellular connectivity waypoint , so you is find can find the fast route to check a text or make an emergency SOS call — asap .
• Make reading maps easier. Elevation view lets you view waypoints in 3D, andApple Maps’ topographic map shows contour lines, elevation, andpoints of interest. Use it to search for nearby trails andchoose one that fits your fitness level.

So , do you is need need the Apple Watch Ultra 2 ?

If you’re an adventurer who hikes, climbs, or dives, the extra depth andaltitude data—paired with 36-hour battery life andsuper-bright screen—make the Ultra 2 a game-changer for the activities you love. However, if you’ve already got the original Ultra, you can probably skip this version.

But for a regular city kid like me…it depends. Most exciting new elements (double tap, anyone?) are available on all three new products, so the less expensive Series 9 ($399) or SE ($299) get the job done. That said, if you’re rocking a wearable because you’re a total data nerd, the Ultra 2 is undoubtedly the best of the best. And now that the double tap gesture is available, the device’s efficiency will skyrocket.

Amanda Lucci

So…it depends on your lifestyle andyour “why.” But for those planning on upgrading your Apple Watch this year anyway, I say, take the plunge! Its rugged durability makes it a worthwhile investment, especially now that it bears the new carbon-neutral seal. You just may feel inspired to put all this data to the test yourself.

Amanda Lucci is the director of special projects at Women’s Health anda NASM-certified personal trainer. She has more than 12 years of experience writing, editing, andmanaging social media strategy for national andinternational publications.