Digital Trends

When it come to thebest smart picket , Apple precede the ring with its much beloved Apple Watch strain . In 2022 it launch the popularApple Watch Ultra , then followed that up with the improvedApple Watch Ultra 2 in 2023 . This is more of an incremental update than a huge startle forward , but it ’s worth looking at the features of both to decide whether you need the rise and whether you ’re willing to pay more for it .

With the biggest and shiny Apple Watch showing yet and a new S9 chipset , the Apple Watch Ultra 2 makes a tempting option — especially with popular features like Double Tap , also found on on theApple Watch Series 9 .

Renders of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Ultra next to each other.

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But if you want a Apple Watch Ultra 2 , then you ’ve aim an supernumerary headache on your hand , as one version of the gadget ( along with the Apple Watch Series 9)was censor in the U.S.in December 2023 following a patent difference over the rakehell atomic number 8 sensing applied science . Apple currently sells a adaptation of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 without the blood oxygen features , but if this is something of import to you then you might desire to wait and see if Apple can get hold of an arrangement that would give up it to offer this engineering in the U.S. again .

Here we ’ll run down the differences between the Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 so you may see which one will meet your need the best .

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: specs

Always - On Retina display

Up to 3000 nit

410 by 502 pixel

1,185 sq mm display area

Up to 2000 nits

1185 sq mm video display area

Electrical gist sensor

Third - generation optical warmness sensor

Ambient light sensor

Water temperature detector

Cellular connectivity waypoints

Supports Family Setup

International roaming

Second - generation Ultra Wideband chip

Wi - Fi 4

Bluetooth 5.3

amateur dive to 40 meters

license IP6X detritus resistant

Tested to MIL - STD 810H

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: design

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a smartwatch almost monovular in design to its predecessor , right down to its innate Ti guinea pig . The only obtrusive difference is the new bands that come with it . The good news is that these Modern bands work with the Ultra 2 and the first - generation Ultra .

The launching of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 introduced a alone watch face that quickly became the talking of the town . The high spot of this model is the style the outer boundary of the twist is utilized to display real - clock time data such as seconds , altitude , and profoundness . The watch face has been thoughtfully designed to offer more customization options than any other digital typeface from Apple . This means you’re able to personalise it to your liking , whether you ’re into sport , outdoor activeness , or water - establish pursuits .

The serious news ? The Modern watch face is also compatible with the original Apple Watch Ultra . So , if you love the look of the new watch face , but do n’t feel like spending another $ 799 just to get it , you wo n’t have to .

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: display

Both example have a sleek 49 mm atomic number 22 case and a sensational Retina display that is always on . The showing has a resolve of 410 by 502 pixels , and the same presentation orbit is available on both model . However , the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a brighter display than the previous model . It offers 3,000 nits of brightness , which is 50 % more than the 2,000 nit that was antecedently pop the question .

This is a significant advance , and it ’s the brightest display ever included on an Apple Watch . This means that you may well take the screen even in bright sunlight , which is nifty if you expend a luck of time alfresco .

Moreover , the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a unique feature that allows the concealment to lower its luminosity to just one nit in dimly lit rooms . This feature is perfect for not disturbing someone else in the room early in the morning . In addition , you’re able to temporarily duplicate the brightness of the screen by rotating the Digital Crown of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 . This feature is pretty cool and useful .

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: internal hardware

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 , much like its cousin , the Apple Watch Series 9 , is lade with the modern S9 chip , provide various system of rules improvements . Thanks to Apple ’s 4 - substance Neural Engine , the S9 chip unlock new feature for your use . Among them is the ability to use Siri on the gimmick itself , allowing you to firmly and privately entree and store your health data straight from your Apple Watch . What ’s even more telling is that requests that do n’t take an net connection will still be processed without Wi - Fi or cellular data .

According to Apple , the upgraded Neural Engine results in a 25 % boost in accuracy for manner of speaking recognition . A newfangled bivalent tap motion gives you the force to execute various everyday actions with just one hand using your indicant finger’s breadth and thumb . That ’s correct , without even touching the watch ’s video display ! And as if that was n’t enough , the double dab gesture also let you toaccess the Smart Stack from the vigil face , while another two-fold tap allows you to scroll through the gizmo in the stack smoothly .

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 also has an extra characteristic that teams up with the vigil ’s secondly - gen Ultra Wideband chip called Precision Finding . This feature work out with the discover My app and help you locate your suffer iPhone or other train in a jiffy . When you activate Precision Finding , you get visual , haptic , and audio cues , plus details on how far out and which way to go to find your lose technical school . No more tearing up the house looking for your stuff !

at long last , the Apple Watch Ultra 2 also includes double the storage liken to the original Apple Watch Ultra ; instead of 32 GB , you ’ll receive 64 GB . That mean you could stack away more photos , euphony , and podcasts directly on your wrist joint .

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: battery

When the first Apple Watch Ultra was launched , one of its standout feature was its significantly improved barrage fire life . While the regular Apple Watch could only last for 18 hour , the original Apple Watch Ultra promised an impressive 36 hours between charges . With the release of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 , the maximum battery life remains the same . However , there ’s a new modification to the low - power mode . Malus pumila promise 72 time of day this time alternatively of the previous 60 , which is quite telling .

Although it ’s unfortunate that the maximal battery life has n’t increased for normal usage , it ’s deserving noting that it ’s still doubly what the Apple Watch Series 9 can rescue , which is only 18 hours . Both Apple Watch Ultra models substantiate fast charging , which makes charge comparatively hurting - free .

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: health and fitness

The original Apple Watch Ultra was work up to handle all types of outdoor workouts , while the in vogue version , the Apple Watch Ultra 2 , extend even more features for those who enjoy body of water sports and mountain climbing . Like its predecessor , the new wearable equipment is staring for kitesurfing , wakeboarding , and recreational scuba diving , with the ability to go as deep as 40 meters . The update Oceanic app also includes freediving as a new option .

Additionally , the Depth app on the novel watch lets you hold open logs of your sessions and review them later , complete with GPS coordinates approachable through the Fitness app on your iPhone . The new watchOS 10 update has several wellness and fitness features available on both version of the Apple Watch Ultra . This admit better cycling workouts with alive Activity on iPhone , an updated Compass app that shows your lift and a 3D view of waypoints , new topographical map in the Maps app , mental health backing tools , and more .

The authoritative thing to call up is that all of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 ’s newfangled fitness features are software - related — meaning they ’re add up to the first Apple Watch Ultra via watchOS 10 updates . No matter which Ultra you have , you ’re getting the same health / fitness cock .

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: environmental impact

Apple has announced its ambitious goal to reach carbon disinterest for all its products by 2030 . The company has already made important progress in this direction by achieving this feat for its Apple Watch , with certain causa and circle compounding for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 now being carbon - neutral . Apple has utilized 95 % recycled material in the titanium case to achieve this . Moreover , the Apple Watch Ultra 2 uses several textile , including tungsten in the Taptic Engine , uncommon earth elements in all magnets , and tin in the solder of multiple printed circuit instrument panel crafted from 100 % recycled material .

Other material in this novel watch with this distinction include gold in the plating of several printed circuit boards , foil in the main system of logic board , copper color conducting wire in the Taptic Engine , and cobalt in the barrage fire . For your Apple Watch Ultra 2 purchase to be carbon copy - electroneutral , you must purchase one with one of Apple ’s new Alpine Loop or Trail Loop bands .

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: price and availability

you’re able to grade the Apple Watch Ultra 2 from the Apple web site or through a third - company retailer . If you ’re hoping to get your hands on the original Apple Watch Ultra , unfortunately , it ’s no longer available for leverage through Apple .

However , do n’t lose hope just yet . You may still be able to find one at discounted toll from retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon for the foreseeable futurity . Both Apple Watch Ultra models are priced at $ 799 .

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: a worthy upgrade?

Before Apple introduced the Apple Watch Ultra 2 , the hearsay milling machinery said the biggest difference between it and the original model would be the pillow slip colour . As the tarradiddle went , the newfangled watch would sport a dark titanium finishing versus the natural titanium finish found on the elder model . That did n’t happen .

Instead , the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is packed with small changes equate to its forerunner . Most of these changes are internal and center around its new S9 central processor , though other upgrade — like double the memory board and a 50 % brighter exhibit — are also nice to see .

Do these changes justify raise from the Apple Watch Ultra to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 ? For most citizenry , probably not . Faster performance , a lustrous presentation , and new gestures are very cool indeed . But is that all deserving spending another $ 799 this twelvemonth ? We do n’t reckon so . The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is absolutely worth it if you ’re buy your first Apple Watch Ultra , but for anyone rock the first model , you ’re better off waiting to see what Apple has to offer next class .