Apple’s flagship smartwatch, the Apple Watch Ultra, took the world by storm when it was released in 2022. Its rugged design, powerful performance, and impressive battery life made it a clear winner among fitness enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Now, in 2023, Apple has released the successor to the Ultra, the aptly named Apple Watch Ultra 2. So, how does the latest iteration compare to its predecessor? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs 1.
At first glance, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 looks remarkably similar to its predecessor. Both models sport a 49mm case, making them the largest Apple Watch models to date. They also feature the same durable titanium casing and sapphire crystal display. However, there is one key difference in the display: the Ultra 2’s screen is now 50% brighter, peaking at an impressive 3,000 nits. This means you’ll have no trouble seeing the display, even in direct sunlight.
A table summarizing the key differences between the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2
Feature | Apple Watch Ultra | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
Display brightness | 2,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
Gestures | No Double Tap | Double Tap |
Battery life in Low Power Mode | Up to 60 hours | Up to 72 hours |
Price | $799 | $799 |
Features and Specifications
Both the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 are powered by the latest Apple S9 chip, ensuring responsive performance and plenty of power for even the most demanding tasks. Both models also offer 64GB of storage, up from 32GB in the original Ultra. This gives you ample space to store your favorite apps, music, and photos.
In terms of health and fitness features, the Ultra 2 retains all the great features of its predecessor, including:
- Advanced heart rate monitoring
- Blood oxygen app
- ECG app
- Sleep tracking
- Cycle tracking
- Comprehensive workout tracking
The Ultra 2 also introduces a new Double Tap gesture, which allows you to perform certain actions, such as starting or pausing a workout, without touching the screen. This is particularly useful for when you’re wearing gloves or have wet hands.
The battery life of the Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2:
Model | Standard Battery Life | Extended Battery Life |
Apple Watch Ultra | 36 hours | N/A |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 | 36 hours | 72 hours |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 versus 1 and additional Processor, storage, more
Processor
Both the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 are powered by the latest Apple S9 chip, which delivers significant performance improvements over previous generations. The S9 chip boasts a 64-bit dual-core CPU, a 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. This powerful combination ensures responsive performance, smooth multitasking, and seamless execution of demanding tasks.
Storage
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers double the storage capacity of its predecessor, with 64GB compared to 32GB in the original Ultra. This increase in storage provides ample space for storing apps, music, photos, and other data directly on your wrist.
Other Key Features
Beyond processor and storage, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 introduces several notable enhancements:
- Brighter Display: The Ultra 2’s display peaks at an impressive 3,000 nits, making it significantly brighter than the Ultra’s 2,000-nit display. This enhanced brightness ensures optimal visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Double Tap Gesture: The Ultra 2 introduces a new Double Tap gesture that allows you to control certain aspects of the watch without touching the screen. This is particularly useful for when you’re wearing gloves or have wet hands.
- Extended Battery Life in Low Power Mode: The Ultra 2 boasts up to 72 hours of battery life in Low Power Mode, surpassing the Ultra’s 60-hour maximum. This enhanced battery life makes it an ideal companion for multi-day adventures or extended periods away from a charger.
Feature | Apple Watch Ultra | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
Processor | Apple S8 chip | Apple S9 chip |
Storage | 32GB | 64GB |
Display brightness | 2,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
Gestures | None | Double Tap |
Battery life in Low Power Mode | Up to 60 hours | Up to 72 hours |
Price | $799 | $799 |
Apple Watch band compatibility
Apple Watch bands are designed to be compatible with specific Apple Watch models and sizes. Here’s a table summarizing the compatibility of Apple Watch bands:
Apple Watch Model | Compatible Band Sizes |
Apple Watch (Series 1, 2, and 3) | 38mm, 40mm |
Apple Watch SE | 40mm, 44mm |
Series 4, 5, 6, and 7 Apple Watch | 40mm, 44mm |
Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra | 41mm, 45mm, 49mm |
In general, Apple Watch bands are designed to be interchangeable within their respective size categories. For example, a 40mm band from the Apple Watch (Series 1, 2, and 3) will also fit an Apple Watch SE or Apple Watch Series 4-7 in 40mm.
There are a few exceptions to this generalization, though.For example, the Sport Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands are only available in certain sizes, and the Ocean Band, Alpine Loop, and Trail Loop are specifically designed for the Apple Watch Ultra and are not compatible with other Apple Watch models.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of Apple Watch band compatibility:
- Sport Band: Compatible with all Apple Watch models in 38mm, 40mm, 41mm, 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm sizes.
- Solo Loop: Compatible with Apple Watch SE, Series 4-8, and Ultra in 40mm, 41mm, 44mm, and 45mm sizes.
- Braided Solo Loop: Compatible with Apple Watch SE, Series 4-8, and Ultra in 40mm, 41mm, 44mm, and 45mm sizes.
- Nike Sport Band: Compatible with all Apple Watch models in 38mm, 40mm, 41mm, 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm sizes.
- Modern Buckle: Compatible with Apple Watch SE, Series 4-8, and Ultra in 40mm, 41mm, 44mm, and 45mm sizes.
- Leather Link: Compatible with Apple Watch SE, Series 4-8, and Ultra in 40mm, 41mm, 44mm, and 45mm sizes.
- Stainless Steel Link: Compatible with Apple Watch SE, Series 4-8, and Ultra in 40mm, 41mm, 44mm, and 45mm sizes.
- Milanese Loop: Compatible with Apple Watch SE, Series 4-8, and Ultra in 40mm, 41mm, 44mm, and 45mm sizes.
- Ocean Band: Compatible with Apple Watch Ultra in 44mm and 45mm sizes.
- Alpine Loop: Compatible with Apple Watch Ultra in 44mm and 45mm sizes.
- Trail Loop: Compatible with Apple Watch Ultra in 44mm and 45mm sizes.
Pros and Cons of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs 1:
Feature | Apple Watch Ultra | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
Pros | * Durable design | * Brighter display |
Cons | * Expensive | * Not everyone may find a large size to be comfortable. |
Overall | The Apple Watch Ultra is a great option for fitness enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. It’s durable, has a long battery life, and offers a variety of fitness tracking features. However, it’s also quite expensive and may not be worth the price for everyone. | The Apple Watch Ultra 2 builds upon the foundation of the original Ultra, offering a range of improvements that enhance its overall capabilities. The upgraded processor, doubled storage, brighter display, innovative Double Tap gesture, and extended battery life in Low Power Mode make the Ultra 2 a compelling choice for those seeking the most advanced smartwatch experience. |
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the pros and cons of each model:
Apple Watch Ultra
Pros:
- Durable design: The Apple Watch Ultra is made from titanium, which is a strong and lightweight material. It’s also water-resistant to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities.
- Powerful processor: The Apple Watch Ultra is powered by the Apple S8 chip, which delivers fast and responsive performance.
- Ample storage: The Apple Watch Ultra has 32GB of storage, which is enough to store a large number of apps, music, and photos.
- Comprehensive health and fitness features: The Apple Watch Ultra offers a wide range of health and fitness features, including heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking, cycle tracking, and workout tracking.
- Water resistance and durability: The Apple Watch Ultra is water-resistant to 50 meters and can withstand dust, dirt, and other environmental hazards.
- GPS: The Apple Watch Ultra has built-in GPS, so you can track your runs, hikes, and bike rides without having to carry your phone with you.
- ECG: The Apple Watch Ultra has an ECG app that can take an electrocardiogram to check for heart rhythm irregularities.
- Blood oxygen app: The Apple Watch Ultra has a blood oxygen app that can measure your blood oxygen level.
- Sleep tracking: The Apple Watch Ultra can track your sleep patterns and provide insights into your sleep quality.
- Cycle tracking: The Apple Watch Ultra can track your menstrual cycle and provide predictions about your ovulation and period.
- Workout tracking: The Apple Watch Ultra can track a variety of workouts, including running, swimming, cycling, and yoga.
- Notifications: The Apple Watch Ultra can receive notifications from your iPhone, so you can stay up-to-date on important messages and calls.
- Music playback: The Apple Watch Ultra can store music and play it back without having to carry your iPhone with you.
- Apple Pay: The Apple Watch Ultra can be used to make contactless payments using Apple Pay.
- Durable design: The Apple Watch Ultra is made from titanium, which is a strong and lightweight material. It’s also water-resistant to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities.
- Powerful processor: The Apple Watch Ultra is powered by the Apple S8 chip, which delivers fast and responsive performance.
- Ample storage: The Apple Watch Ultra has 32GB of storage, which is enough to store a large number of apps, music, and photos.
- Comprehensive health and fitness features: The Apple Watch Ultra offers a wide range of health and fitness features, including heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking, cycle tracking, and workout tracking.
- Water resistance and durability: The Apple Watch Ultra is water-resistant to 50 meters and can withstand dust, dirt, and other environmental hazards.
- GPS: The Apple Watch Ultra has built-in GPS, so you can track your runs, hikes, and bike rides without having to carry your phone with you.
- ECG: The Apple Watch Ultra has an ECG app that can take an electrocardiogram to check for heart rhythm irregularities.
- Blood oxygen app: The Apple Watch Ultra has a blood oxygen app that can measure your blood oxygen level.
- Sleep tracking: The Apple Watch Ultra can track your sleep patterns and provide insights into your sleep quality.
- Cycle tracking: The Apple Watch Ultra can track your menstrual cycle and provide predictions about your ovulation and period.
- Workout tracking: The Apple Watch Ultra can track a variety of workouts, including running, swimming, cycling, and yoga.
- Notifications: The Apple Watch Ultra can receive notifications from your iPhone, so you can stay up-to-date on important messages and calls.
- Music playback: The Apple Watch Ultra can store music and play it back without having to carry your iPhone with you.
- Apple Pay: The Apple Watch Ultra can be used to make contactless payments using Apple Pay.
Cons:
- Expensive: The Apple Watch Ultra is a premium smartwatch and comes with a premium price tag.
- Large size may not be comfortable for everyone: The Apple Watch Ultra has a 49mm case, which may be too large for some people’s wrists.
- Battery life could be even longer: The Apple Watch Ultra has a battery life of up to 18 hours, but it could be even longer for some people.
- Some features may not be necessary for everyone: Not everyone needs all of the features that the Apple Watch Ultra offers. Some people may be better off with a more affordable smartwatch with fewer features.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Improved processor: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is powered by the latest Apple S9 chip, which delivers a significant performance boost compared to the S8 chip in the original Ultra. This means you can expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved performance for demanding tasks like GPS tracking and workout monitoring.
- Doubled storage: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 now offers 64GB of storage, twice as much as the original Ultra’s 32GB. This means you can store more apps, music, photos, and other data directly on your wrist without worrying about running out of space.
- Brighter display: The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s display peaks at an impressive 3,000 nits, making it significantly brighter than the original Ultra’s 2,000-nit display. This enhanced brightness ensures optimal visibility in bright outdoor conditions, even on sunny days or in direct sunlight.
- Double Tap gesture: The Ultra 2 introduces a new Double Tap gesture that allows you to control certain aspects of the watch without touching the screen. This is particularly useful for when you’re wearing gloves or have wet hands. You can use Double Tap to pause or resume workouts, start or stop timers, and even answer or silence phone calls.
- Extended battery life: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers up to 72 hours of battery life in Low Power Mode, surpassing the original Ultra’s 60-hour maximum. This enhanced battery life makes it an ideal companion for multi-day adventures, extended hiking trips, or camping expeditions where you may not have access to a charger for extended periods.
- Comprehensive health and fitness features: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 retains all the great health and fitness features of its predecessor, including:
- Advanced heart rate monitoring
- Blood oxygen app
- ECG app
- Sleep tracking
- Cycle tracking
- Comprehensive workout tracking
- Durable design: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 maintains the same rugged and durable design as the original Ultra, making it suitable for outdoor activities, extreme sports, and challenging environments. It’s constructed from titanium and sapphire crystal, ensuring scratch and shatter resistance, and it’s water-resistant to 50 meters.
Cons:
- High price tag: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with a premium price tag, reflecting its advanced features and capabilities. It may not be the most affordable smartwatch option for everyone.
- Large size: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a 49mm case, which may be too large for some people’s wrists. If you have smaller wrists, you may find the original Ultra or other smartwatch models with smaller case sizes to be more comfortable.
- Limited compatibility: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is only compatible with Apple iPhones. If you have an Android phone, you will need to consider other smartwatch options.
Steps to Choosing Between the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2
- Identify your needs and priorities. What are you looking for in a smartwatch? Do you need a durable watch for outdoor activities? Do you want a watch with the latest features and technology? Or are you on a budget and need a watch that offers good value for money?
- Compare the features and specifications of each model. Once you know your needs, you can start to compare the features and specifications of the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2. The Ultra 2 has a brighter display, a new Double Tap gesture, and slightly longer battery life in Low Power Mode. The Ultra is still a great option if you don’t need these extra features.
- Consider your budget. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is more expensive than the Ultra. If you’re on a tight budget, the Ultra may be a better option for you.
- Read reviews of both models. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, read reviews of both models to get a better sense of their strengths and weaknesses.
- Try on both models in person. If possible, try on both models in person to see which one you prefer. This will give you a better sense of the size, weight, and feel of each watch.
- Make a decision and buy the watch that’s right for you. Once you’ve considered all of the factors above, make a decision and buy the watch that’s right for you.
Here are some additional tips for choosing between the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2:
- If you’re a fitness enthusiast or outdoor adventurer, the Ultra 2 is a great option. It’s durable, has a long battery life, and offers a variety of fitness tracking features.
- If you’re a tech-savvy user who always wants the latest and greatest features, the Ultra 2 is the way to go. It has a brighter display, a new Double Tap gesture, and slightly longer battery life in Low Power Mode.
- If you’re on a budget, the Ultra is still a great option. It offers many of the same features as the Ultra 2, and it’s available at a lower price.
Conclusion
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a worthy successor to the original Ultra. It offers a brighter display, a new Double Tap gesture, and slightly longer battery life in Low Power Mode. However, if you’re on a budget or don’t need the extra features, then the original Ultra is still a great option. Ultimately, the best model for you will depend on your individual needs and priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the biggest difference between the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2?
The biggest difference between the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 is the brighter display. The Ultra 2’s screen peaks at an impressive 3,000 nits, while the original Ultra’s display peaks at 2,000 nits. Other differences include the Double Tap gesture and slightly longer battery life in Low Power Mode.
Which model is right for me?
The best model for you will depend on your individual needs and priorities. If you’re looking for the latest and greatest features, then the Ultra 2 is the way to go. However, if you’re on a budget or don’t need the extra brightness or Double Tap gesture, then the original Ultra is still a great option.
How does the Apple Watch Ultra 2 compare to other smartwatches?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is one of the most impressive smartwatches on the market. It offers a durable design, powerful performance, and a comprehensive set of features. However, there are other great smartwatches out there, such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and Garmin Fenix 7. The ideal smartwatch for you will ultimately rely on your unique requirements and tastes.
