The Apple Watch Ultra, when it was launched last year, was the pinnacle of what a smartwatch could achieve in terms of features. Now, with the Watch Ultra 2, Apple seems to have realised that it is not easy improving on a product that is already good and does not have a lot of pain points.
I have been using the Apple Watch Ultra 2 over the past couple of weeks, having moved here after closing the Apple Watch Series 9 review. The Watch Ultra 2 is also powered by the new S9 processor, like the Series 9, which means there is much more power inside than before. And there are some new features like the double tap gesture, which will add a new level of functionality to the watch but will be available only a few weeks later for Indian users. That part of the review will have to wait for now.
The design itself is the same, with the rugged titanium chassis and the screaming orange action button. Interestingly, both features have made it to the new iPhone 15 Pro series, in a way indicating their success in the first Watch Ultra. The watch has the same ruggedness as the earlier model and works up to depths of 100m and in extreme cold conditions.
The design of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 itself is mostly the same as its predecessor.
Wearing the new Watch Ultra 2, the experience is not different at all from last year’s model. However, the new trail loop that came in the box felt much more comfortable for use over long hours. The bright orange loop that was standard issue last year was great for rugged use cases, but not for regular office wear.
At 3,000 nits, this has one of the brightest displays in any gadget now. But then the S9 chip is smart enough to use it only when needed. As an early riser, I see that the display does not go too bright in the dawn as it knows it just needs to be soft, and then when you are in the harsh Delhi sun it brightens up so well you can even read emails on the large screen.
This year, what impressed me most was the new modular ultra watch face. This one gives access to over nine data points in one glance, that too, fully configurable. I have everything from AQI to weather and a Go Gentler progress bar on my watch face. On a quick trip to Mumbai, in one glance, I could see whether there was a chance of rain and how bad the city’s AQI had dropped since my last visit a few months back. However, I was not complaining, given that I was coming from Delhi, which has started slipping into its annual smog season already.
The new modular ultra watch face. (Nandagopal Rajan / Express photo)
The S9 brings in a significant new feature in the form of on-device Siri. And this works so well, even without access to the Internet. In flight mode, it was able to answer questions like how many feet a metre is and how far Lucknow is from Noida. This is a feature that can help you out in many situations. Over the years, I have been using the Apple Watch, there have been numerous occasions where this is the only device on me with charge.
The Watch Ultra 2 can also pinpoint where your phone is now, and this too, works without access to the web. The watch shows you the direction of the phone and your exact distance from it as the iPhone itself is screaming out for attention.
I don’t have to write much about how well the GPS functions on the Watch 2, but it has become more precise this year. After my late-night outdoor walk, I could come back to see that even small diversions made to avoid the pack of strays that bother me had been mapped perfectly in the fitness app. In fact, the Watch Ultra 2 now connects with biking accessories and can show real times your workout zone on the iPhone. However, I am not into biking and could not test the same.
At 3,000 nits, this has one of the brightest displays in any gadget now. (Nandagopal Rajan / Express photo)
For my two-day Mumbai trip, I did pack in my charger, but I did not have to use it as the Ultra 2 had over 40% charge left when I came back to Delhi the afternoon of the second day. I had taken the watch off the charger at 6 AM on the first day. This was not on cellular, though, at that point.
On the flight, I could see the elevation as usual. And this time, I chose to listen to my favourite Empire podcast episodes streaming from the watch to the AirPods.
At ₹89,900, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a great upgrade for Apple Watch users who are thinking of getting more outdoorsy and active. For those who made the switch last year, the Ultra 2 might not be worth the upgrade. As one of those users, I was disappointed that there were no big ticket additions this year. So, stay looped into the first Ultra for another year. The Apple Watch Ultra has been the best smartwatch around since it was launched last year, the Ultra has made it a little bit more smarter and comfy.
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