The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra has improved performance in a wearable that resembles the original. Here’s how the improved wearable compares to its predecessor.
In 2022, Apple revealed the first Apple Watch Ultra, a durable device for extreme sports with a distinct design from existing Apple Watch versions. In September 2022, the firm introduced the next model, dubbed the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
It has a new display, a new processor and other internal components, and a new user interface. As part of Apple’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from materials, electricity, and transportation, the new iPhone is also carbon neutral.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra – Specifications
| Specifications | Apple Watch Ultra | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (starting) | $799.00 | $799.00 |
| Sizes | 49mm | 49mm |
| Display | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display Up to 2,000 nits |
Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display Up to 3,000 nits |
| Case Materials | Titanium | Titanium |
| Processor | S8 SiP | S9 SiP |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters | 100 meters |
| Battery Life | Up to 36 hours | Up to 36 hours |
| Recharging | Wireless | Wireless |
| Colors | Natural Titanium | Natural Titanium |
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra – Case sizes, materials, and weight
Both versions’ dimensions remain unaltered. Both variants of the Apple Watch Ultra are presented by Apple in a 49mm format, which is larger than other models in the Apple Watch series.
They are made of titanium, which ensures durability and corrosion resistance, which is standard for a rugged-inspired item.
In terms of other physical characteristics, the Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are equal in size and weight. The watches are 49mm by 44mm by 14.4mm in dimension, a hefty yet comfortable design that suits the devices’ unique feature set.
Because they may both be used while swimming, enhanced water resistance is rated to 100 meters for both devices under ISO 22810. According to Apple, they can also be used for recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra – Display
The Apple Watch Ultra has a brightness of up to 2,000 nits for its Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display, while the Ultra 2 has a brightness of up to 3,000 nits. Furthermore, the display may be dimmed to one nit to avoid disturbing others in dark conditions.
The Modular Ultra watch face is a remarkable feature that takes advantage of the huge display to offer real-time data at the very edge. It has the most complexity of any Apple digital watch face to date.
Each Apple Watch Ultra model has a 410 x 502 pixel display resolution, guaranteeing vivid and colorful visuals for a better user experience. The high resolution renders letters, photos, and other items on the watch’s screen in a detailed and sharp manner.
The upgraded display structure improves the flashlight feature on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, allowing users to spin the Digital Crown to double the brightness for instant lighting.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra – Processor
Apple improved the CPU or System in Package (SiP) on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 with the S9 chip after using the S8 on the first Apple Watch Ultra. The S9 includes an on-device Siri capable of retrieving and recording confidential and secure health data.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a redesigned 4-core Neural Engine that performs machine learning operations up to twice as fast as its predecessor.
Furthermore, the S9 chip has improved the accuracy of the dictation feature on the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The improvement ensures more precise voice-to-text translations, increasing the user experience and ensuring quick responses.
The Ultra Wideband chip in the CPU has been upgraded to a second-generation version in the Apple Watch Ultra 2, improving the precision of locating a nearby iPhone.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra – Health and fitness
The two Apple Watch Ultra variants have health and fitness capabilities designed for athletes and others. Workouts can be started promptly by pressing the orange-colored Action button on the side of each model.
The Multisport workout function in watchOS 9 later enables automatic detection to effortlessly transition between different workouts for events such as triathlons and duathlons, or any activity requiring a combination of swimming, bicycling, or running. The Apple Watch Ultra variants have enough battery life to get most people through a grueling triathlon.
The Action button can initiate workouts and simplify the transition to the next part of a Custom Workout or the Multisport exercise. It can also be used to identify portions for better pacing and distance estimations for track runners.
On both models, the Oceanic+ app allows recreational scuba diving and freediving, providing users with vital statistics such as depth and elapsed time during a freedive, as well as goal depth alarms.
Both Apple Watch Ultra models can log mental health with the Mindfulness app, track temperature so women can understand their menstrual cycle with the Cycle Tracking app, test blood oxygen levels, take an ECG from the wrist, and monitor sleep stages thanks to watchOS and physical sensors.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra – Battery and storage
The Apple Watch Ultra’s battery can last up to 36 hours on Wi-Fi and 18 hours on cellular connectivity. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a 36-hour battery life in “normal” mode but may be extended to 72 hours in Low Power Mode.
The promise of all-day battery life is based on 180 times of checking the time, receiving 180 notifications, using apps for 90 minutes, and engaging in a 60-minute workout while listening to music over Bluetooth on the Apple Watch, all within 36 hours.
Apple tested battery life with pre-release versions of the Apple Watch Ultra devices equipped with GPS and Cellular and coupled with an iPhone.
Furthermore, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has 64GB of storage capacity, which is double that of the Apple Watch Ultra, which has 32GB. More apps, music, and other media may be stored directly on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 thanks to the expanded capacity.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra – Other features
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 adds a new way for consumers to interact with and operate their wearable without touching the screen. Users can launch the Smart Stack from a watch face by pressing their thumb and index finger together twice, answer calls, scroll through widgets, and enable other functions by pressing their thumb and index finger together twice.
The feature, which is powered by the improved Neural Engine in the S9 processor, analyzes data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor using a new machine-learning technique. The system recognizes the patterns of tiny wrist motions and blood flow changes that occur when a thumb and index finger double tap gesture is made.
The S9 processor also includes an offline Siri assistant. As long as a user’s request does not require internet connection, Siri may provide quick and dependable responses, such as retrieving health data, setting timers, and initiating workouts.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra – Price
The original Apple Watch Ultra cost $799. Fortunately, despite the device’s new capabilities and enhanced components, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 retains its $799 price tag.
However, like other outdated items, Apple no longer sells the original Apple Watch Ultra directly. It doesn’t even list any in the web store’s refurbished area, at least not at the time of writing, although that could change.
Despite Apple’s transition to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at retail and online, the first-generation device will continue to be available from third-party merchants for the foreseeable future.
Every Apple Watch model is only available in natural titanium. There are no color or material options for the Apple Watch itself.
There are several bands to choose from, including the Alpine Loop “for outdoor adventure,” the Trail Loop for general workouts, and the Ocean Band for water sports and recreational diving. All are available in a range of colors.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra – What to buy
Despite certain improvements, the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 is unlikely to be required for every Apple Watch Ultra owner. Consider choices like as a brighter display, more storage, and Low Power Mode.
The Apple Watch Ultra is already a powerful smartwatch with many of the same capabilities as the second-generation device. Its display, health and fitness functions, and battery life are all noteworthy, and for many, these will be more than enough for daily use.
Users who continue with the first-generation device are unlikely to miss out on most features unless they have a special need that can only be satisfied by the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
There is very little reason to utilize the older model rather than the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra as a first-time buy or an upgrade from the basic Apple Watch line. Because it is a premium model, potential buyers may not be tempted by any cost reductions from locating the first-generation model.
The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra is the best illustration of Apple’s wearable computing work. It may fall into the trap of Apple’s second-generation gadgets being revisions on the original without going all-out on new features, but the current edition doesn’t need to achieve that for the audience it desires.
