TechSmartwatchesApple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra: Apple’s peak wearables go head-to-headThinking of buying an Apple Watch Ultra? Read our comparison between new and old before you splash the cashWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechSmartwatchesApple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra: Apple’s peak wearables go head-to-headThinking of buying an Apple Watch Ultra? Read our comparison between new and old before you splash the cashWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Thinking of buying an Apple Watch Ultra? Read our comparison between new and old before you splash the cash
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Leon Poultney)
(Image credit: Leon Poultney)
Jump to category:Price and availabilityDesign and build qualityFeaturesSoftwareBattery lifeVerdict
Jump to category:Price and availabilityDesign and build qualityFeaturesSoftwareBattery lifeVerdict
During its annual event,Appleunveiled a headline-grabbing platter of new tech, including a brand newiPhone15, with a fancy A17 chipset, as well as a freshApple WatchSeries 9 andApple Watch Ultra 2.
It might seem rash that only a year has passed since the Californian tech giant took the wraps off its ultra-rugged, ultra-outdoorsyApple Watch Ultra, but it has seen fit to give it an overhaul and add a bunch of new features that make it arguably more tantalising than ever.
Double-tap gesture control, a brighter display and improvements to on-device Siri requests were just a few topline additions, but Apple also claims thebest Apple Watchmodel has been tested all the way from 500 metres below sea level to the highest 9,000-metre peaks to ensure it performs in the toughest environments.
What’s more, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes steaming into the picture with the same price tag as its predecessor, meaning the additional extras don’t actually cost anything extra.
That said, some retailers are already discounting the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, so is it worth saving a few bucks or should you plump for the latest and greatest? We are here to answer that very question.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra: Price and availability
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is available now and costs $799/£799/AUS$1,399 when purchased directly fromApple. Alongside all of the flashy new tech smarts, which we will come on to later, Apple has also introduced a revised Alpine Loop, Trail Loop and Ocean Band for its second generation.
Both the Alpine and Trail Loop are now carbon neutral, contain over 30 per cent recycled content and feature a stylish new design, while the bezel of the watch itself is made from 95 per cent recycled titanium.
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It’s a solid eco-effort from Apple, but we can’t help thinking that replacing a watch after just a year arguably undoes a lot of this hard work. But hey, everyone’s a critic, aren’t they?
If you don’t want a recycled titanium bezel, you can still buy the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra from third-party retailers for less than RRP/MSRP. For the best prices, visit T3’sbest Apple Watch dealsguide or check out the price widgets below.
Winner:Apple Watch Ultra - only because it can be found slightly cheaper.
Today’s best Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2 dealsApple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2 dealsApple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2 dealsApple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2 deals
Apple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch Ultra
$19.45View
$19.45
$19.45
See all prices
Apple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all prices
$799$759View
$799$759
$759
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra: Design and build quality
If you remove the two watches from their respective straps and hold them up next to each other, it is impossible to tell the difference. The exterior, including the oversized Digital Crown and large orange Action Button, remains unchanged from the original design.
As we said, a host of new bands helps to separate these two generations, as these now come in bespoke designs for Apple Watch Ultra 2. But switch the two watches on, and the upgrades become a little more obvious.
Winner:Apple Watch Ultra 2 - for its brighter display and recycled titanium casing
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra: Features
Apple Watch Ultra 2 in action(Image credit: Simon Beizaee)
Apple Watch Ultra 2 in action
Apple Watch Ultra 2 in action
(Image credit: Simon Beizaee)
There are very few new physical features to speak of in the Apple Watch Ultra 2, as you have to dive under the hood, so to speak, in order to get hands-on with the upgrades. The most notable of all is the powerful S9 SiP chip that was also announced for the Apple Watch Series 9.
Apparently, it is thebest smartwatchchip (i.e. most powerful) Apple has produced to date and facilitates a number of new features, as well as making the general user experience more slick and streamlined. We had few complaints about the first generation Watch Ultra, but the latest certainly handles with a level of finesse that embarrasses someoutdoor watchrivals.
On top of this, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a new 4-core Neural Engine that can process machine learning tasks up to twice as fast as the original Apple Watch Ultra. This means users can harness the power of Siri without Wi-Fi or cellular networks to enquire about health stats, such as steps walked or calories burned in a recent workout.
Winner:The Apple Watch Ultra 2, because it can now do more.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra: Software
(Image credit: Leon Poultney)
(Image credit: Leon Poultney)
Both watches will happily run the latestwatchOS 10software, which brings with it some of the biggest wholesale changes, especially for those thinking of scrapping a smartwatch fromGarmin, Suunto or Polar. Bluetooth connectivity has been enabled for power meters, speed sensors and cadence sensors for cyclists, while iPhone owners can use their smartphone as a separate bike computer.
Mapping has improved, although it is still very much limited to certain areas in the USA, where owners can make use of proper topographical maps with contour lines. We expect these regions to expand with further future updates (unless Apple is saving it for an all-new Ultra).
The ambient light sensor has also been used to automatically switch the Apple Watch Ultra into its cool night mode - where the display glows red - as soon as it detects darkness. It can also measure time spent in daylight for all of those desk-dwellers severely lacking vitamin D.
In short, the software update is available on both generations, so this round is largely a tie. Unless you are prone to losing your phone and have the latest iPhone 15. In this scenario, the powerful new chipset allows for Precision Finding of either your iPhone or Apple Watch Ultra 2. Great if phones magically disappear into sofas frequently.
Winner:Apple Watch Ultra 2, just. Only because the expanded altitude range might be handy for a handful of owners, and Precision Finding is cool.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra: Battery life
(Image credit: Leon Poultney)
(Image credit: Leon Poultney)
If you start looking at those Garmin devices with solar charging functionality, the playing field becomes even more skewed. Unfortunately, Apple hasn’t addressed the battery life. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery still offers up to 36 hours under mixed usage, or 72 hours in a low power mode. It is still the longest battery life of any Apple Watch, though.
Winner:A tie. There’s no improvement here.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra: Verdict
My esteemed colleague Matt Kollat said it best in his review of the Apple Watch Ultra 2: it is a no-brainer update for those who had an older Apple Watch and were thinking about updating to the Apple Watch Ultra last year but didn’t.
In essence, newcomers to the model should plump for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, as the savings on the first generation are still negligible and the updates on the most recent iteration fully worth the meagre money.
If, however, you were an early adopter and invested in the first generation Apple Watch Ultra, the financial outlay suddenly stops looking like a great idea. But fret not, you’re not missing out on a huge amount and there will likely be a newer model coming along in, say, a year.
Winner:Apple.
Today’s best Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2 dealsApple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2 dealsApple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2 dealsApple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2 deals
Apple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch Ultra
$19.45View
$19.45
$19.45
See all prices
Apple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all prices
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