Apple Watch Ultra Review: Worth It Or Nah?
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Check out the Apple Watch Series 8 at geni.us Tech I'm using right now: amazon.com Dive computers: divein.com Intro Track: youtube.com Playlist of MKBHD Intro music: goo.gl Watch provided by Apple for review. ~ twitter.com @MKBHD @MKBHD
The video begins with the creator recounting a multi-day usage period of the Apple Watch Ultra, highlighting real-world battery performance. He documents wearing the Ultra through routine activities like Ultimate Frisbee practices, daily commuting, and sleep tracking, noting battery life that spans about two days and nights with substantial reserve. The analysis then shifts to a comparative framework, explaining how the Ultra sits in the Apple Watch hierarchy, between the SE and Series 8, and outlining the three pillars that justify its premium status: ruggedness, expanded features, and longer battery life. Build quality is examined in depth, describing the titanium case, ceramic back, oversized crown, enlarged buttons, and the flat sapphire crystal that protects the display from impacts. The review emphasizes the Ultra as a platform for extreme activities, from diving to mountain expeditions, while acknowledging that the device remains a full Apple Watch at its core, suitable for everyday wear when you’re ready to handle its size. In terms of capabilities, the presenter highlights dual-frequency GPS, enhanced microphones and speakers for windy environments, deeper water resistance, and a brighter display up to 2000 nits, along with the new action button that can be mapped to eight different functions. He also discusses specialized accessories like the new $99 bands and the Oceanic+ app, which together broaden the watch’s appeal to divers and endurance athletes, while noting certain limitations such as the lack of tank pressure monitoring for the most technical dives. The video reaches a practical verdict: for everyday users, the Ultra’s price and size may be overkill, but for extreme athletes and adventurers who require durability, navigation tools, and extended battery life, it offers a compelling, best-in-class trekking and outdoor toolkit. The reviewer concludes by positioning the Ultra as the most capable Apple Watch yet, capable of replacing separate dive computers and GPS watches for many users, while reminding viewers that the decision to buy should hinge on personal needs and wrist fit, since it is a substantial everyday wear. The overall tone remains measured, praising the Ultra’s ambitious feature set and battery improvements while acknowledging that its allure is conditional on the user’s lifestyle and willingness to accept its bold, rugged aesthetic.
Topics · technology · wearables · outdoor-adventure · consumer-electronics · review
Questions answered
- What are the core reasons to consider Apple Watch Ultra over the standard Apple Watch?
- The Ultra adds rugged construction with a titanium case, a larger 49 mm display, enhanced battery life, dual-frequency GPS, an improved microphone and speaker system for windy environments, higher water resistance, a brighter screen up to 2000 nits, and an action button with multiple configurable functions, all aimed at extreme outdoor and athletic use.
- How does the Ultra perform in terms of battery life for everyday activities and endurance workouts?
- In everyday use and typical workouts, it tends to last about two days with two nights of wear, which is a noticeable improvement over prior models. Apple is also teasing a future battery optimization setting that could extend life further for GPS-heavy activities, potentially up to around 60 hours, though real-world results may vary.
- Who should buy the Apple Watch Ultra according to the reviewer?
- People who engage in rugged outdoor activities such as hiking, diving, triathlons, or long endurance events, and who benefit from features like robust durability, longer battery life, and advanced navigation, are the target audience. Casual users or those who value a smaller, lighter smartwatch may find it unnecessary.