When the Apple Watch Ultra was introduced the previous year, its features represented the ultimate in what a wristwatch could be. With the release of the Watch Ultra 2, Apple appears to have understood that it is difficult to improve on a product that is currently high quality and has few drawbacks.
Since moving here after ending my evaluation of the Apple Watch Series 9, I have been using the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Like the Series 9, the Watch Ultra 2 is powered by the new S9 processor, which means it has a lot more power within than before. Additionally, there are some new features like the double tap gesture, which will enhance the watch’s usefulness but won’t be available to Indian customers for a few weeks. For now, that portion of the review will have to wait.
With its sturdy titanium chassis and loud orange activation button, the design is the same. It’s interesting to note that these functions have been carried over to the next iPhone 15 Pro series, which suggests that the original Watch Ultra was a success. The watch is just as durable as the previous generation and is suitable for use in extremely cold temperatures and depths of up to 100 metres.
The sensation of wearing the new Watch Ultra 2 is exactly the same as it was with the model from the previous year. On the other hand, the newly included trail loop seemed considerably more cosy to use for extended periods of time. Although it worked well for rough usage scenarios, the bright orange loop that was standard issue the previous year wasn’t suitable for everyday office wear.
This features one of the brightest displays of any device out there right now, at 3,000 nits. However, the S9 chip is intelligent enough to only use it when required. Being an early riser, I see that the display adjusts its brightness to a comfortable level in the morning, knowing that it only needs to be gentle. In the intense Delhi sun, however, it brightens up to the point where you can read emails on the large screen.
I was really delighted by the new modular ultra watch face this year. With just a glance, this one provides access to over nine data points, all of which are entirely adjustable. On my watch face, I have the weather, the AQI, and a Go Gentler progress bar. During a brief visit to Mumbai, I could quickly determine the likelihood of rain and how much the city’s air quality index had declined since my previous visit some months prior. Nevertheless, as I was travelling from Delhi, which had already begun to enter its yearly smog season, I wasn’t grumbling.
The S9 includes on-device Siri, a noteworthy new feature. And even without Internet access, this functions incredibly well. It could respond to inquiries like how far Lucknow is from Noida and how many feet a metre is when it was in flight mode. This is a feature that will come in handy for a variety of circumstances. I’ve been using the Apple Watch for years, and there have been many instances where it’s the only charged gadget I have with me.
The Watch Ultra 2 can also determine where your phone is right now, and this feature also functions without an internet connection. The iPhone itself is begging for attention, and the watch lets you know exactly where it is and in which direction.
I won’t have to say much about the Watch 2’s GPS performance other than to say that it has improved this year. When I returned from my late-night stroll outside, I could see that the fitness app had precisely plotted out even the little detours I took to avoid the group of stray animals that annoy me. Indeed, the Watch Ultra 2 can now display your workout zone in real time on the iPhone and connects to bicycle accessories. Since I don’t ride a bike, I was unable to test the same.
