Compared to former models, the Ultra 2 boasts a larger and more robust design, featuring a customizable orange Action Button on the left side, as well as a more tactile digital crown and right-side button, perfect for use with gloved hands. The display is brighter, and there's an upgraded three-microphone array and dual-speaker system, along with an 86-decibel emergency siren and a depth gauge.
Environmentally conscious consumers will appreciate the Ultra 2's eco-friendly upgrades, such as its 95% recycled titanium case, a step up from the original model's use of all-virgin titanium.
When it comes to looks, this watch is pure elegance. The display is super bright and the 49mm case size gives it that premium feel.
If you're all about staying connected and having powerful phone-like features right on your wrist, this is the one we suggest.
And let's talk about the Apple Health app—it's hands down our favorite for keeping tabs on all the stats from workouts, sleep, and daily heart rate tracking. It's a sleek and organized app, unlike some of the other options out there.
Features
At the heart of the Ultra 2 lies Apple's S9 System in Package (SiP) chip, offering enhancements like a new double-tap gesture for one-handed operation, on-device Siri processing with voice access to health data, and Precision Finding for the iPhone 15 family. This new processor also allows for increased screen brightness without sacrificing battery life, marking a significant improvement for this generation.
Maintaining its predecessor's WR100 water resistance rating of up to 330 feet and EN13319 certification for recreational scuba diving down to 130 feet, the Ultra 2 is also suitable for high-speed water sports like kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing. Additionally, it boasts an IP6X dust resistance rating and MIL-STD 810H certification, ensuring durability against extreme environmental conditions and stressors such as high altitude, extreme temperatures, and vibration.
The Ultra 2's operating altitude range is -500 to 9,000 meters, surpassing its predecessors.
It's worth noting that the Ultra 2 requires an iPhone XS or later with iOS 17 or above and is not compatible with Android phones. For Android users, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro remains the top alternative, offering rugged durability and extended battery life compared to newer Galaxy Watch 6 models.
The Watch Ultra 2 stands out with top marks for its wide range of features, leaving little left to desire in the smartwatch realm. With a vast array of both built-in and third-party apps, you can tailor your experience exactly how you want it. These capabilities make it feasible to ditch your phone, especially if you opt for a cellular data plan to stay connected on the go. Even without a data connection, you still get access to handy features like Apple Pay, music downloads, SOS functionality, and maps.
We used to love the red mode feature on this watch, and now it's even better with automatic adjustments to different lighting conditions. Lately, flashlights have been popping up on GPS watches, becoming one of our favorite additions. While the Ultra 2 doesn't come with an actual flashlight, its screen gets incredibly bright and serves as the best screen-style flashlight we've tried, thanks to its impressive 3000-nit brightness.
The mapping and compass function is decent compared to other on-watch options, but we'd still lean towards using our phone, especially since the maps lack detailed topographic terrain information in most areas. The Ultra 2 remains an excellent choice for urban or less technical environments, offering a good balance of features and performance. However, for serious athletes navigating technical terrain, we'd recommend something more tailored to that specific environment.
While the Ultra 2 has its perks, it might not be the best fit for everyone. When it comes to GPS watches, our main concerns are battery life tracking and being able to easily view data while we're active—two areas where the Ultra 2 doesn't quite measure up. For more casual athletes, these might not be deal-breakers, but we often find this watch to be a bit too busy and distracting.
Sure, you can tweak the settings to tone down some of the features and distractions, but then we have to wonder if this style of watch is really the right choice in the first place. Apple talks up its durability, but let's be real, it's still primarily a smartwatch, and that's where it shines brightest.
Battery life
This particular metric and how much it matters to you could very well determine whether the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the right choice. If you're an ultra-endurance athlete relying heavily on GPS tracking, the roughly 12 hours of tracking time might not cut it, and you might need to explore other options.
Sure, you can stretch out the battery life by switching on Low Power Mode, but it's still likely to lag behind the competition in terms of longevity. It's been our experience that most GPS watches tend to improve their battery performance with each new generation, but unfortunately, that's not the case with the Ultra 2 upgrade. If you're used to other GPS watches, you might find yourself taken aback by how frequently you need to recharge this one to keep it going.
Compared to many other watches, even those on the more affordable end, the Ultra 2 falls short in the battery life department. While some watches can go weeks without needing a charge, this one struggles to even make it through a full two days without switching to low-power mode.
For a premium-priced model, the relatively short battery life can feel frustratingly inadequate, requiring constant attention to ensure it doesn't run out of juice unexpectedly. If you're already accustomed to the shorter battery life of Apple smartwatches, this might not be a big deal for you. However, if you're considering upgrading from a different GPS watch or if you're new to the Apple Watch ecosystem, it's something to take into account.
While low power mode can help extend the battery life somewhat, it shouldn't be the sole factor influencing your decision. If you do decide that this watch is the right fit for you, be prepared to charge it almost every day, especially if you're using GPS tracking alongside all-day health monitoring.
Ease of use
Navigating the plethora of features on the Ultra 2 might seem daunting at first, but fear not—Apple has crafted a watch that's remarkably user-friendly once you get the hang of it. If you're already an iPhone user, you'll find that many of the applications transition seamlessly between your phone and your wrist.
The familiarity extends to the functions and user interface elements, making it a breeze to grasp if you're already comfortable with an iPhone. It's like having a mini-iPhone on your wrist, with many shared characteristics that make navigation intuitive.
One particularly handy feature is that you can manage a lot of the customizations and settings right from your iPhone using the Watch app, which comes pre-installed on all Apple phones. This seamless integration adds to the overall ease of use and convenience of the Ultra 2.
One standout feature of this device lineup is the Apple Health app, and we can't help but sing its praises. It's hands down one of the most elegant and practical health apps out there. Apple really shines when it comes to daily health tracking, and they go above and beyond compared to what the competition offers in terms of app quality and stats.
Recent software updates have introduced some changes to button actions on the Ultra 2. Now, instead of swiping down on the screen, pressing the side button opens up the quick action menu. Meanwhile, the orange action button retains its versatility, allowing you to customize its functions.
Having more buttons opens up the possibility for multiple hotkeys, which can be quite handy. Apple seems dedicated to refining the user experience with each new hardware iteration, and we're optimistic that future watchOS updates will continue to bring even more benefits.
Accuracy
When it comes to accuracy, the optical heart rate sensor and dual-frequency GPS chip on the Ultra 2 remain unchanged. And that's perfectly fine because both have consistently delivered top performance in the past. The optical sensor is reliable and hardly ever gives us any spikes or dropouts, even in rough terrain like mountain biking trails.
We tested the Ultra 2's dual GNSS chipset in conditions notorious for causing GPS tracking issues, and the results were impressive. It is quick to lock location, and the tracking remains consistent. When dealing with more vertical terrain, dropouts can still occur, but this is a common occurrence with all GPS watches.
It's crucial to understand that several factors can affect the accuracy of heart rate readings, including skin color, tattoos, and how snugly the watch fits on your wrist. To ensure the most accurate readings, it's essential to have a snug fit, especially during activities like running or biking where there's a lot of movement.
Indexed-style straps offer the advantage of maintaining consistent tightness day after day, whereas velcro straps can be more variable in how tightly they're secured. Since a lot of the data and insights your watch provides rely on the heart rate monitor, getting the right fit is key.
For watches with sizing options like the Ultra 2, it's highly recommended to use the size guides provided to ensure you get the best fit possible. This will help optimize the accuracy of your heart rate readings and ensure a comfortable wearing experience.
Design
When it comes to design, personal preference plays a big role, but it's also important to consider how a watch feels on your wrist. With its 49mm screen size and unique rectangular shape, the Ultra 2 stands out in our lineup of test watches.
This shape isn't just about aesthetics—it offers some practical benefits too. The rectangular design helps keep the watch in place, especially during rough terrain activities like mountain biking. This means you can wear it a bit looser compared to other watches without worrying about it shifting around too much. As a result, the Ultra 2 feels the most comfortable and secure on your wrist, whether you’re wearing it for everyday use or during workouts.
For those with smaller wrists, larger watches can sometimes be a bit tricky to wear comfortably. However, the Ultra 2's rectangular design minimizes these issues, providing a more comfortable fit overall.
The full titanium bezel not only looks sleek but also holds up remarkably well to all sorts of abuse. Whether you’re backpacking, running, or hitting the trails on your mountain bikes, you will hardly notice any visible signs of wear. Even the glass proves to be quite resilient, with no visible scratches on the main face despite regular use.
One thing you will appreciate is the design of the buttons and scroll wheel, which allow for easy interaction even when you’re wearing gloves. Plus, with a range of strap designs to choose from, there's plenty of room for personalization. These bands are unchanged from the previous version and can be easily swapped out without needing any tools.
But perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Ultra 2 is its UI and screen resolution. With an insanely bright 3000 nits of peak brightness, it boasts the best screen of any smartwatch. This means it performs superbly in all sorts of lighting conditions, thanks to its excellent contrast. Colors pop on this screen, and the always-on display adds to its overall aesthetic appeal.
While it's undeniably expensive, you can make a strong argument that the Ultra 2 is one of the best-looking watches on the market. And with its premium materials, you can have confidence not only in its performance but also in its durability.
If you're on the lookout for a GPS watch that also offers phone-like features right on your wrist, the Apple Watch reigns supreme. It's simply unmatched in terms of smartwatch capabilities.
Get the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
What Other Smartwatches Should You Consider?
While the Apple Ultra Watch 2 is undoubtedly a fantastic choice in the GPS watch market, there's also excitement brewing about the upcoming Apple Watch X, expected to be released in September of this year. If you're willing to hold off a bit, it might be worth checking out our review of the Apple Watch X.
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