Apple Watch Ultra was one of the news that most surprised the public during the Apple Keynote a few weeks ago. The rumors had followed one another in the last period suggesting that there would be a new smartwatch with a strong character and designed for hyper sports and that it would be called Apple Watch Pro and instead in conference … the surprise. We tried it for a week and we tell you everything in ours review.
Apple Watch Ultra in breve
- New durable titanium design, 49mm case, sapphire display with very high brightness;
- New Action button, quite customizable;
- Long-lasting battery (approximately 36 hours which will reach 60 hours with a software update arriving at the end of 2022);
- All the same features as Apple Watch 8: temperature measurement in place, VO2max, ECG, heart rate, saturation 02, sleep tracking
- New functionality for diving up to 40 meters with the Oceanic + companion app;
- 3 new ultra-technical straps for runners, explorers and divers;
- Suitable for hyper sports but it is still a smartwatch for everyday life, wearable if you have men’s wrists (obviously);
- Cost € 1009.
Apple Watch Ultra in form, Ultra in concept
The Ultra version of Apple Watch it is ultra in everything: in the forms, in the concept behind it and obviously in the price. It is a smartwatch that already transmits solidity to the eye because Apple has designed it for an audience of explorers, divers, for those who do triathlons, the ironman or run fearlessly in the woods or in the desert. Apple Watch Ultra is built to withstand temperatures ranging from -20 ° to +55. To be ultra is also the Dual frequency GPSthe most accurate ever studied for an Apple Watch that, when combined with the new completely redesigned Compass app, can retrace your steps in case you get lost in the middle of nowhere.
In practice Apple Watch Ultra is an Apple Watch 8 in functions but with superpowers: the 49 mm titanium case it is almost angular with a “sharp” finish, the front glass is in flat sapphire (designed to collide with rocks of all kinds without being scratched) and a large and even brighter display (2000 nits, double compared to traditional Apple Watch). In direct sunlight it can always be seen perfectly from any angle and performs even better in extreme conditions. Imagine it under the midday sun while skiing or kitesurfing.
The side button and the wheel of the digital crown are protected by a titanium extension that protects them from accidental impacts. Instead, the Action button makes its debut, it is orange – with high contrast – and is located on the left side and is perfectly integrated into the body of the case.
All the new components have been designed to be used even with gloves in the high mountains.
First considerations on Apple Watch Ultra
As soon as I opened it and brought it to my wrist (which will have a circumference of 16 cm) I realized that 49 mm is really a lot, the smartwatch is very large and heavy for such a small wrist. Keep in mind that I usually wear a 41mm Apple Watch and it’s the perfect size. The first few days I found it cumbersome and heavy to carry … let alone sleep in it (my concern was to calibrate the sensor to start turning well for the detection of the basal temperature which occurs only at night). I digested the toad for a few days but in the end I got used to it, it’s true it’s gigantic for me, but you really get used to everything.
I also let some colleagues try it (like our bold and young videomakers) and on their wrist it really looked like a flea. The fit of the Apple Watch Ultra is therefore perfect for men, perhaps a little less for women. But perhaps Apple will certainly have made some well-considered market considerations: this Ultra in fact is aimed at a very specific niche and to obtain similar performance and battery life, the space for components could not probably be less.
So if you are women, hyper sports, looking for adventure in the mountains, adventure in the abyss and in the desert or simply love running free from concrete in wooded places, remember that you will have a large smartwatch on your wrist.
The Apple Watch Ultra Action key and customization menu
Ready, steady… Azione!
The Action key is a customizable button from the settings menu of your Apple Watch Ultra. Among the actions that can be associated with the button we have “training”, “stopwatch”, “waypoint”, “retrace my steps”, “dive”, “torch” or “quick command”. So you understand that it is customizable but only with specific functions established by Apple, after a careful study.
Personally, my action key has always been associated with “training”. With one press you can decide whether to start only the corresponding application or directly a preset workout, in my case “outdoor walking”. With a further press, you can go to the next interval of a custom workout or to the next stage of a multisport workout. It can also be used to mark segments, complementing the new Track running experience, which automatically provides the best pace and distance estimates for runners on a track.
In short, it is a key for all those who are already immersed in the action and do not want to stop and lose precious seconds of their training.
The action key can also be customized from the Watch application directly from your iPhone.
In addition, Apple Watch Ultra has three integrated microphones that significantly improve the audio quality of voice calls, in any condition (including weather). An adaptive beam-forming algorithm uses microphones to detect speech by reducing ambient background sounds for extraordinary clarity (especially if you decide to take it for a walk without your smartphone).
In windy environments, Apple Watch Ultra uses advanced wind noise reduction algorithms, including machine learning, to deliver clear, understandable audio for calls.
There is also an oversized speaker to better hear any conversations.
There is also a new feature that emits a siren sound that reaches 86 decibels. The siren is obviously designed for emergencies and can be extremely useful in case you need to draw attention perhaps in the middle of a forest or in a dangerous situation. It has a sound signature that is well audible from a distance and the sequences are alternated: some with higher frequencies, others with lower ones. The siren does not stop after a while, but it is possible to leave it playing for several hours (also because – if not – what a request for help would it be).
Like the other Apple Watches but better
Apple Watch Ultra comes out of its box already with watchOS 9 installed (so you won’t have to do anything to update it) and offers all the features we find on Apple Watch 8: sensor for continuous heart rate detection, VO2 Max, the brand new sensor for detecting the temperature on the wrist during the night (basal temperature) , blood oxygen saturation levels, the ability to take ECGs, sleep monitoring, and all the other high-tech things that Apple Watches have accustomed us to.
Obviously, there is also the new functionality for the detection of accidents that uses the two new motion sensors of Apple Watch and an evolved Sensor Fusion algorithm to detect serious car accidents. When Apple Watch detects a major car accident, it will ask the user for confirmation and contact emergency services if there is no response within 10 seconds. Operators will receive the location of the device, which is also shared with emergency contacts.
The new straps (in order): Trail Loop, Alpine Loop and Ocean Loop
Fasten your seat belts
Apple Watch Ultra arrives on the market with 3 new straps specially designed for its extreme uses.
Il Trail Loop is the thinnest strap, with velcro adjustment tab for ultra-fast adjustment. In my opinion it is the most portable of all in everyday situations.
The strap Alpine Loop it is incredibly durable, slightly stretchy and has a high mountain inspired look and feel and is made for explorers. It is composed of two integrated layers created by a single continuous spinning process which eliminates the need for seams. The upper loops, woven with an ultra-strong thread, allow you to adjust the strap and securely attach the clamp hook of the titanium clasp. I find it incredibly cool, even to wear in everyday life.
And we conclude with the strap Ocean Loop, specially designed for extreme water sports and recreational diving, and has a titanium spring buckle closure. It is made of flexible fluoroelastometer and its tubular design adheres perfectly to the wrist. The Ocean strap also has an optional extra long extension that allows the user to wear it comfortably even over the wetsuit.
Nothing prevents you from using your old Apple Watch straps, they clip on without problems but if you have 41mm straps you could get an unsightly finish. In fact, they dance a couple of millimeters, but never mind.
41mm strap from my previous Apple Watch used on Apple …