Apple recently announced its new model; The Apple Watch Ultra at its Headquarters in Cupertino, California.
The Apple Watch Ultra is due to be released in September 2022, and as far as we know, it’s been under development for years.
The Apple smartwatch series is designed mainly for athletes and sports enthusiasts since it was created to be more fitness-inclined. However, this year’s model is all about exploration and adventure, and its newly added features confirm it.
Currently, it is competing with other smartwatches in that niche, like Garmin. Of course, Garmin has always been at the forefront when we recount running watches and in-car GPS systems. But now that the Apple Watch Ultra has been released, would it be bothered by the newly found competition?
Apple announced pre-ordering for the Apple Watch Series 8, the second generation SE, and Apple Watch Ultra on the 7th of September. The Apple Watch Ultra will be officially launched on the 23rd of September, priced at $799, with both the Series 8 and second generation SE, launched on the 16th of September, priced at $399 and $249, respectively.
Along with the new Apple Watch Ultra, Apple also announced a new iPhone 14 model and new AirPods.
About the New Apple Watch Ultra
Apple says that users can expect 36 hours of battery life during everyday use and 60 hours when the Low Power mode is enabled.
- Battery life
The Low Power mode, supported by watchOS9, helps to extend battery life when users disable background app data, always-on display, etc.
This will make Apple Watch Ultra the first model to have such impressive battery life yet, featuring a 542mAh battery compared to the 308mAh battery in the 45mm Apple Watch Series 8 (this depicts a 76% increase in battery size).
- Size
It will also be the largest Apple watch to be created at 49mm, 5mm bigger than the Apple Watch Series 8. Its 49mm casing encloses a large battery that allows users to complete an extended triathlon.
- Screen display and body
The New Apple Watch Ultra will be the brightest Apple Watch to be created to date at 2000 nits.
It will also be the first redesign we’ve seen in the Apple watch series.
It features a lightweight titanium body, a more oversized digital crown, and an extra button on the left side, known as the Action button. The orange hues of this button make it very visible, even in low light or while submerged. It’s also modifiable, letting you quickly launch your workouts and other functions with a single press of the Action button.
- Sound quality
The Apple Watch Ultra contains three internal microphones that can be used to boost audio quality and cancel out background noise when recording audio.
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In addition, the Apple Watch Ultra features a Siren app that can ring an 86-decibel alarm in cases that you don’t want to use the emergency services. It can be heard up to 180 meters away.
- GPS services
It features the best GPS service yet on any Apple Watch, offering exact distance, pace, etc
and features dual-frequency GPS, combining both the L1and L5 frequencies.
- Temperature tolerance
The New Apple Watch Ultra can withstand extreme temperature environments (as cold as -20°C and as hot as 55°C).
Water sports have not been left out in the new Apple Watch model. The smartwatch can withstand the water pressure from recreational scuba diving, kite surfing, etc.
While underwater, it shows the water’s current depth using a dedicated Depth app, the water’s temperature using the newly added temperature sensor, the duration spent underwater, and the maximum depth reached underwater.
- Smartwatch outdoor function
In this new smartwatch model, Apple designed a unique Way finder watch face, featuring a built-in compass and a dashboard for up to eight functions. In addition, users can customize the watch face for the ocean, mountain, and trail, which turns red at night for clearer vision and visibility.
The watch also features Compass Waypoints that recognize locations and a Backtrack feature that allows users to retrace their steps when lost in any rugged terrain.
It has features related to exploring and adventure and includes all the functionalities present in the Apple Watch Series 8, like all its fitness tracking features.
- Emergency features
Apple introduced a fantastic Crash Detection component that notifies you once it detects a major car accident in which you were involved. After a ten second countdown, it will automatically phone 911 if you don’t respond to its check-in.
Apple also added new sport-related bands in the new model;
- Trail Loop; which is the thinnest band that Apple has ever created.
- Ocean Band; the most suitable band for extreme sports and features a flexible fluoroelastomer that can stretch over your swimsuit.
- Alpine Loop; the band that mostly features durability, thanks to the highly woven yarn used to create it.
Note: Users can also use the bands designed for the older models for the new model.
New straps also come with the new model, allowing users to choose the perfect accessory for the type of activity they will be engaging in.
Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Apple Watch Ultra
With similar features available in both Smartwatches, they will probably make it into the list of best smartwatches of 2022.
Price is the main difference between both Apple Watches, with the Apple Watch Series 8 coming in two configurations; 41mm and 45mm, and the Apple Watch Ultra in one, 49mm.
The cellular connectivity is priced at a $100 premium service, but the Apple Watch Ultra has cellular support.
- The Apple Watch Ultra is priced at $799, while the Apple Watch Series 8 is priced at $399.
- Materials: Apple Watch Series 8 includes Aluminum and Stainless Steel, while the Apple Watch Ultra features titanium materials.
- Size: The Apple Watch Series 8 comes in 41mm and 45mm, while the Apple Watch Ultra is 49mm.
- Always-on display: While the Apple Watch Series 8 features 1000 nits, the Apple Watch Ultra smartwatch has 2000 nits.
- Water resistance: The Apple Watch Series 8 can handle as far as 50 meters, while the Apple Watch Ultra can reach 100 meters.
The design for both smartwatches can never be confused with each other. However, unlike the past models that could be easily mistaken for the Apple Watch Series 8, the Apple Watch Ultra has a unique design different from the conventional Apple Smartwatches lineup.
The Apple Watch Ultra has a flat display with a flat sapphire crystal. However, the Apple Watch Series 8 maintains the soft curve known in past models.
The digital crown in the Apple Watch Series 8 doesn’t change, but there are a few changes in that of the Apple Watch Ultra. First, it features a digital crown with a more pronounced groove in a prominent extension, the usual side button, and a side button on the left side.
Final Thoughts
In general, the Apple Watch Ultra has many exciting features you can’t miss, but for those on a budget, the Apple Watch Series 8 might be a better option.