Apple Watch Ultra Review: Is It Really Worth the Hype?
When Apple announced the Apple Watch Ultra, it instantly grabbed attention. Billed as the most rugged and capable Apple Watch ever made, it was clearly built for a different kind of user. With a bigger body, longer battery life, and a host of features aimed at adventurers, athletes, and explorers, the Apple Watch Ultra is Apple’s boldest move in the smartwatch world.
But does it really deliver on all that hype? Or is it just an expensive version of the same old thing in a tougher shell? After spending time with the Apple Watch Ultra, here’s what we’ve learned.
Design and Build Quality
The Apple Watch Ultra isn’t subtle. At 49mm, it’s the largest Apple Watch to date, and it wears that size proudly. The case is made from aerospace-grade titanium, which gives it a premium feel while keeping the weight manageable. The flat sapphire front crystal protects the display, and the raised lip around the edge adds extra durability.
It’s a watch built for impact, whether you’re on a mountain trail, underwater, or just dealing with the daily chaos of urban life. Even the Digital Crown is larger and textured for easier use with gloves, while the new Action Button on the left side adds quick access to custom features.
Water resistance is also stepped up. With WR100 certification and EN13319 compliance, the Ultra can be used for recreational diving up to 40 meters. That makes it more than just swimproof—it’s dive-capable.
Display
One of the most immediately noticeable upgrades is the display. The Apple Watch Ultra features a Retina LTPO OLED display that reaches a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. It’s bright enough to stay perfectly visible under direct sunlight or in harsh outdoor conditions.
The Always-On display works well, showing essential information at all times without having to raise your wrist. The larger screen also allows for more detailed watch faces, especially those designed for outdoor activity, like the new Wayfinder face, which includes compass integrations and space for more complications.
Battery Life
Battery life has long been one of the few criticisms of the Apple Watch. Fortunately, the Ultra changes the game. Apple claims up to 36 hours of battery life on a single charge, and in Low Power Mode, you can stretch it to around 60 hours, depending on how you use it.
In real-world use, it comfortably lasts more than a full day even with GPS workouts, notifications, and sleep tracking enabled. For users used to charging their Apple Watch daily, this improvement is a welcome change and a significant reason to consider the upgrade.
Performance
Under the hood, the Apple Watch Ultra runs on the S8 chip, the same silicon found in the Series 8. While it doesn’t bring a massive leap in speed over its predecessor, the overall experience remains fast and smooth. Apps launch quickly, animations are fluid, and Siri is responsive.
The Ultra also includes a new dual-frequency GPS system using both L1 and L5 bands, which provides more accurate tracking, particularly in challenging environments like cities with tall buildings or dense forests. This is a huge benefit for runners, cyclists, and hikers who need precise location data.
Fitness and Adventure Features
Apple clearly designed the Ultra with athletes and adventurers in mind. The new Action Button can be customized to start workouts, set waypoints, begin a dive, or trigger the Backtrack feature, which retraces your steps using GPS.
Speaking of Backtrack, it’s part of the updated Compass app and works incredibly well when you’re exploring new terrain. You can also drop compass waypoints along your route to help you navigate back to important spots like your tent, car, or trailhead.
For water sports and diving, the Ultra includes a depth gauge and works with the Oceanic+ app to turn your watch into a full-fledged dive computer. It measures depth, water temperature, dive duration, and more, all in real-time.
Health Tracking
Beyond adventure features, the Apple Watch Ultra retains everything you’d expect from a modern Apple Watch in terms of health tracking. That includes heart rate monitoring, ECG, blood oxygen levels, body temperature sensing, and sleep tracking.
It also supports crash detection and fall detection, both of which can automatically alert emergency services if you’re in trouble. For people who want peace of mind during solo workouts or travel, these features are extremely valuable.
With watchOS 10, the software experience becomes even more health-centric, offering new metrics for runners, improved cycling support, and redesigned widgets for faster access to key data.
Everyday Use
While it’s designed for the outdoors, the Apple Watch Ultra works just as well for everyday life. Notifications, calls, texts, Apple Pay, calendar alerts, and smart home controls are all here. The built-in cellular option ensures you’re always connected, even when your phone isn’t nearby.
Yes, the Ultra is larger and heavier than a typical Apple Watch, but it’s still comfortable enough for daily wear. However, if you have a smaller wrist, the size might be something to consider before committing.
Price and Value
The Apple Watch Ultra is priced at $799. That’s significantly more than the Series 9 or SE, but it’s still competitively priced when compared to rugged sports watches from brands like Garmin or Suunto, which often cost the same—or more.
What you’re getting for the price is a premium smartwatch with exceptional build quality, advanced fitness and health features, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. If you’re the kind of user who will take advantage of those features, the value is absolutely there.
However, for casual users who just want to track daily steps and get phone notifications, it might be overkill. In that case, the Series 9 or SE will do the job just fine at a lower cost.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Premium titanium build with rugged durability
- Bright, clear display with excellent outdoor visibility
- Significantly improved battery life
- Dual-frequency GPS for high-accuracy tracking
- Specialized features for diving and outdoor exploration
- Full health and fitness suite
Cons:
- High price point
- Bulkier than other Apple Watch models
- Not ideal for users with smaller wrists
- Same processor as Series 8
Final Verdict
So, is the Apple Watch Ultra worth the hype? If you’re someone who runs, hikes, climbs, dives, or simply appreciates cutting-edge tech in a rugged package, then yes—the Ultra is absolutely worth it. It combines performance, durability, and intelligent design in a way that few smartwatches do.
For the average user, it might be more watch than you actually need. But for the right person, the Apple Watch Ultra isn’t just hype—it’s a real tool, built to handle real challenges.
