The Apple Watch Ultra is squarely aimed at adventurers: divers, hikers, and other athletes who need a rugged, long-lasting smartwatch that can cope with endurance events and extreme weather.
But in exactly the same way that people buy 4x4s with absolutely no intention of ever driving them off-road, the Ultra has also proven popular with ordinary folk that are never going to test its water resistance to a depth of 100m or rely on following waypoints out in the wilderness. They just love its looks and the fact it lasts twice as long between charges compared to a regular Apple Watch.
It has almost become a status symbol because of its high price, although not quite to the extent that the original Edition models did. The fact it’s so distinct from a Watch Series 7, 8, or 9 means it’s easy to stand out, unlike if you buy an iPhone 15; almost no one will know you have the latest model.
So the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a great fashion accessory, but is it a good smartwatch? Fortunately, it is.
DESIGN AND DISPLAY
If you’re unfamiliar with the Watch Ultra, it’s like a regular Apple Watch on steroids. It has a larger 49mm display, a bigger crown that’s easier to use while wearing gloves, and an extra button—the Action button—which can be customized to do various things, alongside activating the built-in 86-decibel siren.
Instead of curved cover glass, which normal Apple Watches have, the Watch Ultra 2 has a flat sapphire crystal that’s offered a little extra protection by the metal case, which sits just proud of it.
That case
