Differences Between Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2

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Apple Watch Ultra was a game-changer when it launched last year: finally, it’s a bigger, more rugged wearable for those obsessed with the great outdoors. This year, Apple released an updated Ultra version that offers some additional features while maintaining the same look and feel as the original. So: how do the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 stack up against each other, and is it worth upgrading to the Watch Ultra 2 if you already have the first one?

Minor improvements

When you look at the watches side by side, both of Apple’s high-end, rugged smartwatches look almost identical. That’s because Apple hasn’t updated the overall look of the device, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t improvements on the inside.

For starters, the Ultra 2 has a brighter screen, delivering up to 3,000 nits of brightness. While you’ll have no problem viewing this screen in bright sunlight, it’s not like the original Ultra is dim: it has a 2,000-nit display, which means it’s plenty bright, but you’ll notice the extra 1,000 nits when using it . There’s also an improved Ultra Wideband chip that allows you to track your Ultra 2 and iPhone 15 all the way to the meter if they’re connected to the network and transmitting a signal.

Perhaps one of the biggest “additions” Apple has touted this year in the Ultra 2, as well as the Series 9 , is the “double-tap” gesture. This gesture lets you stop timers, play music, snooze alarms, answer or cancel phone calls, and more, just by double-tapping your index finger and thumb. You can use a similar gesture using the Accessibility feature on an older Apple Watch , but it won’t work as well as the official feature on the Ultra 2.

Of course, there are small improvements such as a faster processor, a flashlight boost option that makes the on-screen flashlight brighter, and more accurate dictation thanks to improved neural engines and machine learning techniques.

Apple Watch Ultra Specifications

  • Watch size: 49 mm
  • Material: Titanium
  • Display: 1.91-inch OLED, 410 x 502 pixels.
  • Processor: S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor.
  • Connectivity: LTE and UMTS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3.
  • Memory and storage: 32 GB
  • Battery life: Up to 36 hours; 18 using LTE
  • Dimensions: 44 x 49 x 14.4 mm.
  • Weight: 61.3 g
  • Color: Natural titanium
  • Always on display: Yes
  • Automatic workout detection: Yes
  • Compass: Yes
  • Altimeter: Yes
  • Water resistance: up to 100 m.
  • Microphone: Yes
  • Speaker: Yes
  • Voice Assistant: Yes
  • Sleep Tracking: Yes
  • Period tracking: Yes
  • Sensors: SPo2 (blood oxygen), ECG, optical heart, ambient light, HDR gyroscope, high gravity accelerometer, water temperature, depth gauge + app.
  • GPS: Yes
  • Emergency functions: international emergency call, emergency SOS, accident detection.

Specifications of Apple Watch Ultra 2

  • Watch size: 49 mm
  • Material: Titanium
  • Display: 1.91-inch OLED, 410 x 502 pixels.
  • Processor: S9 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor.
  • Connectivity: LTE and UMTS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3.
  • Memory and storage: 64 GB
  • Battery life: 36 hours; up to 72 hours in low power mode
  • Dimensions: 44 x 49 x 14.4 mm.
  • Weight: 61.4 g
  • Color: Natural titanium
  • Always on display: Yes
  • Automatic workout detection: Yes
  • Compass: Yes
  • Altimeter: Yes
  • Water resistance: 10 ATM (100 meters) and recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters.
  • Microphone: Yes
  • Speaker: Yes
  • Voice Assistant: Yes
  • Sleep Tracking: Yes
  • Period tracking: Yes
  • Sensors: SPo2 (blood oxygen), ECG, optical heart, ambient light, HDR gyroscope, high gravity accelerometer, water temperature, depth gauge + app.
  • GPS: Yes
  • Emergency functions: international emergency call, emergency SOS, accident detection.

Is it worth upgrading?

Short answer? No. While the additional improvements in the Apple Watch Ultra 2 are nice, they’re not enough to justify spending $800 just a year after purchasing the OG Ultra.

However, if you haven’t yet purchased an Apple Watch Ultra and are eyeing the Watch Ultra 2, then I would recommend going ahead and buying the newer model unless you can find a good deal on the first generation watch. It’s the same with most technology these days: not much changes from model to model. It’s only after a few iterations of the product that you start to see radical improvements.

You can learn more about the latest model in my Apple Watch Ultra 2 review or purchase the Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch Ultra 2 on Amazon.

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