– Added an 80db alarm siren, for emergency usage/attention – Now has three microphones for wind-cancellation audio – Added an extra speaker for louder outside volume – Increased water resistance to WR100 (100m) for dive usage – Increased size of the rotating digital crown for glove usage – Added a new button, called the Action button, designed for glove usage – New titanium case with sapphire glass display – New high-g accelerometer (for vehicle crashes)Īnd then here’s the Ultra-specific hardware differences: So, to start, here’s the more general hardware changes first from Series 7 to Series 8: In other words, when comparing an Apple Watch Ultra to a Series 7 (prior year), you basically first need to consolidate all the new Series 8/WatchOS9 changes, then once you’ve got those identified, you can add in the differences from Series 8 to Ultra. The Apple Watch Ultra is basically an Apple Watch Series 8 at its core, and then has an added slate of hardware and software features/differences above that. With that – let’s begin! What’s New & Where It Differs: If you found this review useful, feel free to hit up the links at the end of the site, or consider becoming a DCR Supporter.

In this review, I’ll cover that, plus plenty more in terms of day-to-day use, as well as other new features like the new emergency siren and the action button.įinally, note that Apple sent me out a media loaner Apple Watch Ultra edition, which as always will head back to them shortly once I’ve wrapped up with a few other tests. I’ve been testing the Apple Watch Ultra, and in particular, yesterday I put it to the ultimate test: Could it survive a 14+ hour non-stop trail run/hike through the Alps? And if it could, how well would it handle such a mission. The Ultra aims to solve both of those concerns, while adding in a number of other features along the way, such as the emergency siren. Sure, Apple’s WatchOS 9 update for many of their other watches, including the recent Apple Watch Series 8, has brought a massive slate of new features aimed at that crowd – such as running power, triathlon support, and more.īut historically, one of the biggest blockers to many athletes using an Apple Watch was lack of battery life, combined with lack of buttons.

The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple’s real first foray into a watch suited for endurance sports, and other sporty adventures.

The watch rating review