Apple Watch Ultra 2 review: this is how I like it after six months

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has been out for six months now. How do you like Apple’s best smartwatch after this time? Read all about it in this Apple Watch Ultra 2 review.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 review: after six months

It’s been six months since the latest Apple Watch Ultra was first available for purchase. Apple released the Apple Watch Ultra 2 on September 22 in the Netherlands. He then cost 899 euros (which was 100 euros less than the Apple Watch Ultra 1). Now six months later, it’s a good time to take another look at the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in this review.

First the most important thing: we can still be brief about it, because the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is almost the same as the first version. But with a few extra functions. All the functions that the Apple Watch Ultra 1 has are also on the second version. And that still makes this watch one of the best Apple Watches to date.

When you switch from a regular Apple Watch (for example a Series 6, 7, 8 or 9) you will really notice the difference. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is simply a lot better and considerably larger.

If you switch from an Apple Watch Ultra 1 to an Ultra 2, the difference is not immediately clear. In fact, you have to know where to look to notice a difference. Read on to find out exactly what the differences are.

(The most important) differences between the Apple Watch Ultra 1 and 2

If you are unsure about switching from an Apple Watch Ultra 1 to an Ultra 2, you naturally want to know what the differences are. These are the most important improvements of the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Battery life of 72 hours

The first generation Apple Watch Ultra had a standard battery life of 36 hours. With the energy saving mode this increased to 60 hours. This is almost the same with the Apple Watch Ultra 2, where the standard battery life is also 36 hours. With the energy saving mode active, this will be a lot longer on the latest Ultra: a maximum of 72 hours.

Still, we didn’t notice much of the Ultra 2’s better battery life compared to the first. The regular battery life is already fine and we have never used the Energy Saving Mode in the past six months. A battery charge can easily last two to three days and that is more than sufficient.

Double tap

In addition, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (just like the Series 9) also has support for Double Tap. The Double Tap feature was added in watchOS 10.1 and helps you control your Apple Watch when you can’t use your other hand.

In practice, we used the function a few times and then quickly forgot about it. At the moment the function is still too limited to use it much. And it’s certainly no reason to buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

The screen is brighter

The design of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is virtually the same as the first generation Apple Watch Ultra. The screen is a lot brighter, with no less than 3000 Nits. If you hold the first Apple Watch Ultra next to the Ultra 2, you have to look closely to see any difference in brightness. In normal use you will hardly notice anything.

Doubling of storage

The Apple Watch Ultra 1 had 32 GB of storage. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 goes a step further and has 64 GB as standard. Still, after six months of normal use we only used 11GB of the available 64GB (almost the same as on the Ultra 1). So 32 GB is already enough for you. The extra space is nice, but only if you want to store (a lot) of music on your watch, for example.

Improved chip

In the Apple Watch Ultra 2 you will find an S9 chip that is based on the A15 chip of the iPhone. The Apple Watch Ultra 1 has ‘only’ an S8 chip, which is based on the A13 chip. But you don’t notice the difference in speed in practice (yet). However, the Ultra 2 will probably receive the latest watchOS updates from Apple for a year longer. But that too is never completely certain.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Apple Watch Series (9)

Switching from a regular Apple Watch Series (9) to the Ultra (2) is a big change. In the beginning you have to get used to the size: 49mm (Ultra) vs a maximum of 45mm (Series 9). The watch is also heavier, almost twice as heavy, but you no longer notice that after a few days. It is also sturdier thanks to the titanium casing.

The battery life is something you immediately notice and that is a big plus with the Ultra. We admit that the battery of the regular Apple Watch is actually not that good. The Series 9 can last up to 18 hours on a single battery charge, the Ultra 2 up to 36 hours. By the way, you can double the battery life in both smartwatches in Energy Saving Mode, but then some functions will be disabled.

And is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 also waterproof? Yes, and even better than the regular Apple Watch Series. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 (and the first version) allows you to dive up to 40 meters deep and is more resistant to activities deeper underwater or in water with a strong current.

As a recreational swimmer, this extra functionality is of course not of much use, but it is nice to always be able to keep your watch on when you swim some laps or take a shower. Extreme athletes such as kite surfers also no longer have to take off their smartwatch.

Is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 worth the money?

It is still the case that you do not actually have to buy an Apple Watch Ultra 2, unless you specifically find one of the innovations very important. The Apple Watch Ultra 1 is already a lot better than the latest Apple Watch Series 9, and is therefore already enough. Moreover, the first Ultra is now also a lot cheaper than the Ultra 2.

So is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 worth the money? ‘Of course, it remains a very good smartwatch. But you have to keep in mind that the Ultra 1 is almost as good and costs a lot less. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 currently costs €824.95 and the Apple Watch Ultra 1 €678.

Both the Apple Watch Ultra 1 and Ultra 2 currently remain the best smartwatches Apple has ever made. And they might even be the best smartwatches overall. So you won’t make a bad purchase anyway.

Conclusion Apple Watch Ultra 2 review

After six months, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is still a great smartwatch. The battery is excellent after six months and the casing is scratch-free (despite a few heavy knocks).

Compared to the Apple Watch Series 9, the battery life is a lot better and that remains very nice. The extra side button is useful and the larger screen completes the main advantages. We have hardly used the other extra functions in these six months.

In addition, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 continues to look great, but that is a matter of taste. Keep in mind that this smartwatch is a lot larger on your wrist than a regular Apple Watch.

Do you want the cream of the crop in the smartwatch field? Then the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a top watch. Still, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 remains only a small improvement over the first version. After six months of use, we still notice virtually no difference with the Ultra 1 and that is a shame.

Do you want the best smartwatch of the moment? Then buy an Apple Watch Ultra 2. But do you ‘just’ want an Apple Watch Ultra? Then keep an eye on the Apple Watch Ultra 1 offers that appear regularly. Then it will be cheaper and you will still have some budget available for a few extra watch straps.

Buy Apple Watch Ultra 1 or 2

Do you want to buy an Apple Watch Ultra 2 or would you rather go for the Apple Watch Ultra 1? We have already found the best prices for you.