The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers more exclusive features than any other Apple Watch model. The most notable and useful difference between the Ultra and the other Apple Watch models is the larger, brighter, flatter screen that’s covered by a sapphire crystal face and surrounded by a titanium case to considerably increase the amount of wear and tear it can handle. It’s also IPX6 dust resistant, works underwater up to 100 meters (328 feet), and has military grade (MIL-STD 810H) certification for ruggedness. Plus, the Ultra 2 can handle high altitudes, shocks, vibrations, and temperatures as low as 4 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Review: I spent a week with the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and here’s what stood out the most
Hi Trend contributing writer Matthew Miller also tried out the Apple Watch Ultra 2 when it was released last year, and said he enjoyed the watch “for its long battery life, brighter display, expanded connectivity, and new watch bands” while also being impressed by the improved mental health functionality via the Mindfulness app.
The Ultra 2 adds more exclusive features as well, including a programmable Action Button with a variety of workout and adventuring functions (it can also simply activate the flashlight), dual-frequency GPS that can overcome interference from mountains and skyscrapers, and dual integrated speakers that are much louder for taking phone calls, playing music, or interacting with Siri.
Many Amazon reviewers who have bought this watch say that it’s the best Apple Watch model they have ever used, calling out the watch’s quality and large 49mm screen with 3,000 nits of brightness in particular. Beyond that, the Ultra offers one key addition to the Apple Watch Series 9 lineup: an emergency siren (activated by holding down the Action Button), which belts out an 86-decibel sound pattern that can be heard up to 600 feet (180 meters) away. This can help if you get lost or take a fall on a hike, to ward off wild animals, or to scare off attackers.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 tech specs: Display Size: 49mm | Battery life: Up to 72 hours | Storage capacity: 64GB | Features: Sturdy titanium case and sapphire crystal face, enhanced safety features including a built-in siren, dual-frequency GPS, works up to 100 meters underwater
The Apple Watch Series 9 can track activity, steps, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen (lung function), wrist temperature, sleep, and environmental sound levels (to protect your hearing), all of which customers who have reviewed the watch say “make day to day living so much easier.” And it uses algorithms and machine learning to spot dangerous patterns and alert you to seek medical attention if needed. There are now many stories of people who’ve had life-saving experiences with health alerts from an Apple Watch.
Read the full review: Apple Watch Series 9: Why you shouldn’t settle for the less expensive models this year
In my hands-on testing, there are two big upgrades in the Apple Watch Series 9. The first is a 2,000 nit display that is double the brightness of last year’s S8. The second is the new S9 SiP processor, which has a 30% faster GPU and processes machine learning twice as fast. This makes everything quicker, makes the animations smoother, and enables features like the new double-tap gesture and faster and more accurate Siri commands.
Also: Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch Series 8: Should you upgrade?
If you want the latest health sensors and safety features, great battery life (especially if you want to do sleep tracking), and you don’t need the extreme features in the Ultra 2, then you can save a lot of money by going with the aluminum model of the Apple Watch Series 9 starting at $399. However, if you decide you want the tougher stainless steel finish (starting at $699) then I’d say skip that and go straight to the Ultra, because for $100 more you get a lot of extra features. The one exception to that might be if you have a smaller wrist.
Apple Watch Series 9 tech specs: Display size: 41mm or 45mm | Battery life: Up to 36 hours | Storage capacity: 64GB | Features: New features include a 2x brighter display, double-tap gesture, new pink color, robust S9 processor, and all the best health sensors Apple has to offer
