Apple introduced the Apple Watch Ultra(AWU) in September 2022, a high-end version of the Apple Watch that has been in development for years. It is aimed at sports enthusiasts and athletes who require more battery life and sport-specific performance from their devices.
The AWU has the same temperature sensor as the Series 8 and is used to measure water temperature as well as fertility planning for women. It improves cycle tracking and can estimate ovulation retroactively.
The AWU includes motion sensors that enable Crash Detection, which alerts emergency services if you are in a serious car accident. When a crash is detected, the Apple Watch checks in with the user and then automatically dials 911 if no response is received after a 10-second countdown.
The Apple Watch Ultra comes with three new sport-focused bands, including the Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band, as well as older bands designed for 44 and 45-mm Apple Watches that fit the new model.
The Watch Ultra was designed for endurance, exploration, and adventure, according to Apple, and it is the largest Apple Watch to date, measuring 49mm, which is 4mm larger than the 45mm Apple Watch Series 8 that it is sold alongside.
This Apple Watch is the first redesign in years, with a lightweight aerospace-grade titanium body, flat sapphire crystal face, larger diameter, deeper grooved Digital Crown, side button housing, and an extra physical button on the left side called the Action button.
The Watch is the brightest Apple Watch to date, with a brightness of up to 2000 nits, making it easy to see in direct sunlight. The Action button is designed in international orange to be visible in the dark and underwater, and it can activate Workouts, mark segments, set Compass Waypoints, and more.
Additional Features in Apple Watch Ultra(AWU)
Three built-in microphones improve sound quality, and a beamforming algorithm captures voice while reducing ambient background noise even when it’s noisy outside. If drawing assistance is required, an 86-decibel siren with two SOS patterns is available.
Apple was able to include a larger battery due to the larger 49mm casing. This Watch has a battery life of up to 36 hours on a single charge. And with a new low-power setting, it can last up to 60 hours for multi-day adventures. The battery lasts long enough for users to complete a long-distance triathlon.
The Apple Watch has dual-frequency GPS that incorporates both the L1 and L5 frequencies, as well as new positioning algorithms. It has the precise GPS of any Apple Watch, which means it can provide precise distance, pace, and route data.
This can withstand a wider temperature range to accommodate more extreme environments. It works in temperatures ranging from -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees Celsius) to 131 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius). The watch is MIL-STD-810H certified, a standard used by military and rugged equipment manufacturers.
The Apple Watch Ultra can withstand water sports such as kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and recreational scuba diving. Which are not recommended for standard Apple Watch models. The Apple Watch Ultra comes with three new sport-focused bands, including the Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band. As well as older bands designed for 44 and 45-mm Apple Watches that fit the new model. The Trail Loop band is the thinnest Apple Watch band to date. while the Alpine Loop is made of high-strength yarn and has a woven design that is meant to last. The Ocean Band is designed for extreme water sports and is made of fluoroelastomer that can fit over a wetsuit.
Apple Watch Ultra Design
Apple created a special Wayfinder watch face for the Apple Watch Ultra. That is complete with an integrated compass and room for up to eight complications. The watch face is customizable for the mountain, ocean, or trail, and it turns red at night for increased visibility. The AWU includes Compass Waypoints for marking a location or point of interest, as well as a Backtrack feature. That uses GPS to create a path showing where the user has been, which is useful for retracing steps.
This is the first significant design update to the Apple Watch since its initial release in 2015. The rounded rectangular shape remains, but the casing design has been updated. To provide additional protection, the case has been extended to the edges of a new flat front crystal display. And the Digital Crown and side button have been relocated to a raised area on the case.
This Watch Ultra has all of the functionality available in the Apple Watch Series 8. And in addition to features designed for exploration and adventure. It tracks heart rate, sleep, ECG readings, and blood oxygen levels, and provides all of the same fitness tracking options. All Apple Watch Ultra models include cellular connectivity, but access to all functions requires a cellular plan.
The Apple Watch Ultra has the same temperature sensor as the Series 8 and is used to measure water temperature as well as fertility planning for women. It improves cycle tracking and can estimate ovulation retroactively.
The AWU is WR100 and EN 13319 certified, which is an internationally recognized standard for diving accessories. This Watch Ultra has a depth gauge and a dedicated Depth app, water temperature, duration underwater, and maximum depth reached. The Apple Watch Ultra costs $799.
Activity Features
It includes exercise, movement, and stand rings in the Activity app, as well as reminders to encourage people to get out and move more frequently.
Apple developed a Depth app for the Apple Watch Ultra that employs a depth gauge when submerged. The Depth app can display the time, current depth, water temperature, time spent submerged, and maximum depth reached.
In watchOS 9, Apple redesigned the Compass app specifically for the Apple Watch Ultra. The redesigned Compass app includes an analog compass with a digital representation of the current bearing and direction. With a scroll of the Digital Crown, you can see bearing, elevation, incline, latitude, and longitude.
To mark a point of interest, use the Action button to drop a waypoint that appears on the Compass face. Waypoints update dynamically in real-time in relation to the Apple Watch’s position, giving an idea of the waypoint’s direction and distance.
