Uploaded October 2022 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
The Apple watch ultra is huge, rugged, built for the outdoors and has the fanciest features.
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Amazon Affiliate Links to Gear I use:
Sony A7S III: amzn.to/3jD0fxC
Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB Tripod: amzn.to/2O7V8Yn
14in M1 Pro MacBook Pro: amzn.to/3RNYXRv
Godox VL150: amzn.to/3rA5BjZ
Sennheiser MKH50 Mic: amzn.to/3CeRxBk
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:29 Physical Features
5:24 Personal Experience
8:47 Apple Watch Ultra Alternatives
11:29 Conclusion
Out of the box you get the Apple watch ultra itself, the watch bands you chose, and a braided apple watch charger. This is Apple’s least customizable watch. It doesn’t come in any other color or material, just this light grayish titanium body with orange accents on the action button and dial. The selection on the type of bands you can choose for this Apple watch is limited to the Alpine loop, trail loop, ocean band and their different colors and sizes. The Apple watch ultra differs from other Apple watches in a bunch of different ways, the digital crown and side button have part of the body blocking them to prevent damaging them and accidental scrolling, it has 2 speakers for louder and clearer sound that can also be used as a loud siren in emergencies. The ultra touts 36 hours of usage between charges compared to the 24 of the other apple watches, an “action” button that can be customized to do different things, IP6X Dust resistance, EN13319 certification, a built in depth gauge, is swim proof, has dual frequency GPS and has the largest apple watch display we’ve seen yet at 49mm. Also, the Apple watch ultra is cellular+GPS only. There’s no option for a GPS only model.
Let’s talk about user experience. On release day, I charged this thing to 100% and then I wanted to see if it could survive the whole weekend. Apple did tout 36 hours of battery life so I wanted to really see if that was the case. After 48 hours, the watch was at 15%. From my own usage it went over the 48hr mark with some battery to spare. Personally I find it comfortable to wear during my day to day life, with the only issue related to the alpine band itself. It’s really hard to put on and take off, I get that that’s the point, since it’s supposed to be secure so I’m just pointing out that this band might not be ideal as your daily driver band.
As currently implemented the Action button has some useful features, but is a bit limited. Currently you can only set it up to do a few specific things or use a shortcut. While the Apple watch does have dual speakers, it’s still an apple watch, so it only allows you to use those speakers to do specific things, such as a speakerphone during phone calls, alarms, notifications and the new siren features. While you can stream music off of the Apple watch, it’s only when bluetooth devices like airpods or headphones are connected. Not directly on the speakers of the watch. But during calls the speakers are louder than the single speaker on my apple watch series 6.
When I think of Alternatives to the Apple watch ultra, I can only think of 2 things. Other Apple watches, and sport specific watches. Let’s start with the sport specific ones first. The Apple Watch Ultra in all of its marketing, packaging and all of its new features is trying to capture a lot of the market of people who do some extreme or rugged activities. Like long hikes in the wilderness or scuba diving, and they might get some of the people who are new to these activities or are casual hobbyists but I don’t think the Apple watch ultra is the right solution for people who are really into these hobbies and activities. Take for example. Garmin. They make a ton of different watches that are all catered to specific activities. Each and every single one, provides a ton of functionality related to their activities that the Apple watch currently does not mimic. It really depends on what you’re prioritizing there. But when you compare the Apple Watch Ultra to the Apple Watch Series 8 or SE, then it gets a little weird. What you’re paying for in comparison to the other apple watches is the additional features like the larger display, dual speakers for high decibel emergency signals, the titanium body, even better water resistance and that sapphire front glass.
The Apple watch ultra is a very, very nice addition to the Apple watch lineup, it adds a ton of new features that benefits both the average apple watch buyer and people doing high intensity sports. Most people may see better value in the Apple Watch Series 8 or Apple Watch SE. As for me. I think most people should stick to the Series 8 and SE. This Apple Watch Ultra is fantastic for the right person, but most apple watch users won’t benefit from using it unless that extra ruggedness, larger display, and longer battery life are the features you care about most.
The Apple watch ultra is huge, rugged, built for the outdoors and has the fanciest features.
Get your iPhone 14 cases at CASETiFY now! Go to : casetify.com/jimmytriesworldyoutube today to get 15% off your order!
Amazon Affiliate Links to Gear I use:
Sony A7S III: amzn.to/3jD0fxC
Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB Tripod: amzn.to/2O7V8Yn
14in M1 Pro MacBook Pro: amzn.to/3RNYXRv
Godox VL150: amzn.to/3rA5BjZ
Sennheiser MKH50 Mic: amzn.to/3CeRxBk
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:29 Physical Features
5:24 Personal Experience
8:47 Apple Watch Ultra Alternatives
11:29 Conclusion
Out of the box you get the Apple watch ultra itself, the watch bands you chose, and a braided apple watch charger. This is Apple’s least customizable watch. It doesn’t come in any other color or material, just this light grayish titanium body with orange accents on the action button and dial. The selection on the type of bands you can choose for this Apple watch is limited to the Alpine loop, trail loop, ocean band and their different colors and sizes. The Apple watch ultra differs from other Apple watches in a bunch of different ways, the digital crown and side button have part of the body blocking them to prevent damaging them and accidental scrolling, it has 2 speakers for louder and clearer sound that can also be used as a loud siren in emergencies. The ultra touts 36 hours of usage between charges compared to the 24 of the other apple watches, an “action” button that can be customized to do different things, IP6X Dust resistance, EN13319 certification, a built in depth gauge, is swim proof, has dual frequency GPS and has the largest apple watch display we’ve seen yet at 49mm. Also, the Apple watch ultra is cellular+GPS only. There’s no option for a GPS only model.
Let’s talk about user experience. On release day, I charged this thing to 100% and then I wanted to see if it could survive the whole weekend. Apple did tout 36 hours of battery life so I wanted to really see if that was the case. After 48 hours, the watch was at 15%. From my own usage it went over the 48hr mark with some battery to spare. Personally I find it comfortable to wear during my day to day life, with the only issue related to the alpine band itself. It’s really hard to put on and take off, I get that that’s the point, since it’s supposed to be secure so I’m just pointing out that this band might not be ideal as your daily driver band.
As currently implemented the Action button has some useful features, but is a bit limited. Currently you can only set it up to do a few specific things or use a shortcut. While the Apple watch does have dual speakers, it’s still an apple watch, so it only allows you to use those speakers to do specific things, such as a speakerphone during phone calls, alarms, notifications and the new siren features. While you can stream music off of the Apple watch, it’s only when bluetooth devices like airpods or headphones are connected. Not directly on the speakers of the watch. But during calls the speakers are louder than the single speaker on my apple watch series 6.
When I think of Alternatives to the Apple watch ultra, I can only think of 2 things. Other Apple watches, and sport specific watches. Let’s start with the sport specific ones first. The Apple Watch Ultra in all of its marketing, packaging and all of its new features is trying to capture a lot of the market of people who do some extreme or rugged activities. Like long hikes in the wilderness or scuba diving, and they might get some of the people who are new to these activities or are casual hobbyists but I don’t think the Apple watch ultra is the right solution for people who are really into these hobbies and activities. Take for example. Garmin. They make a ton of different watches that are all catered to specific activities. Each and every single one, provides a ton of functionality related to their activities that the Apple watch currently does not mimic. It really depends on what you’re prioritizing there. But when you compare the Apple Watch Ultra to the Apple Watch Series 8 or SE, then it gets a little weird. What you’re paying for in comparison to the other apple watches is the additional features like the larger display, dual speakers for high decibel emergency signals, the titanium body, even better water resistance and that sapphire front glass.
The Apple watch ultra is a very, very nice addition to the Apple watch lineup, it adds a ton of new features that benefits both the average apple watch buyer and people doing high intensity sports. Most people may see better value in the Apple Watch Series 8 or Apple Watch SE. As for me. I think most people should stick to the Series 8 and SE. This Apple Watch Ultra is fantastic for the right person, but most apple watch users won’t benefit from using it unless that extra ruggedness, larger display, and longer battery life are the features you care about most.
