Best Apple Watches of 2024: Tested and Reviewed by Experts
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 other Apple Watch models is the larger, brighter, flatter display covered in sapphire crystal and surrounded by a titanium case to significantly increase the amount of wear and tear it can handle. It’s also IPX6 dustproof, waterproof to depths of 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 are the highlights
ZDNET contributor Matthew Miller also tested the Apple Watch Ultra 2 when it was released last year and said he liked the watch “for its long battery life, brighter display, expanded connectivity, and new watch bands,” and was also impressed with the mental health features of the Mindfulness app.
The Ultra 2 also adds a bunch of exclusive features, including a programmable Action Button with a variety of workout and adventure functions (it can also simply activate the flashlight), dual-frequency GPS that can overcome interference from mountains and skyscrapers, and built-in dual speakers that are much louder when making phone calls, playing music, or interacting with Siri.
Many Amazon reviewers who purchased the watch say it’s the best Apple Watch they’ve ever used, citing the build quality of the watch and the large 49mm display with 3,000 nits of brightness. The Ultra also brings an important addition to the Apple Watch Series 9 lineup: an emergency siren (activated by holding down the Action button), which emits an 86-decibel sound that can be heard up to 600 feet (180 meters) away. This feature could come in handy if you get lost or fall while hiking, to scare off wild animals, or to scare off attackers.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Specifications: Display size: 49mm | Battery life: Up to 72 hours | Storage capacity: 64GB | Featured: Rugged titanium case and sapphire crystal, advanced safety features including built-in siren, dual-frequency GPS, operates at depths of up to 100 meters underwater
