The Apple Watch Ultra was a small revolution in its own right when you think about it. In fact, it offered much more to the world of smartwatches that Apple had launched in 2014, with new possibilities, new horizons, a new design, a new screen, new, unprecedented sports, and so on. Apple is coming back this year with a version of the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
So, when they announced a new version, I was very curious to see what it would bring. But, to my slight disappointment, there wasn’t much to sink our teeth into. Last year, this watch was already perfect; it didn’t lack much to be amazing. But this year, we have a few small improvements, but that’s about it. It may not really make us jump for joy, but we hope that there’s more to come.
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2
And now, let’s get down to the heart of the matter. What are the differences between the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2? Well, to be honest, there aren’t many, and that’s because both watches are launching simultaneously, on September 22, 2023. So, let’s explore what sets them apart.
First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 share many of the same innovations. This means that the advancements and features you find on one model are mirrored on the other. If you’re interested in the Apple Watch Series 9, I have a dedicated article available for you. For those who already own an Ultra 1, the Ultra 2 might not seem all that compelling. However, for those who haven’t yet taken the plunge into Apple Watch territory, the Ultra 2 could be a very enticing option, especially considering its $100 reduction in price compared to last year. Now, you can get the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $799, which is still a very attractive price point for everything it offers.
Performance Boost & Power-Saving Mode:
The main novelty is its processor, which will enable all these new features to come to life. It has an S9 chip with a CPU that’s 60% faster and a GPU that’s 30% faster. You can see it in the animations; it’s much smoother, more responsive, and faster.
And one of the last little new features, if I can mention them like that, is that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 now has a new power-saving mode that can last up to 72 hours. This mode allows you to balance heart rate monitoring and GPS data, which was not possible before and was something some users complained about.
Siri Integration:
The power and the dedicated neural processor allow Siri queries to be executed directly on the Apple Watch itself. This was already the case on iPhones, and now it’s coming to the Apple Watch, which avoids round trips to the cloud to fetch the answer and results in faster response times.
Enhanced Screen of Watch Ultra 2:
Changing watch faces is just amazing, especially when you compare it to a first-generation Apple Watch. The first-generation Apple Watch Ultra is really showing its age, especially in terms of speed and animations. This chip also allows for a new screen, not in terms of size since it remains at 49mm, but in terms of brightness. It goes from 2 nits to 3 nits. You really have to see it to appreciate the differences.
Ultra Watch Face:
Lastly, another new feature exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is its new modular ultra watch face. It allows for circular complications, a large central complication, and, of course, not forgetting things like seconds or depth gauges around the edges. It’s customizable, and it also has a night mode, like the current Apple Watch Ultra watch face from last year. The watch faces automatically adapt to night mode, which is very convenient.
Double Tap Interaction and Vision Pro Connection
The real novelty is called “double tap,” a feature that allows you to interact with your Apple Watch by double-tapping with your thumb and index finger. It’s a half-new feature because this functionality already existed in the accessibility settings, where you could perform various actions using the same gestures, but it had to be configured in the accessibility settings. Now it’s native, and you can activate or deactivate something, answer or hang up calls, or simply navigate the interface. It works extremely well, especially when your other hand is occupied. Instead of having to use your nose to tap on your Apple Watch, you can now use your fingers.
I can tell you that when you’re at your computer keyboard and your Apple Watch is ringing, you can just double-tap to cancel it. When you have an incoming call, you can double-tap to answer or hang up. It works very well, and I think this feature will catch on quickly. It’s available on both the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, but it will be released in October. I have it in advance to talk about it, but when you get your Apple Watch on September 22, you won’t have it. It will come out a little later, and it doesn’t surprise me, even though I think it’s not entirely related, but given that the Vision Pro is also navigated with finger gestures, like pinching and selecting, perhaps Apple wants users to get used to these gestures.
Additional Features and Carbon Neutrality
Additionally, the Apple Watch can now go up to minus 500 meters in altitude. This doesn’t mean you can go 500 meters underwater; it’s still limited to 100 meters in immersion and 40 meters in diving. But you can go much deeper if you want to go caving. The Apple Watch can meet all your needs.
Besides these, it’s important to note that Apple has made an important change: the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are now carbon-neutral. This means that from the design phase to the manufacturing and shipping, and even when used by the customer, Apple ensures that the Ultra 2 and the Series 9 have a net-zero carbon footprint.
Final Thoughts: Apple Watch Ultra 2
So, as you can see, this Apple Watch Ultra 2 brings its fair share of new features over its predecessor, which is nice. But if you already have an Apple Watch Ultra 1, it’s not really worth upgrading to an Ultra 2. However, getting an Ultra 2 today is just great because it’s cheaper, more complete, and still as beautiful with enhanced processing power, brighter screen, on-watch Siri capabilities, and user-friendly features like double-tap interaction and the Watch Ultra watch face make it a worthy addition to Apple’s lineup.
However, it’s important to note that these enhancements are mirrored in the Apple Watch Series 9, which launches simultaneously. Therefore, your choice between the two largely depends on your specific needs, budget, and whether you value the additional features and design of the Ultra 2.