Apple Watch Ultra 2 one-year review: Even better than at launch

It's been over a year since the Apple Watch Ultra 2 launched, and throughout that time, this wearable has only improved as we've worn it.

I often do long-term reviews of Apple products, typically by the time a new model is released. This lets me see how my opinions evolve with extended use and assess whether the product remains worth buying.

Normally, I’d have the Apple Watch Ultra 2 on one wrist and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 on the other by this point. But this year, that’s not the case.

Instead, Apple has kept the Apple Watch Ultra 2 around, enhancing it with hardware-specific features and adding a new colorway.

It's pretty remarkable, and honestly, a great value for the product. This has become a trend for Apple with its wearable devices.

The AirPods Pro 2, for example, have received continuous updates with new features instead of simply releasing new models and pushing customers to upgrade.

If you bought them a year ago, they've only gotten better. And if you're just picking them up now, as many are, you already have a solid idea of how they perform.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Long-Term Review: My Everyday Watch

I've been wearing the Apple Watch Ultra 2 almost every day for the past year. Recently, though, that’s changed—more on that soon.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 stands out as the "sporty" option in the lineup, alongside the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch SE.

It features a fully flat sapphire glass display, with the bold, Ultra Orange Action Button on one side and a rugged Digital Crown and side button on the other.

With its 49mm display, the Ultra 2 was, until recently, the largest display on an Apple Watch. While the Series 10 now has a larger display area, the Apple Watch Ultra still offers exclusive watch faces of its own.

Modular Ultra is likely my favorite watch face for the Apple Watch Ultra. It makes full use of the available space, with a dynamic ring around the edge that updates in real-time to display different metrics.

You can customize this ring to show your current elevation, depth, or the second hand. Personally, I tend to use it to track the second hand.

As I mentioned earlier, the Apple Watch Ultra now offers a new color option. It’s available in black titanium, which is the only physical change compared to the version released in 2023.

Personally, I think the black looks fantastic—premium and sleek. It's easy to see why so many people have switched to this color.

The orange accents really pop against it as well. Early users have also noted that the color holds up well and doesn't easily wear off.

Is it enough to make you upgrade from your natural silver titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2? Probably not. But if you're in the market for a new watch, it could definitely sway your decision.

As for the rest, it still includes the same sensors Apple has included in its watches for the past few years: heart rate sensor with ECG capabilities, accelerometer, gyroscope, and more.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Long-Term Review: What Works and What Doesn't
I'll admit, I don't use the Action Button much. I’ve wanted to, ever since it debuted on the original Apple Watch Ultra.

I just tend to forget it’s there. No matter what I set it to—flashlight, shortcuts, stopwatch—I end up neglecting it.

I’m sure there are users who find it essential, but for me, it didn’t hit the mark as I expected. I end up using the Action Button on my iPhone much more often.

Another standout feature of the Ultra series is its support for recreational diving, including free diving, scuba diving, and even snorkeling.As a scuba diver, I was thrilled to see this feature. It’s fantastic to see diving capabilities included in such a major flagship product.The reality, however, is that living in landlocked Ohio means I don’t get to dive as often as I’d like. I’ve only had the chance to use this feature a few times.When I have used it, though, it’s worked great. I appreciated not having to switch to a dedicated dive watch.That said, the same issues from the first Apple Watch Ultra remain. I’d love to see an Apple-designed dive app that doesn’t come with a monthly fee, and it would be great if it could integrate with air transmitters.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2, Series 9, and Series 10 all feature a handy "double tap" function. This one-handed way to interact with your watch was originally designed as an accessibility feature.Like with the Action Button, I was slow to adopt this feature, but eventually, I realized how useful it had become.For the first few months, I completely forgot about it. But then, I started using it to control music, answer calls, or start a message reply.I knew I was hooked when I went back to my Apple Watch Series 7. I tried to use double tap, only to realize it didn’t work—understandably.With watchOS 11, double tap became even more powerful. It was integrated into more stock apps, and third-party apps also began adopting it as a primary function.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Long-Term Review: What watchOS 11 Brings to the Table

It’s only been a couple of months since the release of watchOS 11, but I’ve been really impressed by it. Surprisingly, it turned out to be one of the most significant updates to the Apple Watch.Apple first introduced watchOS 11 at WWDC in June, and I thought we knew everything it would include. But then, at the September event, Apple unveiled several more features.Notably, Apple used this update to bring speaker playback, sleep apnea detection, and the Tides app to the year-old Apple Watch Ultra 2. Instead of covering everything in this update, I’d like to focus on these late additions.

Speaker playback is a game-changer. It’s something I’ve wanted on the Apple Watch for ages and never understood why it was previously limited.

I don’t always have my phone or headphones with me—whether I'm working out, in the yard, or cleaning the chicken coop.

But what I always have is my Apple Watch. For example, when I’m in the yard, if I wanted to play audio on my phone, I’d need to find a good spot to place it.

It can’t be in the sun for too long, or it’ll overheat. Plus, I’m usually moving or carrying things, which makes using my phone as a speaker inconvenient.

Sure, I could bring a Bluetooth or AirPlay speaker, but that’s another device to manage. With the Apple Watch, I can just start a playlist or podcast directly from my wrist.

It’s not incredibly loud, but it’s loud enough. It’s simply great to use the speaker as an actual speaker, not just for calls.

Then there’s sleep apnea detection. It’s a fully FDA-certified test that monitors you throughout the night while you sleep.

I’m amazed at how many people will gain valuable insights just by wearing a device they’ve already had for over a year.

I’ve done a full at-home sleep test with all the wires, and this would have been far more convenient, easier, and cheaper. I’ve already been wearing the watch to bed for sleep tracking as it is.

So far, the Health app reports minimal breathing disturbances, which aligns with the results from my traditional test. Of course, this could change over time, so it's reassuring to have a constant background monitor tracking it.

I don’t have much to say about the Tides app. It’s a nice addition, but I imagine it’s more useful if you live near a coastline.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Long-Term Review: What’s Missing...

When comparing the Apple Watch Ultra 2 now to when it first launched, nearly everything has improved. Except for one thing—the blood oxygen monitoring.

Technically, the watch still has the necessary hardware—Apple didn’t change that—but after the end of last year, new models could no longer include the feature.

Apple updated watchOS to remove the blood oxygen app on any watch sold after the deadline, following a court ruling. This means you can’t take on-demand measurements, and the Vitals app won’t track it overnight.

It’s frustrating for consumers who simply want this health feature but find themselves caught in the middle of a patent dispute.

Masimo, the patent holder, recently lost its CEO, so there may be changes in its ongoing relationship with Apple.

I believe Apple will add this feature back as soon as they’re able to. We just don’t know when—or if—that will happen.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Long-Term Review: The Killer Feature

For me, the standout feature of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the battery life. It’s fantastic—at least for an Apple Watch.

I can easily go a couple of days without needing to charge it. I never had to worry about it.

At the beginning of this review, I mentioned I’d been wearing the Apple Watch Ultra 2 daily, until recently when that changed. The reason? I’ve switched to the new Apple Watch Series 10.

The new sleeker design sold me, along with the polished titanium body. It looks gorgeous to me, especially compared to the sharp edges of the Ultra 2.

Unfortunately, the battery life is still a letdown. Coming from the Ultra 2, having to charge every day feels like a chore.

If I'm going out for the night, I have to charge it earlier in the day because it won’t last until 2 a.m. Sometimes, I end up needing to charge it in the morning as well.

But with the Apple Watch Ultra 2, battery life is never an issue. I could charge it whenever it was convenient—usually every 2-3 days—and I was good to go.

I still switch between the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Apple Watch Series 10, and if there’s one feature that would bring me back to the Ultra 2, it would be that battery life.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Long-Term Review: No Ultra 3 This Year Is OK

I know some people were disappointed there wasn’t an Apple Watch Ultra 3—at least not yet. But I think what Apple did is even better.

Instead of rolling out a minor update, Apple updated the existing model with significant, impactful new features for all its current users.

Apple could have kept sleep apnea, speaker playback, maybe even the Tides app, and the black color for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 and put in a mildly faster chip.

That version of an Apple Watch Ultra 3 probably would have sold just fine. Instead, we all get those features without buying a new model.

I'd have said that this watch is still worth buying after a year of using it, but adding on the new features and offering up a new color, I'd say it's an even better buy.

Plus, next year, if we do get that Apple Watch Ultra 3, it's going to be an even bigger leap forward.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 long-term review: Pros

New black color is stunningNew band options looks greatSurprise new feature breath fresh life into the year-old deviceBattery life is the best in the Apple Watch lineupSleep apnea will help countless users

Apple Watch Ultra 2 long-term review: Cons

SpO2 is still missingDiving needs more depth, a first party app, and air integration

Apple Watch Ultra 2 long-term review: 4.5 out of 5

Where to buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is on sale now, with discounts on even the new black colorway. You can find the lowest Apple Watch Ultra 2 prices in our Price Guide, along with deals across Apple's entire wearables line in our Apple Watch deals roundup.