Apple Watch Ultra 2 In-Depth Review: Worth the Upgrade?

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Күн бұрын

Here's everything you need to know about the Apple Watch Ultra 2, how it's different, and whether it's worth the upgrade. Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2 here (amzn.to/3ZutYzw), which helps support the channel!
0:00 Quick Intro
0:23 Band Options & Pricing
0:36 Ultra 1 vs Ultra 2 Display Brightness
1:50 Is the new S9 chipset faster?
2:15 Double Tap hands-on
3:42 UWB FindMy on watch
4:06 Offline Siri
4:44 Siri and Apple Health
5:06 Daily Activity Tracking
5:30 Sleep Tracking Tests
6:20 Workout Tracking
7:13 Topographic Maps
8:33 Cycling Companion App (for iPhone)
9:17 Cycling Power Meters
10:08 Battery Life Tested
11:30 The Emergency Siren
12:21 GPS Accuracy Testing
13:53 HR Accuracy Testing
14:30 Is It Worth Upgrading?
•New Apple Silicon S9 chipset, which Apple says has 5.6 billion transistors and is 60% more than before
•New GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), which Apple states is 30% faster, allowing for faster rendering
•New 4-core neural engine, which Apple states is twice as fast in machine learning applications
•New far brighter 3,000 nit display (previously the Apple Watch Ultra was 2,000 nits, and the previous Series 8 is 1,000 nits)
•New display can also go down to just 1 nit, versus the previous 2 nits. Apple says that in turn drives a big savings in battery consumption due to the always-on side of things (of course, that battery savings is then spent on the faster processor bits)
•New UWB 2 (Ultrawideband) chip, which increases finding of things (like your phone), including exact distance and direction, but also increased Homepod integration
•New watch bands
•Updated case made from 95% recycled aluminum (versus 0% prior)
Next, we’ve got the software features that are new to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and require/leverage the new S9 chipset:
•New Double tap: This allows you to double-tap your index and thumb together, acting as a virtual button. You can answer a call, hang-up a call, snooze an alarm, take a picture from the camera, or any number of other custom actions (more on this down below)
•New Flashlight boost: This leverages the brighter display for a brighter virtual flashlight option
•Siri now newly processes requests entirely offline (without cellular/WiFi) for things it can do locally
•Siri can now log Apple Health metrics (purely via voice), including weight, period information, as well as respond to Health requests (e.g., asking for last night’s sleep stats) - available later this year in English and Mandarin.
Some links Amazon affiliate links, for which I may earn a commission.
#AppleWatchUltra2 #Ultra2 #AppleWatchUltra

Пікірлер: 456

@anthonycraig274 7 ай бұрын

This has to be the most complete Ultra review out there who actually does the sports as well as understanding the tech, which most couch tech’s reviewers fall short.

@sevendaysin8374 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for exercising like a madman to actually show us the accuracy of so many of these features as they're being added to Apple Watch! Big up!

@Dcrainmaker 8 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@donwooss 8 ай бұрын

exercising is the reward ;)

@yartriesthis 8 ай бұрын

@@Dcrainmaker 14:05 whats the software you used to get the line chart for HR? I am a crossfitter and I would like to see the entire time line of my HR during WODS. Thank YOU!

@uttam1405 8 ай бұрын

Absolute star for doing this in-depth! Thanks for the effort, commitment and going to depth! Excited to be using an ultra for the first time tomorrow! :)

@xander0901 8 ай бұрын

The Ultra 2 is probably not worth the upgrade from an Ultra 1, but it's definitely a sweeter deal for people who were interested in the Ultra 1 and were holding out.

@przemysawmarciniec5180 8 ай бұрын

I bought used ultra 1 after ultra 2 release. I am super satisfied, in full sun light while surfing the screen was clearly visible.

@speedbird737 8 ай бұрын

Its a free upgrade with my UK service provider so I will upgrade from my ultra 1 and get a new watch band

@DJsparky2008smm-electrical 8 ай бұрын

I feel all the new features on the new ultra 2 would work with a software update on the ultra 1 like the clock screen update 🤣 that was in the latest update

@Todestelzer 8 ай бұрын

Questionable if the Ultra is worth the price in the first place. Maybe for divers I would say.

@MrJMHP 8 ай бұрын

Do you hear a wetsuit?!... If so you use it under or on top?.. Isn't to bulkit to wear it if wetsuit?@@przemysawmarciniec5180

@Anakena3 8 ай бұрын

I ordered it it arrives tomorrow, but I increasingly think that an aftermarket version 1 would be enough- thanks for the great work as usual!

@TechWiz1983 8 ай бұрын

Love how thorough & informative you are with what you presented. You got a new sub! I desperately want the AW Ultra 2, but I’m super disappointed they don’t offer it in black/space grey. If they did I would have pre-ordered. Fingers crossed they add some colour options ASAP.

@dinterowski 8 ай бұрын

We got the same watch with minor changes that no one asked for. The lack of significant improvement in battery life is a huge gift from Apple to Garmin, which has gained an extra year to introduce esim cards and further improvements to epix and fenix

@VMAdventures88 6 ай бұрын

If I was an active sportperson I would probably have picked the Garmin, but for me and 95% of the population, the Ultra is the better buy.

@HoratioBannister 8 ай бұрын

You are the best! Great job. As always, thx for providing useful reviews, Data and opinions. 👍

@AlexGTech 8 ай бұрын

Thanks man, nice to see a review that doesn't feel like an Apple ad 👏

@Dcrainmaker 5 ай бұрын

Thanks - much appreciated!!

@davidandhometech 8 ай бұрын

DC Rainmaker: the only person with watch tan lines on both wrists ;-) Great stuff as always, thank you!

@Dcrainmaker 8 ай бұрын

@peterpayne2219 8 ай бұрын

Very helpful video, thank you!

@chirsd666 8 ай бұрын

I've been using the cycling workout app on my Ultra 1 since last year. I love the HRM and GPS accuracy, but the auto-pause feature was never great (~5 sec delay). Auto-pause is worse now with Watch OS 10. I'm getting delays of 10 seconds on average. Then it restarts with any slight movement. Not good. Apple needs to add a user selected speed (like 5 kph) to initiate auto-pause.

@LJ-jq8og 8 ай бұрын

THX for an EXCELLENT REVIEW 💪

@kundansingh914 8 ай бұрын

Hi DC, thank you as always for a very well made informative video. I have been a long term garmin user and currently use the 965 for tracking all my activities such as - strength training, yoga, running, cycling. Along with my recovery metrics such as sleep, body battery, HRV, training readiness. These recovery metrics i beleive are very important. From my understanding the Apple watch doesnt have these metrics, even though its heart rate tracking is superior to that of Garmin. Would you say having the Garmin with slightly less accurate heart rate tracking but better metrics is a good trade off ? is it possible to get recovery metrics on the apple watches? thank you.

@runebinder 7 ай бұрын

Got a Series 4, battery is not great now and have been thinking of upgrading and just taken the plunge with a Ultra 2. Apart from walking the dog, not a major outdoors (or fitness in general type), but the battery, sapphire screen (lots of micro scratches on my current one) and larger screen has won it for me. Should feel like a very nice upgrade :) Update, had the Ultra 2 for a couple of weeks now and it’s a huge upgrade. Love it :)

@xKILLAxCAMx 6 ай бұрын

I’m about to do this upgrade too!

@runebinder 6 ай бұрын

Enjoy :)@@xKILLAxCAMx

@SINBREAKER24 2 ай бұрын

@@xKILLAxCAMxwas it worth it?

@DoLNet142 8 ай бұрын

Good video! i already bought two devices from your reviews!

@Obi-Wan-Jackobi1996 7 ай бұрын

The double tap is legit amazing

@hobblyjig 8 ай бұрын

I really hate the increasing number of features being marketed but not yet available year over year.

@mattmcmullen8244 8 ай бұрын

It would be a little ridiculous to have a huge feature dump only once per year, with nothing in between.

@catbranchman01 8 ай бұрын

@@mattmcmullen8244why?

@billmichaud 8 ай бұрын

Jumped from my Apple Watch Ultra to Garmin Epix Pro Zero regrets.

@matthiassventoest6800 8 ай бұрын

very thorough.., well done

@emilievaneps8858 8 ай бұрын

super nice video, thanks!

@TheOkinawaBoy 8 ай бұрын

Nice video. Almost started regretting I bought series 9 instead of UW2, although don’t need them in my cycling training.

@0xeb- 8 ай бұрын

Great review. Thank you.

@Frell1982 8 ай бұрын

My Series 3 broke a few month ago, I’ve been using an old Garmin Vivo Active since then as an replacement, this will a nice update.

@JD-lv3oo 8 ай бұрын

Fantastic as always 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

@tkircos 7 ай бұрын

@DC Rainmaker - Love your content and all the time and effort you put into testing and staring the best persecutive on the review and amazing data to back it. Thank you! I do have a question to you and the community here, I was using Garmin Coach to teach me to run and be able to do a 10k ... busy summer with work and injury put me back to the beginning with months off, I am not a runner but was enjoying it. I am now looking to start a path to 10k on my apple watch ultra 2 instead, can you recommend a good learn to run app/coach for Apple Watch tracking?

@neliobetdejesus3380 8 ай бұрын

I went from a series 3 to the ultra 2. I know it’s a major jump but I absolutely love this watch

@cjlondon720 7 ай бұрын

I’m about to do the same thing myself, can’t wait to get mine!

@ojrosas8718 8 ай бұрын

Thx for the in-depth review.. Now I dont regret the impulse buy ( Ultra 1) vs waiting the two months for the newer version lol. Doubt I'll ever find a need to use the double-tap feature..

@jamesgraham8386 8 ай бұрын

I have a series 6 watch. I just ordered the Ultra 2, mainly for the battery life.

@ShaneOSullivanky 8 ай бұрын

Upgrading from a series 4 to Ultra 2 (arriving tomorrow). Thanks for the video. Wonder was radar support mentioned at the Wanderlust event?

@mmcewen9789 8 ай бұрын

Oooh, that's a good question. But I think the radars rely on the ANT+ radar implementation.

@chrisennis1915 8 ай бұрын

Man I don't know how people get theirs so fast. I ordered mine today upgrading from Series 6. It won't ship until tomorrow-oct 6th.

@hossromani 8 ай бұрын

Amazing ! Just what I was looking for - let’s go!

@Dcrainmaker 8 ай бұрын

Thanks!!!

@seanhenretta2888 5 ай бұрын

Body temperature also helps to verify whether or not a patient is asleep as well as which sleep stage they may be in

@jamah84 8 ай бұрын

If you have neither would the 2 be the way you go or catch the 1 on sake or just go with a Garmin? I want to get one for overall fitness tracking and some outdoor activities.

@BrendanEvan 8 ай бұрын

I ignored the other reviews of this watch and came to you because I knew he would review it brutally

@sethhinton5260 6 ай бұрын

My son is a contractor and loves his. Wears it all day and used to use the protective screen with it. After the 3rd one broke, he didn't replace it. I'm a larger guy and I'm curious if they're as tough as they seem. I do tech appliance repair work sometimes and my hand gets into tight places with a lot of metal edges. I worry about breaking the face. Would love to hear from active people how their watches are holding up?

@victorhannestad7137 7 ай бұрын

Thanks to this review, I just bought the Ultra 2 and retired my Series 6 44m 🥳

@ttttt7026 6 ай бұрын

Great video. I would really love to see an athlete like yourself do a video on how they would use this watch as a fitness watch for different sports like running, hiking, biking, swimming, alpine touring, etc. Like, which apps are almost a requirement and how do you use them? How would you aggregate all the activities, etc. Any plans to create something like that?

@Outdoor_MED 8 ай бұрын

I wanted to ask what your thoughts are about upgrading to a Garmin 965 from a series 6 or get the AWU? Garmin says that their watches are compatible with IOS.

@adams7043 2 ай бұрын

Amsterdam. My home town 😊 Nice that you tested the watch around the world!

@Dcrainmaker 2 ай бұрын

It's where I live. :)

@JRMillion 8 ай бұрын

I assume yes, but is the super fragile antenna band still identical?

@morbozim 8 ай бұрын

Is that more vibrant colour and background theme you have in the movement rings app a new feature or also available for the Ultra 1?

@robobass25 Ай бұрын

I have an old Apple Watch 6 I think it is. I’m wondering if the 2 is worth it now? Or should I wait til whenever the 3 is out? I like that it has a titanium casing and other things like that like the iPhone 15 pro that I got recently

@KamekazeKuban 8 ай бұрын

So might be a long shot but do you think that Apple would make a wear profile that accommodates people who wear a watch with the face of it on the inside of their wrist? I’ve tried wearing every type of watch “normally” from my Suunto to my various Apple Watches including the Ultras and it just doesn’t feel right.

@paulmitchell4544 8 ай бұрын

Be interesting to find out if wearing gloves interferes with double-tap. Very useful for my work and cold environments. The latest IOS has solved some problems I have had on my series 7. I am thinking of going Ultra and then using my 7 for sleeping until the battery is done.

@01bigtrev 8 ай бұрын

It should work as it’s detecting the slight movements through the accelerometer as the fingers tap. You can test the feature in the accessibility settings on your series 7

@CanInelli 8 ай бұрын

Open Water Swim tracking of Ultra 1 was not reliable, sometimes it gave great data, sometimes had bad gps points and recorded extra distances. I wrote about this numerous times to Apple and also posted on Reddit, Macrumors etc. I bought a new Ultra 1 to compare and try it and had the same issue. Did you have that issue with Ultra 1? Does it seem to be fixed with Ultra 2?

@johnson4523 8 ай бұрын

How are the swimming capabilities for pool and open water? Im a triathlete so swimming functionality and structured workouts have me on the edge between this and say the garmin fenix

@darylrue3347 5 ай бұрын

Did you happen to check the accuracy for of finding watch via findmy? Is it more precise than the non dual frequency GPS Apple watches? AKA leveraging the dual frequency chips?

@zahirkhan778 8 ай бұрын

Excellent review

@iggyman83 8 ай бұрын

Recently took a light step into the world of Garmin with the budget Forerunner 55 and it does MOST THINGS and does them well. Cannot see the value in the AWU when the Fenix 7 is half the price here in Australia. Screen on my Forerunner 55 the main thing that makes it feel budget - otherwise just a fraction of the price and very comfortable. Would consider the S9 Apple Watch but the battery life... I just can't charge each day

@rosscoursey4979 8 ай бұрын

If I hadn’t broken my series 4, I would’ve never upgraded to the ultra 1. But I’m so glad that I did. The ultra 2 is not worth an upgrade for me or anyone with the first one, but when the third generation comes out, I may have to get it if it has new features.

@dimi-88 8 ай бұрын

Best watch ever.Nothing compares this beauty.

@user-zd8gv6kk1s 8 күн бұрын

From someone that just switched to IPhone 15 PM and works out 4-6 times a week excluding swimming or hikes , is it worth getting the Ultra 2 , it also looks so cool , was deciding between series 9 45mm aluminum or Ultra 2 . Any feedback is appreciated .

@marekbrabec4002 8 ай бұрын

Great video, thank you! I have a question related to Strava and automatic import from Health app. Everything went well after the first workout and I can see the activity on Strava. There is just one thing and that is the device shown in Strava. It says "Apple Health" instead of Apple Watch Ultra. Is there a way how to fix that? Thank you in advance!

@drregmonster4371 8 ай бұрын

Outside of the fitness functions, the feature most important to me is the vibrating alarm. I’ve gotten used to auditory alarms and will sleep through them. I realized that vibrating alarms have existed for the deaf community. I could never go back now.

@surreytrailgoat5469 7 ай бұрын

Great video - any ideas when structured workouts will start being pushed down to the Apple Watch from Training Peaks. I don't think this is available yet.

@86309 8 ай бұрын

with cell data ,can you use the watch to run amazon music to the apple AirPods Pros without lugging your phone around the gym?

@AnarchyThirtySeven 6 ай бұрын

Never had an Apple Watch before. I just purchased this one today.

@jacksonj3082 8 ай бұрын

Guessing the new S9 chip should allow updates a bit longer into the future than watches with the S8 chip - I like the 64 GB storage upgrade since I want to load all my music and podcasts onto the U2 - in the gym I don’t carry my iPhone with me. Glad I upgraded to the U2 from my series 7 - trade in and 3% cash back, and no sales tax made this workable for me.

@fatguy9 8 ай бұрын

They should just add some LEDs on the case for a better actual flashlight instead of relying on the screen brightness, its geared tword “outdoors” but everyone could use a flashlight on their wrist

@anthonyrampino7734 5 ай бұрын

So, is the maps/ navigation better on the Suunto and Garmin?

@harlo1622 2 ай бұрын

Should I get the ultra 2 or a Garmin 965? I basically run and bike

@77molecola 8 ай бұрын

Is it possible to upload a trail course and then follow it with map and indications? Like Garmin fenix and forerunner 9xx...

@user-yo5lz7bh7l 6 ай бұрын

In a previous video you mentioned that with indoor cycling, distance was not shown as a metric even when paired speed and cadence sensors. Is this still the case or has it been added in?

@dnice362 8 ай бұрын

I’m interested in the ultra 2 I use a garmin. How is the ultra for runners?

@bison2014 8 ай бұрын

I currently have series 6, and have been thinking to get ultra 2. Also I have 12 pro, and I wanna upgrade to 15 pro max. I'm not sure which one to get first, I cant afford upgrading both at once.

@xkingbreezyx 4 ай бұрын

I’m coming from the series 6 is the ultra 2 worth it for me?

@elimax1261 8 ай бұрын

Which app for the maps? so I can see where I was running.

@Anonymous-mu5bl 7 ай бұрын

Just bought the ultra 2 coming from Apple series 3

@LearnEnglishWithMatta 8 ай бұрын

This was such a comprehensive review. Thanks brother 💪🏽🤠🇺🇸

@CyWebbII 5 ай бұрын

I live in Alaska. We have winter for 9 months. The spec’s state the watch is only operational on wrist if temperatures are -4 to 130. For 800$ the watch probably doesn’t work for 4-5 months for me.

@RussellFoodTravel 5 ай бұрын

I have an series 4 and is looking for an upgrade… might jump on it

@anthonyrampino7734 4 ай бұрын

If the next version is going to be better with the navigation/maps does that mean the ultra and ultra 2 will get the update?

@trumani13 8 ай бұрын

Can you at least use Siri offline to control audio? Play/pause/next? Limited use case, but would hope Siri can at least do that.

@jaredweb 7 ай бұрын

The bike computer thingy is really cool. Does anyone know if it will work on an iPhone 12 Pro with the Ultra 2?

@texasjmd 7 ай бұрын

Do you plan to do an updated video comparing the Apple Ultra 2 to the Garmin Epix standard and pro additions?

@howardhankins6216 7 ай бұрын

I just got that watch for my iPhone 15 pro max I can't wait until I get it

@bikin_n_dronin 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for the review, for now I think I’ll stick with my Garmin 530 and Fenix 5X for now. Apple has a long way to go.

@Rowiiexx 7 ай бұрын

Is it really worth it over the series 9 considering it’s double the price?

@Jimbo83h 8 ай бұрын

I would like to ask you if you use Glonass gps or gallileo to to your Garmin.

@mlcalache 2 ай бұрын

nice to see you running around my neighborhood and the amsterdamse bos in Amsterdam :)

@Dcrainmaker 2 ай бұрын

Haha…that’s MY neighborhood! 🤣

@danielcable5363 6 ай бұрын

Ray I need some help from the expert. I am currently using the Apple Watch ultra and I am a cyclist (yes i miss my Garmin) but even with the most recent updates pertaining to cycling they are still missing a major component in my opinion. I am looking for the capability of broadcasting HR to my Garmin 1040 heat unit. I dont believe apple does that currently, correct? Are you aware of any 3rd party app options that offer a work around? TIA

@jfvincent3750 6 ай бұрын

Funny, I was watching your review thinking, "Wow, the east coast trails look exactly like what I have in my backyard..." Then, latter in your review when you zoom in and out showing new new "topo" feature I realized you were at Rancho San Antonio (my backyard....) Somehow, probably because of your username, I assume you were based and did all reviews from the east coast. Hope you enjoy the trail all the way to the top of Black mountain, there is a really nice view from there. you can see the Apple spaceship and the Googleplex! Merci pour la review!

@crowehar 7 ай бұрын

I am curious what software you use to compare the fit files.

@michaelowen8158 8 ай бұрын

I take it the Ultra 2 still doesn't natively broadcast Heart Rate to Garmin Edge computers then?

@Tha-King-Arthur 5 ай бұрын

I charge the battery every four days. I have the brightness of the screen set to about 2000 nits and the AOD always on. All health functions are on and I cycle indoors twice a day. I also use the watch with Apple car play and to read messages and emails, and occasionally if I don't have the phone at hand I make calls with it. I bought the straps from Ali Express and the screen protectors too. This year I bought the Samsung 6 and the 6 Classic, the Huawei GT4 and the Huawei 4 Pro, the Garmin Venu 3, but the Apple watch Ultra 2 is really the best watch I have tested this year..

@spotkristian 4 ай бұрын

How do you messure the watt's while ridning the bike?

@MrHardman1000 8 ай бұрын

cycling power also came to the ultra 1 though right?

@mallolollo 7 ай бұрын

the refreshrate of display is ltpo 1-60 or 1-120 hz ?

@nostoneunturned6291 8 ай бұрын

I remain curious as to what Apple will do with the Apple Watch’s low power GPS mode. If they truly do have a large chunk of the US trails mapped out, I can see them having one of the best “ultratrack” equivalent GPS modes on the market because it will leverage Apple Maps data for distance accuracy. I hope you can test this feature when we finally have a complete US map!

@Dcrainmaker 8 ай бұрын

I think there's a difference between having topo maps, versus having trails, versus having precise trails. Topo maps are more about the terrain. And while Apple Maps has tons of data for trails, I'm not sure if it's quite accurate enough to correct GPS based on it.

@ashleyjohansson230 8 ай бұрын

I already have a garmin enduro 2 but now I want to get the ultra and wear it on my other wrist at the same time so I can get the best of both worlds 🤭

@jawohl3547 8 ай бұрын

My problem with apple watch for monitoring resting HR and HRV is that... data it provides is indeed consistent, but almost useless, because of the method it uses.

@Inpreesme 8 ай бұрын

Thank you

@212Hasse 8 ай бұрын

Great Segment.

@mara-mimi-mia 8 ай бұрын

Why did they take the lock option out of activities, even worse they just left a blank gap ffs

@metwono 8 ай бұрын

What kind of future things will the S9 chipset be capable of?

@briangeyer9312 8 ай бұрын

I really wish I could have my heart rate zones on the same page as my pace like Garmin watches support..

@jordychinchin 8 ай бұрын

Still getting it but I’m just bummed the leaks about a black variant ended up not being true

@aznbro5559 6 ай бұрын

Man I’m thinking about getting this I have the series 6 right now 🤣

@patrickschwab2128 8 ай бұрын

I see the Elevation Bug on the Video, think only i have this. i fix it with uninstall Compass App and reinstall. The next Bug is than you cant take a Waypoint on Compass ... 🙂 thx love this Videos

@CarloRunningLife 8 ай бұрын

Don't know leave my AW4 for a Garmin (loosing apple fitness) or buy AW9 or an Ultra2. I mostly run and I'd like to have a precise GPS. AW9 seems good enough even in woods and city.