Apple Watch Ultra: A Rugged Companion Redefining Adventure Tech

The Apple Watch Ultra is now available for purchase in India, with a price tag of Rs. 89,900. There are no variations in size or connectivity options, though you can choose from various straps. This may seem excessive, particularly when numerous alternatives are available for less than Rs. 5,000. However, the Apple Watch Ultra stands out from typical smartwatches. It has been specifically engineered for adventure sports and survival, making it truly unique.

The Apple Watch Ultra is significantly larger and heavier compared to earlier versions. It is crafted for durability and designed for ease of use even with gloves or in extreme conditions. It boasts the largest and brightest display ever seen in an Apple Watch, allowing quick visibility of your surroundings or activities. This robust design contributes to its bulkiness, and weighing just over 60g, it’s something you will certainly notice on your wrist.

The 49mm body is constructed from titanium, and unlike other Apple Watches, its screen is perfectly flat and encircled by a metal bezel that safeguards the corners. The display is made of sapphire crystal. The watch has achieved an IP6X rating, indicating a degree of dust resistance. Additionally, for those caught outdoors, it features an 86db alarm.

While other models are labeled as “swimproof”, the Watch Ultra is EN13319 certified and waterproof up to 100m, making it suitable for recreational diving. It includes a depth gauge and a water temperature sensor, which allows compatible third-party apps to cater to diving needs. A strap specifically made for divers is also available.

The display on the Apple Watch Ultra is larger and boasts greater resolution than any preceding models. This enhancement enables more activity metrics to be displayed directly on the screen, accommodating up to eight complications. Its brightness levels reach up to 2000nits, and a special visibility mode can switch the entire screen to a vivid monochromatic red when required.

The digital crown features a larger size with more pronounced grooves, and the side button is elevated for easier access while wearing gloves. An additional customizable Action Button is also included. This smartwatch is equipped with dual speakers and a three-microphone setup to enhance audio quality during calls and while using Siri.

The customizable Action button is a distinctive feature of the Apple Watch Ultra, enabling commands to be executed in difficult environments.

The claimed battery life is up to 36 hours, aided by the larger form factor. Apple plans to introduce a new low power mode through a software update, which could extend usage to as much as 60 hours per charge, with many features disabled.

In addition to its specialized features, the Apple Watch Ultra is capable of performing all the tasks its more conventional counterparts manage, including standard health tracking like ECG and blood oxygen levels, along with sleep monitoring. Users can also access numerous apps, utilize Apple’s extensive services, and use Siri for voice commands.

A temperature sensor provides this generation of Apple Watches with enhanced functionalities, particularly in women’s cycle tracking. Furthermore, all new Apple Watches can alert users in the event of a car crash, thanks to advanced sensors and machine learning capabilities.

Apple has integrated its own S8 chip, which is shared among this series of watches. Additionally, users enjoy 32GB of storage for applications and offline music. The Apple Watch Ultra includes dual-band GPS with no variant lacking cellular capabilities. It also supports Bluetooth 5.3 and Ultra Wideband for accurate location tracking and orientation.

Unlike its iPhones, Macs, and AirPods, Apple is not presenting this model as a “Pro” version, as it is not merely an upscale iteration of the regular Apple Watch for wealthier customers. This device serves a specific niche and is tailored for dedicated purposes, likely appealing less to those who seek the latest technology trends. For such enthusiasts, there remains the stainless steel model of the Apple Watch Series 8, which can similarly be priced high depending on the selected size and strap.

Comprehensive reviews of the Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Series 8 will be available soon on Gadgets 360.