After Years Of Use, Here's Why I Still Wear My Apple Watch Ultra 2 Proudly

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a rugged creation that's perfect for adventurists, disposable now for $779.
• It has a gorgeous 49mm watch look that gets plentifulness agleam for outdoor use.
• The bulky creation won't beryllium everyone's cup of tea.

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With its rugged design, extended characteristic set, and ongoing package support, nan Apple Watch Ultra 2 still delivers 1 of nan astir complete smartwatch experiences you tin bargain today. When I first sewage nan wearable backmost successful 2023, it quickly became 1 of nan champion smartwatches I've ever used. After surviving pinch it time successful and time out, testing newer models, my affirmative belief of nan Apple Watch Ultra 2 has only strengthened. From demanding outdoor activities to regular wellness search and notifications, it remains a dependable, no-compromise instrumentality that holds up remarkably good today.

Also: The champion smartwatches 2026: I wore these for weeks and recovered nan cleanable 1 for your wrist

I've exercised, traveled, and moreover slept pinch nan latest Apple Watch Ultra 2 to find retired precisely wherever nan institution has pushed nan letter cover this clip around. 

Also: The champion Apple Watch you tin buy: Expert tested

I'll trim correct to nan chase: If you already ain an Apple Watch Ultra, location is nary compelling logic to upgrade to nan Ultra 2. But if you're 1 of nan galore who are readying to bargain an Ultra wearable for nan first time, this is arsenic bully arsenic it gets. Here's why.

Given today's economical situation pinch rising user prices, I americium a spot amazed that Apple was capable to execute a coagulated value constituent for nan Watch Ultra 2. Given nan titanium construction, integrated LTE radio, and sapphire solid display, $779 is very reasonable for a high-performance sports watch. That's much existent erstwhile you comparison nan Apple Watch Ultra 2 to different flagship GPS sports watches.

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Compared to nan first model, nan Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a faster S9 processor, a brighter display, doubly nan soul storage, and a operation of recycled materials that someway don't make nan wearable consciousness terrible.

Also: I've tested each Apple Watch exemplary retired correct now - this 1 is my prime successful 2026 (and it's connected sale)

WatchOS 10 was released alongside nan Watch Ultra 2, and it's made nan Apple Watch acquisition an absolute joyousness to use. It has caller functions for nan broadside fastener and nan integer crown (Smart Stack), on pinch spacious, info-rich watch faces optimized for nan Watch Ultra models. Soon after, WatchOS 11 was released, introducing improvements to workout and fittingness modes and modes. Subsequent updates made it an moreover stronger health-tracking device.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

I placed nan Watch Ultra 2 adjacent to my first-gen Watch Ultra, and they were virtually indistinguishable from each other. After cranking up nan brightness connected both, I could hardly show nan quality successful modular lighting conditions because Apple uses nan aforesaid ambient ray sensor. But successful nan outdoors, wherever you'll beryllium leveraging nan Watch Ultra's technologies nan most, it was evident that nan Ultra 2 was importantly brighter (3,000 nits vs. 2,000 nits).

Also: Finally, a fund smartwatch that's conscionable arsenic durable arsenic my Garmin (and it's connected sale)

Prior to nan Watch Ultra 2 launch, I listed three features I wanted to see to warrant an upgrade, and while Apple did not supply them, it did reside 1 of my desires successful a unsocial way. The LED flashlight connected Garmin watches is simply a instrumentality that I usage daily. On nan Watch Ultra 2, erstwhile you move connected nan flashlight, spinning nan integer crown now ups nan maximum brightness, making usage of nan other nits. 

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

It still doesn't hit retired nan Garmin LED, but it is overmuch much applicable than past year's for uncovering things successful nan car shed aliases nether nan bed, illuminating rooms astatine night, and uncovering your measurement successful nan acheronian outside.

Mapping, unfortunately, is still constricted connected nan Apple Watch Ultra 2, pinch nan astir notable alteration being offline maps support, provided you person an iPhone connected astatine slightest iOS 17. However, nan Compass app has besides received a subtle yet important upgrade acknowledgment to WatchOS 10. On nan Watch Ultra 2, it now shows a waypoint for nan last-detected cellular and emergency SOS locations, truthful you cognize precisely wherever to return to if you find yourself successful a dormant zone. The Compass app besides lets you people your camping spot, parking spot, and different useful waypoints.

Also: Why I still urge nan AirPods Pro 2 successful 2026 - particularly astatine this price

Alongside nan Watch Ultra 2, Apple released carbon-neutral watch bands successful 3 colors for nan Alpine Loop and Trail Loop. I had a chance to trial nan gray/green Trail Loop pinch nan Watch Ultra 2, and each I tin opportunity is that it's highly comfortable. The Trail Loop besides has easy Velcro unafraid support. For much casual outings, it's nan perfect watch band.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Finally, arsenic overmuch arsenic I bask nan Apple Watch Ultra 2 for its agelong artillery life, brighter display, expanded connectivity, and caller watch bands, I've besides been enjoying nan improved intelligence wellness functionality via nan Mindfulness app. It has now earned a salient spot connected my app list, and I've been signaling my authorities of mind daily. 

Also: 7 ways wellness tech promises to amended your life successful 2026

I now often usage nan Reflect and Breathe utilities, which person slow but surely reduced my accent and person proven to beryllium a invited summation to my Apple Watch use. You will only request an Apple Watch moving connected WatchOS 10 to usage nan Mindfulness app. I conscionable for illustration utilizing it connected nan Ultra's larger display.

ZDNET's buying advice

With my superior SIM now surviving arsenic an eSIM successful nan iPhone 16 Pro Max, nan Apple Watch Ultra 2 will beryllium staying connected my wrist for a agelong time. Apple's improvements didn't push nan letter cover successful immoderate peculiar way, but they're well-rounded capable to support nan Watch Ultra nan champion flagship sports watch for enthusiasts.

At nan clip of this publishing, nan Apple Watch Ultra 2 is presently connected waste astatine Best Buy for $549. That's a $250 discount. If you've been reasoning of picking up a caller smartwatch, now is nan champion clip to do it.