Is the Apple Watch Ultra a Reliable Gadget? A Comprehensive Review

For whom?

Read now!

Occasional and urban sportsmen. Not for pros athletes (Garmin remains a leader). Targets Apple users demanding autonomy and robustness without giving up smartfeatures.

Read now!

See the Apple Watch Ultra and the opinions on Amazon

Read now!

Design & Comfort

Read now!
  • Solid : Aerospace titanium, flat sapphire glass, waterproof 100m. Survivor of extreme shocks and environments.

  • Bulky : 49mm, 61g. Acceptable for wrists> 17cm. Overwhelmed by hybrid watches (withings) in discretion.

Read now!

Features

Read now!
  • Serious sensors : Double frequency GPS (precise in town/forest), reliable optical cardio, barometric altimeter.

  • Limited gadgets : 86DB siren useful, customizable action button. Diving (30m max) and water temperature add little real value.

Read now!

Autonomy

Read now!
  • Real 36h in normal use (vs 6 p.m. for a series 9). 72 hours in energy saving mode (GPS every minute).

  • Insufficiency For trails of several days. Far from the 20+ days of the Garmin Fenix.

Read now!

Strengths

Read now!
  • Best OLED screen (3000 Nits), readable in the sun.

  • Perfect integration iOS (contactless payment, custom notifications).

  • Detailed health file (Sleep apnea detection, ECG).

Read now!

Weak points

Read now!
  • Prohibitive price (€ 899).

  • Absent offline cartography. No ANT+ for pros sensors.

  • Too tech design for formal outfits.

Read now!

VerdictTop For Apple users ready to pay a premium for a versatile urban/outdoor tool. Flop For extreme sports purists or tight budgets.

Read now!

Alternative ::

Read now!
  • Garmin Fenix ​​7 Pro (€ 1,000): autonomy of madness, carto topo, advanced metrics.

  • Withings Scanwatch 2 (€ 299): hybrid elegance + medical follow -up.

  • Casio G-Shock GBD-H2000 (400 €): Useful brutalism, 1 year of battery.

Read now!

If Apple ecosystem> Everything : Ultra 2 is essential. If endurance/performance priority : Garmin crushes.

Read now!

Comparison table: Apple Watch Ultra vs. 4 other watches

CharacteristicApple Watch UltraGarmin Fenix ​​7Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 ProSUUNTO 9 PEAKPolar Grit x Pro
1. Release dateSeptember 2022January 2022August 2022June 2021October 2021
2.Watchos 9 (or later)Owner (Garmin OS)Wear modified os (One Ui Watch)Owner (SUUNTO OS)Owner (Polar OS)
3.Titanium (Apple Special)Reinforced polymer + steel/titanium telescopeTitaniumStainless steel + polymerStainless steel
4. Bracelet materialRubber, nylon or other (depending on options)Silicone or metal/leather bracelet (various models)Silicone or leather bracelet (customizable)Silicone or textile braceletSilicone or leather bracelet (multiple options)
5. Dimensions (approx.)49 x 44 x 14.4 mm47 x 47 x 14.5 mm (standard model)45 x 45 x 10.5 mm43 x 43 x 10.6 mm47 x 47 x 13 mm
6. Weight (without bracelet)~ 61 g~ 79 g (steel version)~ 46 g~ 52 g~ 79 g
7. screenOLED (Retina LTPO)MIP (transflective) ColorAmoledColor matrixAlways-On Mip Color
8. Screen typeTactile + Digital CrownTactile and 5 physical buttonsTactile + virtual telescopeTactile + pimplesTactile + pimples
9. Screen size (approx.)1.92 inches1.3 inches1.4 inches1.2 inches1.2 inches
10. Resolution (approx.)502 x 410 px260 x 260 px450 x 450 px240 x 240 px240 x 240 px
11. Luminosity max.Up to 2,000 nitsN/A (transflective screen, readable in full sun)Up to 1,000 nits~ 300 NitsReadable in full sun (transflective)
12. Digital crownYes, Apple signatureNoNo (touch control + virtual bezel)NoNo
13.100 m10 ATM (100 m)5 ATM (50 m)10 ATM (100 m)10 ATM (100 m)
14. MIL-STD certificationYes (Mil-Std-810h)Yes (MIL-STD-810G)UnofficiallyYes (Mil-Std-810h)Yes (MIL-STD-810G)
15. Heart frequency sensorAdvanced optics + ECGGarmin ElevateSamsung optical sensorSUUNTO optical sensorOptical Precision Sensor Prime
16. ECG (electrocardiogram)YesNoYesNoNo
17. Integrated GPSYes, multibandYes, multi-gNSSYes, GPS + GlonassYes, GPS + GlonassYes, GPS + Glonass
18.YesYesYesYesYes
19. AltimeterYes (still active)YesYesYesYes
20. GyroscopeYesYesYesYesYes
21. AccelerometerYesYesYesYesYes
22. BoussonYesYesYesYesYes
23. SPO2 (blood oxygenation)YesYesYesYesYes
24. Sleep monitoringYes (via watchos + third -party apps)Yes (Garmin Sleep Tracking)Yes (Samsung Health)Yes (Suunto App)Yes (Polar Sleep Plus Stages)
25. Contactless paymentApple PayGarmin PayGoogle Pay / Samsung PayNo (not native)No (not native)
26. Internal storage32 GB16 GB (depending on model)16 GB8 GB8 GB
27. Micro and integrated speakerYesYes (limited functions)YesNo (microphone not present on certain models)No
28. Cell Log (LTE)LTE optionNoYes (optional LTE)NoNo
29. Autonomy announced36 hours (up to 60 in low consumption mode)Up to 18 days (GPS activated ~ 57h)~ 3 days in mixed use~ 7 days (GPS mode ~ 25h)Up to 7 days (GPS ~ 40h)
30. Fast loadYesNo, standard loadYes (quick charge wireless)NoNo
31. Wi-fiYes (802.11 b/g/n)YesYesYesYes
32. Bluetooth5.35.05.25.05.0
33. NFCYes, for Apple PayYes, for Garmin PayYes, for Google Pay / Samsung PayNoNo
34. Offline musicYes (Apple Music, Spotify, etc.)Yes (Spotify, Deezer, etc.)Yes (Spotify, YouTube Music)Yes (limited)Yes (Polar Flow / Thirds)
35. Application ecosystemDedicated appLimited Garmin appsGoogle Play (but limited on watches)SUUNTO APP + PARTNERSPolar Flow + few third -party apps
36. IOS compatibilityExcellent (native)Good (Garmin Connect iOS)Compatible via Wear OS, lower featuresYes (SUUNTO AP IOS)Yes (Polar Flow iOS)
37. Android compatibilityLimited (certain unavailable functions)Excellent (Garmin Connect Android)Total (Google integration)YesYes
38. Advanced sports functionsRunning, swimming, triathlon, etc. (via apps)Ultra complete (trail, hike, VO2 max, etc.)Good, but more oriented overall fitnessFocused on the extreme outdoorFocused cardio and outdoor training
39. Followed by stressYes (via heart sensor + apps)Yes (Garmin stress score)Yes (Samsung Health)Basic (via heart rate)Yes (Polar Precision Prime)
40. Approximate price~ 999 €~ € 699 (depending on versions)~ 469 € (without LTE), ~ 519 € (LTE)~ 499 €~ 499 €
Read now!

The ultra -watch apple watch incorporates a water temperature sensor and a depth gauge for diving, allowing to measure the depth until 40 meters and record thermal variations during immersions. This data is used by specialized applications to optimize underwater performance.

Read now!

Another little -known technical detail: sound Double GPS (L1 and L5) Combines two antennas for increased precision, even in an urban or forest environment. This feature is crucial for demanding runners or hikers.

Read now!

THE Action buttoncustomizable, can trigger specific shortcuts such as torch mode, training or recording a benchmark via the compass app.

Read now!

Finally, his screen reached 2,000 nitsmaking it perfectly readable in full sun, and switches to Red Fashion Night (activated via the crown) to preserve night vision.

Read now!

An unusual detail: the aeronautical titanium housing includes a Couronne protector Reinforced, designed to avoid accidental triggers during extreme activities.

Read now!

Did you like this story?

Please share by clicking this button!

Visit our site and see all other available articles!

Swiss Made Watch