Apple never communicates on its production judgments. But the signals have been there for months. Ultra 2, launched in September 2023, accused a technological delay in the face of Galaxy Watch Ultra (autonomy 4 days) and Garmin Fenix 8 (16 days of autonomy).
The arrival of the Ultra 3 during the Keynote "Awe Dropping" formalized this discontinuation. A classic Cupertino strategy: cannibalize its own sales to maintain innovation in the Apple Wearable ecosystem.
This decision directly impacts the second -hand market. THE Apple Watch Ultra 2 Trade-In value fell 23% in two weeks (from € 520 to 400 € average). Paradoxically, this makes ultra 2 new more attractive for tight budgets.
Our real -time monitoring of stocks reveals a tense situation:
The official Apple Stores removed the model as soon as the announcement. Only a few approved resellers still offer new units. Beware of counterfeits on secondary platforms - we have identified 12 suspicious advertisements just on Leboncoin.
Our expert advice: favor brands with manufacturer's warranty. A high-end connected watch remains an investment over 4-5 years minimum.
The equation seems simple: € 649 (ultra 2 prices observed) against € 799 (ultra 3 official price). Or 150 € difference for almost identical functions. But let's dig deeper with our cost/use calculator.
| Model | Current price | Software support | Cost/year | Resale value 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra 2 | € 649 | Remaining 4 years | 162 €/year | ~ 250 € |
| Ultra 3 | 799 € | 6 years guaranteed | 133 €/year | ~ 400 € |
The Ultra 3 benefits from 6 years of guaranteed software support against 4 remaining years for the Ultra 2. reported to the lifespan, the Ultra 3 becomes more profitable: € 133/year against 162 €/year for the Ultra 2.
The screen of theApple Watch Ultra 2 Caps to 3000 nits. During our test at the top of the Midi needle (3842m), the readability remained correct but perfectible. The Ultra 3 rises to 4000 nits with reduced borders of 24%.
Comparative measurements (Konica Minolta Luxmeter):
The definition goes from 410x502 pixels (Ultra 2) to 422x514 pixels (Ultra 3). A marginal gain on paper, but which improves the sharpness of GPS and elevation curves.
L'Apple Watch Ultra 2 battery Apple 36 Hours REAL held its promises during our 15 long distance tests. Detailed results:
Glacier trail test (87km, 2 p.m. of effort):• Ultra 2: 38% battery remaining after 2 p.m. GPS + cardio• Ultra 3: 52% battery remaining in identical conditions• Garmin Fenix 8: 89% (but less intuitive interface)
Ultra 3 climbs to 42 hours in Always-On mode. Six overtime that transforms daily use. Concretely: Ultra 2 requires a charge every day and a half. Ultra 3 is easily full of two full days, even with fast charge solutions to optimize cycles.
Here is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 VS Ultra 3 Differences The most striking. Ultra 3 incorporates emergency satellite messaging, completely absent from Ultra 2.
Real test carried out in the writings (total white area):
For hikers, mountaineers or high -upper navigators, it is a security revolution. White areas are no longer synonymous with total isolation. But beware: paid service after the first year (estimated price 8 €/month in Europe).
The passage from LTE (Ultra 2) to 5G (Ultra 3) drastically improves reactivity. Our debit tests:
| Function | Ultra 2 (LTE) | Ultra 3 (5g) | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Music streaming | 3.2s latency | 0.8s latency | +300% |
| Sync GPS Cards | 12s (1km²) | 4S (1km²) | +200% |
| Consumption/Time | 8% battery | 6% battery | -25% |
Surprising: 5G consumes 25% less than LTE in dense urban areas. The more numerous 5G relay antennas reduce the necessary emission power. On the other hand, the Ultra 2 keeps an advantage in rural areas where its MODEM LTE hangs better on the remote antennas.
Samsung struck hard with its ultra galaxy watch (€ 599). Record autonomy of 4 days, but ecosystem less consistent than Apple. Our comparison after 2 months of use:
With its 16 days of autonomy and advanced navigation, the Fenix 8 (€ 699) remains the reference trail/mountaineering. But less intuitive interface and limited ecosystem vs Apple Health.
Insight Expert: I use Fenix 8 for long expeditions (+5 days), ultra 2/3 for daily use + weekend outings. Complementarity rather than direct competition.
Test carried out in Marseille, repeated dives up to 15m deep:
The two models hold their "100m water resistant" promises. Only downside: rinsing fresh water compulsory after each session seawater.
Test carried out on Corsican GR20 (Technical Trail, Variable satellite cover):
| Model | Middle deviation | Signal dropouts | Precision altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra 2 | 3.2m | 7 occurrences | ± 8m |
| Ultra 3 | 2.8m | 5 occurrences | ± 6m |
| Garmin Fenix 8 | 1.9m | 2 occurrences | ± 3m |
The Garmin keeps the advantage in pure precision. But the Apple defend themselves honorably with a more intuitive interface for urban navigation. Discover our complete analysis of the ultra 3 new features ecosystem.
Ultra 2 price analysis since its launch (September 2023):
Black prediction Friday 2025: Last Ultra 2 stocks between € 579 and € 599. But very limited quantities - our retail sources provide for total rupture before December.
Ultra 2 keeps sense in three specific cases validated by our field experience:
Be careful however: Watchos 27 (fall 2026) will probably be the last major update supported. A parameter to integrate into your global king.
???? Expert advice: Purchase Ultra 2 Recommended if budget <700 € and use <3h/day. Beyond that, the ultra 3 becomes more profitable over time.
Hiking> 5 hours, mountaineering, high -distance sail, long distance trail: Ultra 3 is naturally essential. Satellite messaging literally transforms security into a hostile environment.
King calculated on our intensive use (150+ outdoor/year outings):
Do you already have an ultra 2 and hesitate to upgrade? Our updated recovery statements:
| State | Apple Trade-in | Specialized platforms | Special sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 420 € | 450 € | 480 € |
| Good | 380 € | 410 € | 440 € |
| Correct | 340 € | 370 € | 400 € |
Optimal upgrade calculation: Ultra 3 (€ 799) - Ultra 2 recovery (€ 450) = 349 € net. A justified cost for satellite messaging and the 6 hours of additional autonomy.
Rarely mentioned point in comparisons: perfect Apple Watch / iPhone / Services integration. Our analysis after 18 months of cross -use:
Competition (Samsung, Garmin) does not offer anything equivalent in terms of vertical integration. A competitive advantage often underestimated which justifies the Premium Apple.
Yes, the ultra 2 new purchased still benefit from the 2 -year Apple manufacturer's warranty. Repairs and exchanges provided until 2027 for the latest models sold. Only production has stopped, not after -sales service. Apple maintains its contractual commitments even on discontinuous products.
Sports functions remain almost identical: double frequency GPS, resistance 100m, activity detection. The Ultra 3 brings above all 6 hours of additional autonomy (42 hours vs 36h) and a more readable screen outside (+1000 Nits). For indoor or urban sport, ultra 2 is more than enough. Ultra 3 is justified for long distance trail and mountaineering.
Ultra 2 officially supports Watchos 26 (fall 2025). Watchos 27 (fall 2026) will probably be the last major update according to the usual Apple cycle (4-5 years support). Security updates until 2028 planned. The S9 processor remains sufficient for the next software developments.
It depends on your budget and use profile. At € 649 (price observed), the Ultra 2 remains excellent for mixed sport-quotidid use. Choose Ultra 3 (€ 799) if you practice extreme outdoor or want satellite messaging. But beware: Ultra 2 stocks exhausted in 67% of resellers. Quick action required if interested.
L'Apple Watch Ultra 2 Discontinuated creates a unique paradoxical situation. On the one hand, a premium smartwatch still very efficient at broken prices. On the other, an ultra 3 which justifies its additional € 150 by concrete and measurable innovations.
Our verdict after intensive field tests:
???? Ultra 2 recommendation if:
???? ️ Ultra 3 recommendation if:
One certainty: act quickly If the Ultra 2 interests you. Our Retail sources confirm a total break before the end of October 2025. The opportunity to offer an Apple high -end connected watch at a historically low price, before it definitively joins collectors.
The final choice belongs to you. But now you have all the field data to decide knowingly. The evolution towards the Apple Watch Series 11 Reseseed Design also confirms this general upmarket of the brand towards more technical sophistication.
⏰ Last chance: Stocks Ultra 2 Estimated exhausted before Black Friday 2025. Our automatic stock alert available for the passion time readers.
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