In 2022, Apple presented the Watch Ultra, a new watchOS connected watch intended for adventurers and athletes. In 2023, the American brand will return with a second version of its very high-end watch to accompany the ninth generation of classic Apple Watch. What’s new in the Apple Watch Ultra 2? What will be its price and launch date? Here are all the answers to your questions.
The Apple Watch is undoubtedly the best-selling connected watch in the world. In the first half of 2023, Apple represented 26% of the global smartwatch market in the first quarter of 2023, well ahead of Samsung with 9%. Each year, more than 3 out of 10 connected watches sold worldwide are Apple Watches. This is why the Cupertino company continues to present new models and new bracelets every year.
Read also – Apple Watch X: a major overhaul of the connected watch is planned for its 10th anniversary
Last year, however, she saw much bigger things than usual. The Watch Series 8, with aluminum and stainless steel case. The 2nd generation Watch SE that we tested. And the Watch Ultra, a new ultra premium model with a design very different from the classic Apple Watch. Its differences: only one size, a larger and brighter screen, dual GPS, a dedicated bracelet system, improved waterproofing, a titanium case, an additional button, etc. The Apple Watch Ultra, despite a sale price approaching 1000 eurosis a commercial success.
And not just for athletes, adventurers and hikers. Its more massive and square design appealed to consumers who found the original Apple Watch too small. Even the 45mm version. Fashion object. Sports measuring tool. The Apple Watch Ultra is being renewed in 2023 by keeping the fundamentals and improving the functional proposition with new sensors and new applications. In this file, find all the information about this connected watch: design, sensor, function, price and release date.
📅 When is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 release date?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be presented at the same time as the Apple Watch Series 9. The officialization of the watches will take place at the same time as that of the iPhone 15, during a keynote broadcast on the Internet on September 12, 2023.
The Apple Watch Ultra will go on sale before the end of September. Two hypotheses are possible. Either it is marketed at the same time as the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Series 9THE September 22, 2023, after a week of pre-order. Either it will be marketed a week later, from September 29, 2023.
Remember that the Apple Watch could not be marketed at the same time as the Watch Series 8. This was available from September 16, 2022like the iPhone 14, while the Watch Ultra was only on shelves from September 23, 2022. This is not the first time that an Apple product has suffered a delay. The original Apple Watch and the iPhone X are two examples.
💶 What is the price of Apple Watch Ultra 2?
The price of the Watch Ultra 2 should remain very high. The watch is positioned in the ultra premium segment, in competition with traditional watch brands. The first Watch Ultra, which only exists in one configuration, is sold at 999 euros with a bracelet (Alpine, Trail or Ocean, your choice).
The American journalist Mark Gurman affirmed in July 2023 thatApple will sell its Apple Watch Ultra 2 more expensive than the previous one. So understand that the watch will be sold above the 1000 euro mark.
This price increase has several justifications. First, the use of higher quality titanium, similar to that of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. We will talk about it again in the design part of this file. Then inflation on the costs of raw materials, components and energy.
⌚️ What is the design of the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
The design of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will largely follow that of the previous model. A 49 mm rectangular case, more angular and more massive than that of the classic Apple Watch. THE specific fixing system for bracelets. The 1.92-inch flat screen (the largest in the Apple Watch range) with protections on the edges.
The case retains all of the element resistances of the previous model. IPX6 waterproofing against water infiltration. MIL-SDT-810H certification against vibrations, pressure changes, radiation, temperature changes. WR100 diving certification (10ATM equivalent, up to 100 meters depth). And EN13319 certification for the pressure probe (up to 40 meters deep).
The ergonomics of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 therefore follow those of the previous model, but with a subtle difference: the material used for the chassis is different. Rumor has it that the titanium used here is another lighter and stronger alloy, which is one of the main causes of the price increase. Also note that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 should be adorned with a new color: dark gray.
For the rest, no change. The screen is always protected by the same material: synthetic sapphire. You find this same glass under the case, at the level of the biometric sensors.
⚙️ What are the new hardware features of the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is very similar to the American firm’s first outdoor watch. A few details separate them. We have noted some differences in materials and colors. There is also one inside: the SoC. Apple would use a new processor here to power its watch: the Apple S9. You find this same component in the Apple Watch Series 9.
And it is thanks to him that the American brand’s connected watches will gain in intelligence. Indeed, the S9 is a processor that integrates a part dedicated to artificial intelligence and machine learning. This component would be a derivative of the Apple A15 Bionic, the heart that powers the iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 14 and 14 Plus.
The rest of the technical sheet should not change. Particularly at the screen level. This would be a Retina LTPO screen with a maximum brightness of 2000 nits and a resolution of 338 pixels per inch, as for the first Watch Ultra. Apple is still working on microLED technology, without finding a good compromise.
You find all the biometric and environmental sensors of the previous Apple Watch Ultra: heart rate monitor, thermometer, oximeter, and ECG for the biometrics part; barometer, altimeter, pressure sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer for the environment. Added to this are NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, dual band WiFi, Ultra Wideband sensor and eSIM. Finally, you find the dual speaker, the 542 mAh battery, as well as the 32 GB of internal memory for storing Apple Music playlists.
Rumors have been suggesting for several years the arrival of a blood glucose sensor in Apple Watches. But that won’t be ready for the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Recent leaks explain that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will not benefit from it. According to Mark Gurman, Apple still needs to perfect the algorithms and reduce the technology in order to integrate this functionality into the smartwatch case while still offering reliable results.
This sensor could have provided real daily comfort to diabetics who could have measured their sugar levels more easily than with current methods, which are intrusive. Likewise, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 does not include a blood pressure monitor, a tool which would have perfectly complemented the heart rate monitor and ECG. A blood pressure monitor is used to measure blood pressure.
📱 What are the new software features of the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 works directly with the latest update of watchOS, the operating system for connected watches from the American brand. This is called watchOS 10. And it brings many new ergonomic and functional features. It is considered the first major evolution of watchOS since the launch of the original Apple Watch.
In addition to the arrival of new watchfaces (notably that of Snoopy), watchOS 10 updates the interface of all system applications, whether Weather, Call or even Maps. It is now possible to adapt the colorimetry of the interface using a palette.
watchOS also inherits widgets from iOS. These allow you to access the usual functions more quickly than by opening a dedicated application. And the digital crown allows you to navigate from one widget to another.
Another new feature linked to the ergonomics of the information displayed: SmartStack. These are stacks of virtual cards that offer you actions to perform and information to consult based on the context and your habits. It is Smart Stark which will benefit the most from the machine learning supported by the Apple S9 processor.
Read also – watchOS 10: here is the list of Apple Watches compatible with the next update
watchOS 10 introduces several health features: Time in Daylight which calculates the time spent outdoors and Mindfulness to improve your well-being and state of mind. On the sports side, bike support has been considerably improved. Topographic maps are also arriving on the Watch Ultra and Ultra 2. group FaceTime calls are now available from the watch. Finally, watchOS 10 supports Namedrop, the virtual business card exchange system built into iOS 17.
