The Ultimate Reason to Embrace the Apple Watch Ultra 2
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Chapter 1: My Journey with the Apple Watch
When it comes to Apple's lineup, I usually find multiple reasons to commend their products—except for the Apple Watch. My delayed embrace of this highly popular smartwatch is something I’ve discussed extensively. After enjoying the Series 7 for two years, I always wished for improvements in one particular area: battery life. Thankfully, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 seems to have addressed this issue.
The Series 7 is a remarkable wrist companion. My favorite feature—Apple Pay—made tolerating its 2 to 2.5-day battery life much easier. Once you experience the convenience of making payments through your watch, you wouldn't want to revert to any other method. However, the requirement to recharge my watch every couple of days was frustrating.
I’m the kind of person who keeps my watch on at all times. I wear it to sleep, shower, and even during intimate moments. Even when I’m completely unclothed, I still have my watch and necklace on. Yes, I’m that peculiar, which might be why you’re reading this! 😄 In essence, taking off my watch feels unnatural, and the Series 7 made me feel odd for about 90 minutes every two days.
I'm thrilled to share that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has resolved my battery concerns, bringing me the smartwatch I had always desired—well, nearly; my ultimate wish is for a watch that never requires charging, but let’s be realistic.
The initial release of the Apple Watch Ultra in 2022 didn’t impress me. Its bulky appearance and steampunk vibe, especially with the crown and button sticking out, didn’t resonate with Apple’s sleek design ethos. It felt more like a futuristic gadget than a watch, and I wondered about the design direction since Jony Ive’s departure. That protrusion isn’t exactly aesthetic, is it?
Given this, I skipped the first-generation Ultra entirely, although my friend Andrew was satisfied with his, save for its uncomfortable frame at night. Nevertheless, I hesitated to invest nearly a thousand dollars in a watch I couldn’t wear to bed. Hence, I waited for the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
I knew the Ultra boasted a longer battery life, but I was keen to see the extent of the improvement. Typically, I experience above-average battery performance on all my Apple devices. My Apple Watch Series 7 lasts between 2 and 2.5 days, and my iPhone 13 Pro still manages two days on a single charge even after two years. Thus, I had reasonable expectations that the Ultra 2 would exceed its advertised 36 hours in normal mode and 72 hours in Low Power Mode.
A Surprisingly Effective Battery
Upon unboxing the Ultra 2 and setting it up as I did with the Series 7, I charged it to 100%. I wore it continuously while going about my usual activities: grocery shopping, visiting the LEGO store, taking the train to see Andrew in Northern Ireland, working, and sleeping. I didn’t alter any of my habits. Day one passed, then day two, and the battery still looked promising. By the end of day three, I was still at 10%. When it was finally time to recharge, I had managed to get just under 80 hours!
Using the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in normal mode provided nearly 3.5 days of use on a single charge. That’s quite impressive—at least a day longer than what the Series 7 offered. I had previously tried Low Power Mode on the Series 7, but the results were underwhelming. However, I felt optimistic about attempting it on the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
I recharged the watch to 100%, switched it to Low Power Mode, and went about my day as usual. My primary uses for the Apple Watch include:
- Apple Pay
- Notifications
- Shazam
- Occasional heart-rate monitoring
- Weather updates
- Text responses
- Unlocking my Macs
While I might not be utilizing the full range of features, these functions make it worthwhile. I suspect many Apple Watch users share this sentiment. My friend Andi doesn’t even use Apple Pay—what a miss for her! 😉 Shazam might not be a common use case either.
Days passed, and by day four, I was still at 10% battery life. As it dipped to 1%, I decided to end the experiment and recharge. In total, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 ran for an incredible 105 hours on a single charge!
The Low Power Mode on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 significantly enhances battery life, even for casual users.
Now, let’s revisit the numbers to compare Apple's claims to my actual experience:
- Normal mode: Apple claims 36 hours; I achieved 80 hours.
- Low Power Mode: Apple claims 72 hours; I achieved 105 hours.
One might wonder how I managed these impressive figures. I have a few strategies up my sleeve. 😉
- The always-on display is turned OFF; I don’t see the point in keeping the screen active when I’m not interacting with it.
- I use a black-and-white Modular watch face to conserve power, taking advantage of the OLED screen.
- I refrain from workouts aside from those the watch automatically tracks.
- My iPhone is always within reach, which Apple suggests enhances Low Power Mode efficiency.
- I don’t connect the watch to a mobile network.
Some may argue that I’m not utilizing the Apple Watch Ultra 2 to its full potential, and they’re right. This device can do much more, but I prefer to prioritize battery life over unused features.
Additional Features and Impressions
While battery life is a significant factor in my decision to keep this watch, there are a few aspects I appreciate or dislike more than I initially anticipated about the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
To begin with, it’s surprisingly light. Despite its chunky appearance, it feels almost weightless on my wrist. With a comfortable wristband, it’s the ideal size and weight for me.
Speaking of wristbands, I discovered that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is compatible with all Apple Watch straps. I wasn’t aware of this until Andrew informed me. While the Alpine Loop I bought it with is secure and comfortable, it’s a hassle to remove, so I also got a second band—a dark-grey Nike edition that complements the watch nicely.
The larger screen is a welcome feature, and the titanium frame is less sharp than I anticipated, providing better protection for the glass than the standard Apple Watch. Fortunately, I also purchased AppleCare+ for this device, alleviating my concerns about accidental damage.
Final Thoughts: I'm Keeping It!
After a week of use, I’m thoroughly impressed. I finally feel I possess the Apple Watch I always wanted—one where battery life is no longer a daily worry. I can almost forget about charging it until I receive a notification at 10%. Even then, I can either sleep through the night with it or go about my day without interruption, charging it before bedtime.
For me, Low Power Mode has effectively become my standard mode of operation. I experience no downsides while maintaining my usual activities, all while enjoying the benefit of 105 hours of battery life.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is undoubtedly the finest Apple Watch available, even if it doesn’t resemble one in the traditional sense. 😜
Attila Vago — A software engineer dedicated to enhancing the world one line of code at a time. A passionate nerd, LEGO enthusiast, vinyl record collector, and craft beer lover! Explore my journey further in my Hello story! Subscribe for more insights on LEGO, tech, coding, and accessibility!
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Chapter 2: Video Insights on Apple Watch Ultra 2
The following video explores compelling reasons to consider the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
This next video discusses the Apple Watch Ultra two years post-launch, outlining the reasons to invest in this smartwatch.