Funny, I wouldn't know if I had a 1,2, or 3 on y wrist. They all look identical.
With a black background the larger screen size of the Ultra 3 is not seen.
I have the 3 on my wrist in natural titanium.
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Anyone who owns AWU2 upgrading to AWU3?
- Thread starter NJRonbo
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Funny, I wouldn't know if I had a 1,2, or 3 on y wrist. They all look identical.
With a black background the larger screen size of the Ultra 3 is not seen.
I have the 3 on my wrist in natural titanium.
Honestly I feel like Apple is asleep at the wheel with the Apple Watch. They are just coasting at this point and don’t seem to really care much about its software. The workout app is basically the same since it launched. Why they measure effort is beyond me because they don’t do anything with the data and it isn’t useful to the user.
It’s honestly all gotten very stale for me. I will more than likely keep the AW2 and return the AW3 as Apple hasn’t innovated with the Ultra since it was launched. It’s a shame too because it could be so much more.
It’s honestly all gotten very stale for me. I will more than likely keep the AW2 and return the AW3 as Apple hasn’t innovated with the Ultra since it was launched. It’s a shame too because it could be so much more.
I did a 10 mile 4,000’ foot elevation gain trail run today that saw me topping out at 13,400’ feet. I did manage to send my wife a satellite message and confirmed it with my Inreach, all seems well with the new Ultra 3 so far so I sent my U2 in for trade in which was a good way to go since I got $335 for it but paid for it as a refurb last year.
Tomorrow I am doing another training run and it will be much colder, 20-30F so it will be interesting to see how it does.
So far, well worth the upgrade.
Tomorrow I am doing another training run and it will be much colder, 20-30F so it will be interesting to see how it does.
So far, well worth the upgrade.
I am surprised some people have ordered an U3 and return it ...
It was obvious that there are no real change between U2 and U3 that change the life.
A couple of pixels on the screen, a bit more battery life, that's all ...
The U2 was a better upgrade from the U1 with a new generation SOC and HR sensor that support features that can't be handled by U1.
It was not revolutionary but there was some small changes.
Here, it's absolutely pointless except if you need satellite.
It was obvious that there are no real change between U2 and U3 that change the life.
A couple of pixels on the screen, a bit more battery life, that's all ...
The U2 was a better upgrade from the U1 with a new generation SOC and HR sensor that support features that can't be handled by U1.
It was not revolutionary but there was some small changes.
Here, it's absolutely pointless except if you need satellite.
I upgraded from the AWU2 to the AWU3 and I am very happy with my descision.
I am getting over a day extra battery life, satellite connectivity, slightly bigger screen were all worth it for me!
I am getting over a day extra battery life, satellite connectivity, slightly bigger screen were all worth it for me!
Even if money isn’t a problem most folks wouldn’t want this upgrade. Just because you can afford something doesn’t mean you should buy it.
Exactly. Spending $800 for U3 over U2 was not a good investment, at least not for me. I could easily afford it, but it's just not worth it.
I share the same sentiment, even as a user of an Ultra 1. While I acknowledge the speed improvements, I doubt they will be significant or transformative. (We also own a Series 9 in our household.)
I believe the Ultra 4, if released next year, would be a bettert investment. It is likely to feature a processor upgrade and potentially more substantial enhancements.
There's also one question to ask: "is my current device enough for my usage ?"
If you are happy with a U1, keep it !
An AWU1 is still more than capable, it misses some small features (sleep apnea, hypertension, some gestures ...) but if it's still a very good smartwatch with the same workout features as an U3
Exactly. With hypertension (trend) detection, 5G and Satellite comms, the Watch is pretty much feature complete now. Blood sugar measuring is still a few years out, if it‘s possible at all.
I wish the decision was more clear-cut. My AWU1 is down to 81% battery health (Apple won't replace it until it hits 80%) and it struggles to do a 15km run when I'm listening to music without my phone. I'd like to upgrade but it's a lot for not a massive difference. I think the improvements going from an Ultra 1 to 3 would be:
- 1,000 nits brighter
- wide-angle OLED
- hypertension alerts
- sleep apnoea alerts
- satellite connectivity
- 5G
- wrist flick
- double tap
- on-device Siri
- precision finding
- faster charging
- bigger screen
- ticking seconds
- media playback
It's not a terrible list, but nothing really groundbreaking... I'm running a couple of half marathons before Christmas though and would like to be able to rely on my watch not dying before the end!
- 1,000 nits brighter
- wide-angle OLED
- hypertension alerts
- sleep apnoea alerts
- satellite connectivity
- 5G
- wrist flick
- double tap
- on-device Siri
- precision finding
- faster charging
- bigger screen
- ticking seconds
- media playback
It's not a terrible list, but nothing really groundbreaking... I'm running a couple of half marathons before Christmas though and would like to be able to rely on my watch not dying before the end!
AW's typically take time to make major jumps. It is good that there aren't major jumps every year, if there were, people would be upset (I know I would be). I only upgrade when there are major changes.
My AW history:
AWS0, AWS4 (gold) -> AW S5 (always on display), AWU1 (because Ultra), AWU3 (hypertension, sleep apnea, larger display).
I went with the S4 for Gold and water resistance that the S0 didn't have. I would have stayed on the S4 if the S5 didn't have AOD. I ride a motorcycle and always had a hard time seeing the time as the screen wouldn't come on without me taking my hand off of the handlebar (I always thought this was dangerous).
AWU1 -> AWU2 was not enough of a jump for me, AWU1 -> AWU3 was, and AWU2 -> AWU3 would not have been.
I gave my U1 to my wife, to replace her S8.
My AW history:
AWS0, AWS4 (gold) -> AW S5 (always on display), AWU1 (because Ultra), AWU3 (hypertension, sleep apnea, larger display).
I went with the S4 for Gold and water resistance that the S0 didn't have. I would have stayed on the S4 if the S5 didn't have AOD. I ride a motorcycle and always had a hard time seeing the time as the screen wouldn't come on without me taking my hand off of the handlebar (I always thought this was dangerous).
AWU1 -> AWU2 was not enough of a jump for me, AWU1 -> AWU3 was, and AWU2 -> AWU3 would not have been.
I gave my U1 to my wife, to replace her S8.
In my scenario the reason I am likely waiting for the AWU4 is that it it's likely that one get a new processor, and the benefit of that is that it remains the latest for a few generations more, enabling those watches to get some of the features from the newer models upon release (like sleep apnea and hypertension alerts)
My battery was very similar the first few days, but it is now starting to be much improved over the U2. The biggest thing I really notice though is the much faster charging. I typically charge before bed and the U3 charges much faster. Haven't been able to notice or get 5G working on at&t yet.
The issue I have with upgrading is that my AWU1 is at 100% battery health. Ultra 3 has a lot of "nice to have" features, but it offers the same functionality and the same looks. I want to wear an Apple Watch Ultra for the next several years, so I will upgrade at some point. I can wait a year or two.
Another issue is that for me, I can get most of the new "features" (which for me is on device Siri, the new gestures, and the enhanced always on display) by trading in my Series 7 for a much less expensive aluminum Series 11 or even series 10. Apple Watch Series 11 in size 46 will likely be on sale for $349 or so soon enough from Amazon. With a Series 7 trade in, that is $280 for the new features instead of $500+. And Series 7 to 11 is much bigger jump than Ultra 1 to 3. The problem with *that* is that I think my Series 7 just looks better than any of the Series 11 watches, and it also works fine with 94% battery capacity.
Ultimately, it is becoming hard to justify upgrading Apple Watches unless you really need a new feature or your battery life is below 90%, which is not the case for me
Another issue is that for me, I can get most of the new "features" (which for me is on device Siri, the new gestures, and the enhanced always on display) by trading in my Series 7 for a much less expensive aluminum Series 11 or even series 10. Apple Watch Series 11 in size 46 will likely be on sale for $349 or so soon enough from Amazon. With a Series 7 trade in, that is $280 for the new features instead of $500+. And Series 7 to 11 is much bigger jump than Ultra 1 to 3. The problem with *that* is that I think my Series 7 just looks better than any of the Series 11 watches, and it also works fine with 94% battery capacity.
Ultimately, it is becoming hard to justify upgrading Apple Watches unless you really need a new feature or your battery life is below 90%, which is not the case for me
I had the Ultra 2 for two years in Natural Titanium. I am running a lot, and am running the NYC marathon in November so I need a battery that will last. Thats why I upgraded to the Ultra 3, in addition to loving the black color, which I wanted to get last year but didn't because there were zero changes year to year. I traded in my 2 year old watch so it covered half the cost. There is no difference between the 2 and the 3 in day to day usage. The battery on the 3 has been great so far as it should be.
So, you buy a watch in anticipation of features that are un-announced and may or may not come in 1 or 2 or more years?
I mean, that's fine, just odd in my book.
I buy computing tools based on needs I have today and when those tools don't do the job anymore, I update. But we're all different...
I get a generous fitness allowance from work, I use part of this allowance some years to pay for a new AW. Initially I bought a 3 in Titanium to replace my Titanium 2 with a view to selling it, however I’ve now decided to keep my 2 return the Titanium 3 and get a Black 3. Gives me a colour choice to wear with no outlay (other than the bands I’ll probably buy 🤣)!
I have a U1 that's perfectly serviceable. But what I learned with it, is that since the U1 was the last model with that processor generation, it limited it's ability to get new functions, while the U2 has gotten new features that are announced with the new watches. So based on that, my position is that it's better to buy a new watch whenever there is a processor upgrade, as Apple is updating the processors every 3 years (based on the current trends, obviously this could change). That's all.
A 2 years old Ultra 2 is able to handle a marathon…
I have made a marathon with a 3 years old series 5 with a lot of margin…
Not at the speed I run LOL…