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Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Ultra 3 Buyer's Guide: 10 Upgrades Compared

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Apr 12, 2001
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The Apple Watch Ultra 3 replaces the second-generation model that was introduced two years ago in Apple's smartwatch lineup, but how different are the two successive smartwatch generations?

Apple-Watch-Ultra-2-vs.-Ultra-3-Feature.jpg

The two Apple Watch Ultra models share the overwhelming majority of their features, so should you consider buying or sticking with the second generation to save money? This breakdown serves as a way to see all the differences that the Ultra 3 brings to the table.

The Apple Watch Series 11 represents one of the smallest upgrades to the mainstream model ever, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 provides a bit bigger but still modest change compared to its predecessor.

Apple Watch Ultra 2Apple Watch Ultra 3
OLED displayWide-angle OLED display
LTPO2 display LTPO3 display
410 by 502 pixel display422 by 514 pixel display
1185 sq mm display area1245 sq mm display area (5% larger)
S9 chipS10 chip
LTE and UMTS connectivityLTE and 5G connectivity
Satellite connectivity
Emergency SOS via satellite
2.178 watt-hour battery2.313 watt-hour battery (6% larger)
Fast-charge 0–80% in about 1 hourFast-charge 0–80% in about 45 minutes


Overall, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a fairly minor upgrade over the second-generation model, with the most substantial changes focusing on the display. The new Apple Watch Ultra's display is a little larger, and it now features wide-angle OLED and LTPO3 for better viewing angles and a higher refresh rate when lowered, meaning there is a persistent ticking seconds hand on some watch faces.

It features 5G connectivity for the first time alongside Emergency SOS via satellite, bringing two iPhone features to the Apple Watch. Battery life is slightly better and the device charges to 80% 15 minutes faster, but there are few upgrades of substance.

It will likely not be worth upgrading from an Apple Watch Ultra 2 to an Ultra 3, even though they come two years apart. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 gains all of the same health features as the Ultra 3, and even its S9 chip has the same CPU as the S10; the S10 is simply a more compact version of the S9, so don't expect a performance boost. Owners of the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra from three years ago may have more reason to get the latest device, but it is far from an essential upgrade.

Article Link: Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Ultra 3 Buyer's Guide: 10 Upgrades Compared
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-watch-ultra-2-vs-ultra-3/
From an Ultra 2 I would say no upgrade yet. From an Ultra 1 - Similar, but there is a difference with the processing done on the watch (Ultra 3) where the Ultra 1 has to go to the cloud. A bit faster refresh and working. But this is not a huge thing. Even the screen being a tiny bit bigger is so very minimal here.

I may jump up to the Ultra 3 (from U1) as 5G would be nice as I have Apple Watch service added to my phone at no charge.

Overall a personal choice of course, but don't expect any huge difference outside what I meantioned.
 
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I'm upgrading from the Ultra 1 to the 3.
Main reason is for my workouts.
(Also helps that I can get 350$ for my Ultra 1)
I run long distance and this summer every time I run a 10k it register a KM like about many meters afterwards.
From 40 meters to like up to a whopping 200M which ****s up my pace I believe when running.
I know it does since it happens on the track when I clearly did a full lap and it registers it later like what the ****.

I really hope this doesn't happen with my Ultra 3 or Timmy is a bum!
 
Last edited:
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Minato1990 said:
I'm upgrading from the Ultra 1 to the 3.
Main reason is for my workouts.
(Also helps that I can get 350$ for my Ultra 1)
I run long distance and this summer every time I run a 10k it register a KM like about many meters afterwards.
From 40 meters to like up to a whopping 200M which ****s up my pace I believe when running.
I know it does since it happens on the track when I clearly did a full lap and it registers it later like what the ****.

I really hope this doesn't happen with my Ultra 3 or Timmy is a bum!
Click to expand...
I hope it goes smooth but you might want to wait little while while other getting ultra 3 see what they think it worth it.

I'm staying with ultra 1 I see few nice little addition add on ultra 2 and ultra 3 but I just remempber I have iPhone 14 pro Max and 17 pro Max is on the way they will have other feature I need that my watch don't have.

Also might want to re calibrate I think best do it every 6 month or 1 year ?

If you get it I really do hope it all work out and it really nice!
enjoy it
 
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Minato1990 said:
I'm upgrading from the Ultra 1 to the 3.
Main reason is for my workouts.
(Also helps that I can get 350$ for my Ultra 1)
I run long distance and this summer every time I run a 10k it register a KM like about many meters afterwards.
From 40 meters to like up to a whopping 200M which ****s up my pace I believe when running.
I know it does since it happens on the track when I clearly did a full lap and it registers it later like what the ****.

I really hope this doesn't happen with my Ultra 3 or Timmy is a bum!
Click to expand...
Where are you getting $350 for the ultra 1? I wish carriers did some better trade in deals for Apple Watches... The buy one get $300 off isn't really cutting it for me.
 
Would be better if you listed all the cumulative upgrades from the Ultra 1 to Ultra 3. Nobody on an Ultra 2 should upgrade unless you really need satellite.
I am upgrading from Ultra 1 to 3 because the cumulative upgrades do add up a lot. The Ultra 1 still works well and I was considering holding it for another year but it's entirely possible that Apple wont update the Ultra next year and keep the Ultra 3 for 2 years like they did with the Ultra 2. They also tend to keep the same processor node for 3 SIP generations i.e. the S6, S7, S8 SIPs were all 7nm, the S9 and S10 are 4nm so it's possible that the S11 SIP will still be 4nm and then the S12 will be the one that gets a 3nm upgrade when cost of 3nm chips comes down and TSMC has more capacity. Right now (and probably next year too) it doesn't make sense for Apple to go from 4nm to 3nm with the Apple Watch SIPs because they are already such low power devices that they node size reduction wont make much difference. So ultimately we wont see any drastic improvement in battery life or functionality until we see a new SIP with more powerful neural engine, lower power consumption etc. Battery tech might take a leap but not likely in the next year and the only other thing Apple can squeeze in is new sensors but blood sugar monitoring still seems to be a while away so yeah, it seems that buying an Ultra 3 now is a safe bet since it will be current, supporting all the latest features etc for at least 2-3 years whereas my Ultra 1, almost 3 years old, already misses out on a lot of the new features, battery health is 88% and performance is OK but definitely not as smooth and quick as the newer 4nm SIPs.
 
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What did the Apple Watch engineers do all last year? The one feature I'd really like Apple to add to the watch is the ability to dial in your distance on a treadmill and have it learn like the Garmins do. I've never been able to get an accurate distance running inside with the Apple Watches.
 
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