If the Ultra was bouncing around, you had it on to loose, easy fix.
But, you're happy with your garmin, that's all that matters
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Apple Watch Ultra 3 Hits New Record Low Price of $699.99 ($99 Off)
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But, you're happy with your garmin, that's all that matters
Have done so a few times in the past, which is informing my desire for more real buttons (fitness usages).
I almost snagged an S11 but forgot about the OS requirement issues (I'm not ready for iOS 26 yet) so I punted on that.
As mentioned by many before - those that want a thinner and lighter Apple Watch Ultra for fitness have the option of getting the Series 11, SE, whatever - aside from battery life, the watches are equally effective for fitness tracking.
You really have to hand it to Apple for managing to make a "watch" that costs this much and which the consumer feels compelled to replace every 3-5 years if not more. I say this unironically. It's kind of amazing they managed to create an entirely new category when previously any watch that cost more than a Timex you'd expect to be able to use for at least a decade or more.
Costco has great deals on ultra 3 with different bands. My S6 has died, literally ran over by a car. I want to try it in Apple Store before upgrading to ultra 3. Costco has a 90 day return policy on Apple devices.
In 2022 I thru hiked the Appalachian Trail using my Series 7 that I purchased about 2 months before I left for the hike. I took *9* months [due to some complications]. I also had my iPhone 13 mini; I stopped into towns every 7-10 days for shower, laundry, resupply, and to charge my 2 battery packs. Every day I started a hiking workout on my S7, and even after 10 hour days, the battery lasted each and every day. I kept my iPhone in airplane mode 99% of the time [using an app on there that works offline put can turn on the GPS to help find semi-hidden water sources], my Watch had the display off, and no push notices enabled. I kept things very lean. watchOS did not have a low battery mode at the time, so that was not an option.
Anyway, just saying this to let you know that it probably is possible to do a full 9-12 hour workout [those were common for me] on a non-Ultra Watch and still have battery left over. Push notices and display off really, really extend the day to day life of the battery.
I still wear my S7 as my daily driver - this past February I got an AppleCare warrantied new battery and they even replaced the top glass for free [had a scratch due to a fall in the rocky Whites]. I too want an Ultra, but since my hike it's been harder for me to justify it!
I just wish they weren't so damn ugly. Both the ultra and the normal Apple Watches. There is barely any reason to upgrade as functionality is so similar but the battery is so so poor. Really envy garmin users with 7-20 day battery life. Shame they are ugly too.
Would love a fitness band with key functionality and be able to wear a traditional watch that actually looks nice.
They look so out of place with smarter dress but how do you track your health and activity otherwise? Double watch? Looks even more ridiculous.
No wonder they are discounting them already.
Would love a fitness band with key functionality and be able to wear a traditional watch that actually looks nice.
They look so out of place with smarter dress but how do you track your health and activity otherwise? Double watch? Looks even more ridiculous.
No wonder they are discounting them already.
Apple were extremely late to this game, and the Apple Watch is much less expensive than some Garmin watches. Arguably the only thing Apple brought to the category is short battery life making people charge daily.
I have Ultra 2 for the past 2 years and I am going to wait as long as it lasts. I have Galaxy Watch Ultra as well. These two serve me better.
I tried out an Instinct 3 AMOLED this week and went back to my older Instinct Crossover.
It turns out I missed the real watch hands and the way better battery life on my older model (due to MIP screen + Solar charging).
I really really really like wearing my watch and not thinking about the battery for the entire week (or more, depending upon usage).
The two Fitbits we had in our family (HR and whatever came after that) were total POS hardware that barely lasted and wasn't very accurate.
That was a very consistent experience across two users and four devices.
I simply do not trust the brand, especially since Google bought it. Google has a long history of building crap hardware and killing features.
As they were with the iPod and touchscreen devices in general... and we all know how that worked out.
True. But a lot of those are very chunky and specialized devices for runners and people into outdoor sports. Not knocking them, but they're not exactly things you'd wear out to a social occasion.
That, and also a good UI and very deep integration with the iPhones millions of people already have.
Garmin has a huge swath of models from which to choose if one wants a combo of "nice looking + fitness tracking", etc.
This is one of my biggest complaints about AW.
Apple haven't made any more form factors!
I would have hoped there would be an entire range of them by now, to suit different needs and preferences, and instead it's just overpriced new watch bands all the time.
Very good points. People do not realize how low power mode can massively increase battery life.In 2022 I thru hiked the Appalachian Trail using my Series 7 that I purchased about 2 months before I left for the hike. I took *9* months [due to some complications]. I also had my iPhone 13 mini; I stopped into towns every 7-10 days for shower, laundry, resupply, and to charge my 2 battery packs. Every day I started a hiking workout on my S7, and even after 10 hour days, the battery lasted each and every day. I kept my iPhone in airplane mode 99% of the time [using an app on there that works offline put can turn on the GPS to help find semi-hidden water sources], my Watch had the display off, and no push notices enabled. I kept things very lean. watchOS did not have a low battery mode at the time, so that was not an option.
Anyway, just saying this to let you know that it probably is possible to do a full 9-12 hour workout [those were common for me] on a non-Ultra Watch and still have battery left over. Push notices and display off really, really extend the day to day life of the battery.
I still wear my S7 as my daily driver - this past February I got an AppleCare warrantied new battery and they even replaced the top glass for free [had a scratch due to a fall in the rocky Whites]. I too want an Ultra, but since my hike it's been harder for me to justify it!
The best thing about the ultra 2 for me has been the indestructible glass. No scratches after a lot of use including several mountain bike crashes.
Worst thing, you gotta cinch the band down tight before a ride or it can lose “connection” to your wrist. I wish Apple would have a way to adjust the sensitivity to that. And how about a dedicated mountain bike workout, not just”outdoor cycling”.
Worst thing, you gotta cinch the band down tight before a ride or it can lose “connection” to your wrist. I wish Apple would have a way to adjust the sensitivity to that. And how about a dedicated mountain bike workout, not just”outdoor cycling”.
Weird, I’d say the fenix with titanium or leather band looks like many classic mens watches. It’s the Apple that would look weird at a social occasion, there’s nothing classy about it at all.
Wearing the AW with dressier outfits makes you look like part of the Borg collective.
It's like an anti-fashion item when everyone has the same featureless glass wrist computer.
I'm picturing a dapper James Bond type at a casino wearing a watch on both wrists and it makes me laugh more than I think it should.
Symmetry is just funny sometimes, I guess
I use an Ultra when running and haven't had any issues with it bouncing around. It may be a strap selection or usage issue. I did a marathon recently and plenty of other runners also somehow made it work with the Ultra series.
