Apple Watch Ultra Display Too Dim in Low Light, Say Some Users

[thecautioners]

I thought it was just me. The red is far too dark, I do not like night mode at all. My bedroom is quite dark at all times if I have the lights off and it’s dark in the morning because I keep my shades down. I have a strand of clear Christmas lights on at all times to provide just enough light to easily navigate. I can’t use my watch when I wake up in the morning because it’s just too dark. I really need an option to toggle off night mode because personally there is never going to be an instance where I’d need to use it.

 

[usmaak]

I thought it was just me. The red is far too dark, I do not like night mode at all. My bedroom is quite dark at all times if I have the lights off and it’s dark in the morning because I keep my shades down. I have a strand of clear Christmas lights on at all times to provide just enough light to easily navigate. I can’t use my watch when I wake up in the morning because it’s just too dark. I really need an option to toggle off night mode because personally there is never going to be an instance where I’d need to use it.

It’s a setting on the watch face. Edit the watch face and swipe left until you get to night mode. The three settings are off, on, and auto.

 

[thecautioners]

It’s a setting on the watch face. Edit the watch face and swipe left until you get to night mode. The three settings are off, on, and auto.

I see that now but it’s just on auto, I’m not sure how to change it off of auto. Everywhere I tap or swipe nothing happens.

 

[usmaak]

I see that now but it’s just on auto, I’m not sure how to change it off of auto. Everywhere I tap or swipe nothing happens.

I just used the button to scroll up and down to get to off and on.

 

[thecautioners]

I just used the button to scroll up and down to get to off and on.

ah that’s it! I am stupid lol. Thanks!

 

[Fiveshorts]

fwiw, my Ultra 2 is too dim (for my eyes) in night mode — not just the faces, but the Apps etc.

I am now running Public Beta 10.3 and I see absolutely no improvement. It’s still impossible for me to read in low light.

Doesn’t stop me loving the watch, if I was a sniper, I’d want to be able to adjust the perceived brightness with a roll of the crown.

Naturally, the user ought to be given the choice to set their desired “night brightness” to their own preference and for different situations. How hard can it be, really?

My 2¢

 

[ilovemyibook]

Seems like a feature to me. I hate how bright my series 7 can be in pitch darkness. Having a display that can dim enough when it is dark is an often overlooked part of a good display.

The issue is that you can’t brighten it. If you want it dark, then make it dark. But what if you don’t? That’s the issue.

 

[panjandrum]

This issue has gotten significantly worse under Watch OS 10. The "phone dialer" work-around (i.e. yet another manual end-user fix to Apple's ever-increasing idiocy) no longer functions, and my watch is now at least partly useless under many lighting situations due to the screen being too dim; even at maximum brightness setting, to read any of the smaller elements (as others have mentioned, it is especially bad in darker situations, meaning Apple has fully screwed the auto-brightness somehow.) Sure, it will still be fine for teenagers, but most humans begin losing some vision as young as in their 20s (assuming no underlying issues the changes at that age are usually related to the loss of ability to distinguish subtle shades-of-grey - basically losing 'contrast', so that scenes look visually flatter in light than they used to. This is why they spray the blue dye on the snow at competitive winter events; so that the athletes can see the hill contours properly even on a grey, cloudy, 'flat light' day) - something they could probably do without assistance when they were in their teens, but not in their 20s.) One of the keys to combatting this (and later, many of the other visions issues which most humans experience), is simply *brightness* - it is a bit counter-intuitive; logically one might assume that only size will make a difference, but that is not the case; having sufficient brightness significantly impacts the ability of persons middle-age and onward to see small details. The fact that Apple doesn't understand this, or doesn't give two-flying copulations, is appalling, especially seeing (hahaha) as it is such an easy thing to fix: Stop assuming you know more than person who bought your product. Just. Stop. Apple. Stop. I promise you, I'm capable of deciding how bright I want my watch screen.

 

[Fiveshorts]

The issue is that you can’t brighten it. If you want it dark, then make it dark. But what if you don’t? That’s the issue.

Exactly. Pretty much after sunset, I find it hard to read all but the time on the most expensive watch I’ve ever purchased.

If it’s capable of 3000 nits, then give me access to it. I’LL decide if it’s worth the battery hit. Personally I charge my watch every day anyway.

If one person wants a 2nit display at night, let them set that as a preference.
If another wants 2000 nits, let them set it.

It’s pretty simple.

 

[Fiveshorts]

This issue has gotten significantly worse under Watch OS 10. The "phone dialer" work-around (i.e. yet another manual end-user fix to Apple's ever-increasing idiocy) no longer functions, and my watch is now at least partly useless under many lighting situations due to the screen being too dim; even at maximum brightness setting, to read any of the smaller elements (as others have mentioned, it is especially bad in darker situations, meaning Apple has fully screwed the auto-brightness somehow.) Sure, it will still be fine for teenagers, but most humans begin losing some vision as young as in their 20s (assuming no underlying issues the changes at that age are usually related to the loss of ability to distinguish subtle shades-of-grey - basically losing 'contrast', so that scenes look visually flatter in light than they used to. This is why they spray the blue dye on the snow at competitive winter events; so that the athletes can see the hill contours properly even on a grey, cloudy, 'flat light' day) - something they could probably do without assistance when they were in their teens, but not in their 20s.) One of the keys to combatting this (and later, many of the other visions issues which most humans experience), is simply *brightness* - it is a bit counter-intuitive; logically one might assume that only size will make a difference, but that is not the case; having sufficient brightness significantly impacts the ability of persons middle-age and onward to see small details. The fact that Apple doesn't understand this, or doesn't give two-flying copulations, is appalling, especially seeing (hahaha) as it is such an easy thing to fix: Stop assuming you know more than person who bought your product. Just. Stop. Apple. Stop. I promise you, I'm capable of deciding how bright I want my watch screen.

Very well said. I’m 62. And an Apple fan boy since the first Macintosh. Now I wish I had a Garmin.

 

[jhwalker]

Exactly. Pretty much after sunset, I find it hard to read all but the time on the most expensive watch I’ve ever purchased.

If it’s capable of 3000 nits, then give me access to it. I’LL decide if it’s worth the battery hit. Personally I charge my watch every day anyway.

If one person wants a 2nit display at night, let them set that as a preference.
If another wants 2000 nits, let them set it.

It’s pretty simple.

I don't have any trouble seeing mine in even the lowest light, but this is reasonable - it should be an OPTION.

 

[GDMcG]

I agree with the sentiments on it being too dim. Please consider providing feedback directly to Apple here https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch/
Maybe if we get enough feedback to them and mention this as an accessibility issue they will give us the option.

 

[roncron]

I agree with the sentiments on it being too dim. Please consider providing feedback directly to Apple here https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch/
Maybe if we get enough feedback to them and mention this as an accessibility issue they will give us the option.

Thanks for the link. I reported the problem, noted that autodimness on my iphones and my series 8 and earlier Watches worked fine, only the AW Ultra 2 has the problem. I suggested that the user, not the Watch, should get to decide what is the correct level of brightness/dimness in poor lighting conditions.

Hopefully everyone posting in this thread about this problem will submit feedback about their experience.

 

[panjandrum]

Thanks for the link. I reported the problem, noted that autodimness on my iphones and my series 8 and earlier Watches worked fine, only the AW Ultra 2 has the problem. I suggested that the user, not the Watch, should get to decide what is the correct level of brightness/dimness in poor lighting conditions.

Hopefully everyone posting in this thread about this problem will submit feedback about their experience.

I said something similar, but also called them out-of-touch obsessive control-freaks and drooling morons. I expect it will get auto-deleted by a bot. 😂

 

[INFPolymath]

The Apple Watch Ultra display is too difficult to read in low light conditions, report some users, an ambient light sensor issue that is likely linked to Apple's watchOS 10 software update last month.

There are multiple complaints from MacRumors readers (1, 2), Reddit users (1, 2, 3, 4), and Apple Community users who say that they are unable to read information on the Apple Watch Ultra display in dark environments because the screen is too dim, suggesting the device's ambient light sensor has not been properly calibrated to increase brightness to an adequate level.

Launched last month, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 pushes the maximum screen brightness to 3,000 nits, making it the brightest Apple Watch ever, according to Apple. The display is also capable of reducing brightness to as low as 1 nits.

Some Ultra 2 owners have pinned the blame on this new hardware specification, however the recent uptick in reports also includes users of the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, suggesting it is an issue with Apple's watchOS 10 software update, which was released in September.

Users say the issue is particularly pronounced when quickly moving from a bright room to a dark area, and when the Wayfinder and Ultra Modular watch face is set to Night mode, which puts a red filter on the display. Legibility issues persist despite manual adjustments to the brightness level in the watch's Settings. Both Ultra and Ultra 2 owners say the problem is evident on models updated with watchOS 10.0.1 and the latest watchOS 10.0.2 update.

• Apple Watch Ultra: How to Activate Night Mode

Apple is reportedly aware of the issue, so hopefully a future software update will remedy the situation. Have you experienced difficulty reading information on the Apple Watch Ultra's screen in low light? Let us know in the comments.

(Thanks, Joshua!)

Article Link: Apple Watch Ultra Display Too Dim in Low Light, Say Some Users

Fellow enthusiasts, let me introduce you to a nifty trick I’ve dubbed the Quantum Photon Replenishment Maneuver. It’s quite simple:

1. First, set your watch’s action button to flashlight mode.
2. Cup your hand over the watch face to create a ‘mini photon echo chamber.’
3. Briefly engage the flashlight for about half a second, then turn it off. Don’t worry, there’s no risk of overcharging, but ensure the light stays on just long enough to activate the process.

Once you remove your hand, you’ll notice your watch springs into a state of ‘heightened awareness’ with the brightness fully restored. Granted, it’s a fleeting fix, but it should buy you just enough time to navigate those crucial moments in the dark.

 

[ethandt72]

This is a very disappointing issue. I just traded in my Apple Watch 7 for an Ultra 2. I absolutely love most everything about it. But the brightness at night, when the display can go way brighter, but you have no control over it is ridiculous. Do we think they may address/fix this in a future software update?

 

[GDMcG]

This is a very disappointing issue. I just traded in my Apple Watch 7 for an Ultra 2. I absolutely love most everything about it. But the brightness at night, when the display can go way brighter, but you have no control over it is ridiculous. Do we think they may address/fix this in a future software update?

Only if they hear enough feedback from users like us at the feedback link shared in previous posts in this thread https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch/ I provided feedback indicating it was an accessibility issue for some users. Apple usually takes accessibility very seriously so hopefully they will give this feedback serious consideration and let us set higher minimum brightness levels for the Apple Watch.