Apple Watch Ultra is here! First impressions and photos thread

[theotherphil]

But cuts the text at the top due to the more rounded sides so you get less content and text

You keep saying this but I think you have something messed up somewhere. Even the MaxTech video clearly shows greater screen real estate when both text sizes are set the same:

 

[Dammit Cubs]

Love the band, but the ultra kind of screams utilitarian and not fine luxury. Think this watch functions better on the canvas straps or rubber - but as many opinions as people here

A bit like putting leather on a diver watch - some people love it but I think it’s just wrong.

I feel no "luxury" when using the original stainless watch. It's still a computer on a wrist, if I'm looking for luxury I would actually buy a real watch piece (which I do own). The leather was bought because it's an infinitely better leather than the standard apple leather and the comfort alone was worth it.

I think it looks fine, yes you are right tho - there is a utilitarian feeling of the ultra which can put bands out of place for some people.

 

[Hammie]

Any word on why no Trail Bands have been seen yet as part of the packages? I know Ray from DC Rainmaker had a standalone one, but curious as to what the interior box print will be for those models.

I'm still on the fence about this version of the Ultra. I love the looks. I am deep in the Apple ecosystem on the computer tech side. However on the fitness side, I have been in the Garmin world since the mid 2000's.

I may wait a couple more iterations of the Ultra as I just upgraded my Garmin ecosystem to the new Epix. I am hoping that Apple grows their internal fitness system and not reply on third party apps as much. I also hope the bluetooth sensor support opens up to power meters and more. That is one of the things that I do like about the Garmin world. One watch, one chest HRM, one bike computer, one app, all info in one place and it just works together.

 

[b17]

Any word on why no Trail Bands have been seen yet as part of the packages? I know Ray from DC Rainmaker had a standalone one, but curious as to what the interior box print will be for those models.

Probably a desert

 

[Howard2k]

It doesn't have the same display. It's 1,000nits less brightness and 3% less pixels.

But apart from the differences, it’s the same. 😂

 

[canyonblue737]

Any word on why no Trail Bands have been seen yet as part of the packages? I know Ray from DC Rainmaker had a standalone one, but curious as to what the interior box print will be for those models.

I'm still on the fence about this version of the Ultra. I love the looks. I am deep in the Apple ecosystem on the computer tech side. However on the fitness side, I have been in the Garmin world since the mid 2000's.

I may wait a couple more iterations of the Ultra as I just upgraded my Garmin ecosystem to the new Epix. I am hoping that Apple grows their internal fitness system and not reply on third party apps as much. I also hope the bluetooth sensor support opens up to power meters and more. That is one of the things that I do like about the Garmin world. One watch, one chest HRM, one bike computer, one app, all info in one place and it just works together.

I think that’s exactly what they intend. Ray implied that folks on the inside at Apple are well aware Ultra needs topo maps and route planning, and you assume they know some option to track cadence and power on a bike is needed for serious triathlon. It’s coming in the next few years, if not the existing ultra but to the follow on watches. I left Garmin some years back because I had to be honest with myself about the fact I had no real need for many of the advanced Garmin features but I have the Ultra now and it’s the best Apple Watch, BY FAR, I have ever owned. It’s beautiful.

 

[ukms]

managed to pick mine up tonight from the office.

First impression is that I love the form factor and how it sits on my wrist. Very impressed with the screen brightness and perception to me is that it’s larger (even though it measures pretty much the same as S7/8)

I’m not in love with the Alpine loop from first impression. I much prefer the feel of my old sport loops. I have ordered the 3 trail loops but November delivery. I also have the Ocean band to try.

I’m not an Ultra athlete I just really like the idea of an alternative form and a break from the regular AW size and shape.

Overall very impressed !!!! 😃

 

[Knowimagination]

Just showered with the alpine loop for the first time. (TMI?)

It's still a little wet but nothing annoying.

Solo loop would be dry pretty much imediately.

I was curious about this took it off to shower after the gym today and realized later I probably just could have kept it on but was worried the alpine loop would stay wet longer than would be comfortable.

Will have to try it out next time.

 

[macsplusmacs]

I was curious about this took it off to shower after the gym today and realized later I probably just could have kept it on but was worried the alpine loop would stay wet longer than would be comfortable.

Will have to try it out next time.

It stays wet longer. for sure. but not enough that it bothers me.

I honestly think I may start to take it off though.

 

[MallardDuck]

First weekend with the ultra, and couldn't be happier. Love the larger screen from my series 4, the battery life is amazing, and performance all around is a vast improvement. Only thing I may change is the alpine band - it's hard to get on and off, and stays a bit damp after I rinse it after a workout (but does dry quickly).

I'll probably look for another band, but I'm honestly not sure which one. I like metal bands, but my last one scratched furniture and laptops. Leather says wet a lot longer than the alpine, and I really don't like rubber (either the look or the feel).

To paraphrase my favorite Jedi...this is the watch you're looking for

 

[RogerKmilw]

I have to be missing something. All of Apple Watches have a black bezel. Here is the bezel on the s8. Is it the “design“ of the ultra that people don’t like? Maybe they prefer the pebble glass. I can see how the design with the titanium around the watch adding some extra “watch“ on the sides, but the bezel on the s8 is definitely there too. I keep running across this argument if you will, on different threads about the “bezel” and I have deduced it to the design. In all honesty there isn’t much difference between the screens and bezels on the ultra and s8, but the design adds a decent amount of hardware and flattens the screen around what would almost be identical if the titanium were removed and the ultras glass/bezel were “pebbled down“ on the edges. pardon me, I am just trying to figure out what it actually is that makes the argument about screen size come down to the bezel. All of apples watches have a decent black bezel don’t they? Is it just the s7 watch face? ya, that looks funky on apples “non pebble“ ultra, but is still available for people that have the s7 and s8. Maybe I will just rock that watch face for awhile and see if I can get annoyed enough about it to understand lol.
View attachment 2080920

I think you’re on to something here. The bezel on my s7 looks nearly identical to the bezel on my Ultra. You’re right that it’s the black watch face that blends in with the curved bezel on s7/8.

 

[xDKP]

I am hoping that Apple grows their internal fitness system and not reply on third party apps as much. I also hope the bluetooth sensor support opens up to power meters and more. That is one of the things that I do like about the Garmin world. One watch, one chest HRM, one bike computer, one app, all info in one place and it just works together.

I feel the same. For all my running I tend to keep it Apple-based because of the well integrated nature of those apps. I love the updated workout app for this watchOS!

The pacer, intervals, route and more is just amazing. Pulse zones work amazing

 

[canyonblue737]

It stays wet longer. for sure. but not enough that it bothers me.

I honestly think I may start to take it off though.

I typically shower with these nylon bands on to keep them clean and fresh, but I remove them for a different band after the shower. They will typically be bone dry in a few hours if left to dry sitting on their edge.

 

[Sanlitun]

Pro and con impressions after a weekend of use:

- The watch face is just slightly too dim in low light. There is no way to change this as it is set by the ambient light sensor. It's not a deal breaker but surprising to find that this is an issue, especially as I had purchased it for legibility.

- Haptics and alarms are much better. I feel I could set an alarm and it would actually awaken me.

- Most of the watch faces are not adapted for the slight difference in aspect ratio. They all look slightly wrong.

- The ability to turn the crown to go to a red night mode only works on the Wayfinder face.

- Love the flashlight button.

- Most people including myself bought this to have a new design. It looks good. Lots of eyes on it.

- It probably represents the best value of the Apple watch series. I was originally going to go for a black stainless 8, but this is more bang for your buck.

I hope everyone enjoys their watches, I'm sending back my old series 6 for trade in today. It might cover the sales tax on the new watch.

 

[canyonblue737]

Pro and con impressions after a weekend of use:

- The watch face is just slightly too dim in low light. There is no way to change this as it is set by the ambient light sensor. It's not a deal breaker but surprising to find that this is an issue, especially as I had purchased it for legibility.

- Haptics and alarms are much better. I feel I could set an alarm and it would actually awaken me.

- Most of the watch faces are not adapted for the slight difference in aspect ratio. They all look slightly wrong.

- The ability to turn the crown to go to a red night mode only works on the Wayfinder face.

- Love the flashlight button.

- Most people including myself bought this to have a new design. It looks good. Lots of eyes on it.

- It probably represents the best value of the Apple watch series. I was originally going to go for a black stainless 8, but this is more bang for your buck.

I hope everyone enjoys their watches, I'm sending back my old series 6 for trade in today. It might cover the sales tax on the new watch.

I believe there a brightness setting in the Settings app? I know it is global so in theory it would make the display brighter yet in bright conditions, but it might also make the display brighter in dim conditions to help you? Just a suggestion, perhaps it might be useful to try.

 

[newellj]

Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification I see what you mean

Yeah wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, not my favorite watch face, but I do put it on sometimes on my s7 and dont mind it

Hmm. Does that tell us something about the actual useful size of the display on the AWU? I haven't checked, but if there's a significant black bezel (is that the right word?) around the display, you're obviously not getting the full edge to edge area of the crystal. [edit: see posts and pix above]

I’m not in love with the Alpine loop from first impression. I much prefer the feel of my old sport loops. I have ordered the 3 trail loops but November delivery. I also have the Ocean band to try.

I was close to hating the Alpine loop for the first day or two. It's growing on me. I'm not sure I'll ever love it but I'm reaching a neutral acceptance. If nothing else, it's very secure once it's on.

- It probably represents the best value of the Apple watch series. I was originally going to go for a black stainless 8, but this is more bang for your buck.

I hope everyone enjoys their watches, I'm sending back my old series 6 for trade in today. It might cover the sales tax on the new watch.

Yep. Priced below the S7 Edition watches, what gives? 😮

And yeah, trade-in value on AWs is poor enough that. assuming I keep the AWU, I might keep my BSS S7. They'd give me $155, which is about what I'd get selling it privately, minus the headaches and risk of buyer fraud. I guess it depends on whether you (I) look at it as "that $155, that's a good offset to the purchase price of the AWU" or "that's $155, which is a small percentage of what I paid for this watch a year ago, I really don't want to make $450 vanish into smoke by sending this back to Apple (or selling it)."

 

[Rory76]

I just received delivery of the Apple Watch Ultra with green alpine loop in Sydney Australia. I also bought the orange alpine loop.

@TheYayAreaLiving 🎗 - As promised I made a first impressions thread anyway even though a lot of you lucky Americans have got the watch already!

First impressions:

• Packaging is nice and offers a different, more premium unboxing experience.
• The watch is not as big as I expected. The case is bigger and thicker but it doesn’t feel heavier on the wrist compared to the S7 stainless steel.
• For reference, my wrist size is 155mm and I wear a Size 5 solo loop. The two alpine loops I have are both size small.
• The natural titanium looks and feels premium. I’ve always had stainless steel versions so I’m interested to see what the wear and tear will look like
• The G hook on the alpine loop will take some getting used to. It wasn’t easy to take the watch on and off.
• The flat screen looks and feels amazing to swipe on and it’s a clear differentiator from the standard series.
• Display area is only slightly bigger than my Series 7 and the bezels are noticeable. They’re probably waiting til next year to reduce them and make it an incentive to upgrade.
• Action button is useful for starting workouts. Will need to play around more to see what secondary functions I can assign to it.

Comparison pics are with my Series 7 Hermès.

Band pics include sport band, solo loop, leather loop, leather link, Milanese loop,

 

[Johnly]

I feel the same. For all my running I tend to keep it Apple-based because of the well integrated nature of those apps. I love the updated workout app for this watchOS!

The pacer, intervals, route and more is just amazing. Pulse zones work amazing

Just finished a workout and I am very satisfied with HR tracking and other metrics. I am impressed with how comfortable the ocean band and watch, seriously thought I would have watch fatigue by now, but nope, no irritation whatsoever.

 

[Rory76]

First weekend with the ultra, and couldn't be happier. Love the larger screen from my series 4, the battery life is amazing, and performance all around is a vast improvement. Only thing I may change is the alpine band - it's hard to get on and off, and stays a bit damp after I rinse it after a workout (but does dry quickly).

I'll probably look for another band, but I'm honestly not sure which one. I like metal bands, but my last one scratched furniture and laptops. Leather says wet a lot longer than the alpine, and I really don't like rubber (either the look or the feel).

To paraphrase my favorite Jedi...this is the watch you're looking for

Has anyone tried tried pairing the Ultra with Apple’s silver Milanese loop band? Just wondering how that would look for more formal occasions…?

 

[RabidMacFan]

I have the alpine loop band. It seems like all the marketing shows it where the strap pulls away from you to snap on the underside, and everyone here is wearing it that way too.

This is the opposite of how the sport loop is worn, and so I was wearing the strap backwards for the last few days.

Why it that? It seems weird for me to wear it "regular".

 

[Boardiesboi]

I have the alpine loop band. It seems like all the marketing shows it where the strap pulls away from you to snap on the underside, and everyone here is wearing it that way too.

This is the opposite of how the sport loop is worn, and so I was wearing the strap backwards for the last few days.

Why it that? It seems weird for me to wear it "regular".
View attachment 2081233

I reckon whichever way you prefer and you find comfortable is fine.

 

[Boardiesboi]

Has anyone tried tried pairing the Ultra with Apple’s silver Milanese loop band? Just wondering how that would look for more formal occasions…?

Posted this in my first post.

 

[coolbreeze2]

The screen is more responsive than Series watches and it glides so smoothly!! I love it! The 49mm is big and beautiful. It's like having a baby iPad on my risk!

 

[Kylo83]

The screen is more responsive than Series watches and it glides so smoothly!! I love it! The 49mm is big and beautiful. It's like having a baby iPad on my risk!

again its the same size than 45mm with more rounded corners so kinda smaller, why do people saying its bigger?

 

[SteveJobs2.0]

I also think that the brightness is too low in dark environments. Maybe this can be changed with software later on because the dimming is aggressive right now.

Actually, it is bright enough in very dark environments. The issue seems to more in low light where it is neither dark nor bright.