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Apple Watch Ultra Owners: Why Did You Upgrade?

Why did you upgrade to the Ultra? (Select ALL That Apply)

  • Total voters
    112
IT Provisor

IT Provisor

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 23, 2022
103
128
California, USA
As someone who loves his Series 7 gold stainless steel model, I admit that I was curious and not sure at first about the Ultra. However, as always, it's best to remove all doubt and simply try it out to see what I think, which is exactly what I'm doing. As it stands right now, I'm still fence-sitting, with me leaning towards potentially returning it. Here's the thing, though: I actually like the design and extra features that the Ultra offers, with the biggest being the double battery (it makes me forget that the same processor from Series 6 is still in this watch, as well)! I'm curious, just to get some feedback from others who KNOW that they will keep their Ultra, why? Especially if you're coming from a Series 7, what made you say "I'm gettin' the Ultra and no turning back!"?

My hope is, with this thread/survey, you guys can help me and others who are fence-sitting and looking for perhaps some nugget of info unknown or some perspective that could change ours. So, if you could, please take a moment to answer the poll and leave your own feedback to help out other Apple (Watch) fans like myself who have the annual upgrade debates! Thanks!
 
Because I love big watches and I love the new design. It is functional and the battery life is soo much better which I need as I travel a lot and do not always have access to power. And my job comes with quite a bit of physical work installing equipment around the world so the ruggedness sure is an advantage.
BTW my biggest surprise with the Ultra is the weight of it. This thing is featherlight for its size. I own quite a few watches that are smaller but a lot heavier.
 
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The design. Love it. I wouldn’t buy something I don’t like the look of regardless the features. I’ll be keeping my Hermès S6 as well though as I’m not sure I’m ready to give up those watch faces. Time will tell how much I wear it going forward though, as I love the Ultra a lot more.

Edit: the battery life and ruggedness will be great for my use case as well. However I’d have got it for the design alone even if I sat in an office all day.
 
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Battery life and screen size/brightness is the major one's for me. I run a lot, currently training for a marathon, and I keep charging my S5 a lot. I travel frequently for work too, so better battery life is a welcome addition. When traveling I use my watch even more.

Screen size and brightness is needed for my eyes these days, I already have the text size set to the largest setting on my S5, I imagine it'll be even more legible on the bigger screen.

If Apple hadn't released the Ultra I would have kept my S5 for longer since I had a battery replacement just weeks ago and it serves me well enough.
 
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Battery life bc I go to the gym I’m the morning and after work I run/bike a lot + I hike a lot and I had to recharge my S6 twice while break to make it through an 8h hike.

Sirene and crash detection is a welcome feature for me too.
 
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I was well liked historically larger watches. Then add the features, battery life and bright screen.

Coming from a 6 SS, it actually seems battery life is more towards triple rather double.

I like the look and learned to enjoy the buttons including action button.

Three things I didn’t expect beforehand as much:

1) The Alpine Loop is much better than anticipated (I used the Link Bracelet, Milanese and Braided Loops before). Compared to these the Alpine Loop is very comfortable and secure. Sweat resistance and still felt good when it got wet.

2) The readability for my aging eyes is much improved. How is the slogan: it’s the best readability of any Apple Watch we ever had

3) The Wayfinder face. My favorite face bevor was the Infograph. I really got to like the Wayfinder face.

Personally I have yet to find a single disadvantage. If anything I potentially would have preferred stainless steel over titanium.

Based on the above you know my answer to the question “Love it or Return it?”.
 
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Battery life is no question number 1 reason. I don't update my AW every year, previous is Series 4 Stainless Steel...still love that watch, kept it looking great... but it's older, little slower with OS9 (probably the final major update for this...IDK) and battery is meh at best now.

Always wanted and hoped for a larger AW and love the new "chunky" larger look. But more features on this new one that are not available on the 4. (AOD, Compass, etc) Tried it on a few days ago at Apple, immediately noticed the brighter screen..super fast and responsive, didn't feel too heavy on my end, just loved how it looked on my wrist. I wanted it right then and there...but no stock.

Few became available yesterday and quick picked it up. No regrets! And the fact that my existing bands work with this Ultra, that's a big plus!
 
OBirder said:
I was well liked historically larger watches. Then add the features, battery life and bright screen.

Coming from a 6 SS, it actually seems battery life is more towards triple rather double.

I like the look and learned to enjoy the buttons including action button.

Three things I didn’t expect beforehand as much:

1) The Alpine Loop is much better than anticipated (I used the Link Bracelet, Milanese and Braided Loops before). Compared to these the Alpine Loop is very comfortable and secure. Sweat resistance and still felt good when it got wet.

2) The readability for my aging eyes is much improved. How is the slogan: it’s the best readability of any Apple Watch we ever had

3) The Wayfinder face. My favorite face bevor was the Infograph. I really got to like the Wayfinder face.

Personally I have yet to find a single disadvantage. If anything I potentially would have preferred stainless steel over titanium.

Based on the above you know my answer to the question “Love it or Return it?”.
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Agreed!
"The readability for my aging eyes is much improved."

My eyesight for distance has been lousy since 8th grade, in the past year...now seeing up close is an issue. (I literally have RX glasses WITH a clip on 1.25X reading glasses attached, stinks...but necessary right now 😫) Readability is much better with this.

I love the Stainless Steel look also, it's just beautiful in my opinion..wouldn't be that shocked if this version came out next Sept. (under a new name?)...or maybe updated Ultra in Spring 2023 with new colors..a dark, "space black" color. MAYBE SS..dont know....but will SS be that great with rock climbing, rugged sports..and all of that? Hey...I'm not climbing mountains or trekking across the Sahara Desert any time soon lol...so I would love that finish. I think Apple realizes by now the Ultra is a big seller...not all of them, including myself are doing extreme activities. 😀

I also know Titanium scratches easier..so, ugh. That first scratch will be painful, but I have to expect it.
 
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Cause the watch since V1 looks dorky and every second person is wearing one and all look the same.
Also too small for me
Battery average
Never like the bands
 
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PhillyGuy72 said:
Agreed!
"The readability for my aging eyes is much improved."

My eyesight for distance has been lousy since 8th grade, in the past year...now seeing up close is an issue. (I literally have RX glasses WITH a clip on 1.25X reading glasses attached, stinks...but necessary right now 😫) Readability is much better with this.

I love the Stainless Steel look also, it's just beautiful in my opinion..wouldn't be that shocked if this version came out next Sept...or maybe even Spring 2023 with new colors..a dark, "space black" color. MAYBE SS? I know Titanium scratches easier..so, ugh. That first scratch will be painful, but I have to expect it.
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They won’t do colours it will just scratch off and show silver underneath.
 
For me size was key, I liked my series 6 but wanted something bigger.
The flat screen was another draw.
And personally I like the new design.
Battery life and some other features an added bonus.
 
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Dealmans said:
Cause the watch since V1 looks dorky and every second person is wearing one and all look the same.
Also too small for me
Battery average
Never like the bands
Click to expand...
Agreed, the original was a bit small -for me at least- but still slick looking at the time. And briefly for a time back in Spring, even Summer 2015, no...I didn't see THAT many wearing AW. But now that is different. (I had a few teasing me "you geek" or "Dick Tracy" as a joke when I had it out in public back then, they own an AW now)

S4 was a bit larger..that's about it. Design in general hasn't really changed a bit since 2015 and had no intention when I saw the New 8 coming out...same design again. Until I saw this "Pro" version rumored.

The bands..especially the standard simple silicone was never my thing, and not into the fabric loops. (To be honest...$99 bucks for these new Ultra bands are insane!) I've found 3rd party unique looking bands I like far better.
IMG_6193.jpeg
 
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PhillyGuy72 said:
Agreed, the original was a bit small -for me at least- but still slick looking at the time. And briefly for a time back in Spring, even Summer 2015, no...I didn't see THAT many wearing AW. But now that is different. (I had a few teasing me "you geek" or "Dick Tracy" as a joke when I had it out in public back then, they own an AW now)

S4 was a bit larger..that's about it. Design in general hasn't really changed a bit since 2015 and had no intention when I saw the New 8 coming out...same design again. Until I saw this "Pro" version rumored.

The bands..especially the standard simple silicone was never my thing, and not into the fabric loops. (To be honest...$99 bucks for these new Ultra bands are insane!) I've found 3rd party unique looking bands I like far better.
View attachment 2085231
Click to expand...
I like how this post basically represents the evolution of Apple Watches, where you don't see too much of a change when the Apple Watch got its first redesign, but then you see a MAJOR departure this year, which is one of the draws for me, I admit...
 
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Because I had/still have the Series 5 and neither the Series 6 nor the Series 7 were big enough updates to justify me upgrading. I like the slightly larger display of the Ultra with the double the brightness as well as the up to double the battery charge. Also the action button is a useful addition too. For me it was a big enough improvement to make it worthwhile. I was initially concerned about the size but once I got it I realised it was a non issue.
 
I came from the Series 6. Tend to always get the SS version and every two years. IF I was just looking at upgrading to the Series 8, probably would have stayed with the 6. With that said:

I checked a lot of boxes in the survey. Not a big runner, rock climber, peddle biker, etc. But - I'm around water, boat, jet skis, and like exploring / hiking. Battery life on my 6 was still okay for daily wear but couldn't wear it to bed.

There are many features I like about the Ultra. Size was a bit of a concern until I looked at my other watches. Before the Apple Watch, I was drawn to dive watches. Stuff from Tag Heuer, Seiko, Casio (G-Shock) and yes, some Rolexes (though I didn't purchase these). Compared the sizes of some of them and the Ultra isn't that much bigger. It also fits under sleeves so if I needed to wear a suit, no big deal.

One concern of mine was how the 49mm watch would handle my 44/45 mm bands. Happy to say, no issues with any of them.
 
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I’m a serial upgrader, every AW from S0 to S7. So the upgrade was pre-ordained haha!!

But, there was no way I was getting an S8 once they unveiled the Ultra on the keynote. I actually jumped up from my chair a bit once they showed it, haha!!

I mean come on!! Look at it!! First redesign in seven years. Orange. Ti. Flat screen. Orange. Ti. :)
 
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joefrank64k said:
I’m a serial upgrader, every AW from S0 to S7. So the upgrade was pre-ordained haha!!

But, there was no way I was getting an S8 once they unveiled the Ultra on the keynote. I actually jumped up from my chair a bit once they showed it, haha!!

I mean come on!! Look at it!! First redesign in seven years. Orange. Ti. Flat screen. Orange. Ti. :)
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I hear ya! I was first a bit skeptical of the design and how it would look and feel in person and, I'm glad to say, that it didn't disappoint! I was a fence-sitter up to recently, but I feel like I'm gonna keep it and enjoy it! I just order the Nomad Titanium Link and have a Chalk Leather Link (which is still being sold by Best Buy in the US, albeit backordered) that I plan to use for dressier occasions (yes, I said DRESS)! Needless to say, I haven't been this enthused for an Apple Watch since probably the Series 4 when Apple first did the gold (more like bronze) color in a bigger, more rounded screen (which was the first redesign of the Apple Watch, just not the same caliber as this year's refresh)!
 
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The poll lacks the option "use it while diving". That is my only reason for upgrading.

Now when is the Oceanic+ app going to launch... ?
 
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