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You do realize that the actually screen display area on the Ultra is imperceptibly larger than the Series 8? The Ultra just has way more bezel than Series 8. The case of the watch is much bigger, but the display is not much bigger at all.

Apple Watch Ultra Display:
410 by 502 pixels
1185 sq mm display area

Apple Watch Series 8 Display (45mm):
396 by 484 pixels
1143 sq mm display area

Difference in display area: 3.7%

The biggest advantage in the Ultra's screen is that it is brighter, but it is really the watch case that is bigger with much bigger bezels than the Series 8.

Had another post because someone else said this. If you are coming from a Series 4, 5 or 6 like many are, the difference is a lot more.
 
The original iPhones display was 3.5”…
yes, inching closer to that (inch size now stated before mm size ..). By the time the AW reaches 3.5”, it’ll be round. Actually, I am thinking about cutting out a 3.5” piece cardboard and attach it to my AW 4 just to see what I bump into … 😊
 
They could always go a lot bigger if they use a display that wraps around the wrist. Something like this but with a much nicer slimmer design and maybe no camera or even an under the display one so it's far less bulky than this design. So many design possibilities in the future instead of the classic boring square or round face design.

 
Not for me. I just returned my ultra. Yes it fits with the other watch bands, but looks terrible when attached. Downgraded to an 8. Lol I am happy here.
Same here. The Ultra is just a little too big for my taste, doesn't fit under most sleeves, etc. Happier with the 8 too.
 
This would be from the microLED letting it run actually to the edges I imagine, shouldn't be too much bigger physically, maybe pushing the titanium screen guard ring out a bit.

I wonder how they'll pitch the edgier nature of microled since they've been advertising their phones as edge to edge with some notable borders for a while now though lol. Just don't add more word salad to Super Retina Display XDR.
 
I highly doubt anyone has looked at their AW Ultra and thought ”…Man I wish this thing was bigger” They already look comically big as it is now.


There are people who need larger straps than Apple offers.
 
Had another post because someone else said this. If you are coming from a Series 4, 5 or 6 like many are, the difference is a lot more.
fair enough.... the jump from series 4, 5 and 6 to series 7 was definitely more significant. so the jump to Ultra from one of those is definitely going to be noticeable.

as always, upgrading 2 or 3 generations is usually the best value and bang for your buck. upgrading every year means only marginal changes so less wow factor.
 
I wonder how many who think their ultra is too big are those well inside the AWU's intended audience...i.e., a camper, hunter, mega-explorer, outdoorsy person. I don't think too many of them complain since the tool helps with their hobby/interest more than the standard AW8 does.

Buying an AW ultra and not using it for anything close to its targeted use but then complaining about its size is like choosing to wear a fully stocked backpack inside all day at work then complaining about it.
I am an outdoors enthusiast and doing lots of alpine and backcountry sports as well as wildlife and geological field surveys. The Ultra would be perfect for me but it’s just too big for my wrist. I would instantly buy a model that was just slightly smaller.
 
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I am an outdoors enthusiast and doing lots of alpine and backcountry sports as well as wildlife and geological field surveys. The Ultra would be perfect for me but it’s just too big for my wrist. I would instantly buy a model that was just slightly smaller.
Good perspective! Would the ultra provide you anything you need that the 8 does not?
 


A new Apple Watch Ultra with a larger 2.1-inch display will be released in 2024, according to a report today from Taiwanese publication DigiTimes, citing industry sources. This lines up with information shared last month by Jeff Pu, a tech analyst at Hong Kong-based investment firm Haitong International Securities.

apple-watch-ultra-1-1.jpg

The current Apple Watch Ultra has around a 1.93-inch display, so the 2024 model would have nearly a 10% larger screen and would likely become the first Apple Watch with over a 50mm case size. The new Ultra is also expected to be the first Apple Watch to adopt microLED display technology, resulting in higher brightness, decreased power consumption, and improved contrast ratio compared to current models with OLED displays.

It's unclear if an Apple Watch Ultra update is planned for 2023.

Taiwanese research firm TrendForce today reported that microLED technology could allow for Apple to offer future products with "game-changing product innovations," ranging from foldable and rollable iPhone models to fully transparent AR glasses.

microLED display production costs are currently high, so Apple's transition to the technology will likely take many years to be completed.

In the meantime, Apple is still completing a transition to OLED displays across its product lineup. The first Apple device with an OLED display was the Apple Watch in 2015, while the iPhone started moving to OLED in 2017. Rumors suggest the first MacBook Air and iPad Pro models with OLED displays will be released in 2024.

Article Link: Apple Watch Ultra With Nearly 10% Larger Display Rumored to Launch Next Year
Already the Ultra is expensive and with this upgrade, it'll be more!
 
At some point the bigger sizes become ridiculous. Apple isn’t there yet, as I love my Apple Watch Ultra’s size.
6F6D4E4C-7930-4071-A6C9-ADABC5E6A6DB.jpeg
 
If they make a watch that can truly replace your iPhone I would definitely consider it.
The problem there isn't screen size, or feeds and speeds. It's the discomfort of holding your wrist at an angle for longer than the few seconds it takes to glance at a watch.

There's a reason phones are the size they are: they represent a compromise that fits in your pocket or purse, with the largest practically sized screen possible, and that can be used on the go for things like media consumption, gaming, longer facetime calls etc. I don't think a watch could replace that.
 
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If they make a watch that can truly replace your iPhone I would definitely consider it.

if they make a watch that can truly replace my washing machine I would definitely consider it.

... joking aside if you are serious then there are many very decent YouTube videos where people try to live with only the cellular apple watch.
TL;DW - it CAN with what are blindingly obvious caveats given the form factor. The cellular watch truly can replace an iPhone given that it's capable of all the base functions of that device i.e. phone calls, messaging, maps, directions, apple pay, etc etc etc.
If, however, you expect it to take on the jobs of many other apps that reside on the iPhone including FaceTime video calls and instagram etc etc then obviously and of course that is completely unrealistic for the form factor.

The problem there isn't screen size, or feeds and speeds. It's the discomfort of holding your wrist at an angle for longer than the few seconds it takes to glance at a watch.

There's a reason phones are the size they are: they represent a compromise that fits in your pocket or purse, with the largest practically sized screen possible, and that can be used on the go for things like media consumption, gaming, longer facetime calls etc. I don't think a watch could replace that.

absolutely. Although it can get you through your day without needing the phone (assuming you have the cellular connection) its still clearly not an iPhone or an iPad.

Can the iPhone replace an iPad ? well yes and no. Can the iPad replace an iMac? well yes and no. Can the apple watch replace an iPhone? well yes and no.

Its all down to what you need a device to do... there are clearly people out there, especially with the advent of the ultra, who are happy to leave their iPhone at home and just carry the watch
 
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At some point the bigger sizes become ridiculous. Apple isn’t there yet, as I love my Apple Watch Ultra’s size.
View attachment 2152273
This, though comedic mockup, beautifully illustrates the point ive been trying to make up-thread.

Expecting, needing, or wanting the Apple Watch to increase its screen size year on year is just daft. Can it get bigger? um, sure... maybe - shrink the Ultra bezels a bit and squeeze a millimetre or so out of it but I would say the size of the Ultra probably represents a sensible maximum for a wrist based device.

This is not a device that can keep getting bigger.
 
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