AW Series 7 Vs 8 Vs Ultra

[Night Spring]

The vast majority of Apple Watch consumers don’t spend 850 quid on the watch and the Ultra only appeals to larger individuals or those who like oversized watches and are happy with the price point. I don’t see it as a wide range of people as the steel watches were aimed at the niche segments too. It is a mediocre year for the Apple Watch as the core market has been given a very poor incremental upgrade. I have a Series 5 and should be upgrading this year. I have the cash but the S8 is essentially a Series 7 with a car crash and pregnancy feature, neither of which I am remotely interested in. I will stick with what I have for now.

Do you have a source for your assertion that the "vast majority" of Apple Watch customers don't buy the more expensive versions? I don't think Apple has ever publicized the sale numbers of different watch models. That said, I'd think that if the steel versions weren't selling well in comparison with the aluminum ones, Apple would have stopped selling them by now. While I tend to think that the aluminum model probably does sell more than the steel/ceramic/titanium models, I doubt they constitute a "vast majority" of sales.

I agree with you that the S8 is a mediocre upgrade, but I think it's offset by the technical advances in the Ultra. The Ultra will attract people who already paid higher prices for the more premium versions, and would also attract people who didn't want to pay a higher price for the same technology just with a more premium casing. Now those people can justify the purchase as paying for better tech, not just better looks.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Do you have a source for your assertion that the "vast majority" of Apple Watch customers don't buy the more expensive versions? I don't think Apple has ever publicized the sale numbers of different watch models. That said, I'd think that if the steel versions weren't selling well in comparison with the aluminum ones, Apple would have stopped selling them by now. While I tend to think that the aluminum model probably does sell more than the steel/ceramic/titanium models, I doubt they constitute a "vast majority" of sales.

I agree with you that the S8 is a mediocre upgrade, but I think it's offset by the technical advances in the Ultra. The Ultra will attract people who already paid higher prices for the more premium versions, and would also attract people who didn't want to pay a higher price for the same technology just with a more premium casing. Now those people can justify the purchase as paying for better tech, not just better looks.

I don’t have a specific source, just what I know from reading articles that suggest the aluminium versions are the much better sellers and my experiences with what I see around me. The Ultra is probably a really good smartwatch, but it’s 850 quid, huge on the wrist unless you’re a big person and the aesthetics are not to everyone’s tastes, certainly not mine. I like the better battery life and it’s something that should have been improved across the range, not just on a watch the mainstream consumer isn’t going to buy. Sorry but the Ultra is irrelevant to me and I was expecting a better Apple Watch this year at the usual price point. It can’t attract me because it would also look incredibly ridiculous on my wrist. Apple need to do better next year as this is the worst year for Apple Watch since it was unveiled.

 

[Dealmans]

The ultra is the biggest design change for apple watch ever, people will buy it just for that if they like the fit.
1-8 all look the same lol. Personally I didn't see the diff buying the dearer watches till now.
I got $400AUD back for my S7 so that eased the pain a bit.

 

[Dealmans]

but it’s 850 quid

far that's $160AUD more than here.
mine was about your 500 quid after selling my S7

 

[Night Spring]

Sorry but the Ultra is irrelevant to me and I was expecting a better Apple Watch this year at the usual price point. It can’t attract me because it would also look incredibly ridiculous on my wrist. Apple need to do better next year as this is the worst year for Apple Watch since it was unveiled.

It's interesting you were expecting the S8 to be a better watch at the same price point. I was just expecting the temperature sensors and perhaps a slight improvement in battery life. I wonder what caused this difference in our expectations.

And while the Ultra is big, when I tried it on, it felt like I could just about carry it off if I wanted to. Granted, I work from home, so I don't need to worry about how it might look to others. See pic I posted here.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ultra-with-suit.2358157/post-31563570

Interestingly enough, Apple claims the Ultra fits wrists from 130mm up, whereas the 45mm S8 is marked as fitting wrists from 140mm up. That's what motivated me to go to the store to try the Ultra -- I was like, how does a bigger watch fit a smaller wrist??? I'm still not sure how Apple did it, but yes, the Ultra does manage to (just barely) fit a 130mm wrist.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

The ultra is the biggest design change for apple watch ever, people will buy it just for that if they like the fit.
1-8 all look the same lol. Personally I didn't see the diff buying the dearer watches till now.
I got $400AUD back for my S7 so that eased the pain a bit.

I think Apple need to release a smaller version to appeal to more people from next year. Yeah if it fits you and offers what you want, enjoy.

far that's $160AUD more than here.
mine was about your 500 quid after selling my S7

I doubt the Australian economy is in the state we have here in Europe. Every single Apple product has gone up with watches +£50 and iPhones +£100-£150.

 

[Dealmans]

I think Apple need to release a smaller version to appeal to more people from next year. Yeah if it fits you and offers what you want, enjoy.

I doubt the Australian economy is in the state we have here in Europe. Every single Apple product has gone up with watches +£50 and iPhones +£100-£150.

Probs not far behind, 5 interest rate rises in a row another one next week they are saying, fuel prices up 25c today after the gov giving us half of the excise tax back for the last 6 months.
inflation through the roof. Food prices up, power prices gone nuts.
Plenty of jobs around though as the gov locked out all the overseas arrivals for 2 years lol

 

[Fthree]

I was also disappointed. Last two watches have been the SBTi and when I saw it was no longer available, it was Ultra all the way for me. The Hermes has no appeal to me.

I would love to see a black DLC coated Ultra next year!🙀

The DLC Coating would be nice but could you imagine the complaining about scratches!!! OMG they'd be apple caring them every other week.

 

[Jackbequickly]

The DLC Coating would be nice but could you imagine the complaining about scratches!!! OMG they'd be apple caring them every other week.

‘The DLC coating is quite tough. I have had it on my last three Apple Watches and not a single scratch. I expect my Ti Ultra to get scratched and have an occasion ding. Ti is malleable and will scratch and show dings, if you wear it, it is inevitable.