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I keep chickening out on buying the Ultra
- Thread starter alee
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Maybe, I always found the 45mm too small and light on me.
Ha! It does read that way 🤣 I suppose what I meant was if they include updates that matter more to me (size, aesthetics, moar battery!!…) then I’d have more reasons to buy one. This version has some things I really enjoy, but just isn’t for me for now (edit: added words).
I understand that, but I think it also fails to miss where the Ultra benefits users over the Series 8. Battery life is easily double to triple, display is twice as bright, larger newer design. Sometimes we just buy things for the fun of new tech, and that’s ok too.
I just decided to return mine. I only used it for 2 days. I found the battery life not nearly as good as I had expected and as I see others reporting here. I was hoping to use it for extended periods on cellular only and only charge it once a day. It also takes a long time to charge. Lastly, I found it uncomfortable to sleep with. I also found it slightly heavy. I love the way it looks (the watch itself and the Wayfinder Face) and may give it another try with version 2. I would love an even larger screen (or less of a bezel, though I understand the reasons a watch like this needs one). I do go out into the wilderness on occasion, but not enough to justify the premium over my perfectly fine series 7.
Edit: I have now discovered that my " Anker USB C Charger, Anker 735 Charger GaNPrime" charger may be defective (it was also charging other devices slowly). But I am still returning my Ultra. Another factor I forgot to mention up above is that the speaker on phone calls is surprisingly weak.
Edit: I have now discovered that my " Anker USB C Charger, Anker 735 Charger GaNPrime" charger may be defective (it was also charging other devices slowly). But I am still returning my Ultra. Another factor I forgot to mention up above is that the speaker on phone calls is surprisingly weak.
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It charges faster than my S7 - full charge in under an hour on a fast charge rated wall charger. It has at least double if not triple battery life on cellular only. It’s way easier to read in direct sunlight.
I’m on 24 hours now running an active Clockology face testing cellular only and moderate use.
I don’t think it’s a survival watch. I don’t think a Garmin is either. It has tested as way stronger through abuse though already than the other Apple Watches. If it got offline maps from
Apple, even with a paid subscription service, it would be a game changer if a watch.
I don’t think survival was the intent. It’s a weekend warrior watch and an option for a different style! If it’s not for you, no harm no foul, it’s expensive, it is a little bulky for some - you you should love it or leave it!
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That’s spot on why I ordered it. I’m definitely not an adventurist or extreme anything, that aspect didn’t interest me. But the things you mentioned for only $50 more than the series 8 I would have bought made the decision for me. When the pre-release speculation was rampant talking about a possible $1000 price I was curious what this would be but felt no interest at that price. After the actual price was revealed the only decision I needed to make was whether I would be ok in the way the device would look on my fairly small wrist, that was the only thing I needed to consider. Eventually I gave in, now if it, when it arrives, proves to be unmanageable I could return it. But I seriously doubt there’s any chance of that.
Heavy S6 user here. Basically wearing mine 24/7 with 1 hr exception for charging... sleep tracking, work out, texting etc etc. Was looking forward to upgrade to a new generation BUT: the S8 has really nothing new to offer (I don't need cycle tracking... 😂). The ULTRA is very large and other than the battery life has not going for it. Hence I am sitting this one out like I did with the S7/8. I expect S9 to be a design change with better battery life and additional features.
Totally with you. I don’t have large wrists, actually using the small green Alpine loop, and it looks great to me. I posted this in another thread, but here it is on my wrist:
I always find it interesting how we perceive value with tech. When it comes to tech we have to justify it really carefully so it's worth the money - whereas with clothes or watches it is widely accepted to be pretty subjective.
And the Apple Watch sits right in the middle of that and it gets confusing. For me, the 2 smartwatch life does serve a purpose. I have the Hermes Apple Watch (series 7) with one of the leather bands as my main watch that I wear each day. I ended up keeping my old series 6 with a more easy and casual braided solo loop to wear in the evenings and for sleep tracking.
I figure I wouldn't be wearing my old mechanical watch at home at 8pm at night, or to bed, so my Hermes gets the same treatment.
I could just switch the bands twice a day. But... I won't. So I unexpectedly started living the 2 smartwatch life...
The Ultra is nice. But it's also first generation. I wonder if there will be a smaller version released next year. I have the Hermes Series 7 and have a bunch of watch bands, so I can't justify splurging on a new watch when mine works just fine for my needs.
I'm definitely not even a weekend warrior. I do cardio and HIIT in the gym or at home. Fine watches are fine with me, there's nothing rugged going on in my life except I do all the cleaning. Arghhh....
I'm definitely not even a weekend warrior. I do cardio and HIIT in the gym or at home. Fine watches are fine with me, there's nothing rugged going on in my life except I do all the cleaning. Arghhh....
Thank you! I agree! Really loving it.So beautiful. Green is the best Alpine Loop!
If you are a casual user, this one is a pretty simple one to answer. Do you want a much brighter screen outdoors? Because the Ultra is the only model that offers that.
There are other nice touches too. The bezels are protected which is going to be beneficial over a period of time. All other AW's are just prone to damage with those exposed rounded edges. All non-sapphire AW's are also prone to scratches.
Size-wise if you are concerned go try it on at a store. I'm an average sized male and I honestly think I could wear an even bigger Ultra.
The 45mm AW S8 is a great alternative and half the price. But if you want the brighter outdoor screen, better battery life, stronger construction, flat sapphire screen, bezel protection, louder speaker, action button, etc, then get the Ultra and have peace of mind that this will be your watch for many years to come.
There are other nice touches too. The bezels are protected which is going to be beneficial over a period of time. All other AW's are just prone to damage with those exposed rounded edges. All non-sapphire AW's are also prone to scratches.
Size-wise if you are concerned go try it on at a store. I'm an average sized male and I honestly think I could wear an even bigger Ultra.
The 45mm AW S8 is a great alternative and half the price. But if you want the brighter outdoor screen, better battery life, stronger construction, flat sapphire screen, bezel protection, louder speaker, action button, etc, then get the Ultra and have peace of mind that this will be your watch for many years to come.
I think the SS and Ti model glass faces are not prone to scratches at all. I think pretty phenominally so. The ultra is a stronger design as demonstrated in abuse testing already done. Its not even close with the AWU being 45 bangs to 1 on the glass breaking.
That said I've never had a scratch on my S6 or S7 Ti and SS model watch and it got knocked around plenty.
That said I've never had a scratch on my S6 or S7 Ti and SS model watch and it got knocked around plenty.
I think this point gets lost a lot. I've had 3 previous AW's, all with standard glass, and they all got scratched easily. I never plan on wearing a non-sapphire AW ever again.
Ya I tend to agree, I think this first iteration of the Ultra merits a pass simply because I bet the next one (or 2 or 3...) will probably have edge to edge screens as well as real improvements in metrics that Garmin still crushes with. Ultra is a good start but it's got a ways to go to be a qualified Garmin alternative.
I drank the Ultra Kool Aid on launch day and hurdled over furniture to get to my computer to place an order. About a week later I cancelled as some of my excitement had worn off, not to mention that my fridge started leaking and I realized that a new fridge was going to eat into the monthly budget. So I cancelled.
I feel good about that decision, as my AW7 Natural Ti is flawless and does everything I want, except go swimming with sharks and explore old shipwrecks -- both things are in my rearview mirror by at last 40 years, so there's that.
YOLO, and I think I can without the Ultra. I do enjoy seeing everyone else's pictures and enthusiasm though.
I feel good about that decision, as my AW7 Natural Ti is flawless and does everything I want, except go swimming with sharks and explore old shipwrecks -- both things are in my rearview mirror by at last 40 years, so there's that.
YOLO, and I think I can without the Ultra. I do enjoy seeing everyone else's pictures and enthusiasm though.
If you are worried about this then stay away from the Ultra. You will be very disappointed once you get your first scratch from day to day things.
This is my experience as well. Both my SS and Natural Ti remain flawless.
I am interested in all the comments and pictures about how "soft" the Ultra Ti is ...
I am not a metallurgist (unless my Music library qualifies me as such
), but isn't titanium all the same?
For me it charged at about the same speed as the S7. The screen is brighter but the S7 screen is easily legible in bright sunlight. I expected to be wowed by the brightness (it was better but the S7 is good). Battery life was only about 1.8x better than the S7, but for serious athletes it doesn’t last long enough.
Biggest issues for me was the overall watch thickness and the 1990 bezels. Weight was fine. Good luck!