Is brightness on the Ultra really 2000 nits?

[spinedoc77]

Is the brightness really 2000 nits? I think I probably don't understand how the "peak" brightness works, is that something that is automatic and cannot be adjusted? If I go into the watch settings and max out the brightness is that 2000 nits, or something less?

The reason I ask is because I'm quite surprised at how dim my Ultra is. Don't get me wrong it's perfectly adequate for use, and I haven't had a sunny day to compare it to. But next to my 1000 nit rated Galaxy Watch 5 pro at 75% brightness, my Ultra at 100% brightness looks really really dim, it's a substantial difference. They are both OLED displays I believe so I don't think that's the issue.

 

[wilberforce]

Remember humans do not perceive brightness linearly. Twice the luminance is perceived as only about 30% brighter. I don't remember the exact formula, but you can Google it.

 

[Analog Kid]

Is the brightness really 2000 nits? I think I probably don't understand how the "peak" brightness works, is that something that is automatic and cannot be adjusted? If I go into the watch settings and max out the brightness is that 2000 nits, or something less?

The reason I ask is because I'm quite surprised at how dim my Ultra is. Don't get me wrong it's perfectly adequate for use, and I haven't had a sunny day to compare it to. But next to my 1000 nit rated Galaxy Watch 5 pro at 75% brightness, my Ultra at 100% brightness looks really really dim, it's a substantial difference. They are both OLED displays I believe so I don't think that's the issue.

I think it’s an auto brightness thing. The setting sets the level relative to the ambient, and the auto adjustment will increase it as the ambient increases until maxes out at 2000nits. Brightness affects battery life, so Apple seems to limit our ability to make it dazzle indoors. I think “perfectly adequate” was their target.

 

[BenGoren]

There’s also a longstanding bug of some sort that affects all Apple watches.

Short version … open the Phone app, go to the keypad (as if you’re going to enter a number to call). If the display doesn’t go to “OW MY EYES!” bright, go back to the phone and then back again to the keypad. When the keypad is “OW MY EYES!” press the crown to go to the app listing.

You should be back to normal, probably for months if not years. Almost certainly long enough to forget about how to fix it, at least.

b&

 

[the future]

It

There’s also a longstanding bug of some sort that affects all Apple watches.

Short version … open the Phone app, go to the keypad (as if you’re going to enter a number to call). If the display doesn’t go to “OW MY EYES!” bright, go back to the phone and then back again to the keypad. When the keypad is “OW MY EYES!” press the crown to go to the app listing.

You should be back to normal, probably for months if not years. Almost certainly long enough to forget about how to fix it, at least.

b&

What you describe is the bug … the Watch is not supposed to be this bright and will use much more battery this way.

To the OP: the Ultra will only ever use the full 2000 nits in (very) bright outside conditions. There is an ambient light sensor in the Ultra (and all other Apple Watches) that will control the screen brightness in all changing conditions. Beyond the basic „brightness“ control in the Watch settings you can‘t influence this.

 

[Jackbequickly]

It is way brighter that any previous Apple Watch I have owned. Early in the morning while walking on a trail, the sun poked thru the trees and happened to hit my watch while I was checking the time and the brightness went nuclear, way more bright than I have seen any Apple Watch and I have owned them all.