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Is it stupid to go from Apple Watch Ultra 1 to Series 9?

M

ManuCH

macrumors 68000
Original poster
May 7, 2009
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So I got an Apple Watch Ultra in June. Previously I had several Apple Watches, aluminum and stainless steel interchangeably. I'm happy with it, but somehow I am stating to really find it a bit too... bulky. I thought I would get used to it but somehow I don't "feel it".

I basically only use it to have a fancy watchface to look at with the weather forecast, and for notifications. I don't do any sports tracking or any other of those advanced things with it.

I am playing with the thought of selling it and getting a stainless steel graphite Series 9 instead.

Is that a stupid idea? What do you guys think about it? I know only I can decide what I like, but I'd love to brainstorm this a bit with the smart people of MacRumors 😊
 
I think it makes perfect sense. You're the only one who can decide what you like. Some people insist the 12.9" iPad is the best but I hated it for my personal use. The 11" was a perfect fit.

While I'd love to have that watch face that is exclusive to the Ultra I don't want a watch that big.
 
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ManuCH said:
So I got an Apple Watch Ultra in June. Previously I had several Apple Watches, aluminum and stainless steel interchangeably. I'm happy with it, but somehow I am stating to really find it a bit too... bulky. I thought I would get used to it but somehow I don't "feel it".

I basically only use it to have a fancy watchface to look at with the weather forecast, and for notifications. I don't do any sports tracking or any other of those advanced things with it.

I am playing with the thought of selling it and getting a stainless steel graphite Series 9 instead.

Is that a stupid idea? What do you guys think about it? I know only I can decide what I like, but I'd love to brainstorm this a bit with the smart people of MacRumors 😊
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its a great idea to change from the Ultra to a Series 9 !
as much as the Ultra is a wonderful new direction that apple has taken the watch into, many people (including myself) find it a little bit too bulky.
i think the way that apple advertises the Ultra is correct and realistic: they make a pitch for it being for people who do more arduous sports such as diving or mountaineering.
i think that there a lot of valid reasons to like the Ultra beyond those that apple advertises, including just liking the look of it. and that same thinking validates your decision, to move away from the Ultra, to a Series 9.
 
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Not sure why you'd phrase it this way. It's not stupid. YOu just found that you don't prefer the ultra and want to go back to the other option. I watched reviews and looked at the ultra. I knew from that the Ultra didn't seem like a watch I'd want for myself. It's purpose built for specific types of users. OFC you can use it for whatever, but it was made for target audience. I'd say go with the watch the makes more sense for you.
 
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As an owner of a SS graphite series 9, I approve wholeheartedly! I tried on the Ultra when it first came out, and the Ultra 2 when picking up my S9 on launch day, and just thought they looked (and felt) way to chunky on my wrist. Zero buyer's remorse here!
 
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Thank you for all your insights, I truly appreciate it! You are of course all right in what you're saying. I will give it some more thought but I guess that will be the way to go for me 😊
 
I love my Ultra, but if I didn’t need the technical aspects of it I’d for sure gone with a Series 9 SS, the design it’s just perfect in every single way.
 
ManuCH said:
So I got an Apple Watch Ultra in June. Previously I had several Apple Watches, aluminum and stainless steel interchangeably. I'm happy with it, but somehow I am stating to really find it a bit too... bulky. I thought I would get used to it but somehow I don't "feel it".

I basically only use it to have a fancy watchface to look at with the weather forecast, and for notifications. I don't do any sports tracking or any other of those advanced things with it.

I am playing with the thought of selling it and getting a stainless steel graphite Series 9 instead.

Is that a stupid idea? What do you guys think about it? I know only I can decide what I like, but I'd love to brainstorm this a bit with the smart people of MacRumors 😊
Click to expand...
YMMV. Get what you like. Me, I far prefer the Ultra.
 
ManuCH said:
Is that a stupid idea? What do you guys think about it? I know only I can decide what I like, but I'd love to brainstorm this a bit with the smart people of MacRumors 😊
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Heck no, buy what feels right! They pretty much aren't very different other than screen size, and only a small difference there. I went from a series 6 to an ultra 2, but I'm not married to the idea that it's that superior. In fact, I miss my 6 since it was brighter in the dark. And yes, its BULKY. I can't see that well anymore, so the bigger screen is good for me, but that's the only reason I like it.
 
I went from S8 (GPS) to Ultra 1 :D Financially that was not superb, (though the Black Friday price was “great”) but at the same time my employer is paying for the cellular. So there’s some value there. More importantly, it felt right.
 
If you're not considering money involved switching a S9 is a great choice.
 
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If you have the funds and you want to do it, it is not stupid. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.
 
I don't think it's silly. If you find the ultra too big and bulky then moving to the 9 sounds very reasonable.
 
ManuCH said:
So I got an Apple Watch Ultra in June. Previously I had several Apple Watches, aluminum and stainless steel interchangeably. I'm happy with it, but somehow I am stating to really find it a bit too... bulky. I thought I would get used to it but somehow I don't "feel it".

I basically only use it to have a fancy watchface to look at with the weather forecast, and for notifications. I don't do any sports tracking or any other of those advanced things with it.

I am playing with the thought of selling it and getting a stainless steel graphite Series 9 instead.

Is that a stupid idea? What do you guys think about it? I know only I can decide what I like, but I'd love to brainstorm this a bit with the smart people of MacRumors 😊
Click to expand...
Nothing stupid about it. I hope you get a good price for the Ultra! And enjoy the sleekness of the regular 9😊
 
Exactly what I did. Couldn't wait to get an Ultra and couldn't wait to get rid of it. Just too big to be comfortable, relatively heavy, and it didn't fit under sleeves very well. If Apple made a slightly smaller version, or at least thinner, it might be a different story. Perhaps a thinner round Apple Watch....
 
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I love my Ultra series 1 for a LOT of reasons. Battery life is definitely one of them. But before buying Apple Watches, I liked dive watches which tend to be bulkier than regular watches. Tag Heuer was one of my favs.

The great thing about technology is its constantly changing. And so are our tastes. If you leave the Ultra to get a 9, you can then educate us why you changed, what you like about it, and if you are considering going back to the Ultra, why. You could help someone or many others with your experience.

IF you can afford to have both watches for a while, you can compare the two and see which you prefer over time, then sell or gift the other one.
 
Well, I would suggest to keep using the Ultra 1 since you already paid for it. When your Ultra 1 dies, then I would suggest to the regular Apple Watch.

Unless you have no problem setting your money on fire, then you can change to the Series 9 right now.
 
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I regret buying the Ultra2 because you can’t turn off night mode. I just don’t want to spend the extra money (and admit I made a mistake) to switch to the ss S9. If you don’t mind the extra cost, go for it.
 
Thirio2 said:
I regret buying the Ultra2 because you can’t turn off night mode. I just don’t want to spend the extra money (and admit I made a mistake) to switch to the ss S9. If you don’t mind the extra cost, go for it.
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You can’t turn off what?
 
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Fleetboy said:
Exactly what I did. Couldn't wait to get an Ultra and couldn't wait to get rid of it. Just too big to be comfortable, relatively heavy, and it didn't fit under sleeves very well. If Apple made a slightly smaller version, or at least thinner, it might be a different story. Perhaps a thinner round Apple Watch....
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And they seem to be making a larger Ultra?! The current Ultra is large enough for me.
 
ManuCH said:
Is that a stupid idea? What do you guys think about it? I know only I can decide what I like, but I'd love to brainstorm this a bit with the smart people of MacRumors 😊
Click to expand...
It’s not a stupid idea if the series 9 meets your needs better than the Ultra.
 
Night mode dims the face in dark environments. You can see the clock face but can’t read messages, at least with old eyes. There are a couple of faces that supposedly let you turn it off, but they don’t really work.
 
I have the Ultra 2 and I got used to the size. I started out with the series 8 GPS and everything was ok but having cataracts it was difficult to see the complications and then try to touch the spot on the watchface. After the wife kept swiping my series 8 I went for the Ultra. So I unpaired the series 8 from my phone and setup the Watch on the wife’s iPhone. I do agree that the Watch is bulky but I eventually got used to it.

Side note next month I will be having cataract surgery on both eyes
 
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