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Is the ultra really worth $799.00?
- Thread starter chiefs1968
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My S7 is at 86%. Once it goes below 80% Ill have apple replace it through applecare+
All the high-end sport watches are overpriced; my sense is that the Ultra is a bit less overpriced than some of the competition, at least when it comes to Garmin's high end sport watches and Apple's own stainless steel-and-sapphire products. If you consider the new Garmin Epix Pro, at $1000, and with inferior heart sensor and certainly inferior smartphone features and still without the voice control introduced in the Garmin Venu 2 plus that has also been a staple of Apple Watches from the start, it had better offer a major software and hardware advantage in other areas, and while it does in my view offer a major software advantage, Apple is closing that gap very fast, and the Ultra already has all the hardware it needs to compete with and even beat the Garmin, except for ANT+ sensor support. The Ultra doesn't need a separate device for running power like Garmin does; it will soon properly support triathlon with the addition of the cycling power meter and cadence features; while Garmin still seems to be avoiding LTE support and not bringing in the smartphone features of its more mass-market watches.
Why would I still consider an Epix Pro or something like it, such as a FR965 or Fenix 7? First, much longer battery life for ultra-endurance or just day-to-day use, as Apple still refuses to selectively under-clock its processor in certain modes and also refuses to incorporate the ANT+ pairing standard with its more stable connection and lower power draw than other wireless standards. Second, Garmin sports software remains better thought out than Apple; quicker to operate, quicker to navigate, and all in one app instead of two OEM apps and one or two third party as well, not to mention most features available on the web as well as in the app. Third, some select sports for which support on Apple is weak, the most important to me being Garmin's unique suite of cross-country ski metrics when paired with an appropriate heart strap but some might like Garmin's impressive golfing support too. Fourth, the transflective display on the Fenix is very nice to have in bright sunlight, so long as you're not relying on AMOLED's superior rendering of maps; I really like transflective on my Garmin Edge 530 and have not considered setting up the iPhone as a bike computer for that reason.
But I can't have two high-end smartwatches, so the Ultra was it, and the lower price relative to both the Epix and Fenix was a nice bonus, though once I've shared $10 a month with my cell carrier that wipes that advantage out. For me the clearly superior heart monitoring, the forthcoming OS 10 features, car crash detection (with my Onstar just discontinued due to GM US refusing to follow GM Canada's lead in offering upgrades for 2G systems to 4G), the better choice of apps (including filling in key points that Apple so far have missed as well as some stuff Garmin may not ever get), and the full LTE support won the day; I need that heart monitoring and probably also the LTE for starters, which outweighs simply liking the better XC ski support.
Not that I want to give Apple any delusions of grandeur; $799 is quite enough damage already, not to mention the probably 1000 percent profit margin on the straps. But they are giving Garmin a solid run for their money.
Why would I still consider an Epix Pro or something like it, such as a FR965 or Fenix 7? First, much longer battery life for ultra-endurance or just day-to-day use, as Apple still refuses to selectively under-clock its processor in certain modes and also refuses to incorporate the ANT+ pairing standard with its more stable connection and lower power draw than other wireless standards. Second, Garmin sports software remains better thought out than Apple; quicker to operate, quicker to navigate, and all in one app instead of two OEM apps and one or two third party as well, not to mention most features available on the web as well as in the app. Third, some select sports for which support on Apple is weak, the most important to me being Garmin's unique suite of cross-country ski metrics when paired with an appropriate heart strap but some might like Garmin's impressive golfing support too. Fourth, the transflective display on the Fenix is very nice to have in bright sunlight, so long as you're not relying on AMOLED's superior rendering of maps; I really like transflective on my Garmin Edge 530 and have not considered setting up the iPhone as a bike computer for that reason.
But I can't have two high-end smartwatches, so the Ultra was it, and the lower price relative to both the Epix and Fenix was a nice bonus, though once I've shared $10 a month with my cell carrier that wipes that advantage out. For me the clearly superior heart monitoring, the forthcoming OS 10 features, car crash detection (with my Onstar just discontinued due to GM US refusing to follow GM Canada's lead in offering upgrades for 2G systems to 4G), the better choice of apps (including filling in key points that Apple so far have missed as well as some stuff Garmin may not ever get), and the full LTE support won the day; I need that heart monitoring and probably also the LTE for starters, which outweighs simply liking the better XC ski support.
Not that I want to give Apple any delusions of grandeur; $799 is quite enough damage already, not to mention the probably 1000 percent profit margin on the straps. But they are giving Garmin a solid run for their money.
One of the more technical reviews I saw on YOuTube brought it up; apparently Garmin watches score a fair bit of their battery life by much slower clock speeds and hence a less elegantly scrolling and animated UI.....but much longer battery life. Sorry but I can't remember which review.
My series 5 Apple Watch has been on 80% for the past year with no signs of dropping further. I think this is strategically managed or that’s the impression I get, so yours probably won’t go below that by the time your AC runs out. To be honest, the battery still lasts a day easily though and I may replace it this year as it’ll be 4 years old by then.
Got mine yesterday. Still not a fan of the orange button and the crown case but I do like it. Is it worth it. Hell yea. The screen size is awesome and loving the battery life. I paid (stupidly) much more for a tag connected which doesn’t compare
I am frustrated to find the ultra Watch does not have an automatic locking feature while on your wrist. Yes I know you can turn off wrist detection but even then you have to manually engage the passcode by pressing the lock symbol. How does my se model have this capability and the ultra not? Shouldn't there be a time and or wrist orientation that allows the Watch to require a passcode when you try to manipulate it?
Can you explain more why you would want that? My past Apple Watches have also stayed unlocked while skin contact remains, locking when skin contact is broken.
I think it's worth it as long as you need the features it has. I've never been one to upgrade my Apple Watch yearly--I went from Series 0 to Series 4 cellular to Series 8 cellular. In fact, the Series 4 probably could have hung on one more year. My point being, the durability and feature set is well worth it in my opinion. By the time you need a new one, you'll feel like you got your money's worth out of the old one.
IMO, it’s not terribly expensive for a watch with a titanium/ceramic case and a sapphire crystal. While not a like-for-like comparison, in addition to my AWU I also have a Seiko Astron. The Seiko has a titanium case and bracelet, a sapphire crystal and a ceramic bezel. Even with a good discount, the Seiko was double the price of the AWU. Of course the feature set of the AWU runs rings around any traditional watch, however, the Seiko has GPS timekeeping accurate to 1 second every 100,000 years (I’m sure the AWU spec is the same) and is solar powered, so no battery change for at least 10+ years.
When comparing the AWU to an aluminum AW, it is expensive. Again, IMO, I don’t think the AWU’s competitor is the aluminum model, but other sports-focused watches.
When comparing the AWU to an aluminum AW, it is expensive. Again, IMO, I don’t think the AWU’s competitor is the aluminum model, but other sports-focused watches.
I've purchased an Watch Ultra in October and I can't be happier about it. It was the Watch I wanted to wear. I’m very active and I swim and dive regularly.
For some writing that it is big, I used to find the regular Watch small...
And battery wise, it is at still 100%. I charge it every evening for less than an hour. I wear it to sleep (AutoSleep) and I wake up at 4:45 for fitness related activities.
in the evening, when I put my Watch Ultra on its charger, the battery level is still at 65% (it has been on my wrist for almost 24 hours)
For some writing that it is big, I used to find the regular Watch small...
And battery wise, it is at still 100%. I charge it every evening for less than an hour. I wear it to sleep (AutoSleep) and I wake up at 4:45 for fitness related activities.
in the evening, when I put my Watch Ultra on its charger, the battery level is still at 65% (it has been on my wrist for almost 24 hours)
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To reach that 65% how much of that time is spent solo without a phone tether? Curious to see how much time I can spend without phone in pocket for work days.
Had it week and I can say for me it’s worth the money! I have even used 40mm straps with success. The one I got with it was too small. Can’t change it now!
The action button is awesome, looking forward to seeing it with iOS 10
The action button is awesome, looking forward to seeing it with iOS 10
It's subjective. For some it's expensive. For some it's cheap. To each his own.
I always have my iPhone 13 with me, either in the bag or in my pocket...
I also have my iPhone with me while running long distance for security purpose... That's why I didn't purchase the E-Sim for my Watch Ultra.
That's perhaps the reason of the good battery percentage after 22 hours of use per day.
Bear in mind though, I do not use my iPhone 13 that much as the Watch Ultra allows me to keep track of what I need to keep track of.
For me the AW Ultra is just not aesthetically attractive watch and I don't care how good battery life it has. Even if my hand could handle such huge watch, I would have never considered it. My S4 SS is still fitting all my needs. Last year, I got Apple to do battery service which essentially was a new watch for 10% of my original cost. I am planning to keep it for several more years and will gladly do another battery service if the performance is still there. So far I am happy that Apple going to support S4 with WatchOS10.
I can’t speak about extreme running and mountaineering, but speaking as a recreational and infrequent diver, I do think that the AWU is Apple’s first stab at the entry-level dive computer marker.
Obviously they would be targeting buyers who are both divers and owners of an iPhone (though they definitely would not mind someone buying both an iPhone and AWU simultaneously), so the subset would be small. But infrequent divers would no longer need to rely on dive computer rentals, while not feeling bad that they’ve got equipment gathering dust since the AWU is always on the wrist. And somewhat more experienced divers could use the AWU as their secondary dive computer.
I bought mine just about a week ago, after finally trying one on in person. „Wasted“ half a year, thinking it would be too bulky or generally uncomfortable on the wrist for sleep tracking.
Turned out I was all wrong and it‘s now the favorite of my humble collection (sold my S6 SSG and the S7 NaTi because they now wouldn’t get much wrist time anyway but kept the S7 SSG and the S5 Ceramic for more formal occasions or when the Ultra is charging).
What I like the most about it, is actually the fact that it feels like it‘s built like a tank and can take whatever I throw at it. I do run regularly and swim from time to time, so it‘s good to have a little peace of mind in terms of battery life and also water resistance - just in case🙂
So yeah, to me it‘s absolutely worth the price and I‘m enjoying it a lot!
I was a hold out for a while, but my wife got my one a couple weeks ago. I absolutely love it, and think it is worth the money.
The AWU was a less than ideal choice I made when I spent money that I really didn’t have, but what’s done is done; despite the poor choice I am very satisfied with my purchase. I wasn’t convinced before I saw them in store. Prior to getting my hands on it I assumed it would be uncomfortably big and bulky. Then I tried one and was like “…oh.” and that was that. I had a manic episode around that time and ended up placing my order 😅
I had a series 3 and 6 GPS aluminum prior to the Ultra. I am not athletic but I do enjoy swimming. The most attractive part to me was the battery life. I have AC+ and plan to get the battery service when this one is run down enough, I don’t think I’ll feel the need to upgrade any time soon and my hopes are high that blood glucose monitoring will be a future feature that will convince me to upgrade at that point.
I had a series 3 and 6 GPS aluminum prior to the Ultra. I am not athletic but I do enjoy swimming. The most attractive part to me was the battery life. I have AC+ and plan to get the battery service when this one is run down enough, I don’t think I’ll feel the need to upgrade any time soon and my hopes are high that blood glucose monitoring will be a future feature that will convince me to upgrade at that point.
For the battery life alone
My 6 hardly lasts one day with no use at all
My 6 hardly lasts one day with no use at all