So I’m a marathon runner who has owned the original Apple Watch Ultra since the weekend it came out in 2022. I’ve always held off buying a new one because I was hoping the design would be meaningfully upgraded and I had usually kept my Apple Watch for three years at a time. I’m at the point where I would really like to buy a new one - the battery isn’t what it wants was and it’s really slow to start workouts. Do we anticipate the next version of the Apple Watch Ultra coming in September and do we think it might have any meaningful design differences? Or should I just try an Apple Watch Ultra 3 and be happy? Did anyone upgrade from the original 2 to 3Do we anticipate the next version of the Apple Watch Ultra coming in September and do we think it might have any meaningful design differences? Or should I just try a Apple Watch Ultra 3 and be happy? Did anyone upgrade from the original to 3? I have a marathon in September and will start training soon so I would love to have a fancy new Apple Watch to go with it!
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Marathon Runner - Buying Advice
- Thread starter brianj922
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Madonepro
macrumors 65816
I too consider myself a marathon runner, although some surgery 3 months ago, has me, just starting my running journey last week.
If you look at the Apple Watch since it's first launch, you'll see there has been little design language change, and I think we'll see that with the Apple Watch Ultra. It will most likely get a new SIP, if there is one suitable, and I'm sure they will try to squeeze as much display as they can out of it. Battey life won't change much, as they'll always push what the device can do, so they take away with one hand, whilst giving with the other. I'k like to see just a little more width in the AWU.
So as with most tech, if you want it, get it. It's at least 6 months since any new device, and as I changed in October from a Garmin Fenix 8, to an AWU 3, and loving the experience, I can tell you that it does the job, well.
Tdude96
macrumors 6502a
I'd expect an Apple Watch Ultra 4 in September, but doubt it'll have any significant design differences, as Madonepro said, maybe a new SIP - which may or may not effectively be identical to the AWU3's - and maybe a slightly expanded screen size (a few more pixels, not necessarily new case design).
Like you, I've been on a roughly every 3 year upgrade cycle since I started using an Apple Watch. 2.5-3 years seems to be about the point where battery age becomes a problem. I think it's a decent upgrade cycle. So if I were at the point in my upgrade cycle where you are with your AWU1, I'd be in the same pickle. February - April you can often find some decent sales on Amazon or Best Buy for the most recent watch models. Good time to buy if price is a concern. On the other hand, getting a new shiny with all the latest stuff (if indeed there is any new stuff) in September and coincidentally a reward/new thing for the marathon is enticing.
I think if I had to make that choice today, I would see if I could pick up the AWU3 on-sale, and hang onto the AWU1. Marathon training can take the life out of a battery fast, so you retain the option to swap out as-needed, which is super-handy. Then when September rolls around you can see if the AWU4 is enticing enough over the AWU3 and sell/trade in one or both towards that if it is.
Like you, I've been on a roughly every 3 year upgrade cycle since I started using an Apple Watch. 2.5-3 years seems to be about the point where battery age becomes a problem. I think it's a decent upgrade cycle. So if I were at the point in my upgrade cycle where you are with your AWU1, I'd be in the same pickle. February - April you can often find some decent sales on Amazon or Best Buy for the most recent watch models. Good time to buy if price is a concern. On the other hand, getting a new shiny with all the latest stuff (if indeed there is any new stuff) in September and coincidentally a reward/new thing for the marathon is enticing.
I think if I had to make that choice today, I would see if I could pick up the AWU3 on-sale, and hang onto the AWU1. Marathon training can take the life out of a battery fast, so you retain the option to swap out as-needed, which is super-handy. Then when September rolls around you can see if the AWU4 is enticing enough over the AWU3 and sell/trade in one or both towards that if it is.
The Ultra 2 was sold for two years as a new model, so I'm not so sure that Apple will update the Ultra 3 this year.
I did upgrade from the original Ultra to the Ultra 3 last fall. I'm no longer a marathoner, but I run 7 to 7 and a half hours per week, and cross train the other two days. To me, I want an Apple Watch over a Garmin for the iPhone and Apple ecosystem integration that the Garmins I used to use lacked, and I want the Ultra for the battery life that the Series and SE watches lack.
The Ultra 3 was a big upgrade for me - seconds always showing on watch faces, wrist flick to dismiss timers and notifications, two-finger double-tap support, and on-device Siri processing (I live in a place with poor cellular service so "Hey Siri, end the workout" when I was wearing gloves often didn't work; now it always does) - were big upgrades for me from the original.
That said, we're almost six months into the cycle, and Apple did some more interesting things with battery technology in the iPhone Air, so maybe something like that will come to the Apple Watch - but maybe not this fall? Anyway, maybe it's worth the wait until September to see what Apple announces and then decide what to do going forward then.
I did upgrade from the original Ultra to the Ultra 3 last fall. I'm no longer a marathoner, but I run 7 to 7 and a half hours per week, and cross train the other two days. To me, I want an Apple Watch over a Garmin for the iPhone and Apple ecosystem integration that the Garmins I used to use lacked, and I want the Ultra for the battery life that the Series and SE watches lack.
The Ultra 3 was a big upgrade for me - seconds always showing on watch faces, wrist flick to dismiss timers and notifications, two-finger double-tap support, and on-device Siri processing (I live in a place with poor cellular service so "Hey Siri, end the workout" when I was wearing gloves often didn't work; now it always does) - were big upgrades for me from the original.
That said, we're almost six months into the cycle, and Apple did some more interesting things with battery technology in the iPhone Air, so maybe something like that will come to the Apple Watch - but maybe not this fall? Anyway, maybe it's worth the wait until September to see what Apple announces and then decide what to do going forward then.
Howard2k
macrumors 604
I upgraded from the U1 to U3 because the battery was at the point where it was not quite good enough for long runs without phone.
The U3 is noticeably better than the U1 when using Siri. That's the biggie for me.
I anticipate that the U4 or U5 will have additional processing power on board for light Apple Intelligence local processing.
If I'm not at all interested in Apple Intelligence then I'd find a deal on Ultra 3. If Apple Intelligence is of significant interest I'd probably wait.
The U3 is noticeably better than the U1 when using Siri. That's the biggie for me.
I anticipate that the U4 or U5 will have additional processing power on board for light Apple Intelligence local processing.
If I'm not at all interested in Apple Intelligence then I'd find a deal on Ultra 3. If Apple Intelligence is of significant interest I'd probably wait.
jz0309
macrumors P6
I don't know what a "meaningful" upgrade would be in your book, look at the history of the regular AW, basically size changes for larger displays and then thinner with the S10.
So I'd expect the Ultra 4 to be a bit larger, maybe 50 or 51 but doubt that it willl have other (ignorant) design changes.
And, historically, AW rumors are sparse and often false, think if the new band attachment one...
And then there was a 2 year pause going from U2 to U3
So if the U3 has the features you want/need, I'd snag one up on sale ...
As for me, upgraded from U1 to U2 and skipped the U3, the new features didn't make it worth it for me. And then a few months ago the speaker on my U2 started fading and I got a refurb U2 under AC+
AWU 3 is a noticeable improvement from the original AWU. But at this point in the product cycle, I would only purchase one at a discount.
AwChute
macrumors newbie
You can compare across the models' specs here: www.apple.com/watch/compare/?modelList=watch-ultra,watch-ultra-2,watch-ultra-3
Besides a brighter screen on sunny days and the supposed six extra hours of battery life, the key feature I as a trail runner and backpacker would want from the AWU 3 is the emergency SOS via satellite. The next model may follow the lead of iPhones and add expanded satellite communication, but backcountry text convos via watch doesn't sound like a great pastime.
But don't forget your third option—battery replacement. It's $100: significantly cheaper than a new watch and will get you years of use. I'm still on an AW6 thanks to this. Plus, since the battery in Apple Watches can't really be replaced, they take your old one and give you a new one. This means you wouldn't be stuck with any scratches you managed to make on the sapphire crystal.
Besides a brighter screen on sunny days and the supposed six extra hours of battery life, the key feature I as a trail runner and backpacker would want from the AWU 3 is the emergency SOS via satellite. The next model may follow the lead of iPhones and add expanded satellite communication, but backcountry text convos via watch doesn't sound like a great pastime.
But don't forget your third option—battery replacement. It's $100: significantly cheaper than a new watch and will get you years of use. I'm still on an AW6 thanks to this. Plus, since the battery in Apple Watches can't really be replaced, they take your old one and give you a new one. This means you wouldn't be stuck with any scratches you managed to make on the sapphire crystal.
Unlike an iPhone, Apple will only replace a battery if health is below 80% or if it fails diagnostics, so it's only an option if one of those two happen.
Howard2k
macrumors 604
And the problem I found was that for super long runs at mid-80s battery life it was not in the position to be replaced but not good enough to be totally trustworthy for the length of the run.
First world problems and all, just carry a phone, but it is frustrating that they're so sticky on the 80%.
xDKP
macrumors 68030
I am a pretty serious runner myself (well if you ask me at least 🙂 ) with two annual marathons (three this year, but normally two) and a lot of miles in between.
I had the Ultra 1 as well and skipped the Ultra 2. Before the Ultra 3 was announced, but two biggest wishes were better battery and if they could shrink the bezels and give bigger display in same case.
Both got in the U3 and I jumped on it.
If you like me, don't like to run with your phone, the improved cell signal and satellite will maybe be handy some day as well - I had a long run in Sardinia this summer, with no cell service and some closed off roads made it longer than expected. My wife got a bit worried and would have loved to text her I was okay. I can now!
I had the Ultra 1 as well and skipped the Ultra 2. Before the Ultra 3 was announced, but two biggest wishes were better battery and if they could shrink the bezels and give bigger display in same case.
Both got in the U3 and I jumped on it.
If you like me, don't like to run with your phone, the improved cell signal and satellite will maybe be handy some day as well - I had a long run in Sardinia this summer, with no cell service and some closed off roads made it longer than expected. My wife got a bit worried and would have loved to text her I was okay. I can now!