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I’m stupid!
The Oura is interesting, and I don’t wear rings.

I’ve slept with my ultra since launch and a Series 5 before then.
- haptic alarm
- heart rate tracking
- Blood Oxygen
- “flashlight” if needed
- ability to communicate by phone or Messages if desired (my phone isn’t in my bedroom)

‘Stupid’ is the new Ultra Modular watch face not displaying the hours and minutes when colour is set to white!
Ditto. I wear my Series 4 model during sleep, with a solo band; and during the day I wear my Series 7 model. The S7 could make it for a full day and sleep if I keep the display in theater mode, but I generally don't do that. So the old S4 watch still is very useful. I am very tempted by the Ultra, but I think it might feel too large, I'll really have to try one on (my wrist is around 165mm, or a size 6/7 solo band). I also don't love any of the bands that come with the Ultra's. I like the ease of removing a magnetic band (like the link band).
 
I just got mine yesterday and got it activated and everything this morning so I’ve been wearing mine since 12 PM and it’s now almost 12 AM and my battery went from 100 to 65 in that time frame and I haven’t been using it other than to see notifications or check the time so not sure why it’s died so much so fast?
 
I have oura ring, sleeeping with any watch is stupid.

I have Ultra 2 from yesterday, I came from AW7 which I almost did not use. Ultra are better but I just have mindset that it is still the same AW and I do not see added value.
What I like is that alll my previous AW 45 mm starts to be small for me and I was looking for more “manly look”. Everytime when someone had Ultra, it caught my sight. But when I have it, it is just Apple Watch like others.
So I am thinking to return it. But today I sold AW7 for good price so I would have to be without AW and maybe start wearing my mechanical Omega watch.
Why is sleeping with a watch stupid? It's perfectly reasonable with the sleep tracking features on the Apple Watch. I don't want to wear another ring.
 
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@Apple_Robert, I often come across your posts and would like to compliment you on them!

Glad to see your thread here. Contemplating going Ultra, coming from a Series6 40mm. Wrists are smaller, 16cm/6.3in circumference. I just usually prefer smaller watches, even for dress watches (35/36cm).

I‘ve tried the Ultra last month, it’s not humongous or ridiculous, but it takes time to get used to.

I wonder if Series 10 will be a „big thing“ but still, if I go big, I don’t see good reason to not go for the Ultra immediately with the advantages of battery.

Thanks for the impressions!
 
1. I have a 6.5" wrist and I don't think it is too big.

2. I have found the Trail Loop to be even more comfortable than the Sport Loop which has been my go to for many years.
Thanks for this, it was an interesting read. I also have a 6.5” wrist and am currently wearing the smaller Series 6. I briefly tried an Ultra and it felt huge, so it’s good to read about some real world experience with it.

Can I ask which size Trail Loop you went for?
 
@Apple_Robert Is the faster processor any noticeable in everyday usage? Like apps loading more quickly, or the UI just being smoother in general? I don't think my S5 is slow by any means, but maybe it's just something I was conditioned to.
 
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I upgraded to the U1 from an S6, and had pretty much the same experiences as OP. Now, I have the U2, and I’ll keep it because the trade-in with the U1 halves the cost, but with that, I get a brighter flashlight (which I use somewhat often!), a faster chip, and on-device processing for Siri. The cost-benefit works out for me.
what is on-device processing Siri?
 
So because YOU have that ring, everyone else who wears a watch at night is “stupid” - well, that says it all
No, if you have partner you can hit her at night with watches. Or you can scratch it. It is unpractical.
 
Thanks for this, it was an interesting read. I also have a 6.5” wrist and am currently wearing the smaller Series 6. I briefly tried an Ultra and it felt huge, so it’s good to read about some real world experience with it.

Can I ask which size Trail Loop you went for?
I purchased the M/L Trail Loop with my watch.
 

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Love it! The battery life is amazing and the extra screen real estate makes a difference
Speaking of battery, I decided to put the watch on the charger with 34% battery left after 36 hours of initial use. I could have left it on over night but, I decided to not to left it get low the first real use. While it is certainly larger on the wrist than the Series 8 or Series 7 I had, it is lift on the wrist. I have yet to be reminded weight wise, that there is a large watch on my wrist, which is what I was concerned about when the Ultra first came out.
 
@Apple_Robert Is the faster processor any noticeable in everyday usage? Like apps loading more quickly, or the UI just being smoother in general? I don't think my S5 is slow by any means, but maybe it's just something I was conditioned to.
I have noticed apps are quicker to respond and the UI appears to be a little more fluid than the Series lineup. Granted, the difference is subtle but also noticeable for anyone coming from the Series watch.
 
thanks - pretty similar experience myself coming from my first AW, an S6.

had it on all-day Saturday & then overnight, but didn’t do much as I’m sick - battery astonishingly was still 86% at bedtime ...

I’d class my wrists as small at 170mm (just over 6.5”) and the S/M Trail Loop also works too.

I’m also trying out a NOMAD knock-off khaki silicone band from Amazon which is surprisingly good for £7.99
 
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thanks - pretty similar experience myself coming from my first AW, an S6.

had it on all-day Saturday & then overnight, but didn’t do much as I’m sick - battery astonishingly was still 86% at bedtime ...

I’d class my wrists as small at 170mm (just over 6.5”) and the S/M Trail Loop also works too.

I’m also trying out a NOMAD knock-off khaki silicone band from Amazon which is surprisingly good for £7.99
I thought about getting the s/m size with my order but, I didn't want to run the band too snug and have it come loose with wrist flex, or not have enough room for adjustments if the loop end ended up going all the way around the watch.
 
I just got the Ultra 2 watch yesterday from Apple. I have never had an Apple Watch Ultra before and coming from a a launch day Series 8 45mm, I have to say I have been very happy thus far.

1. I have a 6.5" wrist and I don't think it is too big.

2. I have found the Trail Loop to be even more comfortable than the Sport Loop which has been my go to for many years.

I have an even smaller wrist and traded in my 41mm Series 8 for the Ultra 2 on launch day. I really wanted that flat crystal as the moment I decided not to reapply the screen protector I had been using on my 8 my crystal got scratched up badly along the top edge. I have an entire wardrobe of solo loops, both Apple and aftermarket and the darn things get stretched out and grubby even with careful washing so I hope the Trail Loop style will be more accommodating since it can be tightened incrementally as it relaxes with wear. It *is* very comfortable!

The watch is actually slightly wider than my wrist and I LOVE IT. The larger display is also much easier for me to use. It does not feel heavy.

I agree with your observations, Apple_Robert! Well said.

I’ve put a glass screen protector on it and already ordered a few aftermarket bands that I can wear while pulling weeds or whatever.
 
I used the ultra 1 for a few days and couldn’t stand the huge bezels and frame, went back to series 7 and it felt like using a watch in the future so sleek
Same.

I really only wanted an Ultra for the added battery life and better GPS for running.

Ultra is, however, better in more ways than just the battery life and GPS. And I really liked using it.

But as much as I wanted to like it, I can’t deal with the size and ergonomics of it.

Makes sleep tracking impossible without waking because of the squared, protruding edges and overall footprint.

It’s also just bordering on hideous to look at when actually on the wrist:

Seeing it in ads and on display in the store, it looks acceptable. But irl, on my wrist, it just doesn’t fit with any clothes unless you’re suited up in Patagonia, The North Face, etc.

Apple Watch Ultra will forever be those 6th Gen. iPod Nanos that many wore on their wrists using those 3rd party Watch bands. Nice in renders, at certain angles. But obtrusive and gaudy in real life.

The very rare case of Apple doing what 3rd parties never fail at, putting function over form:

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Ugh!
 
Thank you Zac. I forgot to mention that I use cellular with my watch, which will affect battery life. I am coming up on 34 hrs since my initial charge and battery is 38% with the new Ultra Modular face. It will be interesting to see how it does with day to day usage as well as long runs.
I did notice a fairly significant increase in battery life when I turned cellular off. Not only did it save me $20/mo but there were just too few scenarios when I needed cellular on my watch. Even so, I imagine you should expect about 2 days off charge, even with cellular on. Keep me posted.
 
The low brightness in AOD-dimmed mode and just in darker environments (just waking up in the morning) feels noticeably less bright on the AWU2 than the original model, and both feel far, far too dim. I do not like it.
 
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Thank you Zac. I forgot to mention that I use cellular with my watch, which will affect battery life. I am coming up on 34 hrs since my initial charge and battery is 38% with the new Ultra Modular face. It will be interesting to see how it does with day to day usage as well as long runs.

24 hours later with my ultra 2 and my battery is down 24%. I have cellular on and I exercise maybe 30 to 40 minutes a day. Quite happy with the results thus far.

As far as the weight is concerned. I lift up both my hands and I don’t feel that darn watch whatsoever over the other hand. It’s not heavy, it’s not cumbersome, it’s not irritating. It’s not in my way, so I don’t know where some people get off by saying it’s cumbersome, or too heavy, and the like. once I have it on, I don’t notice it is really there much at all.
 

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Welcome to the Ultra club ;)
Don't forget to set your action button...
I just got my Ultra 2 as well. First Ultra for me, too.

I set my Action Button to open a shortcut which presents a menu of choices that I can add to or edit any time I want with the Shortcuts app on my phone -- so tapping it presents me with a menu to:
- start a walking workout
- start an 'other' workout
- open the Peloton app (so I can use watch as HR monitor)
- open Messages
- open Reminders
- precondition my car's climate system
- start car defrost cycle (since winter is coming)

It's pretty amazing, actually.
 
I just got my Ultra 2 as well. First Ultra for me, too.

I set my Action Button to open a shortcut which presents a menu of choices that I can add to or edit any time I want with the Shortcuts app on my phone -- so tapping it presents me with a menu to:
- start a walking workout
- start an 'other' workout
- open the Peloton app (so I can use watch as HR monitor)
- open Messages
- open Reminders
- precondition my car's climate system
- start car defrost cycle (since winter is coming)

It's pretty amazing, actually.
That is an excellent idea, doc.
 
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I just got my Ultra 2 as well. First Ultra for me, too.

I set my Action Button to open a shortcut which presents a menu of choices that I can add to or edit any time I want with the Shortcuts app on my phone -- so tapping it presents me with a menu to:
- start a walking workout
- start an 'other' workout
- open the Peloton app (so I can use watch as HR monitor)
- open Messages
- open Reminders
- precondition my car's climate system
- start car defrost cycle (since winter is coming)

It's pretty amazing, actually.
Loving mine, though I upgraded from the U1 I can see the display a little brighter in the sun, it’s faster/snappier and battery life seems better though I usually don’t judge that for the first week or so.
Enjoy it!
 
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