No desire for Ultra

[the future]

The way the Ultra sits on an average wrist

The wrist(s) in your pictures is/are certainly below „average“. There are many, many wrists on which the Ultra looks absolutely fine. Also, the perspective distortion in fotos that people take with their phone in one hand of their other hand/wrist (i.e. 95% of Watch fotos you see) makes the Ultra look much bigger than it really is. The only pictures by which one can actually correctly judge this are pictures taken by someone else from a distance (or yourself in a mirror).

 

[JT2002TJ]

My wrists are wider than the Ultra. I can see people not liking it if the watch is wider than their wrists, or they simply do not like the look. But I love mine, especially with the Normad Ti bracelet.

 

[Ethosik]

The battery life alone makes it worth it. Plus it’s not that much more expensive than the other models I got before.

 

[cateye]

I've tried to like corn flakes in the morning. Every day, I take the box of corn flakes down from the shelf, pour some in a bowl, and think about eating them. But I just can't. In fact, I think cornflakes are the wrong shape for breakfast. The majority of spoons can't effectively hold a normal bite's worth, especially once you factor in the milk.

My thoughts here are empirical and very important for everyone to consider when planning their own breakfast.

 

[coffeemilktea]

While I imagine there's a minority of people who use the Ultra for its intended purpose (you know... adventurous and athletic things), I think most people who get one just want it for the battery life and the overall look.

For example, I'd like to wear one even though I'm a dedicated desk jockey who doesn't do anything more adventurous or strenuous than walk across the street to get Taco Bell during lunch breaks. Why get one even though I'll never use any of its sporty features? Because it looks cool. Even if all I do is get tacos with it. 🌮

 

[JT2002TJ]

While I imagine there's a minority of people who use the Ultra for its intended purpose (you know... adventurous and athletic things), I think most people who get one just want it for the battery life and the overall look.

For example, I'd like to wear one even though I'm a dedicated desk jockey who doesn't do anything more adventurous or strenuous than walk across the street to get Taco Bell during lunch breaks. Why get one even though I'll never use any of its sporty features? Because it looks cool. Even if all I do is get tacos with it. 🌮

I think this is the case for most watches. I have 2 divers and 2 Apple watches (one being the ultra). I have never put my mechanical watches in water, and so far have only swam with my Apple watches. I know the mechanicals are designed to be deep underwater, and I have had them pressure tested, I still can't bring myself to do it...

I don't scuba dive, so I've never needed a dive time bezel...

Most of the mechanical complications designed for an actual purpose, are probably not used by anyone who would use it for the intended purpose.

 

[PsykX]

Since day one of the introduction of the Ultra I visited BestBuy several times and always walked out not buying the watch.

Every time I go to Best Buy, I always end up walking out not buying a fridge.
It's always hard to cross that exit door in these times 🫤

 

[Akrapovic]

I got the Ultra because I do hikes long enough to kill the S7 battery. I prefer the more rugged look. But I totally understand anyone not wanting it.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Every time I drove past Best Buy, I never stopped to look at AW ultra.

 

[Rainshadow]

Since day one of the introduction of the Ultra I visited BestBuy several times and always walked out not buying the watch. $799.00 is not so much of an issue BUT there is really no blockbuster feature that will force me to purchase the watch. Unless you like the Orange side button I personally think it looks weird and the watch has an awkward bulky design. Hopefully Apple will give it a new look in September and I willn for sure jump in....for now I will stick with my 6. No offense to anyone..

I cannot get over people saying “no blockbuster feature”.

Battery life alone. Blockbuster for me.

Add better speakers, durability, additional function button, brighter, sapphire screen and twice the water resistance.

I get people not buying the ultra. I do. But to say there isn’t a blockbuster feature, I find that disingenuous. It’s a completely different watch than the 4 which I had and the 7 I had for a few weeks before this.

And except for colors, I think you’re dreaming if you think they will change the design after one year. Maybe another color, but not a different design. Heck, they haven’t changed the original Apple Watch design barely for the last 8 years!

 

[Rainshadow]

And most who want it or have it and love it do so for this exact reason, acceptable battery life.

And I get it. I also really wanted to like it because the not-really-all-day battery life of Apple Watch 6/7/8 just doesn't last more than a single charge if you use any of its features in a meaningful way.

Having the 2x of that is a game changer and lets you really go hard on the heart rate and gps tracking capabilities without having to recharge after a long session.

But the Ultra's case is just to bulky and protrusive to be anything but the watch you wear for diving, hiking, running:

When you look directly down at the display from above, it looks just fine and can pass as decently proportionate on a lot of wrists.

But all proportionality is gone once you look at it from any other angle:
View attachment 2171357View attachment 2171356View attachment 2171358
The way the Ultra sits on an average wrist is exactly how you don't want a wrist watch to sit on your wrist: With the case protruding vertically out beyond the width of your wrist, creating large gaps between the bottom of the watch case and the watch band.

Either 41mm and 45mm will fit average and below or above average wrists. 49mm requires an 8" wrist or bigger. And even then it's still a bit too thick and protrusive.

I would disagree with this as well. While it’s subjective, the alpine loops make it look larger because of the lugs. Put a standard sport band on it that isn’t white or bright orange and it significantly shrinks in perceptible size. It’s big, yes. But it’s not THAT much bigger on my wrist than the 7 was except for the lip on the face. That sits up a bit. But again, it’s all subjective.

 

[Mr. Dee]

For some reason, I am not seeing many in the wild. Doesn't seem to be a big seller. I suspect Apple might actually introduce a smaller model for those who just want a smaller watch Ultra.

 

[Jackbequickly]

I wanted the Ultra the second I saw it but got over it quickly after owning. I have purchased and returned twice and went back to my series 7 SBTi and love it. Not missing any features.

 

[shooter45acp]

I love my Ultra can get 3 days before I have to charge again! Love that it looks different that all the other Apple Watch models!

 

[Miltz]

Since day one of the introduction of the Ultra I visited BestBuy several times and always walked out not buying the watch. $799.00 is not so much of an issue BUT there is really no blockbuster feature that will force me to purchase the watch. Unless you like the Orange side button I personally think it looks weird and the watch has an awkward bulky design. Hopefully Apple will give it a new look in September and I willn for sure jump in....for now I will stick with my 6. No offense to anyone..

And you feel the need to share this because?
And anyone who has an Ultra, like myself can tell you that your opinion is just that and actually founded in fallacy. The Ultra has excellent battery life, huge screen, better speaker, better mics, better call quality, better gps, better durability, it’s actually more comfortable to wear and really light for its size. Since you don’t own it you’ll never know these things.

 

[savagewatts]

I thought the same too. Then I got one as a gift. I was going to sell it but the way the flat glass sits and the extra size, I could never go back. My series 7 seems like a cheap toy now

 

[Rainshadow]

For some reason, I am not seeing many in the wild. Doesn't seem to be a big seller. I suspect Apple might actually introduce a smaller model for those who just want a smaller watch Ultra.

If they aren’t selling well as you suggest, they sure aren’t gonna send out a second model.

Plus, if you read the comments of why people buy it, it’s for the battery life #1. Shrinking the size would lose that benefit and I doubt you would gain any market share at all.

I hope people aren’t waiting for apple to do this. I could be wrong but I don’t see it happening.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

I hope they adopt the flat screen for the S9/10, but keep the body the same width, I don’t like the bulbous submarine look of the Ultra. That said, I am thinking of trying it for a week with the intention of sending back.
I will put it through its paces and if I do end up liking it will look to pick one up cheap next year (sans Apple Tax) as solely a sports watch.
The Series will always be my main driver as it looks sleek.

 

[nvarsj]

I tried the ultra many times, but I don't really like it. The SS looks and feels way better and more premium. Ultra feels like those oversized kid's "smart" watches. The bezel is too big and chunky, the titanium is a boring dull grey. The only thing I like about the ultra is the flat display - I hope the series 9 gets this.

 

[Duncanator]

I tried the ultra many times, but I don't really like it. The SS looks and feels way better and more premium. Ultra feels like those oversized kid's "smart" watches. The bezel is too big and chunky, the titanium is a boring dull grey. The only thing I like about the ultra is the flat display - I hope the series 9 gets this.

Yeah, see I thought something similar and in fact, you could find some of my comments on the forum. I’ve had the Ultra for a few days now and I’ll never go back to the standard series of watches. I’ve had Aluminum and SS models of the AW and none of them come close to the Ultra. This coming from someone who swore he’d never get one because I hate the color orange. Still getting used to the orange but the rest of the watch is superior.

 

[bigjnyc]

Just 2 or 3 more visits to bestbuy and you'll buy it, I guarantee it.

 

[dumastudetto]

Since day one of the introduction of the Ultra I visited BestBuy several times and always walked out not buying the watch. $799.00 is not so much of an issue BUT there is really no blockbuster feature that will force me to purchase the watch. Unless you like the Orange side button I personally think it looks weird and the watch has an awkward bulky design. Hopefully Apple will give it a new look in September and I willn for sure jump in....for now I will stick with my 6. No offense to anyone..

I'm seriously gutted that you feel this way. I think I feel a lot like Steve felt when he announced the original iPad and read some negative commentary.

 

[chiefs1968]

Just 2 or 3 more visits to bestbuy and you'll buy it, I guarantee it.

Thank you and I appreciate it

 

[fao]

And most who want it or have it and love it do so for this exact reason, acceptable battery life.

And I get it. I also really wanted to like it because the not-really-all-day battery life of Apple Watch 6/7/8 just doesn't last more than a single charge if you use any of its features in a meaningful way.

Having the 2x of that is a game changer and lets you really go hard on the heart rate and gps tracking capabilities without having to recharge after a long session.

But the Ultra's case is just to bulky and protrusive to be anything but the watch you wear for diving, hiking, running:

When you look directly down at the display from above, it looks just fine and can pass as decently proportionate on a lot of wrists.

But all proportionality is gone once you look at it from any other angle:
View attachment 2171357View attachment 2171356View attachment 2171358
The way the Ultra sits on an average wrist is exactly how you don't want a wrist watch to sit on your wrist: With the case protruding vertically out beyond the width of your wrist, creating large gaps between the bottom of the watch case and the watch band.

Either 41mm and 45mm will fit average and below or above average wrists. 49mm requires an 8" wrist or bigger. And even then it's still a bit too thick and protrusive.

That’s not an average wrist.
That‘s a really small wrist.
I have an average wrist (175mm),not measured on the bone.
It looks normal,a little ”high” compared to the “normal” 45mm,but manageable.

 

[cwosigns]

…there is really no blockbuster feature…

Battery life. That’s the blockbuster feature. Worth the $799 price tag alone (and only $49 more than the watch I would normally get—45mm stainless steel.