Ultra 1 & 2 Owners: Upgrading to Ultra 4?

[Bryan Bowler]

My only grip with upgrading from AWU2 is I’m worried about a substantial redesign or band connector change in the next year.

Yes it’s silly to make decisions based on rumors but at the very least a redesigned case seems likely after 4 years on the same design.

But maybe I just bite the bullet for the improvised HR/HRV sensors and faster chip plus other minor AWU3 improvements like 5G cellular, slightly smaller border, etc.

You bring up an excellent point about the potential for a redesign and then our band collection is no longer valid. I have 18 bands and if/when Apple switches to a new connection point, I will likely hold on to the last version for several years. Just too much invested and too many bands I love to give that up.

 

[RobinNL]

Likely upgrading! Looking at all the Watch updates from the past, the redesigns tended to be relatively smaller compared to the chip + sensor upgrades imo.

 

[Rivanov]

Replacing Ultra 2 Black for Ultra 4 Natural.
Never going back to a black Apple Watch. I’m extremely cautious but still have some minor scratches on the case.

 

[Toonartist]

You bring up an excellent point about the potential for a redesign and then our band collection is no longer valid. I have 18 bands and if/when Apple switches to a new connection point, I will likely hold on to the last version for several years. Just too much invested and too many bands I love to give that up.

There's been a lot of changes since Series 4, my first Apple Watch. All the bands I bought back then still fit today's watch. the styling may not suit them as much... still look good. But, the fact is all the changes to the sizes over time and Apple have consistently made sure the old straps are still relevant.

As for the possible redesign next year. I'm more interested in the internals redesign this year... which will be transferred to the new watch next year. I may see next years design and not like it... may love it. However, the Ultra watches have amazing trade in value so if I go for it, I have no doubt I'll get somewhere between £350 - £400 or more off. But, if its just superficial exterior changes... I would stay put.

 

[kitenski]

Going from UW2 on 88% max capacity battery, the new HR sensor will be useful to test as the current one often struggles to pick up HR from my wrist on colder days. The extra HR and HRV readings very useful as someone diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

 

[Bromley1714]

I'm sticking with my UW1, it does everything i need, i'll wait until it dies or they upgrade the design.
I still have 90% health, so don't feel the need to spend a ton of money for stuff that isn't relevant for my daily use.

 

[Toonartist]

I'm sticking with my UW1, it does everything i need, i'll wait until it dies or they upgrade the design.
I still have 90% health, so don't feel the need to spend a ton of money for stuff that isn't relevant for my daily use.

"I still have 90% health" come on... no need to do ya-self down... I'm sure you feel 100% fighting fit 🙂

Ok....I'll grab my coat.


Edit. Also a U1 owner but I'll upgrade this year... my watch battery is on 84% health.

 

[xxray]

Yes, from Ultra 1. I probably wouldn’t if it weren’t for Apple’s 3-year chip cycle. But to me, it felt like there was no point in delaying a year when that’d just mean one less year of software support since the Ultra 4 is the start of a new cycle. Especially when the Ultra hasn’t even been updated every year.

 

[Davelfc]

I picked up a brand new, no box, charger or strap AW Ultra 3 for £430 on eBay from a reputable seller. I got £191 for my Ultra. Unfortunately the U3 is black and now I am concerned I will scratch the case and it will show.

I was going to have to replace the battery on the Ultra next year anyway, that’s got to be something like £100 so upgrading hasn’t really cost that much, when you factor in I wont have that expense now.

The U3 is ok, I got AppleCare on it as it was new. I can’t say I have noticed any real difference in my day to day use and I’ve had it a week now.

So yes i upgraded but not to the 4.

 

[Chevyguy2021]

My 3 is great. Love the stealth black. Still looks new. Waiting until a redesign

 

[Fynd]

Replacing Ultra 2 Black for Ultra 4 Natural.
Never going back to a black Apple Watch. I’m extremely cautious but still have some minor scratches on the case.

View attachment 2661567View attachment 2661566

Likewise. Same damage pattern my way. It’s the raised bezel that makes the black ultra so prone to scuffs. I baby my tech, but I go Ultra for a reason and all it takes is the watch to brush up on a dumbbell and it looks like this. Back to natural this time.

 

[bsmr]

Back to natural this time.

But with natural you're also having all those scuffs... The normal Series 12 is better because there is glass at the edges/corners.

 

[andyw715]

I'm going from U3 to U4. $430 trade in, 8 more hours of battery, and updated health sensors - works for me

 

[Rainshadow]

I have an Ultra 1. And I actually took the opposite approach. I’ve been back and forth on this for a while, but I think these announcements pushed me over to completely abandoning the watch platform altogether.

I read through that privacy report and aware that it's completely secure, and I know I can turn it off, but the idea of the watch constantly listening just kind of creeps me out and makes me feel uncomfortable. I don’t like this direction.

And my other issue is, if I do buy an Ultra 4 right now, am I only going to get 3-4 years of major software support like my Ultra 1? I can’t see myself spending another $800 on one, and I don’t want a regular Apple Watch.

Anyway, I unpaired my AW Ultra last night. I didn’t realize the iPhone still tracks steps, distance and estimated calories without the watch. Helps make the decision easier. At the moment I’m still undecided, though leaning heavily toward not using smartwatches again.

Similar for me. But not because of privacy. Just not enough to keep me interested. It’s really disappointing to think you might not have support for that many years at this price.

I can’t get over battery life being this low on these things anymore. There really is no excuse for not finding a way to do 1 wk battery life - at least for low power modes. I think it’s crazy when smart watch modes on garmins can last weeks and low power modes can be months.

Turned mine in. I’ll come back when they make some changes and take some risks.

 

[Rivanov]

But with natural you're also having all those scuffs... The normal Series 12 is better because there is glass at the edges/corners.

But you don’t see them as pronounced as on the Black version.

 

[deckard666]

Nope - keeping my pristine 2 year old AWU2 - dont need anything from the new one so much like my iPhone 16 Pro and iPad Air 4 apple being apple have managed to lose my money by just being too good !

 

[CharlesShaw]

...apple being apple have managed to lose my money by just being too good !

Funny, that made me realize that Apple already has my money because it's in my Apple account where I've been squirreling away funds. 😂

 

[torontotim]

My ultra 1 does everything I need but I’m considering upgrading for the heart sensing. Had a heart attack 4 months ago and have become way more dependent on the watch to keep track of my heart rate, cardio recovery etc.

I’m sure the current readings are more than adequate but the extended battery life is also a bit of a bonus as I’m wearing the watch 24 hours a day outside of charging it.

 

[torontotim]

BTW if you’re concerned about scratching your Ultra maybe you don’t need an Ultra.

 

[GMShadow]

I have an Apple Watch Ultra 1, and my battery health is currently at 91%.

I'm starting to wonder about how long Apple will continue supporting the Ultra 1 with watchOS updates, and whether that could eventually cause problems with apps.

The main app I'm concerned about is Tesla, since I rely on it pretty heavily. If Apple stops providing software updates for the Ultra 1, could Tesla eventually require a newer version of watchOS and stop working on the Ultra 1?

I'm considering upgrading mainly because of this concern, but I'm also thinking it might make more sense to keep using my Ultra 1 until I actually run into compatibility issues.

For those still using an Ultra 1, what are you planning to do? Has anyone had issues with apps becoming unsupported after Apple stopped updating their Watch?

My guess is you probably have another 2-3 years before app updates might become a problem.