Ultra 2 Question

[djr7572]

Maybe a silly question, maybe not …

So it’s January 2025 and I’m seriously considering an Ultra 2. My question is, the Ultra 2 came out close to a year and a half ago … so, it would seem, that right out of the gate, I’d already be starting out with a degraded battery (?). I suppose that would be assuming that the watch I receive has actually been sitting on the shelf since Sep ‘23 when the Ultra 2 released.

Is this even a legit concern, or is it an over-the-top OCD concern that should be put aside and just get the watch if I want it?

Thanks!

 

[NME42]

Is this even a legit concern, or is it an over-the-top OCD concern that should be put aside and just get the watch if I want it?

No worry. You will get a superb watch with a fresh battery. It is not that Apple produced all Ultra 2 watches in one batch and is now selling them watch by watch from this large stack.
Also, the battery degrades only minimally over time when it is not used.

Enjoy your watch!

 

[djr7572]

No worry. You will get a superb watch with a fresh battery. It is not that Apple produced all Ultra 2 watches in one batch and is now selling them watch by watch from this large stack.
Also, the battery degrades only minimally over time when it is not used.

Enjoy your watch!

That totally makes sense! I appreciate it, thank you 👍🏽

 

[throAU]

So it’s January 2025 and I’m seriously considering an Ultra 2. My question is, the Ultra 2 came out close to a year and a half ago … so, it would seem, that right out of the gate, I’d already be starting out with a degraded battery (?). I suppose that would be assuming that the watch I receive has actually been sitting on the shelf since Sep ‘23 when the Ultra 2 released.

They still make ultra2, they don't just sit on a shelf.

Also, I got mine in December 2023, and my battery health is still 100%.

 

[RRC]

Buy it, it'll be all new and with a full warranty etc...

 

[bigjnyc]

this is still the latest version and Apple sells thousands daily. Trust me there are no watches sitting around on a shelf for that long lol. you will definitely get a fresh, recently built watch... assuming you are buying from Apple directly.

 

[djr7572]

They still make ultra2, they don't just sit on a shelf.

Also, I got mine in December 2023, and my battery health is still 100%.

appreciate it, thanks

 

[djr7572]

Buy it, it'll be all new and with a full warranty etc...

👍

 

[djr7572]

this is still the latest version and Apple sells thousands daily. Trust me there are no watches sitting around on a shelf for that long lol. you will definitely get a fresh, recently built watch... assuming you are buying from Apple directly.

Had kind of a "blonde moment" when I asked that question (no offense to blondes) 😆. Thank you!

 

[Momof2.1107]

I searched high and low for an Ultra 2 with the O2 sensor activated. I found one at Costco last November with a battery capacity of 100%. I haven’t had any issues with my Ultra 2 since it was delivered.

 

[djr7572]

Buy it, it'll be all new and with a full warranty etc...

Thanks!

 

[5167767]

Ultra 3 should be released in September. Maybe wait for that.

 

[djr7572]

Ultra 3 should be released in September. Maybe wait for that.

I know … was thinking about that, too. At this point, it might be better to just wait till Fall.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Maybe a silly question, maybe not …

So it’s January 2025 and I’m seriously considering an Ultra 2. My question is, the Ultra 2 came out close to a year and a half ago … so, it would seem, that right out of the gate, I’d already be starting out with a degraded battery (?). I suppose that would be assuming that the watch I receive has actually been sitting on the shelf since Sep ‘23 when the Ultra 2 released.

Is this even a legit concern, or is it an over-the-top OCD concern that should be put aside and just get the watch if I want it?

Thanks!

Yes, it is "an over-the-top OCD concern that should be put aside and just get the watch if I want it." I have an AW Ultra v1 bought when they first came out and the battery always has plenty left after 24 hrs on my wrist. And it MagSafe charges quickly.

P.S. I am not really much of a watch person, but I love the AWU.

 

[jz0309]

I know … was thinking about that, too. At this point, it might be better to just wait till Fall.

all depends on what will be released ... we were expecting the Ultra 3 to be released last September, but ... and most likely, after the Ultra 3 there will be an Ultra 4

And right now, you can get good deals ...

what watch do you have right now?

 

[throAU]

I know … was thinking about that, too. At this point, it might be better to just wait till Fall.

If you want a watch now, buy now. I've had s2, s4, s6 and ultra, gf has had s3, se and s10...

Since the S4 there's been very little real world difference in performance - the Ultras are physically larger and have a larger battery, other than that, if my S4 battery still worked I'd seriously notice basically zero difference to the ultra outside of the larger battery and screen.

The watch internals are a solved problem as of like 6 years ago. Pick the size you want, job done.

 

[djr7572]

all depends on what will be released ... we were expecting the Ultra 3 to be released last September, but ... and most likely, after the Ultra 3 there will be an Ultra 4

And right now, you can get good deals ...

what watch do you have right now?

I've got the Series 10 and honestly I'm happy with it. Was considering jumping to the Ultra 2 for some of the features that I don't have (battery, Modular Ultra face, etc). The more I think about it, it's really hard to justify this purchase right now. Especially since the Ultra 2 has been out for nearly a year and a half. It's just one of those spending decisions where you say to yourself, "I REALLY don't need this" 😆. I think it would be wiser at this point to wait and see if a 3 comes along in the Fall.

 

[jz0309]

I've got the Series 10 and honestly I'm happy with it. Was considering jumping to the Ultra 2 for some of the features that I don't have (battery, Modular Ultra face, etc). The more I think about it, it's really hard to justify this purchase right now. Especially since the Ultra 2 has been out for nearly a year and a half. It's just one of those spending decisions where you say to yourself, "I REALLY don't need this" 😆. I think it would be wiser at this point to wait and see if a 3 comes along in the Fall.

since you got the 10 - enjoy that, no need to upgrade.

 

[msackey]

Maybe a silly question, maybe not …

So it’s January 2025 and I’m seriously considering an Ultra 2. My question is, the Ultra 2 came out close to a year and a half ago … so, it would seem, that right out of the gate, I’d already be starting out with a degraded battery (?). I suppose that would be assuming that the watch I receive has actually been sitting on the shelf since Sep ‘23 when the Ultra 2 released.

Is this even a legit concern, or is it an over-the-top OCD concern that should be put aside and just get the watch if I want it?

Thanks!

You know, this is a very good question and I will say I don't know.

But let me share with you my experience purchasing an iPad Pro M-4 chip, 11-inch, with the matte glass. I purchased this in November 2024. When I went to the Settings to fiddle around with the battery setting, guess when my device was manufactured? FEBRUARY 2024! YES! My iPad was manufactured in February 2024 and I am the first owner who bought it in November 2024. The retailer was Apple Store.

That is some big long gap there of 8 months!

I haven't noticed a different so far in battery detrioration. But I was quite surprised and the thought did cross my mind to return the device, then buy again to see if I'd get a later unit. I didn't end up doing that.

My thought is that perhaps the 11-inch with matte display is just not as popular, so such devices sit on the shelf for a while. It's just a guess.

 

[KFridman]

I had this same question about a Garmin Fenix 7 I bought last July. That model was initially released in January 2022. It was new and purchased directly from Garmin. I was told that a battery degraded based on charging cycles.

I’m also thinking of an Ultra 2 to replace my AW6. Had the same thoughts about buying now when a new one may be released in the Fall. Since I can use it now I’ve decided to buy it now. And, I’m about 75 miles from a Canadian Apple Store so I’m going up there so I’ll have the O2 sensor.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Apple has great manufacturing discipline, just in time for shelf’s on the store. They don’t keep lot of stock sitting for years. Most likely manufactured with in 1-2 months, unless you are buying from a retailer or a product that sits on shelf.

 

[GMShadow]

You know, this is a very good question and I will say I don't know.

But let me share with you my experience purchasing an iPad Pro M-4 chip, 11-inch, with the matte glass. I purchased this in November 2024. When I went to the Settings to fiddle around with the battery setting, guess when my device was manufactured? FEBRUARY 2024! YES! My iPad was manufactured in February 2024 and I am the first owner who bought it in November 2024. The retailer was Apple Store.

That is some big long gap there of 8 months!

I haven't noticed a different so far in battery detrioration. But I was quite surprised and the thought did cross my mind to return the device, then buy again to see if I'd get a later unit. I didn't end up doing that.

My thought is that perhaps the 11-inch with matte display is just not as popular, so such devices sit on the shelf for a while. It's just a guess.

I think it's a function of price - the demand for 1TB iPads is not nearly as high as the lower tier models, and the matte display adds more to the price.

I bought an iPhone 8+ in Product Red a few months after Apple had stopped selling them, it was one of the last one Verizon had in stock in my area and they had a decent deal on it. Was like 7-8 months old, but the battery held up perfectly fine despite sitting.

 

[djr7572]

Apple has great manufacturing discipline, just in time for shelf’s on the store. They don’t keep lot of stock sitting for years. Most likely manufactured with in 1-2 months, unless you are buying from a retailer or a product that sits on shelf.

appreciate it, thanks

 

[TracerAnalog]

My original Ultra 1 still has 100% battery! I use optimized charging at night, limited at 80%. I never run out of battery. This watch is the best Apple Watch I've ever owned.

I sound like a fanboy 😝. But it's true.

 

[smirking]

this is still the latest version and Apple sells thousands daily. Trust me there are no watches sitting around on a shelf for that long lol. you will definitely get a fresh, recently built watch... assuming you are buying from Apple directly.

Believe it or not, there are... or at least there were first edition Ultra 2's still available. I got my hands on one a few months ago. If you get an Ultra 2 with the SpO2 sensor enabled, you have one from the first release.

As expected with something that's been on the shelf for so long, the battery was completely dead. Luckily, all it needed was a good long charge.

I got almost 5 days on my first full charge so it's safe to say that the battery was more than OK.