Apple has unveiled its latest flagship smartwatch, introducing the Apple Watch Ultra 2. In terms of design, the Ultra 2 closely resembles the original Apple Watch Ultra, implying that the most noteworthy improvements lie beneath the surface.
The Ultra 2, much like the newly introduced Series 9, will be driven by Apple’s cutting-edge S9 SiP (System in Package). This advanced chip features a four-core neural engine and a second-generation ultra-wideband location chip. These enhancements usher in a range of exciting capabilities, including on-device Siri processing, which can access data from the Health app, and enhanced location tracking precision. The neural engine further enhances dictation accuracy by up to 25 percent.
Externally, the watch boasts an upgraded display compared to its predecessor, the Ultra model, with a dazzling 3,000-nit rating. This represents a 50 percent increase in brightness over the original Ultra, marking it as the brightest display ever featured on an Apple Watch, according to Apple. The company claims that users can enjoy a remarkable 72 hours of usage on a single charge when the device operates in low-power mode. Moreover, it’s suitable for recreational scuba diving at depths as low as 40 meters and supports free diving. The Depth app now conveniently stores logs of each diving session.
While the Ultra 2 has received significant hardware enhancements, the most noteworthy changes for Apple Watch enthusiasts this year will be brought by watchOS 10. This update introduces widgets, redesigned app icons, and new mapping and cycling features to the watch interface. An additional watch face, named Modular Ultra, effectively utilizes the outer edge of the display to provide real-time data such as seconds, altitude, or depth. Additionally, a new double-tap gesture simplifies the process of initiating and ending phone calls.
The Ultra 2 is available for pre-order starting today, priced at $799, and is set to ship on September 22nd. Apple introduced this exciting addition at its Apple Park event in Cupertino, part of its “Wonderlust” launch event, which also featured updates to the Apple Watch Series 9 and the more affordable SE model.