Disclaimer

I just want to share my experience as a first-time Ultra watch owner.

I'll try to keep this hardware-specific, as software changes and bothered me today could be resolved / removed tomorrow.

Intro

I've started with Apple Watch back in 2016 when Series 2 was released (and I'm still wearing that same band that my Nike Series 2 came with - it's sort of a tradition now, which basically forced me to stick with "big" watches: first 42 mm, then 44 and later 46mm). Since then I've upgraded every two generations and used the watch for various activities like running, skiing, triathlon, rock climbing etc.

I "slept" on Ultra for quite a while because I simply didn't see the appeal - the battery life on Series was good enough for my use cases (I've done 70.3 triathlons with it with full tracking) and the need to charge the watch before going to sleep never bothered me, whereas the added bulk felt quite significant when trying the watch in stores. The last push came from diving, so I decided to pay up and upgrade not to Series 12, but to Ultra 4.

For reference, I wear two watches at a time (currently Ultra 4 and Garmin Forerunner 970) with the latter being my primary sport device and Ultra doing more smartwatch stuff as well as serving as a backup fitness tracker, so there will be some comparison between the two.

Good

• red shift display. It's less disturbing compared to a "normal" full-color face and much better compared to just setting a watch face to dim red instead of multicolor. Don't really get why it's an Ultra-specific feature, but, I guess, you have to drop some exclusive software features to make Ultra not just "Series with a bigger battery".
• precision start. Again, I don't get why is this feature Ultra-specific, as there's nothing that requires Ultra hardware.
• action button. Marking segments is much easier during an activity. Plus - now I don't need to put Workouts app on the watch face - I can simply press the action button and it pops up.
• battery life. I'm easily getting 2.5 days from the watch with all features on (no cellular though - when I want to have a phone, I bring a phone) and the same amount of activities as before (~2h outdoor activities daily with music playing from the watch).

No category

• size. When Ultra was initially introduced, the biggest Series watch was 44 mm, so the size gap was quite noticeable. After wearing a 46 mm Series 10 for two years, the size gap is nowhere to be found.
• bulk (i.e. thickness and weight). Yes, the bulk is there. Not only Ultra is thicker - noticeable when you pick it up from the charger - and heavier, it also has a boxier shape with sharp edges whereas smooth curves of Series watch help it to "blend in" with your wrist. On the wrist it isn't really noticeable, even swapping back to S10 I can't feel the difference in weight. Interestingly enough, additional thickness of the sensor package allows me to wear the band on the same hole as before while keeping the watch firmly on the wrist.
• I wish Apple leaned more into "adventure" vibe of Ultra and made the watch operable with buttons only. There are plenty of sport watches that use a crown and two buttons (the entire Coros lineup, Suunto etc), so it can definitely be done. Heck, Oceanic+ makes a very good case for a watch app that is operated by buttons only. But, of course, it would require to rethink the entire watchOS UX a lot and it will likely impact Series watches as well.

Bad

• red shift is based on the ambient light sensor. It's good when you walk into a dark room during the day, it's not good when you're wearing long sleeves.
• red shift is only for the watch face. Use anything else - even open the notification tray or smart stack - and the watch immediately switches to full colors. On Garmin watches the red shift display is time-based (as there's no ambient light sensor), but at the same time it shifts the entire UI - even the third-party apps will be rendered in shades of red. Given the amount and quality of third-party apps on Apple Watch, I wish it had a system-wide red shift as well.
• battery life. Bigger battery is good when the watch lasts longer, but at the same time - it charges longer as well. With Series and a fast charger I was able to charge it in 40-45 minutes. With Ultra I need a solid hour (or more) to charge it to 100%.
• watchOS 27. I don't remember fresh Apple releases with this many bugs (and I've upgraded to OS X Lion the moment it was released, so I know a thing or two about buggy Apple releases). Granted, nothing critical like the recent Garmin pace bug, but plenty of minor annoyances. Hopefully they will be addressed soon in 27.1
• band colors. I was really looking forward for a neon green marine band, but since it has been discontinued, I had to settle for a smoke gray one. In general, I'm very disappointed that Apple suddenly decided to mute all of its colors (not just Apple Watch bands - all of them) this year.

I’d been using the Series 6 and it’s honestly still functioning well and never disappointed me but it felt like time for an upgrade (my mum took the S6). 42mm feels odd for my small wrist but the 40mm SE doesn’t have the health functions i want, so I’m just gonna have to get used to it. Not too bothered about aesthetics cos I only need it for workouts, sleeping, and work.

Do y think it’s a bit too big for me? do u also use a size too big? just curious :3

Tried out an Apple Watch ultra 4 since I thought the chip upgrade was the most significant. I went for the translucent grey but the novelty wore off and it didn’t match the titanium as much. Which I then tried out the Milanese loop since I was a fan of that but it really didn’t justify the extra $.

I thought I was just going to do an exchange for alpine band but putting my S9 back on and changing the watch face and bands it feels new. Didn’t even realize I didn’t get a photo of the Ultra 4.

will see how things are next year.

I’ve had it 3 days. Here’s my watch face. Show me yours and tell me why you chose it. I’m not 100% sold on the one I’m using yet.

Second Apple Watch I’ve had for my job. New one (Apple Watch #3) is a 12 that I will keep protected. The first one’s screen delaminated after four years.

People have asked about the general fucked up condition, aesthetically, of the watch and I tell them that Apple Watches are the greatest tool watch. With their longevity (years in absolutely brutal conditions) they are both disposable and indispensable. I can easily justify the cost per year at the rate I buy them. I can see at a glance if a message or call is important, set timers without having to pull my phone out, and call my apprentice when both hands are occupied and I need his help dealing with a situation.

Only reason I bought a 12 is that, as a new business owner, I need to see messages and phone calls when my phone is on silent. I was out of town for a wedding (wearing my Swiss “tool watch”) and almost had a panic attack because my phone was going to be on silent for 6 hours or so and I wouldn’t be able to see if any of my customers contacted me. So I went to a Best Buy as soon as I hit town and bought the 12.

I’m sure the 8 will last a couple more years as my kids watch - only issues are the side button not activating (unless you push hard) and the battery isn’t what it used to be.

But it has been submerged in water and mud, banged against cast iron pipes and countless walls and cabinets, crammed along with my wrist into Sheetrock voids, blindly taken nails to the face, been on my wrist while I’m running heavy duty tools, slammed into the metal shelving of my work van… and it has kept going every day for years. It’s pretty impressive and just figured I’d share.

Really impressed with the battery life of the Apple Watch Ultra 4 so far. Extended Workout Mode performed amazing this weekend in the coms New England Fall weather. Seemed to give even more battery life than advertised. This was even the Max Extended Work Mode - looking forward to using that for a 100-miler soon.

I have a black titanium series 6 and would be interested in upgrading, but Apple just has a “natural” and a “gold” option.

Don’t understand why they don’t offer black. It’s a great finish that has held up really well for me.

I found a brand new Saddle Brown Classic Buckle strap online. I love how it looks with the Natural Titanium Series 12 46mm.

I got it from a local shop in fantastic conditions for £139.99 with lifetime warranty.

I think it’s a pretty nice deal.

EDIT: SE 3rd gen!

With my s10 I used to love the analog faces and would switch them up all the time but ever since getting an ultra I can’t seem to get away from the modular ultra face. All the information right there is so useful. Anyone else feel the same? If not what’s your favorite watch face?

Using the Apple Watch alongside my Fitbit Air.
Have it on during weekends and time off etc.
it was in the drawer for quite some time but this configuration has made me like it again.
Don’t use it for workouts etc. just time and notifications.

All in all - just an appreciation post about the new faces. 🙌🏻

I’d love to have a little mascot on my watch face, like Tushigami. Just a cute little guy hanging out on my wrist

For some reason over the past few days, my series 11 simply stopped receiving any form of notifications. I’ve done everything from software updates to network setting resets and even re-pairing it as a new device and none of these quite seem to work. I’m quite frustrated, frankly.

Workoutdoors activity now listed as using the Strava app.

I recognize this issue is not the end of the world. I was curious if it is happening to other users

I have been using Apple watches for years to record workouts. Since the update to OS27, I am frustrated with metrics that are displayed when I look at workout details in the Fitness app under Sessions. The photos show one example: Before the update, Workout Details for Hiking showed Workout Time and Elapsed Time. Now, Elapsed time is missing. Outdoor Walk workouts are the same. I had similar issues with outdoor cycling where the view of my workout in the Fitness app didn’t show Distance after the workout, which is totally stupid. I have searched online and it’s hard to find recommendations for adjusting which metrics show after a workout. Maybe it’s not possible. I know I can change which metrics are showing on my watch during a workout to some extent, but that doesn’t change this problem. Anyone else having the same issues?

New ultra 4. Most nights it doesn't do wrist temperature. What is wrong?

A friend said that i might get pre activated or defective pieces for that cheap price

I have attached the entire chat for reference.

TLDR: siri insists it doesnt have access to internal tools to do basic tasks. It has consistently insisted that across chats or has default to it can’t access (or dont exist) native apps.

Currently testing out a cheap $30 smartwatch from amazon to see if I like it, is an apple watch worth paying $300 for the compatiablity and other features over a cheaper option? Just an average person, not big into fitness but would like seeing steps and a couple other things.