Apple Watch Ultra In-Depth Review: The Right Tool?
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- čas přidán 2. 05. 2024
- Here's the Apple Watch Ultra Review for people who want to put this watch to the test. I push the Ultra to the extremes with a non-stop 14-hour journey to see if it can handle the Alps, plus of course, plenty more day-to-day usage thoughts.
The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple’s real first foray into a watch suited for endurance sports, and other sporty adventures. Sure, Apple’s WatchOS 9 update for many of their other watches, including the recent Apple Watch Series 8, have brought a massive slate of new features aimed at that crowd - such as running power, triathlon support, and more.
But historically, one of the biggest blockers to many athletes using an Apple Watch was lack of battery life, combined with lack of buttons. The Ultra aims to solve both of those concerns, while adding in a number of other features along the way, such as the emergency siren.
I’ve been testing the Apple Watch Ultra, and in particular, yesterday I put it to the ultimate test: Could it survive a 14+ hour non-stop trail run/hike through the Alps? And if it could, how well would it handle such a mission. In this review I’ll cover that, plus plenty more in terms of day-to-day use, as well as other new features like the new emergency siren and the action button.
Full data sets and in-depth written review: www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/09/a...
0:00 Quick Overview
0:51 The Pricing & Hardware Differences
2:39 What's New!
3:27 Diving/Depth App
4:10 Activity/Daily Tracking
5:03 Sleep & Wrist Temp Tracking
6:39 Sport/Workout Detailed
10:09 Backtrack, Waypoints, and Compass
12:32 Emergency Siren
14:08 Battey Life Testing
15:57 GPS, HR, and Elevation Accuracy
17:00 Is it worth it?
#AppleWatchUltra #AppleWatch #Apple - Sport
It’s great to see a product review by someone who has knowledge about the product itself. Being an actual athlete helps with a more accurate and extensive review. I’ve seen many reviews for this watch, none as complete. Most just mention the basics that can be completed by an average high school kid. Kudos to you for your in-depth review.
Thanks Boom, much appreciated!
Haha I was going to say just this! Or all the reviews from tech CZcamsrs whose activity generally is them creating elaborate coffee sequences :P
Facts this is the best ultra athlete informed review
This is the best review on this watch. You included things only outdoors people will understand and need. Thank you
Thanks, I appreciate it!!
Agreed!!!
@@Dcrainmaker still waiting for that Mount Blanc trek vlog type video :)
Agreed, most other reviews are just ‘Jeep in the Highway’. This is ‘Jeep in the mud’.
@@Dcrainmaker I ended up getting the Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar. Do you believe I made the right choice? I’m just a runner but looking into an iron man . I came from a Fenix 6X and 🍎 6 series which I would wear one on each wrist to compare the data. I still have all of those watches plus like another five Garmins lol. But I want to choose just one moving forward
I was really looking forward to your review before I make a decision. I’ll wait a little bit more to see how the battery stacks up after you guys start tweaking with the configs. 2 full days with that usage is kinda ok for me specially if the quick charge is really quick (would like to know more about that later). Thanks for the great review as always. You’re a legend!
I'm amazed at how you manage to test, plan a review, review and edit a video in such little time.
He’s had the watch and video a while and programmed to release after the embargo
@@teslar1 based on what all the other reviewers said, I believe he only had it for about one week. That's not very long! These videos take a lot of work.
@@Muffinman9 I have a channel under another name. I could make this video in less than three days
this is his job.
@@Muffinman9 I strongly suspect that he had it longer. He's not just a reviewer, but he is a party trusted by hardware manufacturers to give experienced and nuanced feedback on hardware designs. Of course he'll never tell you for which companies nor for how long he has the devices, because, duh.
Would love to see a comparison between this watch and the Garmin Fenix 7x and Epix 2. 👍
By far the most detailed video on the ultra. Loved how all tiny information be it a bug or something hidden were taken into consideration when reviewing this watch. Thanks :)
Great review. The watch is amazing - but it's not quite there yet. I used to work for Garmin - I imagine they will be quite worried about version 2 or 3 when some of the issues are worked out
Great content.
Great review.
I can’t imagine the work that goes into these videos.
Absolutely perfect review from outdoors/sports perspective - thanks a lot man! Indeed looks like a good start but definitely not v a fenix replacement (yet I hope). Sad but I am pretty sure it will come. I was pretty pumped by the advertised features but clearly there are many gaps to the things I use.
Fantastic job Ray! appreciate your time and efforts 👍
I’ve seen a lot of reviews on just about everything. I’ve never seen such an in depth review like this one. Thank you. I get my Ultra today. Although I won’t put it through its paces like you, I feel I made a great decision.
Thanks for the review. Reliability during activities seems to be the current issue with Ultra. I'll stick to my Garmin for now. Great review!
As always, an awesome in-depth detailed review. Thanks heaps!
You always have such great and balanced reviews! Thank you 🙏🏻
Your review is so detailed and not to mention the website. You have done a real real world review man. Please do more reviews on phones and other tech! 🔥
Subscribed!
Very balanced review. I‘ve also had problems with the Nike Running App stopping a workout in the middle of a run just because of unintentional touches after pausing a run. This is definitely something Apple has to fix - good thing is that it can be fixed with a software update.
This was such a great review. Thank you! Just got mine on release day and looking forward to putting it to the test on hikes
I really appreciate your closing remarks. I am into triathlons and mountaineering, and as soon as I saw that there was no built-in navigation, any hopes of swapping this for my Garmin Fenix ended.
Easily the best review on this watch i have seen. Fantastic feedback on all areas. Incredible workouts by the way!!
We are waiting you tı test diving features immediately :) thanks for these information DC
Great reviews! Before someone could do it you hit the nail by practically doing it ! Needs lot of stamina, technical knowledge and excellent editing skills !
I loved ❤it . Hope , Apple will overcome from the bug & some technical glitches soon .
Love from India 🇮🇳.
I just purchased iWatch 8 , 45 mm cellular before this series 6 cellular .
May update to ultra once all technical glitches & bugs will be cleared.
You are super fan of me .. just subscribing your channel right away . A big thumbs Up 👍
This is exactly the perspective I was looking for. Always, thanks for your reviews.
Really great perspective at the end. Garmin doesn’t need to worry about this watch in a vacuum. But they should consider this watch a warning shot, that apple is absolutely gunning for these markets, and will get there eventually with future iterations. (Maybe? Still don’t know about battery life and pairing with external sensors and power meters.)
Love this. A real review by someone who this is actually for. Awesome job man!!!
An amazing review thank you ! As a result I have upgraded! You are right about the open water GPS - awful! I am an open water swimmer training at least 5k a day and the last two days have been wildly inaccurate - up to a km out!
Hopefully a bug they will sort soon.
Great review! Thanks so much for your thought and effort into this coming from a true sportsman!
As always, Great in-depth review! We can always go to you to get honest in-depth reviews. Keep up the great work that you do!
Fantastic review. I was only a little disappointed not to hear the alert/siren from far away. (Unless I missed it?) 😊
With a few missing hikers in our area lately.. this is a great feature. Could see a few other features from it like a panic alert feature for security, walking at night or even motion detection at night while travelling.
super-awesome trekking review!!
your channel is great! thank you!
I did a short hike today with my ultra, hope to test its limits soon enough.
great video thank you I got the mine new apple last year having to wait but enjoying you channel.........
Hi Ray, great review as always! Quick question, how do you get the data out of the e watch to upload to the analyser?
Great real world usage and review. I’m not in the market for this but at some point some of these features will work their way into the regular Apple Watch. Thank you.
Outstanding coverage of all the features, with actual practice, specific examples, bugs, suggestions of alternative apps and all. Excellent! BTW Impressive workout!
As always amazing thorough review. Thanks Ray
Great review, thanks. Battery life was one of the reasons I returned to Garmin from the AW.
A question, though: can you work out with a chest HRM and the watch removed? I know this didn't work on the previous AWs as the watch always ended the workout.
Outstanding review, going far beyond what most reviewers do by doing the full-on exercise tests that is needed but most won't be capable of or fit enough to do. Once again the standarrd tech sports reviewer.
Great review. I find with my gen 5 apple watch if I go for a run or a hike and forget to lock it, it can do crazy things too. I think it can be sensitive to even the touch of my shirt if the synthetic material rubs on the watch or if I bend my wrist and it hits the digital crown. I wish you could set the default behaviour of the watch to automatically lock when you start a workout so you don't forget.
Great video from someone who will actually use this watch to its potential. Interesting to hear how it worked out for you and it will be cool to see where apple goes from here.
Great review! Your low vertical oscillation is impressive as well. You touched on the watch's location and HR accuracy, but what about current pace? I assume the new dual-frequency aids in that area. Thoughts?
Great review! Thanks, DC. Sounds like I still need my Garmin if navigation isn’t built in.
Great review as always, thank you! Would be great to see battery life for WorkOutDoors usage, which is my primary workout app.
Does WorkOutDoors typically use more battery than the watch Apple Workout or Strava apps?
WorkOutdoors is such a great app
is the always on display supported by third party apps these days?
thank you for the review, excellent as always
Man, I really needed this. Thanks bro!
Ooooh you're good at this Ray. Always the first place I come for this stuff. Thanks.
Thanks Paul!!!
I absolutely don’t need this watch but found your review thorough and interesting!
Great use review. Confirmed it won’t replace my Fenix. I’ll keep my eye out for Gen 2.
By far the most informative review I’ve seen so far.
the amount of commitment in your videos is astounding
Great review, ultra is not there yet compared to Garmin but getting better. Thanks so much.
Great review as always. Keep doing what you do!
A lot of people were waiting for this video to either upgrade/migrate over to this watch😮. Keep on cranking out the videos and test.
Workoutdoors bridges the gap with Garmin’s offerings quite nicely. I swear this developer does not get enough credit, he has done more than Apple to make the AW compete with Garmin.
How much battery use does this app use?
@@LizMcCoy The same as the regular workout app or at least I would not notice a difference. It might change if the always on mode is introduced in the app.
I was looking forward to your review! Thank you
Been following you for some time now DC, Fantastic review as always, first time I’ve commented.Like some of the others have mentioned, your channel is my go to if I need to know anything tech wise 👍. Keep up the good work. Think I will be trading in my IWatch 6 series, good to hear the battery is better for general use, I can cope with 48hrs. 👍
Excellent review Ray! My Apple Watch will continue to track my sleep if I decide to sleep another 1-2 hours after my alarm goes off as long as I don’t pickup my phone. Did not work before but seems to be new in WatchOS 9.
What a great review, thanks for putting this together.
This is exactlyyyyy the review I was looking for
Waiting for mine to arrive on Friday, can't wait.
One of the best video reviews I’ve seen of this device. Very thorough.
Wow! Thanks very much for your comprehensive and extremely informative review.
Best review of the Apple Watch Ultra of what it was actually made to do. I wholeheartedly agree with you on a few of the software quirks, they need to fix how workouts are stopped. When I am up in the mountains trail running, if I wear a jacket it will always mess with the work out unless I have it locked. I have been mountaineering and trail running and road running with the Apple Watch for five years, and the software has gotten incrementally better, but the hardware has always been a tad lacking. I’ve cracked 2 Apple watches. I think what you said at the end of your review is perfect, this is a great first step for them, they’re just needs to be a tad more adjustments on the software end. I think many of us crazies who have been living with the shortcomings of the regular Apple Watch will have many of our problems solved, and hopefully Apple gets smart enough to fix the software problems/lack of features and makes it the perfect “crazies” watch. Thanks for doing a solid 14 hour trail run with it, that was one of my major questions!
Fantastic review. Great coverage of the features this watch appears to be marketed for.
Second or third iteration of this watch and we might have a solid contender for the ultra endurance audience. About the heart rate sensor accuracy, for someone training for mid distance ultras (up to 50miles) do you think is good enough to replace the heart rate strap?
Excellent breakdown! Took my ultra out for some mtb and used WorkOutDoors. The WO app (using apple to log distance) had me at 4.5 mi when I really completed 10.5. Showed me completing the whole map, but only hovers only 4.5 of the 10.5 that I covered. Excellent nav with the WO, just poor breakdown with the app. Maybe it’s because I haven’t actually done another kind of workout with it yet to log data? Not sure. More research needed for me. Great watch though, even better once it’s quirks are worked out!
Question: what about using the touch screen in wet conditions (rainy days for examples)? My Series 4 in unusable even with a few drops. Thanks for very good review 👍🏻
I have been waiting for this review. No one else really tests outdoor watches like you! They have a few more versions to go to catch up with Garmin etc.
Such a good review as always! Thanks dude.
You are awesome and appreciated. Thx for what you do, better than any other channel. Period.
This was the best review I have seen on Apple Watch Ultra. I am an avid hiker and this was the review I needed to see. Looking forward to trying those things out when my watch comes.
Cool review!
In terms of price and features, which Garmin watch is the closest competitor to the AWUltra?
The first review on CZcams of someone who actually used the sport features of the watch. Great job! I watched several other reviews today and most of them were wearing their watch to grab a Starbucks or something. BFD. I'm glad I found a video of someone athletic like me who used the features. I don't give out upvotes, but I liked your video. Great job!
Great review from the outdoors and activity point of view.
You truly have the most in depth reviews. Thank you.
i just use the watch to run, swim and row and for that it's excellent. i just need to find a use for my SBSS watch lol
Got it, I’m going to wait for the update.
Awesome review! I was wondering if you are able to do a comparison between the Garmin Enduro 2 and the Apple Watch Ultra, as I'm still doubting which one to buy.
Excellent review, Ray!
Finally an Apple Watch for athletes. I can’t wait to test whether the screen will hold up to MTB racing.
This was so thorough, thank you!
@Not Mentally Broken: "This is the best review on this watch. You included things only outdoors people will understand and need. Thank you"
That's why Ray should be developing that watch for Apple!
Your review is by far the best; your actually using the watch as intended outdoors!!!
Thanks!!!
Great review! For the backtrack and waypoint features, is this available without an iPhone and without cellular? I'd assume so since Apple Watch Ultra (and all others) has GPS built in, but I've been unable to find any information on this since watchOS 9 came out
Ray can you export the waypoints on the compass app or are they forever stuck in the app? Thanks for the fantastic review!
Currently stuck forever. There isn’t an API today, but I think it’s a natural evolution.
Hi Ray, Love your video as always. I was just wondering I know you are pretty darn fit, but running 68km in 14 hours seems to be a different category altogether. Did you do any specific training/preparations for this? Would love to hear form you.
KR Mark
The review I have been waiting for the most from you, not to say I wasn’t very interested in most of your latest reviews! Tons of useful information without all the fluff, which makes it easy to follow, thanks for another great review! Currently my daily wear watch is a Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar and it’s amazing but huge and although it’s an amazing watch for backpacking, triathlon, etc, it pretty much sucks as a smart watch. Trying to decide if it’s worth getting the Ultra over the Series 8 for a daily watch and keeping the Fenix for the bigger activities. Tough decisions.
OK this is truly the best review and you tested it to the max.
I am so impressed with this review
I want this watch for the mountains
Sheila Vancouver BC Vancouver
Totally enjoyed the review! I’m a triathlete and scuba diver, I reached the same conclusion that it’s probably the best lifestyle watch. But for something for technical and specific, I’ll still rely on my Garmin which usually are on specific occasions/events/race.
If the budget is there, then it’s a great idea to have both Garmin and this Ultra.
It’ll be great if you can do a comparison between the Ultra against Garmin’s MK2s Descent and/or Instinct 2 which i deem the closest models when it comes to features like diving.
Great review! And thanks for the awesome effort!! Most reviewer sit in front of their desk.. you are amazing
Haha great point. Half those people “reviewing” the Apple Watch ultra have not been outside their recording room in months.
That's probably what separates it from the sports realm of watches, it is "just" a very capable lifestyle product. Garmin just gives you the extra complexity and geekery you want if you are really into sports. Forerunners probably suck as an everyday smartwatch but they work well as sports gear, and if it is just for the bulletproof 5-button layout and no touchscreen.
@@PradeepMenon666 and most of these tech reviewers don’t have real life application, they just rely on repeating what’s already mentioned in the keynote, and they only comment based on WHAT IT IS rather than HOW IT GOING using the watch.. I find that annoying
@@DoNuT_1985 I totally agree on the geeky part, I really like the data analytics and recommendations from Garmin, my MK2S tells me my stress level, how I’m sleeping and how to improve all those. I also use Garmin Coach for free (unlike Apple).
Having said that, I’m beginning to get third party strap to spice up the look and aesthetics of my watch. Garmin lacks that. Now i interchange my strap with metal buckle or the nylon/cloth type depending on occasion. I love it.
But Garmin is not that great with my phone integration, notifications are boring 😅
So it’s a very very different experience. disclaimer, I haven’t gotten the Iwatch Ultra yet, currently using series 5 (which have served me really well so far)
Great review! Not an ultra marathoner but I work as a nurse and often do 13 hour shifts. At the end of my shift, I’ve already run down the battery on my Series 6 and have no battery to do a workout after my shift. Glad you put the new Ultra through its paces with the battery. Best review of the Ultra!
Truck driver here and I’m always at the end of the battery.
that's weird, i work long shifts and exercise and never run out of juice on my SBSS series 6.
This is the reason I'm guiding my wife away from apple watches. She works out after work so she will be running on fumes by then if she is lucky. Still a great watch for those that don't mind charging before every workout.
@@danielmackenzie680 Well good thing this one lasts 2 days
I had the Series 5 and the battery life sucks. The Ultra battery lasts longer than the series.
I feel the extra volume of the speakers and the extra microphones are a real plus for enabling the concept of a wrist phone. With my current Apple Watch, I am frequently needing to call back the caller on my iPhone.
Great review can’t wait to get the watch and try it out.
Thx for the hard work dude‼️ but I’m definitely sticking with my Descent Mk2i & Epix 2
It's very interesting. I think I will wait for v2.
Great Reviews. Some very good points for Apple to take away and improve. Thanks for this.
I'm still using a Series 1, would love to get an Ultra, I don't necessarily need it but I personally love the design of it, and the extra features, ruggedness and battery would be a nice to have, especially coming from a Series 1
Get a Garmin Trust me
Good review ;) I have an Ultra since Saturday and I'm using for hiking, swimming in sea and motocross . I also use it at work ;) From saturday , first charge yesterday evening
This is an awesome review, you deeply tested and gave the best documented review of AWU on CZcams.
This is one of the most in depth review. Like these super detailed nerdy reviews! Thanks
Amazing detail as usual!
Fantastic video, great information.
just ordered! pumped.
Great review, found it very helpful. 👍