“A watch for exploration, adventure and endurance.” It is in these terms that Apple presented its new connected watch on Wednesday during its back-to-school conference held at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino. And for Tim Cook it is even a “new category” among the Apple Watch, a separate product. Whispered as a “Pro” watch, the Apple Watch Ultra is presented above all as a separate product, for the most ambitious.
First of all because it is the result of several years of reflection in order to satisfy the most demanding Apple Watch users, those who push the limits of their watch to the maximum in terms of activities in particular, which are carried out indoors, at open air – mainly, but also in the deep sea. For these lovers of extreme activities, now is the newcomer.
massive design
The most surprising thing when you carry the Apple Watch Ultra in your hand is its size. It is much more imposing than its sisters, from which it nevertheless takes the same basic design. It has a straight look, with its rectangular titanium case and sapphire crystal display, while the back is ceramic.
This is also one of the surprises: the Retina display is the largest in the range at 49mm, but it can also accommodate 45mm Apple Watch straps (also 42 and 44mm cases). Despite its dimensions, the Watch Ultra is much lighter on the wrist than it appears. On a small wrist, it will still be very imposing.
To support that big, always-on display (up to 2,000 nits of brightness, twice that of a regular Apple Watch), Apple has finished off the case with some kind of vertical bracing structure. This choice is not trivial or an aesthetic coquetry, far from it. Its purpose is to surround the screen so that the structure of the watch resists all shocks and protects it to the maximum. Furthermore, this excrescence compared to the other Watch Series 8 and Watch SE 2 has the merit of better highlighting the reception antenna.
high end gps
Because the Watch Ultra is natively equipped with a 4G/5G connection, in addition to GPS. And to make sure it’s responsive in all circumstances, Apple has placed an antenna on the strap around the screen. This allows the watch to add more GPS frequency bands (L1+L5) and network to have a better reception in the middle of the mountain or in a canyon. It will also offer more accurate mapping data to measure running speed, pace, distance, etc.
Visually there are also some notable changes such as the digital crown that has been redesigned and is more massive than usual to be accessible and usable at all times. Whether you’re running with gloved hands or diving underwater, it’s protected in a side metal frame with the function button to prevent bumps, while still being easy to use. However, you slide your fingers on the crown or the button quite easily to access the menu, options, validations, etc.
The big news is on the other side, with the Action button to customize, quite visible with its orange tint. Provides quick access to a selected feature (Activity, Stopwatch, Compass, Dive, Flashlight, etc.). Next to the button, there is a new speaker to listen in any external conditions (mainly strong wind). If you’re on a cellular call, the three microphones present, capable of focusing your voice to make it stand out while limiting ambient noise, will also be of great help.
You should know that the Watch Ultra has exactly the same sensors as the Series 8 (state-of-the-art accelerometer and gyroscope, improved barometer, altimeter, GPS, ECG sensor, heart rate monitor and oximeter) and now even the temperature sensor to monitor menstrual cycles. with ovulation estimation. We find the same processor as the Series 8, more efficient and cheaper.
niche product
On the autonomy side, Apple has seen much more than in its other watches to meet the expectations of demanding users, who will need to experience the Watch Ultra in greedy activities, requesting all the sensors. The watch announces 36 hours of autonomy, increased to 60 hours with the Energy Saving mode.
Like the latest iPhone, the Apple Watch Ultra is capable of detecting falls and car accidents thanks to its more powerful sensors. Its resistance has been improved (IP6X dust certification, water resistance up to 100 m in immersion (for diving measurements are taken up to 40 m deep).
When in the middle of the seabed, the user can change their display settings from day mode (bright) to night mode (black and red). The device also has a system to activate an alert if you get lost. The signal is designed at a frequency (rather loud) that can be heard almost 80 m from the user. It must be said that the announced signal reaches 86 dB.
At first glance, the Apple Watch Ultra seems like a fairly high-end connected watch in its proposal and its possibilities, but reserved for a niche of ultra-sports users, lovers of extreme outings and willing to put the watch to the test. . It is quite pleasant on the wrist and offers bracelets designed for sports and hiking with easy hooks and resistant material. But at a price high enough to tickle Garmin and its specialty watches.
Apple Watch Ultra price and availability
The Apple Watch Ultra will be available on September 23 from 999 euros in Ocean, Trail or Alpine bracelet. Pre-orders have started.
Source: BFM TV
