Showing posts with label "Watch OS". Show all posts
Showing posts with label "Watch OS". Show all posts

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

2024 Tech Review: Apple Watch Ultra 2 Review #applewatchrepair #iphonerepair #aucklandrepair

 20th March, 2024:



Still priced at $799, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is as big as ever, but now has a 50% brighter, 3,000-nit display for better visibility in harsh sunlight, with the same 55-hour battery life as the original model. It achieves this spec bump without a reduction in battery life thanks to an upgraded S9 processor, the same one in the Apple Watch Series 9 (starting at $399), that also enables a handy double-tap gesture, on-device Siri processing, and a new Precision Finding experience with the iPhone 15. WatchOS 10, the latest version of Apple's smartwatch software, delivers several new outdoorsy features to all Ultra models, including Depth app session logs, cellular connectivity waypoints within the Compass app, and a selection of topographic maps with contour lines and elevation. The Series 9 costs half as much and is our top recommendation for most buyers, but the Ultra 2 is an excellent choice for outdoor adventurers.



Still Just as Rugged, With Minor Refinements

Starting at $799, the rugged Ultra 2 costs the same as the original model and carries a significant premium over the Apple Watch Series 9 (starting at $399) and the Apple Watch SE ($249). Generally speaking, the Series 9 is the best option for most people, the Ultra 2 is a better pick for water sports enthusiasts, hikers, and other outdoor adventurers, and the Watch SE is a sensible choice for children, older adults, and budget-conscious buyers. 

Like its predecessor, the Ultra 2 continues to differentiate itself from other Apple Watches with a larger and more durable design, a customizable orange Action Button on the left side, a more tactile digital crown and right side button that work better for gloved hands, a brighter display, an upgraded three-microphone array and dual-speaker system, an 86-decibel emergency siren, and a depth gauge. 

The Ultra 2 ships with watchOS 10, the latest version of Apple's smartwatch operating system, which includes a Smart Stack of widgets, fresh watch faces (including a Snoopy-themed clock), new mental health and vision health tools, additional cycling and compass features, and more. All three Apple Watches require an iPhone XS or later with iOS 17 or above and do not work with Android phones. 



On Android, the best alternative to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is still the year-old Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Samsung released two new Galaxy Watch 6 models this year, neither of which are particularly suited for the great outdoors, so it's keeping the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro in the rotation as a more rugged option with longer battery life. Samsung's Galaxy Watch lineup works only with Android phones. 

The heart of the Ultra 2 is Apple's S9 System in Package (SiP) chip, an upgrade from last year's S8 that allows for a new double-tap gesture for one-handed operation, on-device Siri processing with the ability to access and log health data by voice, and Precision Finding for the iPhone 15 family. I discussed these features in my review of the Series 9, which also has the S9 chip, so check it out for details. For both models, the new processor also enables an increase in screen brightness without a decrease in battery life, the main upgrade for this generation.

See the full article here
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/apple-watch-ultra-2