Apple Watch Ultra Hands-On: 14 New Features Detailed! 

Thanks Ray for getting this initial impressions review up so quick. Having spent the morning reading various tech blogs I can honestly say you nailed it in terms of succinctly giving me all the info I need. Thanks.

I work out regularly but weight lifting, not the target demographic. With that said, I really enjoy larger screens, brighter screens and a battery life of 3 days v my two year old watch. Very tempted to pick one up. I see it won't ship till end of October so ill let this feeling of "I want one now" pass and if I still feel like I want it I will definitely be picking one up.

Are there any better features on this for road running compared to the new Apple Watch 8? Especially if using an external app like iSmooth Run?

So pumped that you two got to go to the launch event. On the track at 3:48 you look at your wrist but you're not wearing a watch. 😂 Totally something I would do. I really hope you're having a good trip and I hope that it's not right back on the plane to go home but that you get to hang in the states for a few days. Thanks for this video!!!

I love the way it looks. I dislike the curves on the standard Apple Watch.

THANK YOU for getting this awesome review up so fast!! You're amazing!!

Ordered it last night to replace series 4 watch ! Coming late Oct , can’t wait !!!

Excellent review. I especially liked how you showed the various bands.

Absolute legend 👍 Im getting the green alpine loop purely for aesthetics, will most likely grab the black trail loop once I get annoyed with it (nike loop band currently)

Can you use other watch faces or are you stuck with the ones shown in the video? looks like complication buttons are in the center now and they're adjustable?

Thanks for the video! I think ultra edition looks amazing

Probably the best first impressions post today.., great stuff

Wow, thanks for showing the size comparison to the 8 45 mm!!!

Excellent Review. Does the Ultra feel heavy on the wrist?

Congrats on getting into the apple event!

The orange bands looks great! Awesome content!

Haha you are the man! Freaking awesome how you shot this straight up in the Apple showroom w people around that is top notch bc it gets the information straight out to the field of viewers. And is frankly quite gangster, for reviewers at least. Keep at it!

Great review! Fantastic video! Congrats. Only is that the Trail loop band in not available until end of october. It is a bummer. So I ordered the Alpine loop instead until the Trail band is available. Thanks and keep bringing these great review videos!

Damn nice job man! You pushed me off the fence!

Would be interesting to know if the watch will also support swim stroke counting and distance for indoor pools etc.?? Those are quite basic functions these das for the likes of Suunto, Polar, Garmin etc.

Thanks for super fast sharing. Just a quick question. Does Apple Watch Ultra have heart rate broadcasting function? If so, it will be super helpful for cycling to connect with Garmin Edge. Thanks again!

Really like the flat screen , looks cool

Is the screen larger or just the case?

It would have been nice to get the ultra body in the 8. I still feel the 8 screen is far too delicate and the ultra has that metal border to protect from scuffs

Great job! Helpful concise information.

Please compare the gps to just an iphone for accuracy! Can I just use the series 8 gps + iPhone for the same results (aside from track back?)

Ray, any idea if the snap to track run feature is on all the new watches or just the ultra?

What’s your initial impression comparing this to a Garmin Epix 2 in terms of hardware features and capabilities? Any plans by Apple (or third parties) for features comparable to the running and cycling dynamicsphysiological measurements, esp. does the Ultra now have all the hardware necessary to compete with those Garmin features?

That is serious fast and all edited, Great work. great video

4:15 The Oceanic website suggests that it supports Air and Nitrox ... time to add Dive Computers to the DC Rainmaker rotation?

Thanks for the review Ray!!

Would love to have the normal non-ultra Watch have dual frequency GPS tracking

you need to compare this to the Fenix series! Super happy they invited someone like yourself for their new stab into this product range. Keep up the good work 🙂

Tanks Ray. What about the wrist band sizing? Do you know what size those demo models had? Really hard to decide which size to choose.

Out of all sport watch reviews your the one I am waiting for. Thanks for the first hands look. Excited for you to put the ultra through your paces :)

I can’t find a note about that track running mode yet online, but it’s something I know a ton of people have been dreaming of for years! Thanks for sharing that info!

Looking forward to your comparisons

Looking forward real life, fitness, tri or similar tests, thanks!

Great review! To the point and no BS!

The first person I can think of who I would like the first impression from is you. Pleasantly surprised to see that you were there and allready have a video up. Thanks!

Ray… I always carry an iPhone with me when I run/bike so of course my watch stays connected to the phone and uses the phone’s GPS rather than the internal watch. It’s been ok. With this have multi-band I want to stop that. Has Apple ever done anything to make this easier, because it seems I’d have to disable Bluetooth before each run then remember to turn it back on at the end right? Hopefully they consider making it selectable as an option to by default use the fancy new watch GPS.

Great run through thank you, I got a good look at the watch’s and explanation. A lot of other RU-vidrs are just giving quick shorts on it so cant see properly.

I couldn’t help myself Had to order the ULTRA!

Ordered the Alpine Green Loop Ultra. September 23rd delivery. Replacing a Series 5 44mm non-cellular so I’m pumped.

The Ultra is just amazing.

can you use regular apple watch straps on it? wish they had other colors for the body

As Ultra case is just one, the end part of the video helps to decide which bands to go with. Looks Ocean band sits nicely on the wrist without any gap unlike Alpine and Trail which have the metal ends to their strap.

Great for you to do the various size comparisons - and you ask all the right questions! :)

Way to get this out fast!

Does the external temp sensor work while open water swimming to log water temp (like garmins do)

Do you have regular screen display options for the ultra?

Cant wait for the Fenix 7 vs Apple Watch Ultra comparison

Very informative video, thank you. I might have missed it but I think you didn't mention the night mode

Hey DC! Do you use a screen protector on your AW7?

I just ordered one. I was going to buy the GPS/Cell 8 but it came to $599,00, so for $200 more I was able to get the Ultra. I will use the diving mode as a backup to my dive computer because as you said it doesn't allow for different gasses (Nitrox). I wonder does it track surface time? A question when using for mountain bike riding can you leave bread crumbs or does it only point to the trail head. Congratulations on being invited to the event.

I’ve loved all of my iPhones. I just bought the Apple Watch 7 for my wife and she’s loving it. I’ll probably eventually be trading my versa2 for this Apple Watch. It’s amazing technology that’s brought Dick Tracy sci-fi to reality- and more than we ever imagined. Greatest props to Apple.

Can I pair my power meter while cycling yet?

I love the ultra's huge flat screen. I wish they had a shiny yellow gold color that looks like the stainless steel models

Great run down. Thanks.

so if you dont run, trek or dive no point getting this ? can the action button be programmed to open other apps only ?

Might be the look of the flat crystal - it looks like the viewable part of the screen is actually not bigger despite a massive case? The side by side compared picture makes it look like the S8 is as big

On the new compass watch face on the Ultra, was it showing steps taken as a complication? May sound crazy to some, but it’s about time apple makes that available. I have it on my Epix gen 2, and think it’s great to be able to see on a watch face?

does anyone knows how much it would be monthly for the gps+cellular? Thanks

Digital Tuna Can. I love it!

Can you play your playlist with the speakers? I would prefer running with music without the earphones.

Can't Wait!

How about other Watch Face for Ultra? Is it exactly the same as Series 8

Thank you! Been waiting for a video on this 👍🏽🍏

You could add a fade transition between audio clips to avoid sharp sounds between clips. Just a tip from a video maker

You’re the man!! Great vid

Great great review. One of the best I have seen (on the Apple Watch Ultra)

Informative- thank you very much!

Wonder if I can preload hiking trail maps

All those functions?? I have issues seeing an iPhone let alone a watch screen. But looks impressive.

How about the Sapphire glass? Is it just like a Garmin Epix/Fenix sapphire or a mix of glass/sapphire? I want it to be as durable as the Garmin watches in a glass stand of point. Luckily its a flat panel so you might be able to add a screen protector on it. That wont be necessary when its full sapphire.

I'm so glad to have a practical guy like you there covering this stuff instead of the dedicated fan girls and boys

In the UK if you choose the trail strap it will take an extra 4 weeks to arrive. I’ve ordered mine but disappointed it doesn’t have native ability to upload and follow a route while running (like the Garmin FR955).

Finally - a first look from someone who is actually a diver themselves. I’ve been eyeing this up, next to the Garmin Descent series as I wanted a watch capable of multi day solo/self guided wilderness trekking and scuba diving - both of which are important to me. This is actually looking like a possible contender and would be a worthy upgrade from my current Fenix 6 Solar and my dying recreational dive computer with its now constantly sticking buttons. I never actually thought Apple would bring a watch out to market that suits the needs of people like me but here we are! Also interesting that you mentioned multi gas capability - or lack thereof. It’s a shame but understandable given the intent of the computer. Those who are also tech divers (myself included) though likely would have at least one more computer with multi gas/gas switching options, ability to change gradient factors, bottom timer capability, etc anyway so I doubt the limitations of this watch will be an issue. Different horses for different courses I guess. Someone on another comment did however mention that the Apple Watch Ultra will be running a Bühlmann algorithm rather than RGBm though so there’s that (albeit I doubt you’ll bet able to change gradient factors as I doubt Apple will want people changing levels of conservatism). I’m hopeful that this could be a winner overall though - I look forward to the full review!

This watch is a must have for me.

Do you think i can use it while kiteboarding? OR is will an impact after jump destroy it?

Thanks Brother Ray.

Can’t wait to get my watch i got the Series 7 right now but it’s going to be even great to have the Apple Ultra

Any insights on offline maps? (WorkOutDoors is still the only option?)

Can you get all the same watch faces on this, that you can on the series 8?

The thing only works down to -3F which for winter hiking or say mountain climbing this feels like a negative. But yeah I’d love one…

Im still waiting for the activity app to allow comments on your workout. I used to use runmeter and like that I could comment on how I felt during my workout or what issues I had

I stopped reviewing other sources than Ray´s reviews. Thanks very much again!

best release of the day

Great video, most in depth look I’ve seen so far. Can’t wait to receive mine! Immediately bought the trial loop in black. I love the utilitarian look, when the first Apple Watch came out I wasn’t a huge fan of the design as previously I always wore big G-Shocks but nothing else was comparable with how useful it is so I had to pick one up and compromise on the design/look. This is a little more of that and right up my street!

Best early hands on look!!!

can you put other types of straps on the ultra?

This what i wanted a comparison between the size of the garmin to the ultra thanks 🙏 ❤️ from 🇮🇱

Damn this is awesome 😍😍

Did you get the 11? Could you share some info ahead of release with us? 😁👍

Spotted Erdi Özüağ with Hürkuş tag on his bag !

as a smart dive computer this watch is INCREDIBLE value for money considering the competition. It’s just ridiculous

Does it have the same feature like the newest Garmin watches, that it disables the touchscreen during a activity?

Thanks informative video

I want it so much !

Looks cool, wished the glass was more protected by the bezel. Sounds like an easy break 😕