The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a fantastic smartwatch, boasting a large display and a suite of impressive features. It’s arguably the most capable Apple Watch on the market. However, after using it for a year, I decided to switch to a different model. Let me explain why.
My journey with the Apple Watch began after a heart attack in 2020. The Apple Watch became a vital health companion, with features like ECG, heart rate monitoring, and blood oxygen saturation playing a crucial role in tracking my recovery. But the initial models had a significant drawback: battery life. While they promised all-day battery life, it was closer to 18 hours, and charging took nearly two hours. This meant I couldn’t continuously monitor my health, leading to anxiety. My solution? Buying a second Apple Watch and keeping one on charge while wearing the other.
The arrival of the Apple Watch Ultra changed my approach. Its longer battery life, lasting over two days, eliminated the need for two watches. Additionally, the larger display appealed to my tech-savvy side. The Ultra offered various benefits, but its size was a drawback. Even the Ultra 2, while slightly improved, still felt bulky on my wrist.
Apple’s recent Glowtime event introduced the 10th-generation Apple Watch, seamlessly blending the best features of the regular Apple Watch and the Ultra, and addressing many of my concerns. The Apple Watch Series 10 is undeniably one of the most attractive Apple Watches to date. It’s thinner, sleeker, and boasts faster charging while improving battery life. Surprisingly, it features a slightly larger display despite having a smaller body than my Ultra 2.
The transition from a regular Apple Watch to the Ultra is noticeable, with the Ultra 2 weighing 60% more than the Series 8. While manageable, the difference is noticeable. The Series 10 eliminates the need for these trade-offs.
The Apple Watch Series 10 boasts the largest display (1.96 inches) of any Apple Watch, all within a smaller body than the Ultra 2. It’s thinner, lighter, and offers everything the Ultra 2 does, minus the bulky frame and Action button.
While the Series 10 doesn’t match the Ultra 2’s battery life, it offers a solid one-day experience, and with consistent usage, can last up to 36 hours. The charging speeds are impressive, with the Series 10 charging to full in 57 minutes, compared to the Ultra 2’s almost two-hour charge time. A quick 10-minute charge can top it up to 20%.
The larger display was a major draw for me. The Series 10 features a larger display than previous models, although Apple has made some limitations. While the Ultra offers the Modular Watch Ultra face, the Series 10 doesn’t include this feature. It’s not a hardware limitation but a deliberate choice to keep certain features exclusive to the more expensive Ultra 2.
Despite the larger display, the Series 10 is much thinner and lighter than the Ultra 2. The Series 10 feels like an analog watch in size and weight, while the Ultra 2 felt like an anchor. The Series 10 also introduces sleep apnea detection, a feature that will be available for the Ultra 2 as well. However, Apple’s ongoing patent dispute with Masimo means blood oxygen monitoring remains unavailable on the Series 10 and other Apple Watches.
I yearned for a thinner Ultra, and the Series 10 has largely fulfilled my desire. The fast charging and smaller size convinced me to sell my Ultra 2 after only a year. The switch to the Series 10 seemed risky, especially considering the battery life, but I’m genuinely impressed with Apple’s latest wearable. The battery life isn’t as long as the Ultra 2, but the rapid charging compensates for it. Finding 15 minutes for a charge is manageable, unlike finding time to charge the Ultra 2. The Series 10 charges to over 40% in 22 minutes, while the Ultra 2 reaches only 16% in the same timeframe.
The Series 10 presents some noticeable trade-offs, but they’re minimal. The size and weight are compelling factors, and I’m choosing the Series 10 over the Ultra 2. I hope Apple releases an Ultra-like watch face for the Series 10, but otherwise, I’m cautiously optimistic about this switch.
