The robust Apple Watch Ultra is an amazing adventure-focused wearable with features that inspire exploration and keep you safe while you’re out in the wild. However, the Apple Watch Ultra is both cumbersome and pricey.
Apple Watch Ultra
- Significantly longer battery life compared to previous Apple Watch models Customizable Action button
- Standard equipment includes access to cellular networks
- Incredible application of depth
- The emergency signal siren
- Extremely hardy and impervious to moisture
- Even with gloves on, tactile buttons can be used
- Speaker with a higher volume than the Series 8
- Dual-frequency GPS
- Expensive
- Large
- The Digital Crown could cause skin irritation
APPLE WATCH ULTRA SPECS
| Display Type | OLED |
| Phone OS Compatibility | iOS |
| Watch OS | watchOS |
| Processor | Apple S8 |
| Display Size | 1.9 inches |
| Fitness Features | Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Oxygen Monitor |
| Estimated Battery Life | 36 hours |
| Separate App Store | Yes |
| Phone Call Capacity | Yes |
The Apple Watch Ultra, which costs $799, encourages bold endeavors. As the first smartwatch ever produced by the firm to be given the “high-speed water sports” seal of approval, it inspired me to go on a jet ski and race around the Gulf of Mexico. It’s the first Apple Watch that can be used for recreational diving, which is another first for the company, and the exclusive Depth app works like a charm, automatically measuring your descent and the amount of time you spend underwater. The Apple Watch Series 8 retails for $399, but the Apple Watch Ultra outperforms it in virtually every way, including having a more robust construction, a significantly longer battery life, a larger and brighter display, a three-microphone array that can pick up your voice even in windy conditions, and a speaker system that is noticeably louder. Other enhancements include a built-in emergency alarm with a volume of 86 decibels that may sound for as long as eight hours, dual-frequency GPS that improves accuracy in both urban and rural settings, a “Action” button that launches an app or feature of your choosing, and a dual-band antenna. The Series 8 continues to be our top pick for daily use thanks to its well-balanced combination of functionality and comfort. But if you’re all about the adventure, the Ultra is a good (though more expensive) alternative to consider.
More Is Always Better
Because it is so drastically different from earlier iterations of the Apple Watch, the Ultra is an extremely fascinating device. Take a look at the Ultra if there was any question about whether or not maximalism is currently fashionable. It is placed higher in the hierarchy of Apple’s current smartwatch lineup than both the Series 8 and the Watch SE, which has recently had its entry-level model updated. The Series 8 is the best smartwatch that is compatible with the iPhone for the majority of people, but the Watch SE ($249) is the reasonable choice for consumers who are looking to save money. Outdoor explorers are the typical customers that manufacturers such as Coros, Garmin, and Polar go after with their products, and the Ultra is designed specifically with them in mind.
The bulky appearance of the Ultra was the first thing that stood out to me about it when I saw it for the first time. Even the larger Series 8 model, which is 45 millimeters in diameter, looks puny in comparison to the Ultra, which has a gigantic titanium casing measuring 49 millimeters. The Ultra beats out a few notable competitors in this category, including the 47mm Polar Grit X (which retails for $429.95) and the 45mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro (which has a price range beginning at $449.99). Both of these watches measure 45 millimeters in diameter and have a starting price of $449.99.
The Series 8 is substantially thinner than the Ultra, which has dimensions of 1.9 by 1.7 by 0.6 inches (HWD) and protrudes less than half an inch (0.4 inches) off your wrist. The Ultra’s dimensions are 1.9 by 1.7 by 0.6 inches. The Ultra and the Polar Grit X both weigh approximately 2.2 ounces (61.3 grams), although the Ultra weighs approximately twice as much as the aluminum-clad Series 8 (which weighs 1.1 ounces). In contrast to the Series 8, which I frequently forget I’m wearing for extended periods of time, the Ultra, thanks to its dimensions and its weight, will always be visible on your wrist.
In contrast to Apple’s previous wristwatches, the Ultra has a front sapphire crystal that is fully flat. This contributes to the Ultra’s greater durability. Although the curved glass of the Series 8 has a more appealing appearance, I find that the flat screen of the Ultra, which is protected by a ridge of titanium, is less likely to become scratched around the edges.
The display of the Apple Watch Ultra, which is an OLED Retina display and measures 1.9 inches, is the largest and brightest of any Apple Watch. It reaches its maximum brightness of 2,000 nits, which is twice as bright as the Series 8 model. The increase in brightness makes it simpler to read the screen while it is exposed to direct sunlight and assists you when you are making use of the flashlight.
It’s unfortunate that the Ultra only comes in one size, but the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro does the same thing. On the bright side, its enormous display provides a generous amount of horizontal space, making it easy to read text and monitor workout data simultaneously. However, if you have a wrist that is smaller than mine, you might discover that this watch is too big for your wrist. This product is displayed in this review on my wrist, which is approximately 6 inches in circumference.
The Ultra is only offered in a single finish, which is another disappointing limitation. Changing the casing to a different hue, such as rose gold or soft gold, would make a significant difference in terms of appearance. However, due to its instantly identifiable style, the Ultra is expected to appeal to a large number of status-seeking fashionistas in addition to outdoor enthusiasts.
The Series 9’s Digital Crown is significantly easier to scroll with thanks to its larger diameter and more pronounced grooves in comparison to its predecessor on the Series 8. Negative aspects of the Ultra include its nubby Crown, which frequently rubs against my skin and causes irritation in the region close to my ulnar styloid process (the bony projection on the outside of the wrist). The discomfort is alleviated when I move the watch to my right wrist, where the Digital Crown does not come into contact with any bones.
Because of its raised surface, the button on the right side is also more tactile; this is a significant improvement for hands that are sweaty or are wearing gloves. The Apple Watch Ultra has a bright orange Action button that can be personalized and is not found on any other Apple Watch. This button cannot be found on any other Apple Watch.
After putting on two distinct pairs of gloves and operating the Ultra’s buttons and digital crown, I repeated the same with the Series 8 to evaluate both watches with gloved hands and draw some conclusions. I can easily scroll the Digital Crown and press the buttons on the Ultra when wearing a pair of thick or thin gloves. When I’m wearing thin gloves, the buttons on the Series 8 are easy to work, but when I’m wearing thick gloves, using the buttons requires more concentration. Neither set of gloves is touch-screen compatible, so I still had to undress a finger to swipe and tap the device.
The Series 8 is classified IP6X, meaning it’s dustproof, but the Ultra adds a far tougher MIL-STD 810H certification, the standard used for military equipment. It has been put through rigorous testing to ensure that it can withstand environmental stresses such as high altitude, harsh temperatures, freezing and thawing, blowing sand, and other factors like as vibration and shock. While I was collecting sandbags in preparation for Hurricane Ian, which is currently making its way toward Florida as I type this, this certification provided me with the piece of mind that I needed. Sand shoveling may be strenuous work, but at least I didn’t have to worry about any particles entering the Ultra and causing it to malfunction. Apple claims that the Ultra will continue to function properly on your wrist in temperatures ranging from minus four to one hundred thirty degrees Fahrenheit, so you don’t have to worry about wearing it even in extreme environments.
Apple provided the user with two different straps to utilize with the Ultra: the yellow Ocean Band and the starlight Alpine Loop strap. Only one band is included with the purchase of the watch, and each of the three new bands for the Ultra must be purchased separately for a total of $99. The Ocean Band, which is perfect for high-speed water activities, includes a tubular design constructed of high-performance elastomer with a titanium buckle. The Alpine Loop is constructed out of high-strength yarn and has a titanium G-hook that is designed to slot into loops on the band in order to provide a snug fit. It is intended for use in general outdoor activities. Since the Ocean Band is quite cumbersome, I find that I prefer the Alpine Loop for day-to-day use.
Apple has released a third strap called the Trail Loop ($99) to go along with the Ultra watch. This strap is targeted toward runners and endurance athletes. Although I haven’t put on this band myself, it appears to be the most comfortable of the three because it is constructed of a lightweight nylon weave and has a smooth surface.
On the software front, the Ultra comes preloaded with watchOS 9, the most recent iteration of the wearable operating system developed by Apple. As I mentioned in my review of the Series 8 watch, watchOS 9 is a significant improvement over the previous generation and adds a number of new features to Apple watches. These new features include an AFib History tracker, a Medications app, a redesigned Compass app, advanced running metrics, heart rate zone data, and sleep stage tracking, among other things. The Ultra provides all of the capabilities that are available on the Series 8, including the most up-to-date capabilities such as the detection of car accidents, assessments of nighttime body temperature, and estimates of retroactive ovulation.
WatchOS 9 also brings new watch faces, including a new Wayfinder option that is only available on the Ultra and has quickly become my new favorite. This option is only available on the Ultra. The Wayfinder watch face, which is pictured at the top of this article and was designed to complement the ultra-rugged build of the Ultra, allows you to switch between the time and a live compass by simply tapping the dial. Additionally, there is room for eight different complications to be displayed on the face.
The Wayfinder watch face may be quickly customized to reflect whatever your agenda has in store for the day. For instance, before to venturing out into the ocean, you might want to take into consideration factors such as the water temperature, the UV index, and the wind. In the event that you are going trekking, the Elevation and Waypoint complexities could prove to be quite useful. Additionally, the Sunset/Sunrise and Music difficulties can be added to the mix for endurance sports.
In the dark, one may see more clearly thanks to the new Night Mode that was developed specifically for the Wayfinder watch face. This mode replaces blue light with black and red on the display, making it less taxing on the eyes. To activate Night Mode, just rotate the Digital Crown clockwise until it reaches the up position.
A Battery That Is Strengthened
When compared to previous Apple Watch models, the Ultra’s longer battery life is one of its primary selling points. The Ultra lasted between 55 and 57 hours in my tests when subjected to light to heavy use and having the always-on display turned on during the day.
After 24 hours of intensive testing, the Ultra battery still had 60% of its capacity remaining when I performed my first battery rundown test. After two full days, the reduction had reached 15%. Around 50 hours later, I received a low-battery notification informing me that it had dropped to 10% capacity. If you did not use the watch’s Low Power Mode, you may get around another five hours out of it.
That is a significant improvement over the battery life of the Series 8, which, in my tests, lasted for as long as 40 hours with light use. The Series 8 lasted for 30.5 hours when subjected to light to heavy use before sending a message indicating the battery had dropped to 10% of its capacity.
Battery life will always vary based on usage, but Apple officially claims that normal use of the Ultra will cause it to last for 36 hours, while using LTE or GPS will reduce it to 18 hours, and using Low Power Mode will increase that to 60 hours.
Low Power Mode is a new function that was enabled via watchOS 9 and is also available on previous Apple Watches. This mode disables or places limits on battery-intensive capabilities such as the always-on display, automatic workout tracking, and heart health notifications. The most important functions, including Fall Detection, Activity and Sleep Tracking, and Temperature Sensing During the Night, are always active.
When it comes to the durability of the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Samsung outperforms the Ultra in terms of its battery life. With light use and the display brightness set as low as it could go, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro lasted for 79 hours during testing, which is more than three full days.
Even if the outdoor-focused smartwatches produced by Apple and Samsung have a longer battery life than their non-rugged siblings, they still fall short of the majority of other adventure watches, which can often go for weeks without needing to be recharged.
During my testing, the Polar Grit X lasted for 110 hours, which is equivalent to more than four full days, before it alerted me that the battery was getting low. Even though I haven’t put it through its paces, Garmin claims that the Fenix 7 can go up to 11 days between charges when used normally, or 37 hours when in GPS mode. Its price starts at $699.99. With typical use, the battery life of the robust Coros Vertix 2 (which costs $699) is rated at an amazing 60 days, and with GPS monitoring, it extends to 140 hours. There is no need to state the obvious, but if the length of battery life on an adventure watch is your top priority, you should go elsewhere than the Ultra.
When compared with other watches that are focused on outdoor activities, the Ultra’s extensive collection of lifestyle features and third-party apps is the primary advantage it offers. Calm, iHeartRadio, iTranslate Converse, Microsoft Outlook, Shazam, SmartGym, Spotify, Ten Percent Happier Meditation, Tipsy-Tip Calculator, and YouTube Music are some of the well-known third-party applications that are compatible with the Ultra. There are some popular apps that are only available on the Apple Watch that are not available on Samsung’s Galaxy smartwatches. These apps include Amazon Music, Facebook Messenger, Pandora, and Telegram. Samsung’s Galaxy smartwatches run Wear OS and offer all the Google mainstays like Maps and the Play Store.
Improved Call Quality, as well as Service for GPS
The Apple Watch Ultra is distinguished from previous Apple Watch models by including cellular connectivity as a standard feature and boasting an improved microphone array and speaker system. According to Apple, there are two speakers that work together to deliver a 40% loudness gain in comparison to the Series 8. These speakers operate at various frequencies and function together.
The primary speaker for the Ultra can be found on the left side of the housing, directly above the Action button. It features a distinctive honeycomb design that gives some people a mild form of trypophobia in me. The second speaker, which was inserted solely for the purpose of the alarm, may be found in the hole located directly below the Action button.
In spite of my phobias, I can attest to the fact that voice calls on the Ultra come through noticeably louder than they do on the Series 8. The audio of incoming calls is received unambiguously by both watches, but the Ultra’s significantly increased volume makes it much simpler to understand the speaker on the other end of the connection. Apple still does not permit users to play music over the Ultra’s dual speaker system, despite the fact that the volume has been increased.
The Apple Watch Ultra includes three microphones, which is an increase of two microphones over the other Apple Watch models. Two flank the side button on the right, and the third is situated over the primary speaker on the left.
This three-microphone array may prove useful if you need to make a call in the middle of a blizzard, on the beach, or similar windy setting. When there is a lot of wind, a new algorithm for microphone diversity will choose the one that has the clearest voice calls and the least amount of background noise from the wind. A further reduction in wind noise is achieved by the application of machine learning. According to Apple, the algorithm is designed to adapt dynamically depending on the direction the wind is blowing in order to ensure that the person on the other end of the line can hear you.
In addition, the Ultra comes with a brand-new GPS radio that incorporates both the L1 and L5 bands, as well as brand-new proprietary location algorithms. This provides for improved precision, even when your satellite signal is blocked by things like trees or skyscrapers. Only the L1 band is supported by the vast majority of wearables, including every other Apple watch. Your training route and distance statistics should be measured more accurately by the dual-frequency GPS on the Ultra, whether you’re out on the trails or in crowded metropolitan surroundings.
The new International Roaming function that is coming to watchOS 9 later this year will allow you to extend a service plan on your iPhone to your cellular-connected Apple Watch “for little or no additional price,” as stated by Apple. I discuss this feature in my review of the Series 8 Apple Watch. When you’re away from your phone and traveling and have International Roaming on your wrist, you’ll be able to make calls, respond to texts, stream music, and enjoy all the other benefits of a cellular connection even though you won’t have access to your phone. This capability will be accessible on all cellular Apple Watch models from the Series 5 onward, and Apple is promising compatibility across more than 30 carriers worldwide.
The Emergency Stop Button and the Siren
In terms of appearance and usefulness, one of the Ultra’s primary differentiating characteristics is its customisable Action button. When you order an Ultra, you won’t have the option to choose the color of the Action button, which is a shame. Apple has identified the color as International Orange, which is a highly conspicuous colour that is also used for traffic cones.
You can choose from a variety of apps and features, such as Workout, Stopwatch, Compass Waypoint, Compass Backtrack, Dive, Flashlight, and Shortcut, that are all accessible with just one push thanks to the Action button. It is important to keep in mind that you do not require the Action button in order to bring up your card while using Apple Pay because you can simply double-press the button on the right side of the device.
Even if the purpose of the Action button is going to be customized by you during the setup process, you can always change your choice by going into the Watch app and selecting My Watch > Action Button. If you have it set to Workout, pressing it once will bring up the app, and you may select your activity from there. You also have the option of setting it up so that it begins tracking the activity of your choice straight away. This new Precision Start option does away with the conventional three-two-one countdown that is displayed on the display of the watch before it begins monitoring an activity.
When a person is immersed around three feet, the Dive action launches a brand-new app called Depth, which displays the depth, water temperature, and other parameters. Both the Flashlight action, which just illuminates the screen, and the Shortcut action, which enables you to execute any voice command through the Shortcuts app, are simple actions. (In my review of the Series 8, I go into detail about the new Compass app and how it integrates its Waypoints and Backtrack features.)
When the Action button is hit again, a secondary action might be supported, however this is dependent on the app that you select. For example, once you have activated the Workout app by pressing the Action button, you can then press the button once again to mark a segment. While you are keeping track of your workout, you can pause or restart the tracking by simultaneously pressing the Action button and one of the side buttons.
If you set it to Stopwatch, then each time you click the Action button twice, it will register one lap. You can pause or restart the game by pressing both buttons at the same time.
Using the app for the iPhone Watch, you are able to quickly switch between various functions. During the testing phase, I modified the Action button quite a bit in order to experiment with all of its functionalities. Thankfully, any updates that were made via the app appeared on the watch without any noticeable delay or delay at all. You might want to use the Action button on a daily basis to keep track of your training. You might want to set it to Compass Waypoints or Backtrack if you’re going camping with some friends.
Simply press and keep depressing the Action button in order to activate the alarm. By doing so, a new Emergency Pane will be displayed, from which you will be able to activate the siren, access the Compass Backtrack, or contact the appropriate authorities. After the Emergency Pane has appeared on the screen, continuing to hold down the Action button will bring up a countdown timer for five seconds, after which the alarm will sound on its own.
The emergency siren has a decibel level of 86, making it theoretically quieter than a hairdryer. This means that it will not rupture your eardrums, even if it may be heard up to 600 feet away. To get people’s attention, it alternates between two sounds: first, a clear distress signal, and subsequently the acronym SOS. Depending on how long the battery will last, it has the potential to ring for several hours. When I turned it on, my dog Bradley came running over to me in a clearly concerned manner the moment I did.
While the Ultra’s alarm is sounding, the display will inform you of the time as well as the remaining power in your battery. In addition, there is a switch that may be moved to activate the emergency services and a button that can silence the alarm.
| Apple Watch Ultra | Apple Watch Series 8 | Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Size | 49mm | 41mm, 45mm | 40mm, 44mm |
| Case Thickness | 10.4mm | 10.7mm | 10.7mm |
| Display | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display, 2000 nits | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display, 1000 nits | Retina LTPO OLED display, 1000 nits |
| Processor | S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor | S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor | S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor |
| Optical Heart Sensor | Third-generation optical heart sensor | Third-generation optical heart sensor | Third-generation optical heart sensor |
| Digital Crown | Digital Crown with haptic feedback | Digital Crown with haptic feedback | Digital Crown with haptic feedback |
| Altimeter | Always-on Altimeter | Always-on Altimeter | Always-on Altimeter |
| Speaker | Dual speakers | Built-in speaker | Built-in speaker |
| Fall Detection | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Compass | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Noise Monitoring | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Blood oxygen sensor (Blood Oxygen app) | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Electrical heart sensor (ECG app) | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Capacity | 32GB | 32GB | 32GB |
| Bluetooth | BT 5.3 | BT 5.0 | BT 5.0 |
Wonderful for the Ocean.
The Ultra has a water resistance rating of WR100, which indicates it can endure depths of up to 100 meters, making it twice as resistant to water as the Series 8.
Notably, the Apple Watch Ultra is the first model of the company’s wearable device that is ideal for high-speed water sports such as kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing. Because I live in Florida and had access to one of the first Ultra units, I’m in a very advantageous position to test the water resistance of the Ultra, so I rented a jet ski and went zipping around the Gulf of Mexico for an hour while wearing it. I was able to keep myself from tumbling off the cliff, but the water became more turbulent on the way back. When you are riding a jet ski, water will spray all around you, especially when you spin. In the event that you are wearing a watch, the spray will hit it firmly from all directions. If the watch band isn’t properly fastened, it poses a risk of coming undone. The Ultra performed admirably under these conditions, and its Ocean Band maintained its integrity throughout the ordeal.
Because it has been tested and approved in accordance with the international standard EN13319 for dive computers and gauges, the Ultra is suitable for use in recreational scuba diving at depths of up to 130 feet. It has a depth gauge and a water temperature sensor, both of which are not accessible on the Series 8 watch. These two capabilities, when combined, power a brand-new app called Depth that is only available on this watch.
The depth gauge may be found in the Ultra’s case through the little hole located directly above the Digital Crown on the right-hand side. It’s very cool that when you submerge the Ultra in water approximately one meter deep, the Depth app will launch on its own. You may also open it at any moment via the app grid or menu (search for the blue and white symbol with a black down arrow), add it as a complication to your watch face, and/or program the Action button to start it. All of these options can be found on your Apple Watch.
Your current depth, the maximum depth you’ve reached, the water temperature, and the amount of time you’ve spent underwater are all displayed by the Depth app when you go underwater. This is helpful for freediving in shallower waters, as well as snorkeling and other forms of similar underwater activity.
Testing out this new feature in the Gulf of Mexico was a lot of fun for me; as a result, I swam further than usual and spent more time under the water than I normally would have. When you’re out on the water, it won’t be difficult to keep an eye on your stats thanks to the Ultra’s luminous display and the streamlined user interface of the Depth app. The Depth app will automatically keep a record of your maximum depth as well as the amount of time you spent underwater, and it will challenge you to do better than your previous best.
The new Oceanic+ software, which will transform the Apple Watch into a dive computer when it is released later this fall and was developed in collaboration with Apple and Huish Outdoors, a business that develops technologies for scuba diving.
After spending some time with the Ultra in salt water, the Digital Crown became somewhat tacky, and it became difficult for me to turn it and press it using only one finger. The problem was resolved once it was rotated several times in both directions.
Monitoring Your Workouts and Your Health
The Apple Watch Ultra can display up to six different metrics at once when you’re monitoring an exercise, which is one more than any other Apple Watch model can do thanks to the Ultra’s huge screen.
I compared the Ultra against the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro in order to determine how accurately the Ultra measures various fitness parameters. For this test, I used both wearables to keep track of numerous different workouts. The tests taken from their hearts showed very little variation over the course of a run that lasted for thirty minutes outside. The Ultra recorded my average heart rate at 177 beats per minute and my highest heart rate at 186 beats per minute, whereas the Watch 5 Pro recorded the same parameters at 174 beats per minute and 188 beats per minute. The Ultra includes running power data, which can help you assess your effort in real time and is one of the advanced running metrics that both watches track. The other advanced running metrics are vertical oscillation and ground contact time.
The Ultra is one of the least convenient sleep monitors I’ve tried to use because of its enormous size. When it comes to monitoring my sleep, I find that the Oura ring (which costs $299) or a non-wearable solution like the Nest Hub (2nd Generation) or Eight Sleep Pod Pro Cover are the most comfortable options for me. The fact that I was able to fall asleep with the cumbersome Ultra strapped to my wrist for multiple nights while conducting tests is nothing short of a little miracle; yet, I would not choose to wear it to bed under any other circumstances.
In order to validate its nighttime measures, I wore both the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and the most recent iteration of the Oura on my other wrist and finger, respectively. The first night I tracked my sleep with all three, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Oura, and Apple’s wearable claimed I received slightly less than 7 hours of rest, whereas Apple’s wearable recorded 7.5 hours of sleeping—not a tremendous difference.
On another occasion, the Ultra and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro both indicated that I slept for approximately 9 hours, which appeared to be correct; however, the Oura only recorded 7.5 hours of sleep. After devoting a great deal of attention to my sleep the previous evening, it was very gratifying to hear in the morning that the Apple Health app recognized that I had achieved my objective of getting 8 hours of sleep.
Always keep in mind that there may be differences in the health data provided by one product compared to the next, and because of this, it is recommended that you use the same device to monitor your data throughout the course of time. It’s interesting to note that the amounts of time I spent in each stage of sleep over the past few nights are generally consistent across all three wearables.
Instead of letting you take a reading whenever you want to, like a standard thermometer would, Apple’s new Wrist Temperature feature, which is available on the Ultra and the Series 8, samples your wrist temperature every five seconds while you are wearing it to bed and tracks changes from your baseline temperature. This feature is only available on the Ultra and the Series 8. There are a number of other wearable devices, such as the Fitbit Charge 5, the Oura, and the Whoop 4.0, that are also capable of monitoring overnight changes in skin temperature. There is currently no way to view the data collected by the infrared skin temperature sensor that comes built into the Galaxy Watch 5 series.
The Apple Watch, much like other wearables that offer this functionality, requires approximately five nights of sleep tracking in order to determine your baseline. In comparison to the Oura, the Series 8 gave me conflicting results when it came to the wrist temperature it measured. However, I do not yet have any data from the Ultra. Only three out of the seven nights that I went to bed wearing the Series 8 and the Oura, did they both agree that I was either running hotter or cooler compared to my baseline temperature. When compared to the Series 8 and Ultra watches, the Oura has seven temperature sensors, while the Series 8 and Ultra watches only have two. This gives the Oura a tiny edge in terms of accuracy.
A Companion for Your Huge and Expensive Adventures
The Apple Watch Ultra is a monster of a smartwatch that can be purchased for $799. It is packed to the gills with capabilities that will encourage you to explore new territory and help you remain secure while doing so. It features a bright orange Action button that can be customized, a Digital Crown that is more tactile and can be operated with gloved hands, and a completely flat front crystal for increased durability. This represents the most significant design departure that Apple has made for the Apple Watch to date. The Ultra comes pre-installed with cellular connectivity and provides considerably better call quality than its predecessors thanks to the inclusion of a dual-speaker system and a three-microphone array in its design. The Ultra is designed to be durable, has a longer battery life than its brothers, and has a WR100 rating for its resistance to water. As a result, it should have a significant appeal to ocean aficionados, endurance athletes, and anyone who like the great outdoors who have deep finances. The Series 8 is our top recommendation for everyone else since it has many of the same functions as the Series 7 but is more comfortable to wear and costs half as much.
