After years of use, heres why I still wear my Apple Watch Ultra 2 proudly

Follow ZDNET:Add us as a preferred sourceon Google.

---

With its rugged design, extensive feature set, and ongoing software support, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 still delivers one of the most complete smartwatch experiences you can buy today. When I first got the wearable back in 2023, it quickly became one of the best smartwatches I’ve ever used. After living with it day in and day out, testing newer models, my positive impression of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has only strengthened. From demanding outdoor activities to daily health tracking and notifications, it remains a dependable, no-compromise device that holds up remarkably well today.

Also: The best smartwatches 2026: I wore these for weeks and found the perfect one for your wrist

I’ve exercised, traveled, and even slept with the latest Apple Watch Ultra 2 to find out exactly where the company has pushed the envelope this time around.

Also:The best Apple Watch you can buy: Expert tested

I’ll cut right to the chase: If you already own an Apple Watch Ultra, there is no compelling reason to upgrade to the Ultra 2. But if you’re one of the many who are planning to buy an Ultra wearable for the first time, this is as good as it gets. Here’s why.

Given today’s economic environment with rising consumer prices, I am a bit surprised that Apple was able to achieve a solid price point for the Watch Ultra 2. Given the titanium construction, integrated LTE radio, and sapphire glass display, $779 is very reasonable for a high-performance sports watch. That’s more true when you compare the Apple Watch Ultra 2 to other flagship GPS sports watches.

Compared to the first model, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a faster S9 processor, a brighter display, twice the internal storage, and a mix of recycled materials that somehow don’t make the wearable feel terrible.

Also: I’ve tested every Apple Watch model out right now – this one is my pick in 2026 (and it’s on sale)

WatchOS 10 was released alongside the Watch Ultra 2, and it’s made the Apple Watch experience an absolute joy to use. It has new functions for the side button and the digital crown (Smart Stack), along with spacious, info-rich watch faces optimized for the Watch Ultra models. Soon after,WatchOS 11 was released, introducing improvements to exercise and fitness modes and modes. Subsequent updates made it an even stronger health-tracking device.

I placed the Watch Ultra 2 next to my first-gen Watch Ultra, and they were virtually indistinguishable from each other. After cranking up the brightness on both, I could barely tell the difference in standard lighting conditions because Apple uses the same ambient light sensor. But in the outdoors, where you’ll be leveraging the Watch Ultra’s technologies the most, it was apparent that the Ultra 2 was significantly brighter (3,000 nits vs. 2,000 nits).

Also: Finally, a budget smartwatch that’s just as durable as my Garmin (and it’s on sale)

Prior to the Watch Ultra 2 launch, I listed three featuresI wanted to seeto warrant an upgrade, and while Apple did not provide them, it did address one of my desires in a unique way. The LED flashlight on Garmin watches is a tool that I use daily. On the Watch Ultra 2, once you turn on the flashlight, spinning the digital crown now ups the maximum brightness, making use of the extra nits.

It still doesn’t beat out the Garmin LED, but it is much more practical than last year’s for finding things in the garage or under the bed, illuminating rooms at night, and finding your way in the dark outside.

Mapping, unfortunately, is still limited on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, with the most notable change being offline maps support, provided you have an iPhone on at least iOS 17. However, the Compass app has also received a subtle yet significant upgrade thanks to WatchOS 10. On the Watch Ultra 2, it now shows a waypoint for the last-detected cellular and emergency SOS locations, so you know exactly where to return to if you find yourself in a dead zone. The Compass app also lets you mark your camping spot, parking spot, and other useful waypoints.

Also: Why I still recommend the AirPods Pro 2 in 2026 – especially at this price

Alongside the Watch Ultra 2, Apple released carbon-neutral watch bands in three colors for the Alpine Loop and Trail Loop. I had a chance to test the gray/green Trail Loop with the Watch Ultra 2, and all I can say is that it’s extremely comfortable. The Trail Loop also has easy Velcro secure support. For more casual outings, it’s the ideal watch band.

Finally, as much as I enjoy the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for its long battery life, brighter display, expanded connectivity, and new watch bands, I’ve also been enjoying the improved mental health functionality via the Mindfulness app. It has now earned a prominent spot on my app list, and I’ve been recording my state of mind daily.

Also: 7 ways health tech promises to improve your life in 2026

I now frequently use the Reflect and Breathe utilities, which have slowly but surely reduced my stress and have proven to be a welcome addition to my Apple Watch use. You will only need an Apple Watch running on WatchOS 10 to use the Mindfulness app. I just like using it on the Ultra’s larger display.

ZDNET’s buying advice

With my primary SIM now living as an eSIM in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be staying on my wrist for a long time. Apple’s improvements didn’t push the envelope in any particular way, but they’re well-rounded enough to keep the Watch Ultra the best flagship sports watch for enthusiasts.

At the time of this publishing, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is currently on sale at Best Buy for $549. That’s a $250 discount. If you’ve been thinking of picking up a new smartwatch, now is the best time to do it.