Video Review: Apple Watch Ultra After a Year

Apple's bigger, more expensive Apple Watch Ultra has been out for nearly a year now, and with a second-generation version on the horizon, MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera decided to do a long term review and take a look back at what it's been like using the current model since last September.


Measuring in at 49mm, the Apple Watch Ultra is the largest Apple Watch that's come out to date. Apple marketed it toward people who need something that can handle more extreme activities than the standard Apple Watch, and it has better durability and features for more specialized endeavors like diving and hiking.

The titanium material has held up well, though there are some small scratches and scuffs. The screen has remained scratch free, and in Dan's case, it was able to resist scratching better than the standard Apple Watch models.

Battery life is one of the major selling points of the Apple Watch Ultra, and it is easily able to last for two to three days. On an average day, Dan hits about 70 or 80 percent battery at the end of the day. The long battery life is worth the extra weight and bulk of the Ultra for those who prioritize battery.

The Action Button is another Apple Watch Ultra exclusive feature, but it has limited functionality on the Apple Watch. It can start a dive, a workout, or execute compass functions like setting a way point, but there aren't a lot of options beyond that for those who don't use the Apple Watch Ultra for those activities. It can, however, activate any Shortcut, which is the most useful way to get more out of it.

If you're thinking about buying an Apple Watch Ultra with the upgrade this year, it's worth it for the larger display and the battery life, so long as you don't mind the size and bulk of the larger casing.

Make sure to watch Dan's full video to get his complete overview, and let us know how the Apple Watch Ultra has worked out for you if you already have one.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Ultra 2
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

macsplusmacs Avatar
25 months ago
Product of the Year (2022-2023) for me for sure.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
25 months ago
I love my Apple Watch Ultra. The battery life has been amazing.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HorstBockman Avatar
25 months ago

Buy a Rolex and keep it for a lifetime.
Buy an Apple Watch and another a few years later and another and another and another.
It’s the  way.
Better yet: invest that Rolex money in AAPL and use the earnings to buy a new Ultra and iPhone Pro MAX every year.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
25 months ago
It's been my favorite Apple Watch by far. A really underrated feature is the 2,000 nits of brightness. You can easily see the screen in the harshest sun, and I didn't fully appreciate that until I put on my Series 7 Apple Watch one day and had trouble using it outside.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surfzen21 Avatar
25 months ago

Product of the Year (2022-2023) for me for sure.
Agree.

Best tech purchase Ive made in years.

I'm more likely to upgrade this over a phone in the future. If I get the 15 Pro, I can see holding onto it for 4-5 years but I'd upgrade my AWU every 2-3.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tdar Avatar
25 months ago
I have worn an Apple Watch since version two. And my ultra is the best watch I have ever owned. It’s just a great watch!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)