After more than a year of rumors, Apple has finally introduced the Apple Watch Ultra – a rugged, premium smartwatch that now sits at the top of Apple’s smartwatch lineup. The watch introduces a new design with a larger screen, as well as a new design for outdoor exploration and activity.
The new $799 (euro) smartwatch is designed for outdoor enthusiasts.
There’s a new button guard on the side, with a 49mm titanium case and redesigned digital crown.
Buttons and crowns are also designed to work with gloves, which is a major concern for outdoor athletes. Each has cellular capabilities and gets up to 36 hours on a single charge. It also has an extended battery life of 60 hours
The Ultra also has improved multi-band GPS, which includes the new L5 frequency. Something you only see on fitness watches like Garmins and Coros these days. The Action button also allows you to switch from one leg of a triathlon to another. There will also be automatic detection when athletes reach the tracks. It also has an 86 decibel siren to help others find you.
For water sports, it can handle kiteboarding and has WR 100 water resistance. It automatically launches a new depth app when underwater to show time, depth and temperature. It is also certified to EN 13319 for scuba divers.
The Apple Watch Ultra marks a new chapter in Apple’s smartwatch journey. Until now, Apple Watches have been more general purpose devices with great connectivity, smart features and advanced health alerts. But the Ultra is the first explicit fitness device meant to compete with Garmin and Polar.