Mu ultra will be delivered next week but tbh I have every intention of returning it. The more I think about it, it just doesn’t make sense for me. I have a SS series 7 graphite which I bought because it looks and feels like a traditional watch that I can wear in any social setting. The ultra seems like it would be a nice companion to another Apple watch so unless I plan on keeping my S7, the Ultra will probably go back. It seems like alot of people are buying the Ultra because it’s something new and different, but Im sure Apple will eventually introduce the same design to other Apple Watches and all of us non-adventurous types will flock to it.
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Returning the Ultra? [MERGED]
- Thread starter durangojim
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It’s funny because before Apple introduced the Ultra, I was actually thinking of stepping down from graphite SS Series 7 to the Aluminum S8. I think the longer I own an Apple Watch, the more I’ve realized it’s just not worth the premium cost you pay for SS or Titanium. Especially when you consider the resale value of a used Apple Watch.
There is a difference between the aluminum and stainless models, though: stainless steel models are more durable than the aluminum, especially the glass! Even if looks weren't a big deal to you, and you value having something at least a little more durable for a couple of years, then I don't think that the stainless steel watches are actually that bad of a deal considering what you get. However, I realize that different models were created for different tastes and needs, so I won't fault you with your choice, whatever that may be.
For me, I LOVE my gold stainless Series 7 that I'm actually going to keep and return my Ultra since, outside of the battery life and screen brightness, am just not digging the looks over my sleeker-looking Series 7. As much as I tried to justify spending the ~$690 after my Series 7's trade-in value and prorated AppleCare refund, I just couldn't get over the fact that I LOVE the look of my stainless steel and its gold luster, especially when paired with its matching gold Milanese Loop and even silver Nomad Stainless Steel Link Bracelet!
Again, since a watch is half tool/half fashion, if I can't get both halves on board, then I can't justify the cost, simple as that!
I'm still on the fence about my SS S8 and not sure whether to keep the Alu S4. There's no doubt the S8 is the better watch. The SS looks far more premium, I never thought the Alu looked cheap but now having them side by side it does look cheap in comparison. The glass of the SS is much better, then the S8 has the always on display and the larger display.
My only concerns with the SS is that I do notice the extra weight, although I think in part a lot of this is in my head as I'm really focussed on that at the moment due to sending the Ultra back due to the weight and bulk issue I had, I do think if I'd not bought the Ultra first then the weight of the SS would be a none issue/not noticeable. The other thing is that I'm finding the new strap and the back of the watch gets a bit more sweaty for some reason. I always have my watch loose, and I have the Nike sport band on both however the straps are quite different. The Nike sport band that came with the S4 is much stiffer and feels like a harder silicon, whereas the band on the S8 is softer and more flexible.
I only picked it up on Wednesday so I've still got 10 days to decide. I'm pretty sure I'm going to keep the S8 though as I think the looks, always on display and larger screen are enough to sway me. My other option is to get a refurb S6 aluminium, this has the weight saving always on display but smaller display so it's all compromises. I don't like the colours of the S7 and S8 aluminium ones and I can't source an S7 titanium other than eBay which I'm not willing to gamble on.
You can NEVER go wrong with latest and greatest if you want it to last as long as your Series 4 did, especially with the nicer build quality...
I think perhaps what many of us are wishing for is for Apple to come out with an Apple watch that‘s a hybrid of the Apple Watch and the Ultra. One that adopts similar design characteristics and functionality you get with the Ultra like a brighter display, longer battery life, flat edges, etc. and looks less like a tool.
Pretty much this, although I like the styling of the Ultra so wouldn't mind if they did a smaller lighter version of that. The trouble is manufacturers aren't daft and if they brought out a perfect product that ticked all the boxes they'd cripple future sales which is why they bring out products that always leave us wanting
It’s for reasons like this as to why I’m all the more eager for the Series 9 to make its debut next year as it’s been rumored that Apple will make some ACTUAL changes to the hardware, with the biggest one being a REAL new processor in the form of the S9 chip and I’m almost positive that we’ll see some of the Ultra’s features trickle down to the stainless and aluminum models, giving more parity, but yet still having enough distinction between them…
I’m all for a changed S9 design, but other than a more efficient processor what are people doing with their watches where they need more speed?
My watch S7 and Ultra were always super fast. I never noticed any lag and to be honest unless battery life is 5+ days it doesn’t matter to me (for my usage patterns.). I typically put the watch on the charger when not in use.
So my serious question is what do people really want in a new watch processor besides efficiencies for better battery?
The two things I want are longer battery and for the watch to be a phone by itself without needing an iphone at all. Would a new processor allow those or not - I don't know. I assume the battery life isn't tied to it.
I sometimes find there's a lag when you open up the weather app and it can sometimes take a second or two to display the weather/temp/% chance of rain, similarly when I open the mail app it can take a few seconds to update. Neither a big deal obviously, we're spoilt having such things let alone to the point we 'complain' that it takes a second or two to register, but if a new processor helps with this then I'm all for it
I don't know if this is a processor issue, communication with phone issue or both. If it's a communication issue with the phone then if they can improve the processor so that the watch can work independently from the phone then again another area to improve. With regards to the battery life as nice as it is to have longer battery life it's not that much of an importance to me as my watch charger is on my bedside table. Before I sent my Ultra back I only had to charge it every other day but I just put it at the side of the charger on the bedside table rather than put it on the charger, so in reality it's just as easy for my to put the watch on the charger each night as it is to not charge it.
The battery is amazing for sure but for my use I couldn’t quite get through the second day with workouts and sleep tracking. With my S8 I just pop it on the charger at dinner and it’s fully charged in an hour and ready for the next 24 hour cycle. With independent workout cellular and gps use for an hour a day and then light tethered use throughout the day plus sleep tracking I typically end a 24h period with 25-35% left. The ultra battery is amazing but it didn’t dramatically change my charge pattern enough for the size
I think the bands are the nicest aspect of the Ultra.
I’d like to get one, but I wear the smaller case size so it’s unavailable.
Have you tried the bands on? The Alpine loop and Ocean are amongst the most uncomfortable of all the Apple bands imo.
You hit it on the head: the main reason to have a new processor is to make battery use more efficient! The more efficient the battery usage is due to the processor, the longer the battery will be for us non-Ultra users and the more improved the experience overall. If that could be coupled with a slightly bigger case to accommodate a bigger battery and improved hardware like with what we have with the Ultra and then that would make the Series 9 a worthwhile upgrade!
I can only speak of the Ocean Band when I say this, but it's not that uncomfortable to me. The one thing that can make it uncomfortable is if the bottom part of it, where you tighten and fasten both sides together, digs into your skin, leaving red marks. Just like any other watch band, if you have it comfortably loose, but still tight enough, it's not that big of an issue...
I find the Alpine loop comfortable, I can wear it all day without any issues.
Guess we are all different.😀👍
I’m sure it will vary on the individual and not everyone will share my opinion but the material on the Alpine Loop is a bit ‘hard’ and I found either it was too tight or too loose. I also found it made my wrist more sweaty 🤢
The ocean band is quite a hard robust rubber and less forgiving than other straps.
For me the trail loop is the most comfortable of the Ultra bands but are the least attractive imo.
Don’t get me wrong none are horrendous but during the time I had mine I found I kept swapping the Alpine Loop out for the Nike Sport Band from my S4.
I ended up returning my Ultra in favor of a regular stainless steel S8. Something about the shape or added weight was bothering my wrist. I also greatly prefer the rounded display for swiping from the top/bottom, but I miss the brighter screen and better battery life of the Ultra already
I’m waiting for my SS S8, also.
I wear the smaller case size, so the Ultra would be huge on my wrist.
I did the same but as much as I like the S8 there are a couple of things that I’m not 100% keen on. I don’t like how the visible part of the screen curves round at the edges making text/graphics look a bit distorted, and if you have corner complications they’re to easy to accidentally activate when using the dial, I’d prefer it if the activation was a bit further away from the edge of the screen as I keep accidentally opening up my calendar (which I have in the top right corner).
Nit picking points for sure, but then it’s not a cheap item
Agree with you on the trail loop, but it is so unattractive. I want to keep my Ultra, but I like the watch faces on my Hermes Series 7 better and I think I like the thinner style/SS of my Series 7 45mm watch too.
Too bad, as like the longer battery life of the Ultra, little larger, brighter and flat screen and the shortcut button. Keep trying to talk myself into it, but if not 100% sold, why keep it?
i dont think the ultra crowd (me) cares about a scratch......
Just try it. I thought the same thing. But it is a better watch, and I have a Hermes series 7. The flat screen is better, and the extra brightness makes the screen easier to read all the time. If you were the ultra and then go back to the series 7, the series 7 will seem really small and inadequate.