Returning the Ultra? [MERGED]

[Kylo83]

Hmm, that's strange the name (Rachael Fisher) is cut off on the Ultra. The Ultra looks like it's a significantly bigger screen because it's flat, IMO.

unfortunately its the big bezel and case the screen is the same size as series 7/8 but worse because the more rounded corners so you lose text

 

[Fthree]

I'd be very surprised if the ones complaining about screen size are even using the watch for those reasons. Sounds like many just want another media consumption device.

For sure. The one thing I am thankful for as far as having picky YouTubers and consumers is that the product makers are forced to make things better and better. If I was the consumer that had to tell them what to make next I’d probably leave it at the fenix 7x as the perfect running watch and we’d be at the pinnacle 😆

 

[ProXMac]

• I swear the screen is less sharp than a regular Apple Watch Series 8. It looks a bit hazy and slightly pixelated. I believe this has just slightly more PPI than an AW 8 so I just don't get it but to my eye it looks like a worse screen than the 8 and certainly less bright. Is Apple up to some greasy tricks to try and get the battery life longer?

YES! THIS!, I thought I was going crazy that no one else / reviewers had mentioned this. I have a Series 7 45mm with sapphire crystal to compare and yes its definitely blurry on the Ultra!? To me it looks like Series 7 / 8 is "retina" and Ultra is on that pre retina un-crisp text. I don't understand what is going on here, when you don't look at the Series 7 or 8 for a few days you can forget it, but it is troubling it looks like they just upscaled the graphics but didn't add anymore pixels....?

 

[Macalway]

• I mean, you don't even get a nice sleeve for the watch itself like you do with the Series 8: it's just cheap, disposable tissue paper.

I feel your pain.

 

[GuruZac]

No plans to return. Far and away the best Apple Watch I’ve owned. And looks are subjective…it’s a kick ass looking watch.

Quite frankly I’m finding the complaints about the Apple Watch Ultra bordering on the bizarre. Most complaints are about size and design…as if these weren’t known before you ordered the watch.

 

[Shasterball]

No plans to return. Far and away the best Apple Watch I’ve owned. And looks are subjective…it’s a kick ass looking watch.

Quite frankly I’m finding the complaints about the Apple Watch Ultra bordering on the bizarre. Most complaints are about size and design…as if these weren’t known before you ordered the watch.

Aren't size and design classic attributes that look different in person? Doesn't surprise me that people like something until they see it. Or visa versa.

 

[GuruZac]

• For what you get, the price is absurd. I mean, you don't even get a nice sleeve for the watch itself like you do with the Series 8: it's just cheap, disposable tissue paper.
• The new action button is beyond a gimmick to me. Jesus, is this thing useless. Apple, you have two buttons already on this watch and you can't figure this out. To me it's totally redundant and unnecessary... why not program the crown button or other button to simply be an action button...

I am leaning toward the option of returning this and going with the Series 8. I do rough it and want a watch that can handle being in the bush and needing longer battery life, etc. I may opt for Garmin when roughing it and use the Series 8 daily.

Interesting you find the price absurd. Did you say the same about the Titanium Series 7 last year?? The Series 7 Titanium, which was literally an identical Watch to the Series 7 aluminum, sold for $850. Do you also feel the Series 7 and 8 SS are also overpriced?? Apple is literally charging $200 more for a SS case and Sapphire display. That is absurd. Meanwhile, the Ultra, which is $50 less than the Series 7 Titanium gives you 2-3 times the battery life, a larger more robust build with new and unique design, software features unavailable on other Apple Watches, a display 2x brighter than any other Apple Watch, much better speakers, better water proofing, and an Action button that is the opposite of gimmick. Please explain to me again how the Ultra pricing is absurd, particularly when you look at where it’s placed in the market of smart/sport watches.

 

[GuruZac]

unfortunately its the big bezel and case the screen is the same size as series 7/8 but worse because the more rounded corners so you lose text

Stop saying this. It’s absolutely not true. It shows more content as shown over and over. Seriously, gotta let this go.

 

[Nikhil72]

YES! THIS!, I thought I was going crazy that no one else / reviewers had mentioned this. I have a Series 7 45mm with sapphire crystal to compare and yes its definitely blurry on the Ultra!? To me it looks like Series 7 / 8 is "retina" and Ultra is on that pre retina un-crisp text. I don't understand what is going on here, when you don't look at the Series 7 or 8 for a few days you can forget it, but it is troubling it looks like they just upscaled the graphics but didn't add anymore pixels....?

I've been noticing this too and I think the anti-aliasing seems poorer on the Ultra than the regular? Based on PPI it should be comparably sharp but it just looks a touch less sharp.

 

[Shasterball]

Interesting you find the price absurd. Did you say the same about the Titanium Series 7 last year?? The Series 7 Titanium, which was literally an identical Watch to the Series 7 aluminum, sold for $850. Do you also feel the Series 7 and 8 SS are also overpriced?? Apple is literally charging $200 more for a SS case and Sapphire display. That is absurd. Meanwhile, the Ultra, which is $50 less than the Series 7 Titanium gives you 2-3 times the battery life, a larger more robust build with new and unique design, software features unavailable on other Apple Watches, a display 2x brighter than any other Apple Watch, much better speakers, better water proofing, and an Action button that is the opposite of gimmick. Please explain to me again how the Ultra pricing is absurd, particularly when you look at where it’s placed in the market of smart/sport watches.

People absolutely said the same thing about the Titanium Series 7, etc...

 

[NJRonbo]

unfortunately its the big bezel and case the screen is the same size as series 7/8 but worse because the more rounded corners so you lose text

Jeezus, dude, GIVE IT A REST!

 

[ArchEtech]

Do a couple people in this thread work for Samsung lol. Am I allowed to joke about that, I don’t really believe it!

 

[JOHNGAETANO]

I've had the Ultra since Friday's release. I'm in love with this thing!! I really love the rugged look, and the overall size. Looks great on my wrist! Beautiful piece of technology!!

Coming from the Garmin Tactix Delta, I prefer the Apple interface, and overall functionality. My biggest issue, is battery life. I get 18 days with the Garmin, and my experience with the Ultra is 48 to 55 hours. As much as I love the Ultra, I am likely returning it simply because I am spoiled in not having to throw my watch on the charger every other day, or worry about taking a charger on vacation.

Tough to let this go, as again its a bad a?* looking device.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Why do people keep comparing the Apple watches to Garmin? Completely different use cases so you should be comparing it to Samsung or Googles watch.

Do you genuinely not understand why the Garmin would get more battery life than the Apple watch?

 

[andyw715]

So how is the market for a used natural Ti series 7 (45mm)?

 

[Dealmans]

Yeah that’s why I sold my 13 max and bought a Nokia button phone

 

[Shadowbech]

I'll be keeping my Ultra watch. Can't compare apples to oranges.

 

[gsmornot]

My watches prior to the Apple Watch went years on a battery, some I never changed. In that context, the Garmin is a poor performer at just 18 days. If you have to charge a watch at all what difference is it really to top it off every other day versus 18 days when it's still a babysitting job. Both have battery life that is too short in reality. Maybe one day they will find a way to give it a year or more but I dont know how.

I'm messing with you a bit really. 18 is much better than 2 but my luck I would be 1 day into vacation on day 18. Having a charger with me is not that big of a deal.

 

[JOHNGAETANO]

A few comments..... First, I love how everyone loves to murder everyone on this forum.
I said "Likely" I love this thing, and really love the overall look and functionality. And I agree, I probably don't use either watch to the full capabilities. The good news is, I have another 1.5 weeks to continue to enjoy it until I have to make a decision.

 

[JOHNGAETANO]

My watches prior to the Apple Watch went years on a battery, some I never changed. In that context, the Garmin is a poor performer at just 18 days. If you have to charge a watch at all what difference is it really to top it off every other day versus 18 days when it's still a babysitting job. Both have battery life that is too short in reality. Maybe one day they will find a way to give it a year or more but I dont know how.

I'm messing with you a bit really. 18 is much better than 2 but my luck I would be 1 day into vacation on day 18. Having a charger with me is not that big of a deal.

100% true

 

[BlueMoon63]

Did you return the Apple Watch Ultra? Please vote and leave some comments.

I just got mine 2 days ago and please note I also have a new 45 mm Apple Watch Series 8. Here are my initial impressions:

• It's ugly as all hell. It looks like an unfinished prototype. Between this and the Gordon Gecko iPhone 14 Pro Max, Apple is no longer a leader in design in my view.
• The sharp edges of the watch face are terrible compared to the regular Apple Watch Series 8. It's obtuse and it affects the usability of the watch. The smoother and rounded edges of the regular Series 8 Watch are much better. Big step backward usability wise for me.
• I swear the screen is less sharp than a regular Apple Watch Series 8. It looks a bit hazy and slightly pixelated. I believe this has just slightly more PPI than an AW 8 so I just don't get it but to my eye it looks like a worse screen than the 8 and certainly less bright. Is Apple up to some greasy tricks to try and get the battery life longer?
• For what you get, the price is absurd. I mean, you don't even get a nice sleeve for the watch itself like you do with the Series 8: it's just cheap, disposable tissue paper.
• The crown with the protruding side frame around it is annoying as hell. The crown is actually harder to hit because it's blended in with this new protruding nonsense on the side. Yes, I get why they did it: they say it will aid in usability with a glove and etc. when in rough environments but for everyday use I'm frustrated with a Crown that is harder to use.
• The new action button is beyond a gimmick to me. Jesus, is this thing useless. Apple, you have two buttons already on this watch and you can't figure this out. To me it's totally redundant and unnecessary... why not program the crown button or other button to simply be an action button...
• Watch is fairly comfortable on the wrist.
• Overall, it's just an Apple Watch at the end of the day.

I am leaning toward the option of returning this and going with the Series 8. I do rough it and want a watch that can handle being in the bush and needing longer battery life, etc. I may opt for Garmin when roughing it and use the Series 8 daily.

I love the Ultra. Way easier to read anything on the screen than previous models. Way better battery life. It looks and feels more like a watch for people who workout. I’m in that category.

To me, it’s too big for someone with small wrists, but I see people with 41mm AW on giant wrists and think that looks stupid. ;-)

Personal opinion, personal choice. I love it. First AW that looks like what it was meant to be…

 

[jz0309]

A few comments..... First, I love how everyone loves to murder everyone on this forum.
I said "Likely" I love this thing, and really love the overall look and functionality. And I agree, I probably don't use either watch to the full capabilities. The good news is, I have another 1.5 weeks to continue to enjoy it until I have to make a decision.

thread title and original post suggest you've made up your mind - what is it? why the post?

 

[Jkeith85]

No. I like how it looks. And battery life is amazing.

 

[cardfan]

In a previous post, you asked what the Ultra does that the S8 doesn't do. Given that the differences were well documented, assuming you understood, then your aim is clearly to argue. And your defensiveness here and in your similar iPhone thread reinforce the notion that you have an axe to grind big time.

Stop feeding the tr….well you know.

 

[Fiona FTW]

As much as I love the Ultra, I am likely returning it simply because I am spoiled in not having to throw my watch on the charger every other day, or worry about taking a charger on vacation.

I get that. I use a Garmin too for running and it's great when I go out of town for a few days and don't have to bring *another* charger. That said, I have a S6 AW as my daily driver and I've learned to manage battery life by just popping it on the charger while I'm in the shower and getting dressed. I have the Duo charger, which is hella-expensive for what it is, even for the $100 I paid on sale, but it really make battery management and traveling w/ an AW and iPhone sane.