Who is the Apple Watch Ultra really for?

After I first noticed the Apple Watch Extremely, I wasn’t positive what to make of it. Apple’s sizzle reel had weatherbeaten explorers trekking up snow-capped mountains, operating throughout deserts, and diving into the depths of the ocean. This was an Apple Look ahead to the intrepid explorer, which arguably few tech journalists swarming the Extremely fashions on the Steve Jobs Theater have been. In reality, I’d contend that most individuals aren’t hardcore open air fanatics who want 49mm titanium instances, a sapphire crystal lens, WR100 water resistance, and EN13319 certification for diving.

That’s why, in my evaluate, I referred to as the watch aspirational. I stand by that, however having lived with the Extremely for a complete yr, I’m nonetheless not precisely positive who the Extremely’s true viewers is.

The Extremely is a little bit of an odd duck as a result of it’s positioned as a Garmin competitor. (See: aforementioned sizzle reel.) However as we found in our in-depth video evaluate, that’s not what it truly is. The climbing security options didn’t at all times work as supposed, and as a dive watch, it was proficient on the fundamentals however had limitations for extra technical use instances. A Garmin, Coros, or Polar watch is a multisport watch first and a smartwatch second. The Extremely is the reverse. Because of this, its health options are greatest suited to part-time adventurers and weekend warriors.

That’s not a unhealthy factor. I put myself on this class! However anecdotally, of everybody I’ve polled during the last yr, the folks the Extremely is supposed to be for don’t really feel the necessity for one. Those that do are typically tech-savvy people who’re pissed off with the shortage of good options on Garmins and different multisport watches. I’m undecided what number of of these people there actually are. Anecdotally, within the few months, I partook in an area run membership, I noticed dozens of Garmins and common Apple Watches however not a single Extremely. After I requested why, most folk stated they didn’t really feel the necessity for one.

So, if we throw out the entire “that is for adventurers” schtick, you could possibly say the Extremely is for individuals who want multiday battery life — the tech nerds who love all the pieces about their common Apple Watch aside from the very fact they need to cost it day by day. Besides I’m not so positive about that, both. Don’t imagine me? Go learn my colleague Dan Seifert’s weblog on why sporting the Extremely satisfied him to purchase a Collection 7.

In my expertise, the individuals who complain loudest concerning the Apple Watch’s battery are the people who find themselves tired of an Apple Watch. These folks have instructed me in emails, feedback, and DMs that each one they need is the straightforward health tracker of yore — or that their Garmin or Fitbit suffices simply nice. Conversely, any time I’ve identified that the Apple Watch’s battery life isn’t one of the best, avid Apple Watch customers have regaled me with tales of their fastidious charging schedules — and the way it’s not as massive of an issue as others make it out to be.

They’ve some extent. For years, I grew to become accustomed to charging my Apple Watch day by day. I had a set routine and by no means needed to fear about operating out of battery. Paradoxically, the truth that the Extremely lasts two to a few days on a cost means I’ve gotten the dreaded low battery notification extra instances prior to now yr than within the 4 years previous it. I’ve at all times thought of multiday battery a plus, however now I query how needed it’s when you’ve gotten right into a charging behavior. I don’t lose my Apple Watch chargers, however I’ve misplaced extra Garmin chargers than I can depend. Primarily as a result of I not often want them.

Honestly, I’ve just about gone again to charging my Extremely for a half hour earlier than mattress each evening and counting on the longer battery life after I journey or have a very lengthy day.

So, then, is the Extremely for the primary adopters? That’s tougher to inform as a result of a lot of what units the Extremely aside from the common Collection watches are its unique health and outdoorsy options. Issues like dual-frequency GPS, the Motion Button, an additional water temperature sensor, diving capabilities, and the siren. These are issues that I doubt the common gadget nerd makes use of until they occur to be the outdoorsy kind, too. And once more, these people — in my expertise — are typically Garmin lovers. Plus, watchOS 9 brings the overwhelming majority of the Extremely’s health options over to the common Collection watches as properly. That features issues like observe detection, customized exercises, the brand new Compass app, and watchOS 9’s superior operating metrics.

To be clear, I just like the Extremely rather a lot. A lot in order that I’m undecided I can return to the common Collection watches as a result of 99 % of the time, it’s barely higher at assembly my day-to-day wants as a smartwatch reviewer. I’ve skilled for a half marathon with it, and it served me properly. Even though I haven’t been light with it, there are hardly any nicks or scratches. I’d have to actually squint to see them. I respect how the bigger display improves readability and have been pleasantly shocked that the bigger 49mm case remains to be comparatively gentle, due to the titanium materials. However apart from launching exercises by way of the Motion Button, I exploit it the very same manner I’d an everyday Apple Watch.

My solely actual criticism is that, like different rugged watches, the Extremely’s design is masculine-coded. In a complete yr, I’ve but to see one other lady who wasn’t a tech journalist sporting it within the wild. I get why. There are events the place I’ve opted to go away it at dwelling as a result of no third-party strap might make it mesh with my outfit at a proper occasion. (I imply, have you tried making a violently orange Motion Button mix with a pastel sundress for a marriage? It’s troublesome!) That stated, it’s a step too far to say that this isn’t a watch for ladies. In any case, ladies usually are not a monolith. I’m a girl and have worn the Extremely fortunately for the previous yr.

On the finish of the day, the one actual reply I’ve is the Extremely is for anybody who needs it and has $800. That’s an unsatisfying reply! I’m not pleased with it, both! However going into Apple’s “Wonderlust” occasion, I’m additionally perplexed as to what Apple might do to make the Extremely 2 dramatically higher. Give it barely longer battery life? Make it lighter? Sooner? Give it a extra unisex design? A less-orange Motion Button? It’s laborious to say as a result of often, you enhance one thing primarily based on what the target market needs. And I’m nonetheless making an attempt to determine who that viewers is.