Revealed at this morning's iPhone 14 keynote, the Apple Watch Ultra is a premium addition to the company's smartwatch lineup that starts at $1,299 and releases on Friday the 23rd of September 2022.
The Apple Watch Ultra looks to be the biggest upgrade the market-leading smartwatch has seen in a long time, offering unique features for extreme sports, rugged outdoor adventures and endurance activities.
On the outside, the Apple Watch Ultra features a flat sapphire crystal display and a 49mm titanium case that protects the edges of the glass display (opposed to the curved glass on the Series 8). In addition to a refined digital crown with better grip, the Apple Watch Ultra features a programmable "action button" on the side.
In addition to the increased durability, the Apple Watch Ultra's improved battery life will also appeal to wide audience (whether you're the outdoorsy type or not). apple calims the Watch Ultra can get you 36 hours of battery life out of the box with the potential for an extended 60 hours of battery life with a low-power setting that will be added post-launch.
Apple also revealed the fancy new Wayfinder watch face (pictured above,) which features c compass built into the dial and a low-light mode that can be toggled on and off with the digital crown.
The Apple Watch Ultra will, of course, release with watchOS9, which itself includes a whole new suite of running and performance tracking options. Thanks to the larger display, the Watch Ultra is also capable of displaying six workout metrics at once, offering more information at a glance.
Lastly, the Apple Watch UItra also introduces L1 and L5 GPS frequencies, as well as new positioning algorithms. Combined, these features allow for Backtrack, a feature that maps a trail of where the user has been, allowing them to retrace their steps. An incredibly useful feature for people on long, unfamiliar hikes.
With the all-new Apple Watch comes a new set of bands that have been specifically designed to appeal to the same active audience. The Alpine Track band features a "high-strength" loop and titanium G-hook fastener, whereas the Ocean Band is made from a "flexible fluoroelastomer" which is specifically designed to stretch over a wetsuit. The third, Trail Loop, is a little more run-of-the-mill, with a simple lightweight woven textile band.
The Apple Watch Ultra costs $1,299 in Australia and releases on the 23rd of September 2022. Preorders will be available today, Thursday the 8th of September, ahead of release later this month.
Unlike other Apple Watch models, the Apple Watch Ultra is only available in a single, GPS and cellular variant (opposed to the usual, cheaper, GPS-only option).
A version of this story was originally published on Reviews.org/au
Brodie Fogg
Managing Editor - Streaming
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