Apple Watch Series 10 vs Ultra 2: Marathon test

I’ve tested nearly every Apple Watch model going back to the original, and I’ve found that its sports tracking capabilities evolve and improve faster than other smartwatch competitors. If you’re a runner, own an iPhone, and need a smartwatch for your run, there are few better options than Apple.

I know that because I’ve also tested most of the alternatives from Garmin, Samsung, etc.

If I had to choose an Apple Watch that I could trust to track my runs, it would be the Watch Ultra or Ultra 2. I’ve used both for months of training and raced on marathon courses that are notorious for wreaking havoc on GPS. Like London and Chicago, Ultra rose to the challenge.

When the Apple Watch Series 10 was announced, I expected it to rival the Ultra in sports features, given that the Apple Watch Series 10 with its larger screen was a little closer in size to Apple’s more expensive Watches. I was doing it. But that wasn’t the case.

I didn’t get very good battery life, dual-band GPS, or what Apple calls Precision Start mode, which are important features for outdoor runners. This feature is Ultra-only, at least for now, and is intended to improve the accuracy of outdoor movement tracking. Unlike single-band setups, it can communicate on multiple frequencies with supported satellite positioning systems to increase tracking accuracy.

The Series 10 shares hardware similarities with the Ultra 2, including Apple’s latest generation optical heart rate sensor and access to software such as advanced running metrics. You also get the ability to build custom workouts and get a better idea of ​​how tough or light they are. Your current training is:

With Puma securing my place in the 2024 Manchester Half Marathon, I thought it was the ideal opportunity to see how Series 10 performs in situations where data such as GPS accuracy really matters. I did.

With the new all-black Watch Watch Ultra 2 on my non-dominant wrist and the 46mm version of the Series 10 on my arm, I try out Apple’s latest products, always looking down to see my progress. I tried it. It was made of. This is how I did it.

Attachment to large displays

I think it’s safe to say that a big part of why the latest Series 10 has the largest display size has to do with the introduction of the Watch Ultra. I wasn’t completely sold on Apple’s decision to make the front of the display larger on the Ultra, especially considering I’m the owner of a fairly slim wrist, but it really didn’t take that long to adjust. It didn’t take.

mike thor

mike thor

mike thor

The 46mm version is still smaller than the 49mm Ultra 2, but that extra screen real estate means a lot in terms of showing a wider range of running stats. This makes looking down and checking your progress during a race significantly more comfortable than on previous non-Ultra Apple Watches.

The Ultra 2 still has more screens, and more screens are clearly better in this situation, but the Series 10 increases its size in a more subtle way than the previous series. It still retains the feel of the watch very well. The Ultra 2 is more dramatic in terms of its size change, and while I like the idea of ​​running with a larger Apple Watch, if it doesn’t feel big, the Series 10 gives me That’s how I felt.

Another big design aspect is that the Series 10 doesn’t have an action button like the Ultra. Given Apple’s decision to grow the Series 10, I thought they might have considered adding a Series 10, but that wasn’t the case.

I’m sure most runners (myself included) prefer more buttons, but in this particular scenario I didn’t miss it too much. The action button is primarily useful for getting maps from third-party apps that offer integration or using backtrack mode when exploring new areas, but you can’t live without it while racing. I found out that I can go there.

Good data during and after the race

During a race, I mainly care about some data. One is to monitor your running pace in real time to make sure you’re sticking to it and have a better idea of ​​how long it will take you to cross the finish line.

You can also check your average pace in parallel to make sure you’re on track towards your goal. Of course there’s also distance tracking, with markers placed on every major distance and even miles and kilometers on every course, so it’s easy to see if your watch is in a straight line as you pass those markers. can.

mike thor

mike thor

mike thor

With the Series 10 and Ultra 2 on my wrist, I noticed early on that the two were nearly identical in terms of these stats. When I reached these distance markers, both watches were not far behind and often matched.

As I got deeper into the race, I started to see a slight difference as my watch vibrated to let me know I had completed another kilometer of the course. This seems to take into account the Precision Start mode added to the Watch Ultra 2, which inevitably affects GPS tracking accuracy, especially when driving around cities with tall buildings.

For about half the race, the Series 10 and Ultra 2 were completely out of sync, but the Series 10 wasn’t too far off course markers or Ultra 2 either. This happened when I stopped at the finish line. Series 10 and Ultra 2 on screen:

apple watch series 10 – Distance: 21.19km (13.2 miles) |Average pace: 4.14/km

apple watch ultra 2 – Distance: 21.30km/13.2 miles |Average pace: 4.13/km

Both clocks were just over the official half marathon distance of 21.1km/13.1 miles, but there wasn’t much of a difference to worry about, and they both told pretty much the same story.

Normally, in a race, you don’t run in a straight line, weaving between other runners. Therefore, some differences are to be expected.

mike thor

mike thor

mike thor

The average pace data, which I usually pay attention to, didn’t change much either. When I took a closer look at the paces of the various race sections (see above), they weren’t exactly matched, but they were only a few seconds apart. As you can see, the heart rate numbers were always about the same.

When we took a closer look at the new advanced running metrics Apple is offering with both the Series 10 and Ultra 2, the data tells us something similar about running. As you can see below, metrics like vertical vibration and stride length, which indicate how much you bounce while running, were similar for both watches.

mike thor

mike thor

mike thor

For GPS accuracy fanatics, when I pulled out the GPS tracks from each Watch and compared them, I saw some differences in that both Watches struggled to accurately and reliably capture the route, but the series On the 10 it was a little more noticeable and the track wobbled slightly. It was a place, but I was mostly happy with what I saw.

Overall, Series 10 didn’t feel too far off from what Ultra 2 recorded or the official times posted after the race.

mike thor

mike thor

mike thor

race fit battery

There was a time when the Apple Watch’s battery life wasn’t suitable for running long-distance races. Especially if you’ve been wearing the straps all morning leading up to a race, chances are they’ll soak up the juices before you even get going.

Thankfully, that’s no longer the case and the Series 10 got through the morning run prep, the race, and the rest of the day without a hitch.

mike thor

mike thor

mike thor

I decided to fully charge both Watches the night before, then switch them off and use them at 100% all day. I started at 6am and turned the clock back on at 7am. By the time I got to the starting line, both were down to 98%.

By the end of the run, the Series 10 was down to 79% and the Ultra 2 was at 86%. I would like to add that the Ultra 2 was paired with an external heart rate monitor.

This is a 19% decrease on the Series 10 and a 12% decrease on the Ultra 2. Apple claims 7 hours of GPS battery life for the Series 10 and 12 hours for the Ultra 2.

The Series 10’s performance suggests that battery life will be slightly shorter when testing GPS. It seems like it’s still good enough to finish a marathon, but depending on your pace, you might struggle with longer marathons over 5 hours.

judgment

So I put on the Apple Watch Series 10 with some skepticism as to whether it would match the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in terms of performance, but I was actually surprised by how well it performed.

I’ve always had a good experience with previous games in the series, but the arrival of Ultra 2 made me wonder if there was an even bigger gap between the two. That wasn’t how things worked out.

mike thor

mike thor

mike thor

I think the integration of a larger display on the Series 10 makes it easier to watch both running and non-running time on a larger watch. I didn’t really feel like I was missing any action buttons either, but I use them more than usual. A running and workout tracking perspective.

In terms of delivering data where it matters, the Series 10 did a very good job, and while it wasn’t quite a match for the Ultra 2 in every respect, importantly, both had similar results for racing. It tells a story and should be sufficient for most runners.

Given that the 46mm Series 10 costs £429/$429 and the Ultra 2 costs £799/$799, the Series 10 is far less important than the Apple Watch when it comes to taking it out for a run. I can’t find any points. And lace.

The biggest advantages are longer battery life and improved GPS accuracy, which come into play in more difficult tracking conditions, but the Series 10 offers solid performance and is perfect for those who want a good smartwatch or Prove that you are a running enthusiast using Apple Watch. You don’t necessarily have to shell out big bucks for the Ultra 2 or wait until the Apple Watch Ultra 3 comes out.