Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Review

This is a strange review to write. Although the product is updated, the fact that it hasn’t changed internally every year is unusual in itself.

The 2024 Apple Watch Ultra 2 is essentially the same device Apple announced in 2023. But a year later, the Glowtime update made enough changes to warrant significant marketing by Apple.

What’s also unusual is that the new 2024 Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a black finish, one of the most popular and coveted upgrades of all time.

The latest update includes a Satin Black color option. It’s made using a custom blasting process and a “diamond-like carbon physical vapor deposition coating,” according to Apple, giving it a matte finish on a grade 5 titanium case.

There are other black elements on the case, and the back glass is made of matching dark zirconia, which has an interesting shine when viewed in the right light. Other than the black, all that remains are the orange side buttons and digital crown ring, a fashionable highlight section.

Apple has naturally added more accessories to match the colors, with corresponding variations of the Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band. There is also a new titanium Milanese loop. This is the first metal band made by Apple for the Ultra model and is also black in color.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black review: Original on the left, black on the right Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black review: Original on the left, black on the right

This finish has the surprising effect of making the Apple Watch Ultra 2 slightly heavier. The natural color weighs 61.4 grams, while the black weighs 61.8 grams.

The 2024 Apple Watch Ultra 2 probably didn’t need that much of a marketing push from Apple.

Still, it’s fun to watch.

I’m not going to rehash my review of the 2023 Apple Watch Ultra 2. If you like the technology in that model, you’ll love the black finish.

Behind the flat sapphire crystal is a flat LTPO2 OLED display with a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits and a density of 326 pixels per inch. Under the hood, the S9 has a 64-bit dual-core processor, a 4-core Neural Engine, and 64 GB of storage.

All this is housed in a case measuring 49mm high, 44mm wide, and 14.4mm thick. It’s supposed to be a sturdy device, but when placed next to the just-released ultra-slim Apple Watch Series 10, it feels a little clunky for everyday wear.

Elements like the three microphone array, dual speakers for media playback, 100 meter water resistance, MIL-STD 810H environmental resistance, and even the siren remain the same.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Black) Review: Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Black) with Black Link Titanium Band from Ultra Supply Co.

There may be no changes here, probably because there is no need to change them at this time. Color aside, let’s talk about it.

The size of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is already clear. I replaced my Apple Watch, which I had used for several years (and probably saved my life), with an Ultra 2 at the end of 2023. My model was of course finished in titanium. Because it was my only option at the time. .

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black review: The new colorway looks great

I don’t usually care about color. For example, when I got my G3 iMac, I bought a mandarin orange because it was $50 cheaper. I got a quicksilver tower cheap because the plastic was completely falling apart and I didn’t care.

This is a statement to me — the new black color of Apple Watch Ultra 2 is nice. This is obviously an opinion, but I think it’s much cooler than the similar color scheme of the non-Ultra Apple Watch.

And the scientist in me thinks the vapor deposition Apple uses to coat its watches is also a neat materials science trick. I don’t buy “diamond stuff” right away, so I have some long-term thoughts on scratch resistance, but I’ll talk about that much later next year.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 (black) review: I held it in my hand

Anyway, between the Navy in the ’90s and everything else that’s happened in my life in the past 25 years since leaving the Navy, the one thing I didn’t really care about much else was the aesthetics of clothing. . Thanks in part to the Apple Watch, I’ve lost about 100 pounds in four years. Nowadays, I’m more interested in clothes because it’s easier to find clothes that fit.

The titanium finish is certainly neutral, but it also stands out to my taste in the normally dark colors I choose for clothing.

The new black color goes really well with what I’m wearing. It’s almost like an extension of my leather coat that I bought for fall and winter in Northern Virginia, instead of a beacon that sticks out on my wrist and screams, “Hey, I like Apple stuff.”

We already know that with the different tone and aesthetic tack of this review, it will garner some heat from a certain segment of our readers. As a reminder, reviews are certainly about evaluating technology, but they are also opinions and life experiences.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black review: Nested original and new black colorways

Dirty secrets surround nearly every technical review in publications such as Apple Insider I don’t have too many. Almost everything is borrowed.

So, this Apple Watch has already returned to its owner. But I’m already planning on buying one for myself once the heart rate sensor comes back.

As I said earlier, I started to love fashion. That’s fine, but I still think it’s better to have your heart monitored almost constantly.

So, Apple and Masimo, please resolve this. Now that the last Masimo CEO who spearheaded this litigation has left, there may be scope to conclude it on terms acceptable to everyone before Christmas.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 (black) review: All you need is an oxygen sensor

After all, I want to keep this for myself under the tree.

• Still great battery life
• Siri has become incredibly useful and will continue to get better.
• The new black finish really gorgeous

• It’s still Apple Watch Ultra 2 in 2023 and beyond
• It’s unclear what S9 SIP will bring compared to S8 and S10
• Heart rate monitoring does not work as of October 2024

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is currently available to order from Amazon and Adorama. Select styles are eligible for special discounts with promo codes Appinsider At Adrama. For the latest price and stock status, Apple Watch Ultra 2 Price Guide.