When Apple first launched the Apple Watch Ultra 2, it quickly became a fan favorite for athletes, adventurers, and everyday users who wanted a smartwatch that could do it all. Now, over a year later, it’s time to take an honest look at how it has aged. Has the Apple Watch Ultra 2 stood the test of time in 2025, or is it finally showing its limits?
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After wearing the Ultra 2 daily for more than a year, this review will explore everything—from its durable design and display to its battery life, performance, and new software updates. Whether you’re considering buying one today or comparing it with the rumored Ultra 3, this long-term Apple Watch Ultra 2 review has you covered.
Design and Build Quality
Rugged Yet Refined
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 continues to impress with its rugged yet elegant design. With a flat sapphire display, robust titanium frame, and distinctive orange Action button, it feels built for adventure. Measuring 49mm, it’s one of the largest Apple Watches available, offering unmatched visibility outdoors.
This year, Apple introduced a new black titanium finish, which looks sleek and modern. The matte black contrasts beautifully with the orange accents, adding a sophisticated edge to the watch’s tough aesthetic. The coating feels durable and resists scratches well, maintaining its pristine look even after months of daily wear.
Exclusive Watch Faces
One of the reasons many users love the Ultra line is its exclusive watch faces, designed to make full use of the large display. The Modular Ultra face remains a top favorite—it’s customizable, data-rich, and perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. You can display water depth, second-hand markers, or activity stats around the edges, giving you quick access to essential information.
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Apple Watch Bands and Accessories
A key part of the Apple Watch experience lies in customization—and Ultra Supply Co. offers some of the best premium bands around. Their Grade 2 titanium bands come in black titanium with a DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating for scratch resistance and durability. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and come with a sizing tool for a perfect fit.
If you prefer variety, Ultra Supply Co. also offers Grade 4 titanium magnetic clasp bands and Milanese loops that match both the natural and black titanium Ultra models perfectly. They even include a sleek leather travel case for storage. These bands elevate the look and feel of the Ultra 2, making it suitable for both adventure and everyday wear.
Performance and Features
The Action Button
The bold orange Action button remains a signature feature—but surprisingly, many users, including long-term ones, don’t use it often. It can be customized for shortcuts like workouts, flashlight, or diving mode, but for most users, it’s easy to forget.
In contrast, Apple’s iPhone Action button sees more frequent use, suggesting that while the feature is promising, it still hasn’t reached its full potential on the watch.
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Diving and Water Sports
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is designed for more than just workouts—it’s built for exploration. It supports recreational diving, snorkeling, and free diving up to safe depths, making it a dream for water sport enthusiasts.
As a certified diver noted in this review, the Ultra 2 performs exceptionally well underwater, though it lacks air integration and relies on a third-party app (Oceanic+) for advanced features, which requires a subscription. A native Apple diving app could make this experience even better in future updates.
Double Tap Gesture
One of the most useful new features introduced with the Ultra 2 and Series 9 is the Double Tap gesture. Initially overlooked, it has become a surprisingly convenient tool for controlling music, answering calls, or managing messages without touching the screen.
With watchOS 11, Double Tap has expanded to third-party apps, allowing for smoother, faster control in everyday use. Once you get used to it, it’s hard to live without.
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Software Updates: watchOS 11
Apple has extended the life of the Ultra 2 with watchOS 11, which brought new and unexpected features to this year-old watch.
Key Additions
- Sleep Apnea Detection: A groundbreaking FDA-approved feature that can detect early signs of sleep apnea using your breathing patterns.
- Speaker Playback: Allows you to play music or podcasts directly from the watch’s built-in speaker—a surprisingly handy upgrade for outdoor work or casual listening.
- Tides App: Perfect for surfers and divers, offering tide data for coastal activities.
These updates prove Apple’s commitment to enhancing existing devices, not just pushing users toward new purchases.
Missing Blood Oxygen Sensor
Due to ongoing patent disputes, newly sold Apple Watch Ultra 2 units no longer include access to the Blood Oxygen app. While the necessary hardware remains inside, the feature has been disabled in software. It’s an unfortunate situation for new buyers, especially those who valued this health tracking metric. However, Apple is expected to reintroduce it once legal issues are resolved.
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Battery Life
If there’s one area where the Apple Watch Ultra 2 dominates, it’s battery life. Even after a year of use, it easily lasts two full days on a single charge—with sleep tracking enabled.
Compared to the Series 10, which often requires daily charging, the Ultra 2 feels far more reliable for travel, workouts, and long outdoor adventures. You can confidently wear it all day and night without worrying about running out of juice.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Series 10
Switching from the Ultra 2 to the Series 10 highlights just how superior the Ultra’s endurance and build are. While the Series 10 is sleeker, it sacrifices battery life and ruggedness for design. For those prioritizing performance, durability, and longevity, the Ultra 2 still wins in 2025.
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Should You Upgrade to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in 2025?
If you already own the Apple Watch Ultra 2, there’s no reason to upgrade yet. Apple’s software updates have kept it fresh and powerful, adding meaningful new features without forcing users into a new model.
However, if you’re buying your first Apple Watch or upgrading from an older Series model, the Ultra 2 remains one of the best smartwatches for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts available today.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Rugged titanium build with premium design
- Outstanding 2-day battery life
- Stunning, bright 49mm flat display
- Sleep apnea detection and health tracking
- WatchOS 11 adds meaningful upgrades
Cons:
- Blood Oxygen app currently unavailable
- Action button underused
- Slightly bulky for smaller wrists
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Watch Ultra 2
1. Is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 still worth buying in 2025?
Absolutely. With its new black titanium color, great performance, and software upgrades, the Ultra 2 remains one of the most capable smartwatches available.
2. How long does the Apple Watch Ultra 2 battery last?
It typically lasts up to two full days on a single charge, even with sleep tracking and GPS enabled.
3. Can the Apple Watch Ultra 2 be used for scuba diving?
Yes, it supports recreational diving, snorkeling, and free diving. However, for professional diving, air integration and depth limits are considerations.
4. Does the Apple Watch Ultra 2 have the Blood Oxygen feature?
Older models do, but new units sold after the 2024 patent ruling no longer include access to the Blood Oxygen app.
5. What makes the Apple Watch Ultra 2 different from the Series 10?
The Ultra 2 offers a more rugged design, longer battery life, exclusive watch faces, and better outdoor performance compared to the sleeker but shorter-lived Series 10.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Long-Term Review: the Conclusion
After a full year of use, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 proves to be one of Apple’s most durable and dependable products ever. Its long battery life, premium materials, and continuous software support make it a standout choice even in 2025.
While some may miss the Blood Oxygen feature, the Ultra 2’s powerful performance, rugged design, and evolving feature set ensure it remains the best smartwatch for adventure lovers and everyday users alike.
If you’re looking for a device that combines luxury, endurance, and innovation, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is still the one to beat.
Sophia Oliver is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in technology reviews, delivering in-depth and unbiased insights into the latest gadgets, devices, and software. Her content helps readers stay up-to-date with the rapidly evolving tech world.
Sophia’s reviews are known for their clarity and balance, offering both pros and cons to give readers a full picture before making a purchase. She covers smartphones, laptops, smart home devices, wearables, and emerging tech products.
Her mission is to simplify technology for everyday users, while also offering valuable insights for tech enthusiasts who seek detailed performance analysis. Sophia’s work inspires confidence in readers to make informed choices in a fast-paced digital marketplace.