Apple Watch Ultra 2 Review: The Adventure Watch Refined
Apple's most capable wearable gets meaningful upgrades with a brighter display, more sensors, and a new microLED technology previewed for the future.
I took the Apple Watch Ultra 2 on a three-day backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada. No charger, no phone signal past the trailhead, and a demanding daily schedule of 15+ miles. Here's what I found out that no office-based review will tell you.
The Battery Claim Is Honest
Apple says 60 hours in Low Power mode. I got 58 hours with regular GPS tracking of my hikes (about 6-7 hours per day), checking the time constantly, and running the altitude and temperature sensors overnight at camp. That's remarkable. My Garmin Fenix gets more days, but it also looks like a watch designed by someone who has never heard the word 'design.' The Ultra 2 is a tool that also looks good.
The Display in Sunlight
3000 nits of brightness. In direct midday summer sunlight at altitude, I could read the watch face without tilting my wrist or squinting. Most smartwatch displays become unreadable outdoors in those conditions — not this one.
The One Gripe
The Action Button, which is supposed to be a quick-access customizable button, defaulted to starting a workout every time I bumped it in my jacket pocket. After two accidental workout starts in the first day, I reassigned it to the flashlight. A minor thing, but worth knowing about before you head into the backcountry.
