Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black review: Same tech, but the new color is absolutely fantastic

AppleInsider

There is one reason to buy the 2024 Apple Watch Ultra 2, and that's the new incredibly cool and stylish black finish.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black review

This is a strange review to write. The product is updated, but unchanged internally year-after-year which in itself, is unusual.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 in 2024 is, fundamentally, the same device that Apple introduced in 2023. However, the "Glowtime" update one year later offered a change that was big enough to warrant a lot of marketing from Apple.

What else is unusual is the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 for 2024 that warranted all that marketing has one of the most sought-after and clamored-for upgrades yet -- a black finish.

The latest update includes a Satin Black color option. Made using a custom blasting process and a "diamond-like carbon physical vapor deposition coating" according to Apple, it leaves a matte finish on the grade 5 titanium casing.

There are other elements of the casing that are black, such as the back glass made using a dark zirconia to match, which has a scintillation that's interesting to watch in the right light. What's left that isn't black are the orange side button and the Digital Crown ring, which are fashionable highlighted sections.

Apple naturally added more accessories to go with the color, with matching variants of the Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean bands available. There's even a new Titanium Milanese Loop, the first metal Apple-produced band for the Ultra models, which is also out in black.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black review: Original on left, in black on rightApple Watch Ultra 2 in black review: Original on left, in black on right

This finish does have the surprising effect of making the Apple Watch Ultra 2 marginally heavier. It goes from 61.4 grams in the natural colorway to 61.8 grams in black.

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

It's still fun to look at, though.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 2024 review -- Same chunky experience

We're not going to rehash much of our review from 2023 of the Apple Watch Ultra 2. If you liked that model's tech, you'll like the black finish one too.

You still get the flat LTPO2 OLED display behind flat sapphire crystal, with a 3,000 nit max brightness and a 326 pixels per inch density. Inside is the S9 with a 64-bit dual-core processor, a 4-core Neural Engine, and 64GB of storage.

That's all in a casing measuring 49mm in height by 44mm in width, and a fairly thick 14.4mm. This is supposed to be a rugged device, but next to the just-launched and ultra-thin Apple Watch Series 10, it feels a bit clunky to wear in everyday life.

Elements like the three-mic array, dual speakers for media playback, water resistance to 100 meters, MIL-STD 810H environmental tolerance, and even the siren are still the same.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black review: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black with a Ultra Supply Co. black link titanium band

There may not be any changes here, but that's probably because there doesn't need to be at the moment. Aside from the color, that is, so let's talk about that.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 2024 review -- One reason to buy

The size of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is already a statement. I replaced my Apple Watch that I've been using for a few years (and probably saved my life) with an Ultra 2 in late 2023. My model has the titanium finish, of course, because it's the only choice I had at the time.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black review: The new colorway looks great

I'm not generally taken by colorways. When I got a G3 iMac, I bought tangerine because it was $50 cheaper, for instance. I got my Quicksilver tower on the cheap, because the plastics were absolutely wrecked, and I didn't care.

So this is a statement for me -- the new black color on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is cool. This is clearly an opinion, but I think that it's much cooler than similar color ways on the non-Ultra Apple Watches.

And the scientist in me thinks that the vapor deposition that Apple uses to coat the watch is a neat material science trick too. I have some longer-term thoughts about scratch-resistance, as I don't buy "diamond-like" for one minute, but we'll talk about them much later in the next year.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black review: In-hand

Anyway, between the Navy in the '90s, and everything else going on in my life over the last 25 years since I got out, what else I didn't care much about was clothing aesthetics. In part thanks to the Apple Watch, I've shed about 100 pounds in four years, and I'm interested in clothes now that it's easier to find something that fits.

The titanium finish is neutral, sure, but it's also a standout with my normally dark color palate that I select for clothing.

A new black color matches what I wear much better. It almost seems like an extension of my leather coat that I bought for the Northern Virginia fall and winter, instead of a beacon on my wrist that sticks out and screams "hey, I like Apple stuff."

I already know I'm going to catch heat from a certain segment of our readership for the different tone and aesthetic tack of this review. As a reminder, reviews are about assessment of tech, sure, but they're also opinions and life experiences.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black review: Nested original and new black colorway

The dirty secret surrounding nearly every tech review on publications like AppleInsider is you don't get to keep much. Almost everything is a loaner.

As such, this Apple Watch has already gone back to the owner. But, I am already putting in place plans to buy my own -- when heart rate sensing returns.

I'm starting to like fashion as I said. That's well and good, but I still prefer having my heart monitored near-constantly.

So, please, Apple and Masimo, please work it out. The last Masimo CEO that spearheaded this suit is gone, so maybe there's a window to get this done before Christmas, with terms that everybody can accept.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black review: It only needs the oxygen sensor to be a slam-dunk

Because, I'd sure like to put one of these under the tree for myself.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 with black finish review: Pros

• Still great battery life


• Siri is remarkably more useful, and will only get better


• The new black finish is absolutely gorgeous

Apple Watch Ultra 2 with black finish review: Cons

• It's still the Apple Watch Ultra 2 from 2023


• It's not clear what the S9 SIP brings versus the S8 or S10


• Heart rate monitoring doesn't work as of October 2024

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Where to buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is available to order now from Amazon and Adorama. Select styles are eligible for an exclusive discount with promo code APINSIDER at Adorama. You can view the latest pricing and availability in our Apple Watch Ultra 2 Price Guide.

We've also rounded up the best Apple Watch deals in effect on new and closeout models.



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jamnap

Good write-up. Yes, I wanted so badly to buy this black U2 to replace my previous Ultra 2 purchased December 2023, but I passed because it did not have the oxygen sensor.  Hope this legal conflict can be resolved soon.

Dibiase

If you're going blow $700 on a watch just to get a different color, you have some serious problems with priorities or you have way too much money and should consider a donation to a worthy charity.  On a side note, as a tech writer you should at least have the facts correct.  The heart rate sensor is still on all apple watches.  The case between Apple and Masimo has to do with the blood oxygen sensor and nothing to do with the heart rate sensor.

sflagel

This may not be directed related to the headline of your article, but to the content. How did the Apple Watch help you shed 50 kg?

ddawson100

Dibiase said:

If you're going blow $700 on a watch just to get a different color, you have some serious problems with priorities or you have way too much money and should consider a donation to a worthy charity.  On a side note, as a tech writer you should at least have the facts correct.  The heart rate sensor is still on all apple watches.  The case between Apple and Masimo has to do with the blood oxygen sensor and nothing to do with the heart rate sensor.

I had the same thought about the heart rate comment. Also, how do you know he doesn't already donate a ton to charity?

magnuskrantz

I agree, it is gorgeous! I had a blue Series 7, and bought the new black Ultra 2 to replace it, and don’t mind the extra bulk one bit. I was close to buy an Ultra 2 last year, since I thought the battery life of my 7 was getting bad, but I’m glad I held out.

tht

Yeah, the black looks amazing. The metal link bands, both natural and black versions, all look fantastic. If anyone has gotten a lot of sweat on them, how well do they wash and clean up? Will there be sweat gunk built up between the links?

StrangeDays

Review cites lack of heart rate monitoring but this isn’t correct. Ultra 2 does HR monitoring. It isn’t doing blood oxygen sensing. Different metric. 

StrangeDays

Dibiase said:

If you're going blow $700 on a watch just to get a different color, you have some serious problems with priorities or you have way too much money and should consider a donation to a worthy charity.  On a side note, as a tech writer you should at least have the facts correct.  The heart rate sensor is still on all apple watches.  The case between Apple and Masimo has to do with the blood oxygen sensor and nothing to do with the heart rate sensor.

Nonsense position. Who’s to say he wouldn’t sell or rehome his prior version?

Can you imagine how absurd you’d sound if you told shoe or car enthusiasts that they shouldn’t care about color? 700 bucks for a person item isn’t the fortune you think it is.