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 blood oxygenation 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


• Blood oxygen 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.

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?

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?

danox

Still holding out but that new black finish moved me one step closer towards buying an Apple Watch…. The addition of accurate blood pressure monitoring is the only feature missing for me.

https://9to5mac.com/2024/09/16/apple-watch-blood-pressure-feature-delayed-by-series-10-design-gurman/ 

edited October 2024

appleinsideruser

sflagel said:

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?

For me the nagging encouragement took a couple of months to kick in. Then I got it. The watch is about fitness. My VO2Max was the huge change for me. Top 1% for me for my age now, compared to just above average when I got my first AW. Thanks Apple for putting health at front of mind.

alex1n

I recently got an natural titanium Ultra 2 (with milanese loop band), as I didn’t want the black. It’s fantastic - I don’t know that I’m wearing it until I look down at it. And it is nagging me about my fitness (or lack of it 🤣). Not being in the US I’ve got the blood oxygen monitor - but there’s a trade-off because the sleep apnea function isn’t available in Australia. No idea why, but it’s regulatory thing, no doubt.

My first Apple watch and I’m delighted with it! 

charlesn

Great write-up, especially considering the only new thing to talk about is the color. I have an Ultra 1, but I have to admit to feeling mighty tempted when I saw this all-black edition at my local Costco. It's awesome. Honestly, if a second Apple watch didn't mean a second cellular plan for it, I might have given in. I'm also holding out for an Ultra 3, considering that the 2, even when first released in 2023, boosted brightness to 3000 nits and that was about it for the upgrade. As you point out in your the cons section, the practical differences between the S8, S9 and S10 SIPs remain a mystery. Usually, if Apple marketing has nothing to say about a new chip other than it being new, that means there's nothing to say. This is the marketing team, after all, that based the entire promotional campaign for the iPhone 15 Pro models around a piece of titanium trim. 

dewme

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.

People are free to set their own priorities, whether they agree with your priorities, my priorities, or any other individual’s priorities. I’m in no position to judge what anyone else that I have no financial relationship with does with their money. It’s their money, their choices, their priorities, and their black Apple Watch Ultra 2.

9secondkox2

I think the black on the latest laptops is a bit cheap looking. The black on the watch looks like a darker space gray so it’s nice enough. 

But I strongly prefer the titanium color. Just looks more industrial and high end. 

mike wuerthele

sflagel said:

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?

Mostly gamification, with a side-helping of food portion recording, and precise exercise monitoring.

I'll be talking more about it soon. I've discussed it some before, but it's been years.

centaur

If the O2 sensor was active I'd consider trading my U2 for the new color.  

tx28a

sflagel said:

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?

If he's anything like me, it's equal parts (A) the tracking of your progress in easy-to-read fitness rings/self-imposed daily goals, plus an equally easily consumable detailed layout with all the data and charts you could want. This helps you see both days/weeks/months/years you're doing better than ever, which is encouraging, as well as days/weeks you didn't do quite as well (also encouraging in its own way). It helps keep you accountable. This, along with (B) the reminders to hit your daily goals, and the ability to be alerted when select friends have worked out and hit their goals, as well as sharing your complete workouts with the friends you want. It sounds trivial, but there's been a number of times I've told myself I didn't feel like working out today, only to get notified that my buddy (who has a lot more responsibilities than I do) just completed a HIIT workout when I know he's traveling. And I think to myself, "well, I've got no excuse" and I get off the couch and get to the gym. 

tht

I went and looked. Turns out I like the matte black Watch Ultra over the shiny black Series 10. Though the Ultra's black was basically gray.

appleinsideruser

tx28a said:

sflagel said:

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?

This helps you see both days/weeks/months/years you're doing better than ever, which is encouraging, as well as days/weeks you didn't do quite as well (also encouraging in its own way)...

Anyone else wish there was a longer view than Year? Now we have many years of data in there, a more zoomed out view would show the longer term trends better.