Apple Watch Ultra: Release Date, Specs, Price, and News

The Apple Watch Series 8 isn't the only smartwatch Apple announced in 2022. A higher-end model, called Apple Watch Ultra, was also announced. It differentiates itself from Series 8 with a heavier focus on sports and workouts, providing a heftier design and longer-lasting battery life, plus the biggest and brightest display yet in an Apple Watch.

Apple Watch Ultra Release Date

The Apple Watch Ultra (rumors called it the Watch Pro) was announced on September 7, 2022. You've been able to order the Apple Watch Ultra from Apple since September 23, 2022.

This same event introduced the Series 8 watch and iPhone 14.

Apple Watch Ultra Price

Like other Apple products in what some would call a "pro" category, this smartwatch comes with pro-level features, which also means a higher price: $799.

Apple Watch Ultra Features

This watch introduced several sports-focused features.

• Larger and more shatter-resistant display
• Enhanced hiking and swim tracking metrics
• Bigger battery for tracking workouts for longer
• A heftier and rugged case
• Customizable Action button
• 86-decibel Siren to attract attention
• Emergency SOS for contacting emergency services

Also introduced in the Series 8 Apple Watch, the Ultra features body temperature sensing to further inform women's health, such as obtaining ovulation date pushback estimates for fertility planning and period predictions.

There's also crash detection, heart rate monitoring, ECG and SpO2 apps, and other health and navigation features.

Apple Watch Ultra Specs and Hardware

This watch features a 49mm titanium case with a flat sapphire crystal surface. It's the largest and brightest Apple Watch to date, with up to 2,000 nits of brightness (twice as much as other Apple Watch displays).

At a near 50mm screen size, here's how it compares to other models:

• Original: 38mm, 42mm
• Series 4: 40mm, 44mm
• Series 7: 41mm, 45mm

Given its name, it's no surprise the Ultra watch also has the longest battery life of any Apple Watch (according to Apple): up to 36 hours of typical usage with a Low Power Mode setting for multi-day use that extends the battery life to 60 hours.

There are three microphones built-in, which use a new feature called the "adaptive beamforming algorithm." This allows the mics to capture speech while reducing ambient background sounds for greater clarity. There are also wind noise reduction algorithms to help in those situations.

This watch integrates dual-frequency GPS with both L1 and L5 GPS, and uses the latest location algorithms, which Apple says gives it "the most accurate GPS information available" in the Apple Watch line.

Apple Watch Ultra is certified to MIL-STD 810H, which is a specification commonly used by manufacturers of military and rugged gear. It's usable from -4° F temperatures to 131° F. When used at night, you can easily see the Pathfinder face by turning the digital crown to make the face red for improved visibility.

This watch is also designed for water sports. It's WR100 certified, so it's fit for kite surfing and scuba diving to depths of 40 meters. It's also certified to EN13319, which is an internationally recognized standard for a variety of diving accessories that are relied on by recreational divers. A Water Depth app is included that can list the time, current depth, water temperature, diving time, and highest diving depth record.

Three new straps have been introduced: Off-Road, Alpine, and Ocean. The new straps are designed specifically for certain types of conditions.

The Latest News About the Apple Watch Ultra

You can get more Smart and Connected Life news from Lifewire. Here are some early rumors and other stories about Apple Watch Ultra: