Apple Watch Ultra 2 GPS + Cellular 49mm Smartwatch, Sports Watch with Black Rugged Titanium Case with Black Trail Loop - S/M. Fitness Tracker, Precision GPS, Extra-Long Battery Life, Carbon Neutral

I got my Ultra 2 to replace my 44mm aluminium series 5 GPS - I normally update my Apple kit after 4 years use so it’s time was up. It took about an hour to do most of the change over, some of the time due to watch OS updates, some to restore my old watch data, some updating Apple Pay and the remainder adjusting the faces I now use.Size Weight and ComfortEarly impressions are that it looks well on my 175 mm wrist; nor do I notice the additional weight of the watch. So it’s neither as physically large nor heavy as I expected. I’m an average height man so I would say any man of normal height or taller definitely shouldn’t have an issue in this regard. I have tried the sleep feature and have not had any discomfort with it on my wrist overnight.A lot of the reviews on this watch in the technology magazines have been done by women who are all enthusiastic about it despite most having wrist sizes of about 150 mm; it seems size and weight are less of an issue than I expected from reading some earlier reviews. These reviewers mentioned that the Ultra 2 has a loud siren triggered by use of the orange Action button - a useful safety feature.Rational for Choosing the Ultra 2Note that all my IT kit is Apple so I did not consider any non Apple options.When buying a new Apple Watch I decided to go for a cellular capable device. The options were the Aluminium 45mm, the Stainless Steel 45mm or the Ultra 2. I ruled out the Aluminium watch because the case is prone to scratch and the glass is not crystal like the other options. (I have always worn my series 5 watch watch with a plastic protector which has raised edges to avoid scratching the aluminium and to protect the glass from a glancing blow.) The Stainless Steel version has fewer features than the Ultra, does not have a raised edge to protect the crystal glass and the cost is nearly as much as the Ultra. So the Ultra 2 won. (I did consider the end of line Ultra 1 but as I intend to keep my new watch for years I thought that the extra expense was worthwhile - anyway for the purposes of the review this may soon not be an option.)Strap choiceI chose the Trail Loop as it was the lightest and most comfortable according to reviews. This strap is fine for walking (which is all I do nowadays) but if you run or cycle and go out in all weathers then it’s going to absorb moisture. Fine for running in California but not in winter in the British Isles. The Alpine strap is an obvious alternative for runners. However, if you want a lighter strap I’ve seen an interesting reviews recommending the 45mm Solo Loop (not braided, standard is best) but get one size down from the recommendation by Apple for the 45mm watches because of the bigger size of the Ultra. The standard Sports Band for the 45mm watch is another option and one that is much easier to size. I should point out that these straps work fine as sports bands for the 45 mm and I’m looking forward to getting one for Christmas for my larger watch!Ultra 2 - Pros and Cons for me vs other Apple Watches.Pros1= Rugged design - so no additional protection needed1= Large face with larger text3 Brighter face4= Longer Battery Life - enables 24 hour use (well more than 23 hours)4= Additional features: Action Button, Improved GPS, Maps, new/improved health features, etc.ConCostA personal note to Apple - please update the Infograph dial to include a night screen!After three weeks use.I can confirm my first thoughts. Size not an issue for me, though the larger text makes reading text messages etc much easier. Action button useful for an easy start to recording exercise. Watch and strap very comfortable - I have slept with it on my wrist for all but the first couple of days after purchase. Health now includes interesting sleeping data.

Have come to this from a Polar Vantage 1, so quite a big leap.A simply amazing product, as you would expect from Apple.Very lightweight, and comfortable. I chose the Ocean band as do a lot of outdoor cycling, so didn’t want a wet strap after exercise in the UK rain.You can use this fully independent of a phone on a bike ride if you set up cellular, which I would highly recommend. Cycling lightweight is a real plus, and you have access to phone, message, Apple Music, as well as the fall detection and siren (which is a real bonus if MTB’ing in remote areas).Many people complain about the price, but given the price of equivalent Garmins etc, this is actually priced very competitively, and is actually significantly cheaper than the EPIX.The screen, and overall functions are amazing.The Apple health app is not the best in my opinion, and doesn’t give recovery stats etc, but if you load all your data onto Strava (as I would assume most serious athletes do anyway) then this is completely irrelevant.The battery life is ok, and on standard function I can easily get 2 whole days.Tracking a 3 hour cycle ride off road does seem to eat into the battery, but given the other functions of the watch this is an acceptable compromise. Given this, for regular long exercise, you will likely have to charge daily.Obviously if you are going on long hikes, away from power, for more than a few days, then this will not work, and you probably should look at Polar or EPIX/Fenix for these scenarios.Obviously, the other point to note is that if you’re not in the Apple eco system already, then look elsewhere.Overall highly recommend.

FRIENDLY CABS, ISLE OF WIGHT GETS CUTTING EDGE ASSISTANCE FROM THE APPLE WATCH ULTRA 2Who's old enough to remember the original Star Trek series, where Spock and Captain Kirk spoke to each other via their watches? I remember sitting in front of the black and white TV, as a 6 year old, in awe of that fictional technology. Now it's here, of course, and several manufacturers produce watches capable of making and receiving calls. Some generic ones, that cannot use a cellular account, can be purchased for under £30! 😳 Both my wife and son have one and they're brilliant!One of the problems I had last year was answering calls to take bookings whilst driving. New laws came into place some time ago, banning anyone, including professional drivers, from touching their phones whilst behind the wheel.Many cab drivers use in ear devices to overcome the problem but I seem to have oddly shaped inner ears that either won't hold an earbud in place or get very sore after using the usual over the ear devices. Hmm.. what to do?ENTER THE APPLE WATCH ULTRA 2I've had my eye on this device for a while. I'd considered an Apple Watch before, but if I'm honest, this was the first Apple watch that looked like it should be worn by a man. I disliked the aesthetics of the previous variants, and also their small screens, but the Ultra and Ultra 2 caught my eye. The only downside was the price but if the watch could solve my earpiece problem then it would be worth the investment.I've now tested the Ultra 2 for a week and I have to say, it's superb. What really makes it worthwhile for me is the ability to answer a call via something called "Assisted Touch", without any need to physically interact with either the phone or the watch. I can simply double tap my index finger and thumb and the watch answers the call. There's then no need to move the watch towards your mouth, you can continue driving with the watch at steering wheel level and hear the caller and speak to them normally. All comms are clear at both ends.I can receive and send texts, WhatsApps, emails and calls all via the watch, so if I was to one day forget my phone in the office, no worries.It's not a cheap device at £800, but it will help us immensely in 2024 and importantly, it will keep us completely legal and safe.Good kit, and for me, well worth the cost.

Apple tech is not cheap but it is very good.