5 reasons why many people prefer Apple Watch Ultra over Series 10

Many people skipped out on buying the Apple Watch Ultra 2 because of its price and opted for the Series 10 instead. However, after using it for a while, many people found that they liked the Apple Watch Ultra more than the Series 10. Here's why!

1. Brighter screen

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The Apple Watch Ultra 2's display uses older technology than the Apple Watch Series 10 — LTPO2 versus LTPO3 — and doesn't have the better viewing angles of the wide-angle OLED that TipsMake mentioned in its Series 10 review. But in places where there's often warm, sunny weather, there's nothing more useful than a bright display.

The Ultra 2's 3,000-nit OLED watch face makes a huge difference when you're out for a walk or doing some housework. Sure, the Series 10 hits a reasonable 2,000 nits, but most watch faces use a lot of black backgrounds, along with some multicolored text and graphics, so the 1,000-nit difference makes a huge difference in visibility.

2. Dedicated night mode on the watch face

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There's a dedicated Night Mode available on the Wayfinder and Modular Ultra watch faces, which turns the entire display red to protect the user's night vision. Yes, this feature is limited to the two watch faces exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra, but it's useful if you frequently work in a dark room or at night. Plus, it looks really cool.

It's possible to create a version of this night mode for other Apple Watch models using the iPhone Shortcuts app, but having this feature built in and automatically enabled is a great value-add.

3. Dedicated buttons for quick actions

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Complications on Apple Watch help you quickly access features and get things done, whether it's starting a workout, managing a timer, controlling music, or anything else; the list is long. But there's only so much functionality you can have on your watch face.

This is where the Action button on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 makes a big difference. But don't confuse it with the Action button on your iPhone. You no longer need a complication to start a workout. Just press the Action button and you're ready to go.

The Action button's Quick Switch feature is also valuable. You can swap the Action button for another function—like accessing the Translate app with a single press, without having to reach for your phone or go into the Settings app on your Apple Watch.

4. Longer interval between charges

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Obviously, switching to the Apple Watch Ultra unlocks longer battery life. Apple claims you'll get 36 hours of continuous use — double the 18 hours of the Apple Watch Series 10. Yes, it takes longer to charge, but it also lasts longer.

In everyday use, which includes tracking a strength workout, walking for an hour, and always-on display, the Ultra 2 can last 48 hours before needing a charge – compared to 24 hours on the Series 10. Two days of use before needing a charge is a nice advantage for the Ultra.

5. Better haptic feedback

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Haptic feedback is a big part of the smartwatch experience. The little pings on your wrist whenever you get a new notification are much more satisfying on the Ultra 2, so you don't miss a notification on the larger watch, something the Series 10 doesn't offer.

Apple didn't bring any hardware upgrades to the Apple Watch Ultra lineup in 2024; instead, it just added a new color. But even without the new upgrades, there are enough hardware differences here that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers a different experience.

Kareem Winters

Update 31 December 2024