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In Depth Product Reviews
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Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
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Thank you for updating us on this. This is good news.
Yup, the ability to switch is absolutely needed here – the ability to have the Ultra work as (basically) a screen extension for the phone would really maximize its battery life (for the few times I needed it).
Agree, I use my apple watch / iPhone for downhill ski tracking. Through the phone gps, I consume about 30% of the phone battery and 20% of the watch. With the recent change, I burn through about 75% of the ultra’s battery.
I have a BYO credit from a carrier and am faced with the question: ’14 Pro Max, or Ultra watch’.
It begs the question ‘is the Ultra powerful enough to be an iPhone replacement?’. I think there will be a lot more people asking that question coming up. Since it does more on its own; is it/could it replace an iPhone?
I’ve for the first time ever subscribed to cellular with my Ultra. Because of the battery life it makes using the cellular a non-factor and it really is cool to leave the iPhone behind… most of the time. I still sometimes bring the iPhone because I like to stop and take a picture or because I know at the end of a run I plan to stop somewhere for food etc. and want to doom scroll the phone because I can’t handle dead time by myself anymore in 2022… ugh, I have to work on that.
In an article that I read that sparked my search for more opinions, that was the only thing that the person said they missed. Well, that and playing games on the train. It got me thinking of what I use the iPhone for, and could I ‘suffer’ without some of the more esoteric features that the watch would obviously not offer. Pictures isn’t actually a useless feature (hit a deer last night) but could I live without it.
Just seeking more opinions. I don’t particularly care for the ‘Ultra Look’, but whatever.
The idea that it’s not a ‘real’ activity watch is making me hesitant. Is there still not connection to HRM straps, pedals, power meters, Di2? (I mean just showing the battery level of Di2 would be BRILLIANT!)
Leaning towards not going Ultra… Sounds like a leap rather than a step. *shrug*
It connects to BTLE HR straps no problem. If you’ve got the right apps, you’ll be able to pair a power meter too, if you have one that uses BTLE. I sent mine back after about 10 days, but only because I already had a Fenix 7X and found the Ultra a little uncomfortable to sleep with. I bought a Series 8 instead and have really enjoyed it as my daily wear watch. I use it on treadmills a lot, as well as outdoors from time to time. I still have the Fenix, but I keep it for longer stuff when I’d take my phone in my running pack anyway, and want the topo maps and a few other things it does so well. Can it replace an iPhone? For me, definitely not. If all you need is calls, messages and some other stuff, you might be fine…although it still needs a phone to set up from.
Good points…
I have an Edition 7, and find it works okay for basics, but still needs an iPhone for help. (I use it for the rings, among other things. Hooked on those I am I guess) It does a pretty fair job at the ‘features’, but the Pulse Ox was a disappointment. Not a feature in my book. My Massimo does it loads better than the 7, so much so that is something I now never use on it. I assume that the pulse part is good, never had a reason to doubt it. I’ve never tried to pair anything to it like straps, etc. I hate to say it, but it’s almost more of a ‘convenience item’, and while that’s not a bad thing, I’m not sure that enabling the LTE system would actually buy me much. Also by the end of day, it’s usually between 75 and 55% battery, and I’m not doing that much navigation, etc with it. I tried sleeping with it on, and it used up quite a bit of battery time.
But the article I read said that the Ultra might really be able to pull of an ‘iPhone-less world’ for people. That does sound kind of nice. Riding with the iPhone Max is interesting. It’s like having one foot two sizes too big, as many of the ‘carry bags’ don’t have that much room for iPhones in cases and money/cards/etc.
It sounds like I have answered my own question, but I’m trying to be open to the idea of going ‘phone-less’, and it does sound enticing.
Seems like maybe it’s too early to be asking about ditching ‘the brick’.
Generally, I did try to use my AW4 for navigation while riding, and the battery life was abysmal. I had to jump charge it on the way home just to keep it alive. The larger battery is a huge step in the right direction on both the 7 and the Ultra.
Cheers…
I have both an Ultra and a 14 Pro. I don’t think that the Ultra can be used as a replacement for an iPhone. For one thing, you need an iPhone to share the number with; I don’t think it’s possible to get a separate number for an Apple Watch. I have forgotten my iPhone on occasion (and once my phone ran out of battery during a ride), and it’s nice to have LTE for those occasions. (I’ve had a 3LTE, a 5LTE and now an Ultra.). But using it exclusively? I wouldn’t. It’s no replacement for an iPhone.
The only way you can use an Apple Watch without an iPhone setup with the same Apple ID, is through Family Sharing, where someone still needs to have an iPhone. I think most carriers require the Watch be added to another phone plan with an iPhone.
On a similar note the Ultra will use your iPhone’s cellular connection (if in range) in preference to using the watches on-board data connection (if you have a plan). This is also annoying as it drains the phones battery which if you have a Mini (like me) can drain very quickly. I’ve not seen an option to change this.
Hi thanks incorrect. Uses watches gps on series 8 and ultra
This absolutely was the right way to do it. While I’ve used Apple Watches for years, I’ve ALWAYS carried my iPhone with me on runs and it just seemed absurd that the device in a waist belt under my shirt and blocked by half my body 100% of the time was used for GPS when I had a watch in the open on my wrist. This just makes sense to me. Apple Watch Ultra for the win.
(That said Apple should make this DEFAULT but offer a setting for those who want max battery life to use the phone instead. It seems absurd as usual that Apple just decides.)
2nd paragraph: For people who want to preserve their ~~phone~~ watch battery ….
Thanks Konrad!
Great article, this is why I subscribe. Thanks!
Thanks Timothy – appreciate you being a subscriber!
So with the previous iterations you can toggle this on/off (via disabling BT) but with the new ones you can’t? Seems strange.
Hey There –
I have an Apple Watch Ultra and am struggling to figure out what is the best app or workout to use for things like Backcountry Skiing and Skate Skiing. It’s a joke that these aren’t included as activities that actually use GPS and produce a track. It was a bummer to learn that the hard way on my first skate ski with the watch.
Today, I tried using “Hiking” as my activity for a backcountry ski tour. It produced a great track and the elevation looked great. But the mileage was almost double what it should’ve been. Apple reported 5.5 miles, while Strava and Gaia, with the EXACT SAME GPX TRACK, called it 3.5 miles.
I don’t get it! Any help from this community is greatly appreciated.