Apple launched the new iPhone 16 series in September but also indulged in a refresh of its ever-popular Apple Watch lineup. The firm introduced the Apple Watch Series 10 with a tweaked design, offering a slick polished black version and a screen on the larger size that’s bigger than that of the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
But if you’re drawn to the design of the Ultra line with its flat display, chunkier casing, exclusive watch faces and programmable Action Button, you won’t mind if the screen is a hair’s breadth smaller than the Series 10’s.
In what was a slight surprise, there was no Watch Ultra 3 announced last month. Apple may have decided its priciest smartwatch was good enough as it is, but also opted to tempt fans into upgrading by introducing a new titanium black version.
This new black Apple Watch Ultra 2 is exactly the same as the natural titanium one released in 2023 and sells for the same £799 RRP. That’s why we’ve been so surprised to see UK online retailer Very selling the brand new black version at a discount, albeit a relatively small one.
You can currently buy the black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 with a M/L size black trail loop strap for £769, a £30 saving on the recommended price. While that’s admittedly not a huge discount, if you’ve been on the fence about treating yourself then we reckon it’s the most you’re going to save on the new device. Even though Black Friday is coming up at the end of November, Apple never discounts its products, and it’s unlikely that third party retailers will give bigger discounts than this given it’s so new.
The Ultra has a tough casing with international diving standards and is water resistant to 100 metres with an IP6X dust resistance. The large display gets up to 3,000 nits when necessary but also has a mode exclusive to the Ultra that goes red in low light to stop the screen from blinding.
We’ve found the promised 36 hour battery life to be accurate, and when compared to the Apple Watch Series 10 it’s very noticeable. We’ve had to put the Series 10 on the charger much more often. That said, the Ultra 2 does cost about double at £799 compared to the Series 10 that starts at £399. That’s why this £30 discount for the brand new Ultra 2, while not the biggest price cut, is better than nothing for the best smartwatch Apple has to offer.
