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Nearly two years old, and my Apple Watch Ultra 2 is still going strong.<\/p>\n
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\/ZDNET<\/p>\n
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source<\/a> on Google.<\/p>\n ZDNET’s key takeaways I’ve worn my Ultra 2 almost continuously for two years.It’s been banged, smashed, soaked, baked, and frozen.Apart from a few small superficial scratches, it’s still going strong.<\/p>\n Today, my Apple Watch Ultra 2<\/a> is 702 days old. I’ve worn it nearly 24\/7 since October 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n It only comes off my wrist to charge, and then it’s back in the saddle.<\/p>\n A constant companion<\/p>\n It’s been everywhere I’ve been. It’s been on my wrist during adventures to a handful of countries in blazing heat and freezing cold; it’s been submerged in fresh water, salt water, a few bogs, saunas, and hot tubs; it’s been banged about on rocks, in engine bays, and by kettlebells. <\/p>\n Also: Apple Events live updates: iPhone 17, iPhone Air, AirPods Pro 3, and new wearables just unveiled<\/a><\/p>\n I’ve used it to log many hundreds of miles of walks, hikes, and bike rides (last year alone, I logged well over a thousand miles), and it’s quietly kept an eye on my vitals throughout every day and night. And there was that one time when it turned out to be my only source of light when I was hammock camping in a deep, dark woodland after my headlamp died. <\/p>\n Over the close to two years, it’s become a constant companion. I use it countless times a day to check the weather, set alarms and timers, pay for things, store my plane and train tickets, keep an eye on the tides, and illuminate dark spaces. <\/p>\n It’s also made cameo appearances in countless photos here on ZDNET. And yes, I do wear it in the orientation upside down compared with how most people wear it. I find this suits me better and prevents me from accidentally summoning the emergency services (as has happened a couple of times). <\/p>\n Physically, it’s holding up well<\/p>\n The titanium is a little scratched around the display, but other than these superficial scratches, it’s as close to perfect as it could be. The display is totally scratch-free, and all the buttons and the crown work like new. <\/p>\n All that’s to show for a lot of abuse are some superficial scratches.<\/p>\n Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\/ZDNET<\/p>\n Well, the strap did break<\/a> when the stitching came apart, and I replaced it with a super-light, super-tough titanium Milanese loop band<\/a> that has worked out really well and has been a lot more comfortable than I expected. <\/p>\n The band that shipped with my Ultra 2 disintegrated after a little more than 18 months.<\/p>\n Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\/ZDNET Internally, it’s good too<\/p>\n Everything works great. Battery life has been great; despite currently sitting at 91%, I don’t notice any real degradation. <\/p>\n Also:\u00a0Your Apple Watch is getting a huge upgrade. Here are the 8 features I can’t wait to use in WatchOS 26<\/a><\/p>\n It’s been one of my hardest-working, least problematic Apple products ever. It just works.<\/p>\n The Ultra 2 has become a vital part of my EDC.<\/p>\n Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\/ZDNET <\/p>\n My Ultra 2 has become an invaluable part of my everyday carry. It helps me stay on track with my health and fitness goals; it is a source of a lot of information at a glance, from notifications to weather, tides, and astronomical data; and it is a handy insurance policy in case I fall or get involved in a car accident. <\/p>\n One thing that I’ve not used much is the cellular feature. I suppose I always have my iPhone close to hand. I’m still paying for the service because it’s only a few bucks per month extra on top of my already expensive all-you-can-eat plan that works pretty much worldwide. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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