This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
I bought the original Apple Watch Ultra in September 2022 and have worn it almost every day for three years — mostly as an everyday watch, not for outdoor sports. In all that time it has never run out of battery on me, and I still haven’t felt the battery fade. That alone made the Ultra worth it, and I plan to stay with the Ultra line.
What I tested
- Apple Watch Ultra (first generation), worn daily since September 2022 with a metal band
- Charging habit: off the wrist and on the charger while I sleep
- ESR glass screen protector with an integrated frame (orange), replaced after more than a year
What I found
- Zero dead-battery moments in three years. If I forget to charge overnight, it still lasts about two days — maybe not quite two full days, but it has never died.
- Forgot to charge? 20–30 minutes on the charger while getting ready in the morning gets me through to the evening. That quick recovery matters more to me than a multi-week battery that still needs charging eventually.
- My earlier Apple Watches lost noticeable battery life after a few years. With the Ultra I haven’t felt that, and I rarely check the battery level at all.
- I’m a hobby diver, but I haven’t used the Ultra for diving, and I don’t use the extra button much. It’s still worth it for everyday use.
- The cellular model works without my iPhone for transit and payments — features that are useless if the battery is empty.
- It is big. I have thin wrists and it looks chunky, but I got used to it quickly. It may feel too large on smaller wrists.
The ESR protector picked up scuffs and its colour wore off at the edges after more than a year. It comes as a two-pack, so swapping in the spare made the watch look new again.
Who it’s for
If battery anxiety is your main complaint about Apple Watch, and the size and price don’t put you off, the Ultra is the one I’d recommend — even if you never take it hiking or diving. If you want a thin, light, more watch-like design, a regular Apple Watch will suit you better.
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese. I talk through the three years while replacing the screen protector; the protector swap is at around 5:00.
Limitations
This is one person’s experience with one watch, based on how it feels day to day rather than battery-health measurements. When I recorded this, the Ultra 3 had just come out; the links below point to it and to the protector I use.
Products
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (GPS + Cellular, 49 mm): on Amazon Japan
ESR glass screen protector with frame for Apple Watch Ultra (2-pack): on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All Apple Watch & Wearables (9) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.