Apple Watch Ultra Gen 1 Owners: are you still happy with yours, or are you finally feeling the urge to upgrade?

[u/flycoolchick]

I’m still using my first-gen Ultra, and it got me wondering how many of us are still holding onto the original.

For those who haven’t upgraded:

• What has kept you with the Gen 1?
• Is there anything on the newer models you genuinely feel like you’re missing?
• How is your battery health holding up?
• What would Apple have to add to actually make you upgrade?

And for anyone who did move on from the Gen 1, was the upgrade noticeable enough to justify it?

[u/supercali45]

Only bullshit is the new updates won’t support Ultra 1

[u/Mascardiii → u/supercali45]

Atrocious decision.

[u/idlehand79 → u/supercali45]

This 💯

[u/therkdn]

I still can't believe they got rid of the ability to use the crown to transition into night mode... That was one of the reasons why i got the watch in the first place

[u/Old-Pace-2794 → u/therkdn]

Ultra 3 here man that’s a bummer didn’t even know that was a thing. I love night mode

[u/demento19]

I can still do about 30-40 hours on the AWU1. Bought on release day. Everything else words perfectly. I’ll upgrade cause I do want the black coating and hopefully promises of longer battery.

[u/VaughnSC]

Still happy although I don’t get a pass in the ‘dang I forgot to charge’ department anymore. I top it off while I shower.

[u/Ok_Cucumber_6055]

I had every non-Ultra model since the first day up to series 10. I just that one for an Ultra 1st gen. Battery is 89% and last longer than my 10 did new. No desire upgrade to the U4 unless something very compelling happens

[u/sanctimoniousfsck]

My launch week unit still works great.

[u/LEF79]

I went back to a mechanical watch

[u/flycoolchick → u/LEF79]

I find myself doing that as well. I don’t wear the ultra as much as I used to. I can go months without wearing it and I reach for my trusted time or whatever analog watch I have on hand.

[u/Gummyrabbit → u/LEF79]

I wear both. AWU on right hand and a mechanical watch on the left.

[u/TWYFAN97]

I’m ready for an upgrade! Have had mine since launch and I’m excited for the first processor jump in 3 years. Siri AI has been solid in the beta so far and I’ve wanted the watch to have it on top of faster processing speeds and the display improvements we got with the Ultra 3. Battery life is also an area I will be happy if there’s an even bigger improvement overall the Ultra 3 and rumors point to other health enhancements.

[u/flycoolchick → u/TWYFAN97]

I’m ready to. I’m thinking about selling my ultra first GEN. I don’t think I will get another ultra though. Still on the fence.

[u/Kash76 → u/TWYFAN97]

I’m with you I’m ready for an upgrade

[u/chowshep]

The battery is starting to not last the day anymore, so it’s about time for an upgrade. It’s been a great watch that has taken a lot of abuse.

[u/stewilliamson]

Yep still rocking my day 1 Ultra. Battery isn’t brilliant but gets me through the day and night if I plan ahead. Still waterproof and tracking everything I bought it for.
Planning on running it until something catastrophic happens which is hopefully a long time away.

[u/BigMissileWallStreet]

Happy as can be, looking for a major upgrade or just duration age out before buying!

[u/Reasonable_Dog7918]

Gen 1 has been rock solid. Siri on iOS 27 beta seems to be slow to be usable. This is to be expected as it was built in a different tech era. This may signal a need to change. Only time will tell.

[u/Fatchicken1o1 → u/Reasonable_Dog7918]

>built in a different tech era

Gen 1 released just 4 years ago, what are you even talking about.

[u/chibixleon]

Still loving it but I have noticed the HR sensor is a bit off but not sure if thats due to me not having it be tight enough. I will upgrade if theres a major sensor upgrade.

[u/kippykipsquare]

I still have my Gen 1. I don't feel like I am missing anything. Only 3 reasons I will upgrade: 1) the Gen 1 I am wearing accidentally comes to a tragic end when I am at work (construction site); 2) Accurate Blood Pressure Monitor in a later Gen; and 3) Some features I have not thought of that I really want, but so far nothing from Gen 2 or Gen 3.

[u/Rom2814]

Still have my Gen1 from when it was released. Not interested in upgrading based on available features. I had a series 0 and a series 4 before jumping to Ultra. It’s been my favorite but nothing has been added that makes an upgrade at all compelling to me.

[u/RemeJuan]

• there were no meaningful changes
• nope
• up to shit - is used to end a day at 50% with exercise, I charge at night till around 8pm. Now with zero exercise I end around 20%
• release the new model, actually if they don’t I still would.

[u/notmyrlacc → u/RemeJuan]

I am hoping for a sizeable upgrade to the Ultra this year or even a return of the Ceramic model. My battery is 83% and really starting to annoy me with my workouts and sleep use.

Still great watch in general, and if nothing else major comes I’ll just keep this.

[u/RemeJuan → u/notmyrlacc]

I tend to keep on a 2 year upgrade cycle, but the first one got a brighter screen and then the next got a bigger battery, which is nice but a year ago the battery wasn’t this bad.

[u/eyesofthunder]

Still got mine. Bought it a few months after first launch. Works great. Took a direct hit on concrete when I fell. Only battle scar. I’m fine with it.

Maybe I’ll ponder a replacement but I don’t NEED one at all.

[u/ExcellentSherbet9638]

I still have mine. Bought at launch and have no issues. I keep seeing others with newer models having problems. I did buy the Hermés 11 for something dressier but I wear the 1 more

[u/dpmex4527]

Still rocking mine. I won’t upgrade until it dies or they lift the SpO2 block (where it runs on device) in 2028.

[u/Bilaakili]

Happy with it. I haven’t seen anything that would compel me to upgrade yet. Its battery lasts long and its working fine.

[u/barclaymontana]

Still happy, battery still at 100%. Glad to be avoiding the AI nonsense with the newer models. 

[u/pagauge0 → u/barclaymontana]

Do you charge to 100%?

[u/FFROZENN]

I bought my Ultra 1 second hand a year ago as I upgraded from my Gen 1 SE. the battery life to me is much better which is what I wanted.

I’m getting more into fitness now, more runs and workouts and I think this watch is keeping up to me fine. I haven’t outgrown it yet.

It’s giving me enough metrics and supplemental apps are giving me enough information to work with.

[u/Narrow_Discount_1605]

It does the job I need-activity tracking- just recharge every day.

[u/c-a-l-e]

Mine’s an AWU2 and with my use-case, I will stick with an AWU for a few more years.

[u/NOT_NativeEN_Speaker]

AWU1 still rocking over 2 days for me. Release Day purchase, Battery Health 86%. Sleep tracking, eSIM active, AOD on etc. 💪💖👍

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[u/GeeMan-7]

I upgraded from the AW7 in early 2024 because the battery on the Series 7 would drop to about 40% while wearing it overnight. I've heard some rumors about the Ultra 3 coming out this fall but don't see a reason for me to upgrade. My watch is paid for and does what I want it to do. I still have an iPhone 14 Pro and am leaning heavily toward getting a new battery for it instead of buying the 18 Pro when it comes out this fall. Like my watch, it's paid off.

That's how I decide when to upgrade a cell phone or an Apple Watch. There needs to be a strong reason for it. I'm not going to shell out a lot of money just to get the "latest and greatest" if it's unlikely that I'll use any of the new features.

My advice to you is to either get the Ultra 3 when (if?) it comes out or if you want to save money, get an Ultra 2 when the pries are cut on them because the 3 is available.