Background

Apple’s second generation Ultra smartwatch, released alongside the Apple Watch Series 9 and iPhone 15 family on September 22, 2023.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes in Natural Titanium and is certified MIL-STD 810H and EN13319. It features an additional "Action" button, L1 and L5 GPS, dual speakers, and an 86-decibel siren. An iteration on 2022's Apple Watch Ultra, it features a new S9 SiP and a brighter 3000 nits display.

On September 9, 2024, Apple announced a refresh to the Ultra 2 with a new Satin Black finish and sleep apnea detection. The refresh also includes and upgraded display, the latest watchOS, a depth gauge, and a water temperature sensor.

Identification

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is physically identical to the first generation Apple Watch Ultra. The only way to distinguish between the two is with the model number.

The North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific version has model number A2986. The China mainland version has model number A2987.

The model number is etched inside the Ultra 2's top watch band slot. The model number is also found in the Settings > General > About section on either the watch, or the corresponding iPhone Watch app.

Specifications

Sizes: 49 mm

Display:

  • Always-on LTPO OLED Retina display (Upgraded to LTPO2 in September 2024)
  • 1-3000 nits brightness
  • 410 by 502 pixels

Processor: S9 System in Package (SiP) with 64-bit dual-core processor, W3, 2nd-gen Ultra Wideband chip

Battery: Up to 36 hours of normal use, up to 72 hours in low power mode

Operating System: WatchOS 10 (Upgraded to iOS 11 in September 2024)

Sensors:

  • Optical heart sensor
  • Electrical heart sensor
  • Temperature sensing
  • High-g accelerometer
  • High dynamic range gyroscope
  • Always-on altimeter
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Three-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation
  • Depth gauge
  • Water temperature sensor
  • Blood-oxygen sensor (Apple stopped selling watches with blood-oxygen sensors in the US on January 18, 2024)

Wireless Connectivity:

  • LTE and UMTS in cellular models
  • L1 and L5 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
  • Wi-Fi 4 802.11n
  • Bluetooth 5.3
  • International roaming

Compatibility: Requires iPhone XS or later with iOS 17 or later

Haptic Feedback: Taptic Engine

Miscellaneous Features:

  • Water-resistant and swim-proof up to 100 meters (Dive ready to 40 m/130 ft.)
  • Certified IP6X dust resistance
  • Tested to MIL-STD 810H
  • EN13319 certification; dive-ready to 40 m / 130 ft.
  • Customizable Action button
  • Dual speakers
  • Compass
  • Apple Pay
  • Qi wireless charging

Additional Information