Apple has added a premium smartwatch to its range for 2022, just as the rumours said it would. The Watch Ultra has the biggest (at 49mm) and brightest (at 2000 nits) screen of any Apple wearable so far and is aimed at those needing a smart watch for extreme sports.
As well as being rugged, it has all the features of the new Watch Series 8 including a body temperature sensor and motion sensors for detecting car crashes.
There’s a choice of straps (which Apple calls bands) but just one colour – titanium – and one price: $799 / £849.
This keeps things simple and it means it’ll be obvious when discounts are available.
As it’s brand new, expect to pay full price whether you buy it from Apple or one of its partners such as Amazon, Best Buy or somewhere else.
Apple includes three months’ access to its Fitness+ service with all purchases, but some retailers add to that, and may also throw in a few months of Apple Music and Apple News+, which could tempt you to buy from them instead of going to Apple direct.
The Watch Ultra has built-in cellular, which means you’ll also be able to get one from a mobile operator on a monthly contract and not have to fork out $799 / £849 in one go. (Apple offers financing in the US, though, so you can opt to pay $33.29 for 24 months. That’s effectively an interest-free loan.)
Buying an Apple Watch Ultra on contract is where prices can differ, although many operators are yet to announce what they’ll charge for the smartwatch, which goes on sale on 23 September. Remember you’ll need to have an iPhone 8 or later and that needs have a SIM from the same mobile operator.
For now, here are the retailers and operators that will sell the Apple Watch Ultra, though not all of them yet list it on their websites.
Where to buy an Apple Watch Ultra in the US
Apple – $799 (or $33.29 for 24 months), pre-order now
Best Buy – $799, with 4 months’ Fitness+, 6 months’ Apple Music, 4 months News+
Amazon – $799 or $66.58 for 12 months. Pre-orders are live, but the Watch Ultra can be hard to find on Amazon’s site.
Carriers
AT&T – Not yet listed
T-Mobile – Not yet listed
Verizon – Not yet listed
Where to buy an Apple Watch Ultra in the UK
Apple – £849, pre-order now
Amazon – Not yet listed
Mobile operators
EE – Confirmed but not yet listed
Vodafone – Confirmed but not yet listed
O2 – Confirmed but not yet listed
Three – Not yet confirmed or listed
If you’re interested in the other products Apple has announced, we also have similar guides for the iPhone 14, Watch Series 8, Watch Se 2 and AirPods Pro 2.
