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In this weekly column, Android Central Fitness Editor Michael Hicks talks about the world of wearables, apps, and fitness technology related to running and health in his quest to get faster and fitter.
I’ve owned four iPhones (4, 6, XR, and 14 Pro), but I’d never bought an Apple Watch until last fall. In my 20s, I thought accessories were too cheap, too careless for my health, and too casual for a runner. I tried out my first Apple Watch Ultra 2 when I first started using Android phones and watches.
Three months later, we’d like to share with our Android loving readers that we’re unfortunately missing out on an opportunity. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 isn’t perfect, and the SpO2 patent scandal delayed writing this article by several months. But now that you’ve gotten used to its perks and tricks, it’s hard to go back to the replacement.
Now that I’m in my 30s, I’m suddenly more aware of concepts like mortality and body fat percentage, which makes smartwatches even more interesting to me. That’s why I stepped into this role as Wearables Editor and had the opportunity to review Android watches like the Galaxy Watch 6 and fitness watches like the Garmin Forerunner 965.
In this context, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is comparable to all of the competitive wearables I’ve worn over the past few years. Once I get back the unit that Apple loaned me, I’ll seriously consider buying another unit or, inevitably, the Ultra 3. However, even though the watch I currently use every day (Forerunner 965) has tools for runners that Apple isn’t in a position to offer (yet).
Confession of an embarrassing Squackle fan
One thing my colleagues at Android Central often say is how much they despise the Squackle’s look compared to classic round-edged smartwatches. I can’t blame them for their bias either. When you look at all the Apple knock-offs from Amazfit, Fitbit, and other fitness brands, Squackle reminds you of cheap quality.
Colleagues, please don’t lose any respect for me and move on to the next section. For everyone else, you know that the typical rounded smartwatch UI is like looking at your smartphone under a microscope. Magnified text allows you to see one tile or app at a time very closely, but the design is limited because the object must be vertically centered to display properly. will be done. The edges are cut off, so you have to swipe the bezel or turn the crown to see the details.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 delivers more information, more visuals, and more comfort on your wrist. Any menu can display more rows or columns of buttons (or just bigger buttons) than Wear OS can provide, and everything visible, even the top or bottom edges, is fully visible.
I’m not saying anything revolutionary here, but I will say this. I like his 1.9 inch display. The default Modular Ultra watch face fits so many complications that you can see tons of information without touching anything. On the other hand, if you try to fit a circular watch with a display larger than 1.6 inches, it will become too large and look like a cartoon, and lose its “style” in the first place.
Android watches aren’t going to steal Apple’s aesthetic any time soon, so that means going back to smaller displays on the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7, which will be a difficult adjustment.
Why the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is appealing to me as an athlete
I’m planning on doing a full review of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at some point, so I’m not going to spend 1,000 words completely explaining all of its great features. I’d like to start with the fact that I actually trust the accuracy of its results, as opposed to other brands (read: Samsung) Don’t try.
The Ultra 2’s heart rate closely matched the data from my COROS heart rate monitor, and the Ultra 2 matched the Forerunner 965 in elevation accuracy. Dual-frequency GPS combined with Apple Maps algorithms gives you better GPS data, even if it’s more prone to being randomly thrown off course in a shorter amount of time than the Garmin.
In terms of health results, Apple’s nylon trail loop band allows the Ultra 2 to fit naturally and comfortably around your wrist for best results. For silicone straps, you have to find the right lug holes, and there’s always the chance of them being too tight or too loose and corrupting your data.
When it comes to accuracy, aside from the fact that Apple’s L1+L5 satellite data is spot on, I’m honestly surprised that Apple’s 12-hour estimate of GPS battery life seems to hold up to scrutiny. Watches like the COROS PACE 3 and Garmin Forerunner 265 last for weeks on a single charge, while dual-band GPS lasts only 14 to 15 hours. As long as you charge the Ultra 2 before a race or day of hiking, you can get close to what a dedicated running watch can offer.
There are pros and cons regarding movement alerts. There’s a reason Apple’s “Close Ring” concept is iconic. I love the reminder to get up during the day (even if it’s annoying) and the satisfaction of accomplishing a daily goal. However, the Ultra 2 sometimes recognizes my restless leg syndrome when I stand or walk. Also, Fitbit’s movement alerts are more wholesome.
For hiking, you won’t get the same powerful mapping tools and extra space as the Garmin Forerunner 965 or GPSMAP 67i. Fans of offline GPX maps should also use third-party apps. Otherwise, check Maps for terrain data that looks great on a 3,000 nit display, or use offline Siri to mark a waypoint somewhere and use Trackback to point you in the right direction on a compass. You can create one.
It doesn’t have everything a serious multi-day hiker would need, but it has more than enough for daily climbing. Among other things, it includes an SOS shortcut in case of an emergency, an accurate altimeter and compass, and a built-in cell phone to find nearby landmarks. .
I can’t speak to the cycling features added in watchOS 10 or how great the Ultra 2 is as a diver’s watch. At least when it comes to running, you get custom heart rate zones, running form analysis, and the option to run custom workouts. The default workout screen shows tons of super-bright data without having to scroll, a nice perk that weighs down the Ultra 2.
What Apple lacks is proper training suggestions and training effectiveness data. Over the past six months, he’s been able to improve his VO2 Max by about 5 points because Garmin provides it. If Apple actually starts integrating workout results. Them The various fitness recommendations may be the final piece of the puzzle for me, even if I have to pay for Fitness Plus to get them.
I can’t go back now
Now that I have the Apple Watch Ultra 2, I imagine downgrading to a standard “series” Apple Watch with 18 hours of battery life, less reliable GPS, more durable materials, and all the other upgrades. It’s difficult to do. To. I just fell into Apple’s quality trap. That means I’m giving them a ton of money every few years for a device he’s been ignoring for 10 years.
At the moment, none of the best Android smartwatches offer an experience like the Ultra 2. This makes sense considering most products cost $400 to $500 less. But my hope is that more brands start offering premium smartwatch experiences instead of letting Apple monopolize that space.
Samsung is the first and most obvious candidate, but only if the Galaxy Watch 7 Pro is much better than the Watch 5 Pro. Made of military-grade titanium and with a three-day battery life, it had the makings of a great mainstream fitness watch, but it lacked exciting fitness software and worst Default watch band for workout.
In the meantime, my Garmin Forerunner 965 is still my running crutch for coaching, as Apple Fitness Plus is only focused on indoor training. If that changes, well…I’m not saying he’ll give up on Garmin. Garmin will continue to innovate and leave Apple playing catch-up.
I morning If Apple continues to lure athletes like me year after year with a more well-rounded smart fitness experience and great design, I’ll probably have to have a Garmin for running and an Apple Watch Ultra for everything else. I thought that it might not be possible.
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