The Apple Watch Ultra is arguably the most exciting watch we’ve seen Apple make in the past few years. It’s big and tough and it’s built for adventure. As a runner, I’ve tested the Apple Watch Ultra for miles of testing for my Apple Watch Ultra review, but one feature I didn’t get to test was the watch’s ability to perform as a dive computer.
To find out more, I spoke to Torben Lonne, diving expert, editor-in-chief, and co-founder of Diving DIVEIN.com (Opens in a new tab)who recently used an Apple Watch Ultra on a diving trip to Malta.
Lonne wore the Apple Watch Ultra on more than 15 dives on a trip to Malta, along with computers from Shearwater, Garmin, and Cressi. Read on to find out more.
Apple Watch Ultra Oceanic +: Price and availability
On November 28, the Apple Watch Ultra becomes an assisted dive computer Oceanic+ app (Opens in a new tab). Apple positioned the Ultra as a watch for recreational divers — it can go up to 40 meters, has a depth gauge and water temperature sensors. If you plan to dive a few times a year on vacation, the app allows you to turn the Ultra into a dive computer for $9.99 per month.
The app monitors depth, time, temperature, and heart rate (if you’re not wearing a wetsuit). It will also give you important data such as decompression time, dive time, current altitude, maximum altitude allowed, and maximum depth.
Here’s what a diving expert thinks about the Apple Watch Ultra
To find out more, we spoke to Lonne after a diving trip to Malta, and here’s his verdict:
Easy to read screen
The first thing he noticed? How bright is the display on the 49mm Apple Watch Ultra compared to some other models, even underwater.
“Apple has done a great job with the visual experience,” he said. “The Ultra has a remarkably bright screen that’s just as visible in sunlight as it is during a night dive.”
Apple has done a great job with the visual experience
“The graphics and font size on this bright screen make it easier to see and read than on any other dive computer out there. Under water, the touch screen locks on, and you navigate the app via the scroll wheel, navigating through four different watch faces. This is something you can do Even when wearing thick diving gloves.
The ocean loop is not long enough
“The ocean loop is nice and comfortable and great for snorkeling in warm water without a long-sleeve wetsuit,” said Lunn. “But when I had a wetsuit on, I barely put it on. There is an extension strap that you can buy separately for about $50.”
In a lot of his testing, he strapped the watch to a post along with some of the other popular models on the market.
Ultra needs to dig deeper
In addition to the display, Lonne tested how easy it is to use the watch underwater, especially compared to Garmin diving watches, which have more buttons for easier navigation.
in longest review (Opens in a new tab) Of the Apple Watch Ultra, says Lonne, while the Ultra lacks some of the tech features of its competitors, “the Apple dive computer keeps things simple and accessible for the recreational diver who just wants to dive.”
“With Oceanic+, the Ultra app has a more visually crisp user experience,” he said. For example, the display of notifications, no decompression limits, and safety stops are very clearly displayed and — somehow — more elegantly than other similar dive computers on the market. We found that, unlike many other dive computers, We can use this within minutes of getting it.”
However, “the biggest problem with the Ultra is its 130-foot/40-meter maximum depth, which puts some divers away from buying it.”
Battery life was very good
Two other reported benefits to Apple with the Ultra version are improved battery life and its security features. I asked Lonne how well the battery would perform on a dive trip. “From a full charge, the Ultra lasted five dives over two days with a few light messages and some Apple Pay transactions,” he said. “There will probably be enough for six dives over two days, but this could make the battery close to dead after a dive. So, you need to charge it between dive days.”
Its safety features are great
What about the security features of the Oceanic+ app? When you approach your diving no-decompression limit (NDL), Apple Watch Ultra aims to alert you, either on the screen or through haptic stimulation. “It’s, by far, the most vivid and engaging user experience out of all the other flagship dive computers,” said Lonne. “And that’s where Apple and Oceanic really succeed: with the visuals.”
Apple Watch Ultra Oceanic+ app: Verdict
verdict? The Oceanic+ app turns Apple Watch Ultra into an excellent dive watch for hobbyists or recreational divers. With the help of the app, you can spend about $20 on a trip and turn your watch into a diving watch, without having to invest in any additional technology. Plus, for being a dive watch, it has a bright display, a decent compass, and it’s easy to put on gloves.
Looking for more about the Apple Watch Ultra? Here’s how to use the action button on your Apple Watch Ultra, plus what happened when you gave up Garmin to buy an Apple Watch Ultra.
