Apple‘s September event dropped some exciting updates, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 got a notable refresh. The big news? It’s now available in a sleek black titanium color, marking the first time the Ultra has come in more than one color since its debut two years ago.
But the new color isn’t the only thing catching attention. Apple also introduced a sleep apnea detection feature. Using the watch’s accelerometer, it collects breathing disturbance data over a 30-day period and notifies users if signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea are detected. And it’s not just for the Ultra 2—this feature is rolling out to the Series 9 and Series 10 as well, and it’s coming to more than 150 countries this month, including the US and EU.
Another cool update for the Ultra 2: it can now play audio directly from apps like music and podcasts, no headphones required. That’s a nifty little upgrade for those who like to leave their earbuds at home for a workout or a run.
Alongside the black titanium watch itself, Apple is introducing matching bands. The Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean bands are getting black hardware, and a new “satin black” titanium Milanese Loop is on the way. For those into luxury, there’s an Hermès edition of the watch, featuring a special nautically themed band and an exclusive Hermès watch face. When paired with the black Milanese, Trail, or Alpine loops, Apple claims the Ultra 2 is now carbon neutral, adding an eco-friendly touch to its premium offering.
Pricing starts at $799 for the Ultra 2, while the Watch Hermès Ultra 2 will set you back $1,399. Both are available for preorder today and will ship on September 20th.

On the software side, watchOS 11 brings some handy new features. The Smart Stack gets an upgrade with Live Activities, so now, when you twist the Digital Crown, you’ll see things like live sports scores or ongoing workouts, similar to how it works on iPhones. There are also new health-tracking tools, including a feature called Training Load, which assesses how hard you’ve been working compared to your usual effort. And the brand-new Vitals app keeps an eye on important metrics like respiratory rate and sleep duration, alerting you if anything looks off.
When the Apple Watch Ultra originally launched in 2022, it was a standout thanks to its rugged design, larger display, and the Action Button—a programmable button Apple later brought to the iPhone 15 Pro. Last year’s Ultra 2 brought a brighter screen and the S9 chip, enabling Siri to work even when you’re offline.
While the updates this year might seem minor, the Ultra 2 still holds its crown as the battery champ of Apple’s lineup. It offers up to 36 hours of normal use on a single charge, or up to 72 hours in low-power mode. As Apple’s most expensive smartwatch, it’s tailored for athletes and adventurers who need a durable device that can keep up with their active lifestyles, long battery life and all.
Updated 8:20 pm ET: Added link to sleep apnea detection feature in 2nd paragraph.
Discover more from GadgetBond
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
