Prepare yourself for an an engineering marvel, says iFixit, which is not given to Apple hype. However, sustainability has not been an Apple watchword, it seems…
Apparently a bigger upgrade on previous models (bigger screen and bigger battery), it’s designed to compete with sports and utility watches from possible rivals. You can read more about the Apple Watch Ultra features, here on the Apple website (it costs around £850, FYI).
A comparison of Ultra (left) and Series 7 (right) watches are shown above.
While initially welcoming the use of external screws – albeit pentalobe screw – to give some access to the wearable, things become less positive. Opening the back panel promptly shreds the rear seal, for example, so it still seems a one-way journey. Lost band release button springs follow, and then the “Apple logo taunts us from the back of the System in a Package (SIP), blocking all further access”…
On the plus side, Apple has managed to integrate the myriad antennas into the screen and body of the Watch itself, described as an incredible feat of miniaturised engineering.
And then they turn their attention the Taptic Engine.
“The Ultra’s Taptic Engine turns out to be surprisingly hefty. At nearly 16% of the Ultra’s weight—coming in at 9.8 grams—this buzzer, which can help keep you apprised of emails at 8,000 feet, is a whopping 50% bigger than the 6.4 g Series 8 Engine. The Taptic Engine and battery took up virtually the entire internal volume—no wonder “Siren” can only reach alarm-clock-level volume.”
And they conclude:
“Maybe repairability can set future Ultras apart—then again, maybe it will follow the Apple Watch Edition into obscurity. Only time—as clocked on a watch with, ideally, a battery that can be replaced without shattering its fancy OLED screen—will tell.”
So, an engineering marvel but repairs will only be for the professionals. iFixit writes, “if we had to pick easy access to one component it would absolutely be the battery”.
You can read the full teardown here.
See also: Tearing down the Apple Watch Series 7
