Wearables January 18, 2026

Apple Watch Ultra 2 in 2026: How It Holds Up

SM
Sarah Miller
Fitness Tech • 6 min read
Apple Watch Ultra 2

Rugged, bright, and unstoppable. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 was built to last, and in 2026, it proves that good hardware doesn't expire.

Battery Life Degradation? Hardly.

After two years of daily use, our test unit still comfortably manages 36 hours on a single charge. The S9 SiP is efficient enough to handle the latest watchOS 12 updates without draining the battery excessively.

The Double Tap Feature

What started as a novelty has become essential interaction. In 2026, with AR glasses integration, the Double Tap gesture on the Ultra 2 acts as a primary controller for Apple Vision Air.

Verdict

The Ultra 3 is out, but the Ultra 2 is essentially the same watch for hundreds less. It's the smart buy for any adventurer in 2026.

Pros

  • Indestructible build quality
  • Double Tap is unmatched
  • Still 36+ hour battery