Technologies

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra: How the Rugged Watches Compare

Apple’s second-generation Ultra gets a few updates over the original.

The $799 Apple Watch Ultra 2 debuted in September 2023 and continues to be the company’s leading rugged smartwatch. Since the Ultra 2’s debut, Apple has also unveiled the Apple Watch Series 10 as a more mainstream watch option. And while the Ultra 2 replaced the original Apple Watch Ultra, that model does continue to sell in Apple’s Certified Refurbished store at $589.

While the second-gen Ultra looks similar to the original, there are a number of improvements inside the iPhone-compatible smartwatch that are worth noting. The Ultra 2 has a 3,000-nit screen, which should be noticeably brighter than the original Ultra’s 2,000-nit display. The Ultra 2 also includes the new Double Tap gesture, which lets you activate certain controls by tapping your thumb and index finger together without touching the watch’s screen.

Read more: Best Apple Watch for 2025

Otherwise, this newer Ultra has many of the same features as the first. This includes a new Night mode that will be on a Wayfinder watch face, which uses an ambient light sensor to activate. Both watches also continue to have an estimated 36-hour battery life.

To highlight the differences between the original Apple Watch Ultra and the new Apple Watch Ultra 2, we’ve outlined each watch’s specs in the chart below.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Ultra

	Apple Watch Ultra 2	Apple Watch Ultra
Shape	Square	Square
Watch size	49mm	49mm
Materials, finishes	Titanium	Titanium
Display size, resolution	1.91-inch, 502×410-pixel OLED	1.91-inch, 502×410-pixel OLED
Dimensions	44x49x14.4 mm	49x44x14.4mm
Weight	61.4g	61.3g
Colors	Natural titanium	Natural titanium
Always On	Yes	Yes
Interchangable bands	Yes	Yes
GPS	Yes (L1 and L5)	Yes
Automatic workout detection	Yes	Yes
Compass	Yes	Yes
Altimeter	Yes (operating range: -500m to 9,000m)	Yes
Water resistance	10ATM (100 meters) and recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters	Yes, up to 100m
Calls	Yes	Yes
Microphone	Yes (3-mic array)	Yes
Speaker	Yes	Yes
Voice assistant	Yes (Siri, on-device)	Yes (Siri)
Mobile Payments	Yes (Apple Pay)	Yes (Apple Pay)
Sleep tracking	Yes	Yes
Period tracking	Yes	Yes
Sensors	SPo2 (blood oxygen), ECG, optical heart, ambient light, high dynamic range gyroscope, high-g accelerometer, water temperature, depth gauge + app	SPo2 (blood oxygen), ECG, optical heart, ambient light, high dynamic range gyroscope, high-g accelerometer, water temperature, depth gauge + app
Emergency features	International emergency calling, Emergency SOS, crash detection	International emergency calling, Emergency SOS, crash detection
Compatibility	iOS 17	iOS 16
Software	WatchOS 10	WatchOS 9
Processor	Apple S9	S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
Connectivity	LTE and UMTS, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3	LTE and UMTS, Wi-FI
Memory and storage	64GB	64GB
Power	USB-C magnetic fast charging	USB-C magnetic fast charging
Battery life	Up to 36 hours; up to 72 hours (low power mode)	36-hour battery life, 18 hours on LTE
Battery capacity	Unavailable	Unavailable
Price (USD)	$799	$799
Price (GBP)	£799	£849
Price (AUD)	AU$1,399	AU$1,299

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im