Apple Watch Ultra 2: New Leak Hints At Jaw

Apple Watch Ultra: is a new color incoming soon?

August 1 update below. This post was first published on July 31, 2023.

When Apple released the Apple Watch Ultra last year, the ruggedized, larger-screened, more feature-packed smartwatch turned a lot of heads. But there was one thing missing from the design, I’d say, and it looks like Apple might be about to correct that omission. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, Apple may be about to introduce a new color for the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra.

August 1 update. No sooner had Mark Gurman opined that a Space Black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 was in the works than another well-regarded leaker entered the fray. On X (formerly Twitter, still getting used to that), ShrimpApplePro remarked in a new post that the next Apple Watch Ultra will have the same design but: “I can confirm this year we will have the black titanium this year along with the current standard titanium.”

That’s interesting because if you look closely at what Gurman said, he didn’t reveal whether space black titanium would be an option or replace the regular titanium color to be the only version. Now, if this leak is accurate, we know that both will be available. Check out that tweet (or do I have to call it a post now?) and you’ll see a mock-up of what the Watch could look like. For the record, I really like it.

But ShrimpApple Pro has more to share. In a separate tweet/post, they revealed intriguing news about the Watch that won’t have Ultra in its name, the Apple Watch Series 9. The same design is predicted, in the same sizes (41mm and 45mm cases) and in a new, smaller box which they describe as “better than nothing”. They predict a new processor, which isn’t exactly a surprising assertion to make. But what’s interesting is the color range. Where the stainless-steel Series 9 will continue to be available in gold, graphite and silver, the aluminum Watch will add an extra color.

As well as midnight, starlight, PRODUCT(RED) and silver there could also be a new pink Apple Watch. This is far from the first pink Apple product, but a pink watch could be an attractive and fun addition to the Apple Watch range. Apple’s use of colors is such that every shade may be slightly different, as it is for the iPhone each year, or stay identical, as stainless-steel Watches have in previous generations.

Gurman’s latest was mostly about the next iPhones, and there was an awful lot revealed—read full details here—but he spared some time for the Apple Watch, too.

First, he said there’ll be three Watches, Series 9 in two sizes which match the current ones, that is 41mm and 45mm cases, and a second-gen Apple Watch Ultra. So far, so unsurprising.

He also said that the Apple Watch SE would not be refreshed this year. That’s also absolutely expected. Apple has never released SE models, iPhone or Watch, on an annual cadence, and this Watch is now the entry-level model for the series, with an older design. So less frequent releases seem certain.

So, what about a new Ultra? Well, the fact that this is the most capable of the Watches suggests that it would surely have a new processor and not be outgunned by other Watches in the range. It would be slightly strange if the Apple Watch with its S8 chip was less powerful than a regular, cheaper Apple Watch Series 9. And it’s the processor which adds to the interest.

Gurman says, “All of this year’s models will get a fairly sizable performance bump thanks to the new S9 processor. This marks the first time since the S6 chip launched in 2020—with the Series 6 watch—that the line-up gets significant speed improvements.”

Apple is never one to splash out on components that aren’t needed, so if the S6, S7 and S8 processors are similar, then it’s because they were up to the job. But a significant uptick this year is exciting and will suit the Ultra most of all.

Space black titanium Apple Watch Edition Series 6.

Glad you asked. A dark titanium, I’m guessing it would be called Space Black Titanium, is on the cards, apparently. If that’s right, it could look stunning and be enough to take your breath away.

Gurman says, “Before the release of last year’s Ultra model, Apple tested a dark titanium color option. It ultimately canceled the option because designers didn’t like the appearance, but it could still theoretically arrive in 2023.”

Ceramic Apple Watch finishes apart, the most attractive Watch I’ve used was the Apple Watch Series 6 in Space Black Titanium finish (pictured above). It looked spectacular. If Apple turned down this shade once, you can bet it’s been finessing it since and will only introduce it if it thinks it has got it right.

But I can imagine it being a classy, business-like and dramatic finish, so I am really crossing my fingers for this one.