Trying to understand where this will fit into the recreational dive market, I'm reminded Apple is mainly marketing a high end smart watch and diving is one added feature amongst many.
If someone is going to get an Apple watch anyway, then the added cost to level up to the one that can act as a dive computer may make more sense.
Which raises the question of who it competes with. Do we take the premium paid over a regular Apple Watch, and compare it to mid.-range dive computers that cost what the premium adds? Or do we compare it to dive computers that cost what the Ultra itself does?
Will it compete mainly with an Oceanic Geo 4.0 (
about $420 on Amazon), or a Shearwater Teric (
about $1,150 on Amazon without transmitter)? The Shearwater Peregrine is
$510 on Amazon. Well, the Apple Watch Ultra is around $800; I take it that's about a $400 premium.
Even then, it's an Apples (yeah, had to go there) to oranges comparison. The Apple Watch platform may offer us different ap. options, vs. the single option you get with a dedicated dive computer. I don't like that 'water resistance may fade over time' bit, so if you don't plan on upgrading your watch every few years, the dive computer route sounds better.
But...you can either get an Apple Watch series 8 (non-Ultra) and a Shearwater Peregrine or Oceanic Worldwide Geo 4.0, before sales tax, for around $910 or $820...or...you can get a $800 Apple Watch Ultra
plus the cost of an Oceanic subscription or single purchase ap.
if offered.
I have more faith in the Geo 4.0 or Peregrine to last for many years. You could argue the Apple Watch user will upgrade to newer models every 3 to 4 years, more often than a dive computer owner, but
if he has to pay an extra $400 every time to get one that works as a dive computer, he'll pay a lot more money.
Plus, with the dedicated dive computer route, you have the option to upgrade to an A.I. model (e.g.: Teric); at least for now, the Apple option is not A.I. And different models let you choose built-in rechargeable vs. user replaceable disposable batteries (e.g.: Teric vs. Perdix A.I.). Shearwater has a strong reputation for customer support for divers; I can't imagine Apple will match that. If anything, they're known for charging quite a bit for extended service plans, and their attitude toward refusing service on some smokers' devices (
old 2009 article) didn't inspire confidence (I don't like smoking, but what a load of crap!).
Plus the Oceanic and Shearwater lines are well-established with strong track records; the Apple Watch Ultra is a 1st generation (as a dive computer) new product that has a concerning depth limit (probably not an issue for the recreational diver, but I like my product water proof well past the depths I dive).
I'm still plugging along with an old Atomic Aquatics Cobalt 2 and Oceanic Worldwide VT3. If I were buying today, I'd be looking at a Shearwater Perdix A.I. or Teric (already got a compatible transmitter).
www.sgswatches.com
