Apple Watch Ultra 2 VERY dim inside and dark enviroments..

I bought my Ultra 2 on the day they arrived and have been following this discussion ever since, and it’s getting incredibly frustrating that there’s not been any interjection by Apple on this issue and we don’t know where we stand.

Apple where are you?

Thanks for that, I have sent feedback, I find the watch is bordering on useless in a dark environment, but I will give it a week to see if I can work round it, if not I will try to return it for a refund.

nemass wrote:

Thanks for that, I have sent feedback, I find the watch is bordering on useless in a dark environment, but I will give it a week to see if I can work round it, if not I will try to return it for a refund.

Hey, I'm right there with you!

I'm HOPING that with the 17.2 betas, something gets put in to deal with this.

There's still time, and I agree 100% that this watch - the most expensive of all the Apple Watches, needs a fix.

The sad thing to me is that this is by design. I guess if you're a 25 year old programmer it's not an issue, but I've spent more on Apple gear in the last 38 years than a new Tesla. I own, and my family owns dang near every Apple piece of hardware they make, and this is the first time I've truly been let down.

I also collect watches, and I was so stoked to add this to my collection - not knowing I'd be hating it every day once it gets dark.

I haven't even taken it diving or camping yet, and that is where this issue becomes a danger, as opposed to an inconvenience.

I don't give a rat's butt about battery life - I want to READ my watch...

Please all, file feedback ASAP.

Just received, and filled out accordingly, the Apple survey request on the Ultra 2 purchase. I suggest everyone that receives one, elaborate in the comments section of the survey and also mention this thread.

I just got off the phone with Apple again and spoke with a senior engineer. I told him that my new Express Replacement (series 9) has the same issue as the last new watch. He ran through the usual required diagnostics, which all came back fine. He also said that he is seeing that other customers have complained about the issue. He thanked me for reporting it, and said that the more customers that call in and report it, the faster it can be resolved. I don't think filling out surveys and forms is enough. We need to be calling them and speaking to a live person. He had me take screenshots of the settings and a video of the watch in a dark room, which I took beside my very bright Series 4 watch. So, please...call them!

Markuson wrote:

Battery drain is the Ultra 2 issue that Apple IS addressing, and a fix is expected any day now. My hope is they’ll surprise us with a dim lighting fix too…but maybe wishful thinking.

The battery fix is out with 10.1.1.

FWIW, I didn't have battery issues with my new Ultra 2, just brightness.

Gotta keep filing feedback to get this one highlighted.

Yes, the feedback links are important as well, but are much easier for Apple to ignore since it’s not accompanied by actual test results and photos and videos that you get with calling in. The engineer confirmed that as well. He said that people need to call in to get results. He said they need actual test data to prove an issue. Also, when they have to send you out a replacement, it’s hitting them where it counts. It’s costing them money.

shifflav wrote:

Yes, the feedback links are important as well, but are much easier for Apple to ignore since it’s not accompanied by actual test results and photos and videos that you get with calling in. The engineer confirmed that as well. He said that people need to call in to get results. He said they need actual test data to prove an issue. Also, when they have to send you out a replacement, it’s hitting them where it counts. It’s costing them money.

Actually, that is not true. Reports filed send logs and you may attach photos/videos as well.

And they are easy to followup with and add more info.

Just telling you from someone who's been doing this a lonnnnng time.

As for replacements, as much as I understand doing that, I don't recommend knowingly getting a new watch to prove a point. And trust me, I'm mad as **** too!

Is there another link I'm not aware of? The feedback link I found in this thread doesn't allow for any attachments of reports, or anything else. It's quite generic and doesn't get any response that I've found. If there's another link, please feel free to share. It could have gotten buried in this immense thread! I'm okay proving a point to Apple...but that's just me. It brings me joy. :)

I really get the feeling that Apple is fully aware of this issue and are hoping that it will die down and just go away. If they do fix it or adjust it, I doubt we will ever see it in a change log. But I don't get why. It's just an adjustment they can edit/add easily. What's the big deal?

Just an update. Apple just called me back and they have chosen to ignore the issue. The engineering department is claiming that it is 'expected behavior' because it's still legible. Even though they saw video of my Series 9 next to my FAR brighter older Series 4, that's 'expected behavior'. This is ridiculous that they can deceitfully advertise a brighter watch and scam us out of our hard-earned money by denying the problem...and get away with it.

shifflav wrote:

Just an update. Apple just called me back and they have chosen to ignore the issue. The engineering department is claiming that it is 'expected behavior' because it's still legible. Even though they saw video of my Series 9 next to my FAR brighter older Series 4, that's 'expected behavior'. This is ridiculous that they can deceitfully advertise a brighter watch and scam us out of our hard-earned money by denying the problem...and get away with it.

Wow, that is indeed a bummer. I've updated my feedbacks and not heard anything. Such a shame - I was so excited to move up to the best watch they make, and now I'm settled into a watch that works 1/2 of my day.

Had I caught onto this when it was brand new (Ultra2) I'd have returned it.

One thing for sure, I will NOT recommend this watch to anyone. In fact, I told my Dad not to get one as his eyes are even older than mine, and it would drive him nuts.

Since I have this watch now and can't do much about it, I'll remember this next time - likely won't be a next time for me.

That's really disappointing. If it's expected behavior, they made a VERY big mistake not accounting for people's vision getting less light sensitive as they age. At this rate, this will be my last Apple watch, and I'll have to go with one of those ugly round android watches. Just so I can see my notifications and other things that I've used my many Apple watches for (since the very first year available).

They’re ignoring the situation because if they change it to a brighter display in darker areas, you’ll get less battery life therefore it won’t last for as long as they’re claiming it will so it looks like we just have to get used to what we’re dealing with. I don’t expect us to change.

You can't get used to something you can't see half of the time. Just last night I was driving home, dusk, and I wanted to check the weather while I was at a stop light -- the watch face was totally unreadable, I couldn't even see the time, much less the weather. I'll happily pay in battery life to see it!

As for complaining, you wouldn't have to if they do it right and let you choose the brightness in low light with a setting, then you can personally choose battery life or brightness. (I'd, of course, choose brightness, otherwise a watch is pretty useless to me.)