Is the Apple Watch Ultra 1 worth it in 2026?

Question

Level 2

407 points

Is the Apple Watch Ultra 1 worth it in 2026?

Will an Apple Watch Ultra 1st gen do in 2026? EVEN if Apple dropped software support for it, it’s not like it’s going to also lose “security support”, it’s not an iPhone or a Mac, and so, I do not care about the updates, I only want a functional watch, that lasts for a long time, in terms of battery, and in terms of longevity, for a cheaper price, I do not care about the size, I just prefer 44mm, 46mm, or 49mm, anything works

It should be cheaper because Apple released 3 generations of ultra ahead of the 1st gen ultra, and I do not like Siri anyways

Coming from an SE 1st gen with 68% BH to the Ultra 1, Is it recommended to get the ultra 1 for £280?

Apple Watch, watchOS 4

Posted on Sep 29, 2026 12:00 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Sep 30, 2026 9:33 AM in response to Mu-iOS

Mu-iOS wrote:

I’m sorry, what? Isn’t the Ultra on supported software? It goes up to watchOS 26, how can it possibly stop pairing to a newer iOS version? I have an Apple Watch 1st gen on watchOS 4.3.2, and it is already having connectivity issues on iOS 18, which is understandable, It’s obsolete, but a watchOS 26 device? It isn’t even that old? Help me understand

I'm not sure I understand your question. The Ultra 1 does not support watchOS 27. Therefore, it will not pair with a phone that has been updated to iOS 27. At least that's the experience people are reporting. That means if you have a phone that has been update to iOS 27, buying an Ultra 1 is probably a bad idea.

Reply

Answer 2

Sep 30, 2026 1:54 PM in response to Mu-iOS

Mu-iOS wrote:

It WILL pair with an iPhone with iOS 27, I think you reversed them,

No, I did not. There have been a fair number of people reporting that the Ultra 1 will not pair withi their iPhone running iOS 27. There are a lot of people reporting that Apple Support told them it's not possible. As I do not have an Ultra 1, I cannot test this myself.

Reply

Answer 3

Sep 29, 2026 12:39 PM in response to Mu-iOS

I agree with Kilgore-Trout.

The other issue is that if you update your phone to iOS 27, you may find you can no longer pair the Ultra 1 to it.

Reply

Answer 4

Sep 29, 2026 12:17 PM in response to Mu-iOS

Personally I would drop a little more money and get the 12. There will be a time when you will care about updates, and any watch will need a battery replacement sooner or later. If the Ultra first gen you are considering is used, that could be sooner.

Given the thing you state you do and don’t want, why buy a smart watch at all? Just buy a watch.

Reply

Answer 5

Mu-iOS Author

Level 2

407 points

Sep 29, 2026 9:27 PM in response to Kilgore-Trout

I’m getting an Apple Watch for Apple fitness tracking, and the watch syncs seamlessly with my phone, might aswell consider the SE 3 if it’s budget-friendly, matter of fact, I might even consider the Casio watch recommended by “Zurarczurx”

Reply

Answer 6

Mu-iOS Author

Level 2

407 points

Sep 29, 2026 9:30 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

I’m sorry, what? Isn’t the Ultra on supported software? It goes up to watchOS 26, how can it possibly stop pairing to a newer iOS version? I have an Apple Watch 1st gen on watchOS 4.3.2, and it is already having connectivity issues on iOS 18, which is understandable, It’s obsolete, but a watchOS 26 device? It isn’t even that old? Help me understand

Reply

Answer 7

Mu-iOS Author

Level 2

407 points

Sep 30, 2026 11:05 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

It WILL pair with an iPhone with iOS 27, I think you reversed them, an iPhone with an older version than watchOS’s version will not pair unless the phone is updated, I have an SE 1st gen on watchOS 10, and I have it paired to my iOS 18 iPhone 11, saying that buying an ultra 1 is a “bad idea” really says a lot and makes me consider something else, but I just wanted to confirm, even if the ultra 1 does not support watchOS 27, an iOS 27 iPhone can definitely work with it (Tested on friend’s phone and watch, phone on 27.0 and watch on the latest version of 26 on a series 11)

I might’ve misunderstood your response though?

Reply

Answer 8

Zurarczurx

Level 5

6,868 points

Sep 29, 2026 12:28 PM in response to Mu-iOS

Get a Casio. <£100. Battery lasts ten years. Time, alarm, stopwatch, 100m WR.

Reply

Answer 9

Mu-iOS Author

Level 2

407 points

Sep 29, 2026 9:27 PM in response to Zurarczurx

I’m interested, Sorry, but what is “100m WR”?

Reply

Answer 10

KiltedTim

Level 10

237,408 points

Sep 30, 2026 11:33 AM in response to Mu-iOS

Buying used Apple gear is a risky proposition...

Make sure you buy from a service that offers buyer protection.

Reply

Answer 11

Mu-iOS Author

Level 2

407 points

Oct 1, 2026 8:54 AM in response to KiltedTim

Thanks for the warning, I’m aware of everything to do before buying a new device, this includes the user tips posted on the Apple community site.

Reply

Answer 12

Mu-iOS Author

Level 2

407 points

Oct 1, 2026 8:57 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

I don’t doubt you, but is it possible to see any kind of sources? I have searched on the internet and I cannot seem to find anything related to what is being said.

Reply