Tag: Ultra

Razer Kishi Ultra review: the best mobile controller on the market

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date May 12, 2024
No Comments on Razer Kishi Ultra review: the best mobile controller on the market

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One-minute review

The Razer Kishi Ultra is quite simply the best mobile controller on the market. It offers an unparalleled portable gaming experience thanks to its supremely comfortable full-size grips, smooth thumbsticks and Hall effect triggers, gorgeous mechanical buttons, and an abundance of high-end features like customizable RGB lighting and punchy haptics.

When paired with an iPad Mini or compatible big-screen mobile phone, the Razer Kishi Ultra can give many of the best handheld consoles a serious run for their money. It’s absolutely perfect for all kinds of native mobile titles from retro favorites like Sonic the Hedgehog to recent hits such as Honkai: Star Rail and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile. It also works well with a range of game streaming services, not to mention a selection of console emulators, making it easier than ever to enjoy your favorite games on the go.

Its excellent companion app even offers a handy virtual controller mode that ensures compatibility with software that doesn’t otherwise offer dedicated mobile controller support – an excellent inclusion that adds even more value to the overall package. The Razer Kishi Ultra might be expensive compared to much of the competition, but it’s well worth splashing out on if you won’t settle for anything but the best.

The corner of a Razer Kishi Ultra attached to an iPad Mini. — (Image credit: Dashiell Wood / Future)

Price and availability

$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95
Available via Razer and other retailers
More expensive than most mobile controllers

There’s no getting around the fact that the Razer Kishi Ultra is expensive. At $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95, it costs much more than competitors like the Backbone One which is priced at $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179. That said, the Razer Kishi Ultra offers far superior controls which I believe justifies the added cost.

Things become a little less straightforward when you compare the Razer Kishi Ultra to the Nintendo Switch Lite, though. The Razer Kishi Ultra is only $50 / £50 / AU$60 less than the Nintendo Switch Lite and, while the Nintendo Switch Lite is less comfortable to use, it is easier to transport and boasts compatibility with all of the best Nintendo Switch games. Your decision between the two is ultimately going to come down to the types of games that you enjoy. If you want a new way to play your favorite mobile titles, the Razer Kishi Ultra is simply unbeatable.

Specs

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Price	$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95
Dimensions	9.63 in x 4.36 in x 2.53 in
Weight	0.59 lbs / 266 g
Connection type	Wired (Type-C)
Compatibility	iPhone 15 Series, iPad Mini, Android
Software	Razer Nexus App (iOS / Android)

The Razer Kishi Ultra placed on a colorful blue desk mat.

(Image credit: Dashiell Wood / Future)

Design and features

The design of the Razer Kishi Ultra is effectively a cross between the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma and a traditional extending mobile controller like the Razer Kishi V2. It features two sides of a full-size controller that sandwich a spring-loaded back that can extend to accommodate a wide range of devices. Three sets of rubber cushions, which can be slotted into both sides of the spring-loaded back, are included in the box, offering a small degree of customizability when it comes to the fit around your device.

The controller attaches to your phone or tablet through a USB Type-C connector, which is located on the right-hand side. In addition to the iPhone 15 Series and Android phones, the Razer Kishi Ultra can fit a 6th-generation iPad Mini and a variety of small Android tablets. This is quite rare given the tiny size of most mobile controllers and means that the Razer Kishi Ultra is a brilliant match for iPad Mini owners, especially those who want to enjoy the many controller-compatible titles found on Apple Arcade.

The top of the Razer Kishi Ultra attached to an iPad Mini.

(Image credit: Dashiell Wood / Future)

The grips themselves are constructed of a quite thick, robust plastic with a pleasant grippy texture on their undersides. The face buttons use Razer’s Mecha-tactile switches, which are extremely responsive and very pleasantly clicky. The same switches are used for the two small customizable inputs, which are located on the top of the controller right next to full-size Hall-effect triggers and large shoulder buttons. They are also used for the clicky D-pad, which features a very thin and slightly concave design.

The thumbsticks of the Razer Kishi Ultra are full-size and positioned asymmetrically. While they unfortunately do not make use of Hall effect technology, they do both feature an “anti-friction ring” that Razer claims will enhance durability. While I have yet to see whether they will stand the test of time, I found that they were very smooth and still a huge upgrade compared to the stubby, awkward thumbsticks of the Backbone One. The controller also features a standard home button, a menu button, an options button, a screenshot button, and a unique Razer Nexus button – which opens the Razer Nexus app.

A small strip of RGB lighting also runs down the side of each grip. It’s bright and very eye-catching, lending the entire controller a more premium look. This is in addition to a small indicator LED on the right-hand side of the controller, which is mainly used to show a successful connection during the quick setup process. In terms of ports, on the bottom of the controller you will find a 3.5mm jack, which can be used to connect a wired gaming headset or a pair of the best gaming earbuds, and a USB Type-C port.

In addition to acting as a charging passthrough, allowing you to charge your device while you play, the Type-C port can be used to connect the Razer Kishi Ultra to a PC where it functions as a standard wired controller – though a cable to do so is not included in the box.

The side of the Razer Kishi Ultra.

(Image credit: Dashiell Wood / Future)

Performance

The Razer Kishi Ultra is by far the best-performing mobile controller that I have ever tested. The high quality of its build is apparent right out of the box thanks to the delightfully smooth black plastic and the controller’s reassuring heft. Although it makes this mobile controller particularly difficult to transport, its large size is easily its best asset as it offers enough room for full-size controls. The thumbsticks are an absolute dream, finally offering a mobile controller experience that feels truly console-quality. The same can be said of the buttons, which are well-positioned and almost identical in size to those found on the Xbox Wireless Controller.

I first tested the Razer Kishi Ultra by clasping it around an iPad Mini and was absolutely blown away. I sampled a range of Apple Arcade titles, including the recently added Dicey Dungeons+ and Sonic Dream Team, and everything worked seamlessly from the get-go. The grips themselves are incredibly comfortable too and, having spent some time with the beautifully crisp display of the iPad Mini, I don’t think that I could ever go back to the Nintendo Switch Lite again.

The Razer Kishi Ultra is also a brilliant performer with mobile phones. Testing Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile on a Samsung Galaxy S23+ felt almost indistinguishable from a fully-fledged match of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on console. Swapping over to an iPhone 15 Plus, this strong performance carried over to game streaming services including Amazon Luna and Xbox Cloud Gaming, in addition to the Delta Game Emulator, which all worked perfectly.

If that wasn’t enough, the Razer Nexus app is snappy and responsive, boasting a helpful list of titles with full controller compatibility that massively simplifies the process of finding new things to play.

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The virtual controller software of the Razer Nexus app. — (Image credit: Riot Games)

The app also offers a range of calibration settings, RGB customization, and basic button remapping for the two additional inputs. By far the most impressive feature it offers is the virtual controller mode, however, which allows you to map various controller inputs to certain points on the screen. This means that you can use the controller to play games that don’t offer any dedicated controller support, such as the hugely popular League of Legends: Wild Rift. The setup process was a little fiddly, requiring a lot of experimentation to find the right layout, but it worked very well once configured.

Although it’s sadly not currently supported by iOS, those playing with an Android device can also make use of the brand-new Razer Sensa HD haptics. They’re powered by a mode that automatically converts game audio into haptic feedback. It isn’t currently supported by many titles, but it leads to surprisingly detailed haptic sensations where it’s offered. Taking the example of Jetpack Joyride, the minigun jetpack created a suitably light buzz while each crashing footstep of the Lil’ Stomper powerup conveyed a real sense of weight.

When it comes to performance as a wired PC controller, the Razer Kishi Ultra is adequate. The haptics are still a strong suit, though the overall shape makes PC play awkward. While I wouldn’t advise anyone to go out and buy a Razer Kishi Ultra specifically to use it for PC gaming, it would certainly do in a pinch.

Should I buy the Razer Kishi Ultra?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

Consider these two alternatives if you want something smaller or considerably more budget-friendly than the Razer Kishi Ultra.

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Row 0 – Cell 0	Razer Kishi Ultra	Backbone One	GameSir X2s Type-C
Price	$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95	$99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.99	$45.99 / £49 / AU$69
Dimensions	9.63 in x 4.36 in x 2.53 in	6.93 in x 3.70 in x 1.34 in	7 in x 3.32 in x 1.48 in
Weight	0.59 lbs / 266 g	0.30 lbs / 138 g	0.38 lbs / 171.6 g
Connection type	Wired (Type-C)	Wired (Type-C / Lightning)	Wired (Type-C)
Compatibility	iPhone 15 Series, iPad Mini, Android	iPhone 15 Series, Android / iPhone 14 series and earlier	iPhone 15 Series, Android
Software	Razer Nexus App (iOS / Android)	Backbone App (iOS / Android)	GameSir App (iOS / Android)

The Razer Kishi Ultra attached to an iPad Mini being used to play Hitman: Blood Money.

(Image credit: Dashiell Wood / Future)

How I tested the Razer Kishi Ultra

Tested for more than 15 hours
Tested with a range of devices
Compared to similar products

I tested the Razer Kishi Ultra for more than 15 hours, using it as my primary mobile controller for almost a month. During that time, I played a wide range of mobile titles and used the controller with multiple devices including an iPad Mini, iPhone 15 Plus, and Samsung Galaxy S23+. In addition to a good selection of native mobile titles, I tried the controller with several game streaming services and a few console emulators. While out and about, I used the controller with a SteelSeries Tusq gaming headset.

I made sure to experience every hardware feature, in addition to everything in the Razer Nexus app. I was also careful to test the controller’s functionality when wired with a PC, using it to play through a significant portion of Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, where I compared my experience to using other controllers such as the DualSense Wireless Controller and Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra.

Apple could revive a legendary product it killed 13 years ago — heir to Xserve to run on M2 Ultra silicon according to reports but no sign of Mac OS X Server yet

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Apple may be late to the generative AI party but just don’t count it out yet. According to Bloomberg’s Marc Gurman and MacRumors’ Hartley Charlton, the company will use the M2 Ultra in its own servers – in its own data centres – to power its growing GAI ambitions. Launched in June 2023, the CPU – as used in the Mac Studio – remains the most complex piece of silicon ever released by Apple with 24 compute cores, up to 76 GPU cores and 32 AI accelerators.

The report neither mentions whether Apple plans to revive its defunct Xserve range of rack servers nor if it will bring back its Mac OS X server operating system. Both products have been mothballed for years as Apple moved its focus away from the enterprise market at the beginning of the last decade. A separate article from WSJ also adds that Apple is using the internal code name ACDC (Apple Chips in the Data Center).

In this piece, authors Aaron Tilley and Yang Jie posits that Apple would use the formidable firepower of its data centers for training or for more complex inference while lighter workloads (or those that would require access to personal data) would be handled locally on the device itself, eliminating the need to run in the cloud.

This mirrors what chip manufacturers like x86 stalwarts AMD and Intel have been advocating, in unison with Microsoft, with the AI PC paradigm: big server chips (like Epyc and Xeon) working in tandem with smaller client processors (Ryzen or Core). The difference being, of course, that Apple is using an existing processor rather than a new one.

Another way to AI hegemony?

Which raises another question; Did Apple plan this – having a jack-of-all-trade CPU family – from the onset? Bearing in mind that the M2 Ultra would probably be the only server processor in the world to have a GPU and an AI engine. Could it give way to a server-only version (the S1?) geared towards a data-center environment, with far more cores, no GPU and far, far more memory?

All in all though, there was never a doubt that sooner or later Apple would have started dabbling with server processors. It was a matter of when, rather than if. Reports of Apple building its own servers date back from as far as 2016 and is in line with Apple’s doctrine of owning the stack. In 2022, the company also looked to recruit an “upbeat and hard-working hardware validation engineer” to “develop, implement and complete hardware validation plans for its next generation hyperscale and storage server platforms”.

Then a year later, research carried out by analyst firm Structure Research found out that Apple was planning to triple its critical power capacity of its data centers to accommodate its two billion active devices (and nearly one billion iOS users) and deliver more services.

Of course, hardware requires software and Apple has been increasingly vocal over the past 12 months, releasing MLX, a machine learning framework designed specifically for Apple Silicon, a glimpse at an AI-enhanced Siri and a new suite of AI tools called OpenELMs.

It will be immensely instructive to see how Apple manages to do generative AI at scale using anything other than brute force GPU (à H100). This may well have a direct impact on the fate of another trillion-dollar company called Nvidia). WWDC, the annual Apple developer conference, takes places next month and it will have AI written all over it.

Apple to Power AI Features With M2 Ultra Servers

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date May 9, 2024
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Apple plans to power some of its upcoming iOS 18 features with data centers that use servers equipped with Apple silicon chips, reports Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

iCloud General Feature
M2 Ultra chips will be behind some of the most advanced AI tasks that are planned for this year and beyond. Apple reportedly accelerated its server building plans in response to the popularity of ChatGPT and other AI products, and future servers could use next-generation M4 chips.

While some tasks will be done on-device, more intensive tasks like generating images and summarizing articles will require cloud connectivity. A more powerful version of Siri would also need cloud-based servers. Privacy has long been a concern of Apple’s, but the team working on servers says that Apple chips will inherently protect user privacy.

Gurman previously claimed that all of the coming ‌iOS 18‌ features would run on-device, but it sounds like some capabilities coming this year will in fact use cloud servers. Apple plans to use its own servers for now, but in the future, it may also rely on servers from other companies.

Intel Core Ultra 200 Arrow Lake CPUs could be coming earlier than expected

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date May 6, 2024
No Comments on Intel Core Ultra 200 Arrow Lake CPUs could be coming earlier than expected

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An MSI overclocker has alleged that the upcoming Intel Arrow Lake processor could be coming as early as Q3 2024 which would be significantly ahead of what we’ve previously thought.

As reported by KitGuru, an MSI overclocker named Toppc has dropped hints about the MSI Dragon Event in Wuhan, China which is rumored to feature information on the “next” platform which is heavily speculated to be the socket LGA 1851 desktop processors – Arrow Lake-S (via Chiphell).

Previously, it’s been rumored that we would not see Intel Arrow Lake until 2025 so the news that the chipset generation could be coming in just a few months is certainly welcome news. This source also corroborates that the Core Ultra 9, Core Ultra 7, and Core Ultra 5 models will be exclusive to DDR5 RAM, as with AMD‘s AM5 socket.

In terms of what we can expect from the Intel Core Ultra 200 lineup, the flagship of the next-gen CPU generation is believed to be the Ultra 9 285K. According to Wccftech, it’s alleged that this top-end chipset will top out at 5.5 GHz which is down significantly from the 6 GHz of the Intel Core i9-14900K and the 6.2 GHz of the 14900KS.

For reference, that’s the same out-of-the-box speed as the Alder Lake flagship model, the 12900KS, which debuted over three years ago. With changes in architecture, going from socket 1700 (Hybrid) over to socket 1851 (Disaggregated), it seems as though Intel is prioritizing efficiency over raw power with its upcoming CPU generation.

A Q3 release date is possible, but unlikely

Q3 2024 is between July and September which means Intel Arrow Lake could debut anywhere from two to three months from now. Considering the rumors circulating pointing at an end-of-year or early 2025 release date, we’re leaning more towards a later rather than sooner release date, but the K variants could come first.

Toppc has been on the money with leaks and rumors in the past, most notably with the pre-release information surrounding socket AM5 AMD CPUs in 2022 (via Chiphell). That lends credence to the fact we may not be waiting as long, as MSI’s internal events could suggest an earlier release, but we aren’t convinced of a summer release date at this time.

It’s fair to say that things have been turbulent for Arrow Lake. Recently, the pre-release silicon has been available for sale illegally in China. Engineering samples are being sold for as little as $14, however, even if the hardware is in the fabrication process that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be ready for prime time within the next three months. We’ll be keeping you updated on all things Arrow Lake as they happen.

Apple Reportedly Building M2 Ultra and M4-Powered AI Servers

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date May 6, 2024
No Comments on Apple Reportedly Building M2 Ultra and M4-Powered AI Servers

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Apple has started building its own AI servers that use the M2 Ultra chip, Haitong analyst Jeff Pu reports.

Apple Silicon AI Optimized Feature Siri
Pu provided the analysis based on supply chain checks in a new note to investors seen by MacRumors. Foxconn is said to currently be assembling Apple AI servers that contain the ‌M2‌ Ultra, with plans to assemble AI servers powered by the M4 chip in late 2025. Last month, a reputable source on Weibo said that Apple was working on processors for its own AI servers made with TSMC’s 3nm process, targeting mass production by the second half of 2025, which may line up with this report about M4-powered AI servers.

Apple’s decision to build its own AI server is reflective of the company’s ongoing strategy to vertically integrate its supply chain. Apple will likely use its own chips to enhance the performance of its data centers and future AI tools that rely on the cloud.

While Apple is rumored to be prioritizing on-device processing for many of its upcoming AI tools, it is inevitable that some operations will have to occur in the cloud. By the time M4-based servers could be operational in data centers, Apple’s new AI strategy should be well underway.

In line with broader industry expectations, Pu also expects Apple to announce on-device AI features at WWDC in June, such as audio recording summarization, photo and video editing, and live translation. While the iPhone 16 lineup will tout a range of AI features, 2025’s iPhone 17 models will apparently be more focused AI devices.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra was world’s best-selling Android phone in Q1 2024

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date May 6, 2024
No Comments on Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra was world’s best-selling Android phone in Q1 2024

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The Galaxy S24 series received positive reviews, which have converted into sales. The Galaxy S24 series broke pre-order records in several countries, and sales numbers are showing up in the charts. The Galaxy S24 Ultra was the world’s best-selling Android phone at the start of this year.

Galaxy S24 Ultra was the world’s best-selling Android phone, ranking below four iPhones

Market research firm Counterpoint Research has released a list of the top ten best-selling phones worldwide. In that list, the iPhone 15 Pro Max ranked first (4.4%), the iPhone 15 ranked second (4.3%), the iPhone 15 Pro ranked third (3.7%), and the iPhone 14 ranked fourth (1.9%). The Galaxy S24 Ultra ranked fifth, with a 1.9% share of sales.

The Galaxy A15 5G ranked sixth, while the Galaxy A54 ranked seventh. The base Galaxy S24 ranked ninth and the Galaxy A34 ranked tenth.

Compared to last year, Samsung’s performance seems to have improved. In Q1 2023, the best-selling Android phone was the entry-level Galaxy A13. This year, though, it is one of the priciest Android phones in the world, the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Last year, no other phone from the Galaxy S23 series apart from the Galaxy S23 Ultra made it to the top ten list. This year, the Galaxy S24 has made it to the list.

You can watch our in-depth Galaxy S24 Ultra review in the video below.

Author’s Note: Overall, more pricier Galaxy phones have made it to the top ten list this year. Interestingly, like last year, no smartphone from any of the Chinese brands has appeared in the top ten list dispute being more value-for-money and better-specced compared to Galaxy devices. That really shows the extent of Samsung’s reach and popularity.

Most Chinese brands don’t ship their phones to nearly as many countries as Samsung. Moreover, their marketing is nowhere near as effective as Samsung’s. On top of that, the geopolitical tensions between China and the western countries don’t help Chinese firms either.

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Tags Android, Bestselling, Galaxy, Phone, S24, Samsung, Ultra, Worlds

Computers

Vodafone Pro II Ultra Hub Review: Wi-Fi 6E With 4G Backup

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date May 6, 2024
No Comments on Vodafone Pro II Ultra Hub Review: Wi-Fi 6E With 4G Backup

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While it works well, the 4G backup is likely a superfluous extra for most folks. If your internet service is stable, as it should be if you have full fibre, you’ll never need the 4G service. Folks lucky enough to live in an area with 5G coverage can get much faster backup service or even consider 5G home internet instead of wired broadband.

The Vodafone app is pretty barebones, but it’s easy to use. You can review connected devices, set up a guest network, and easily share login details with a QR code. There’s also a built-in assistance option that attempts to automatically troubleshoot and fix network issues. Parental controls and security features would be a welcome addition.

Competition and Availability

Front view of 3 devices plugged in. Left to right Tall oval shaped device square shaped device flat disc shaped device.

You can pay for fast internet service, but a decent router is required to get the most from it. Sadly, most ISPs in the UK do not supply good equipment. The worst offender is BT (British Telecom), which sends most customers the aging Smart Hub 2, a dual-band Wi-Fi 5 router that’s woefully out-of-date.

Most providers at least offer Wi-Fi 6 routers nowadays. I like TalkTalk’s approach. Instead of rebadging a white-label router, it partnered with Amazon’s Eero. The slower and cheaper Full Fibre contracts come with an Eero 6, but the Full Fibre 900 includes a pair of Eero Pro 6 routers, which is an excellent system for most homes. Interestingly, Three has also partnered with Eero for its 4G and 5G home broadband service.

Pricing and availability of Vodafone Pro II service depends on your location and required speed, but it starts from £39 a month with a minimum two-year contract. That two-year commitment is a definite turn-off, and you can expect annual price hikes in April, but it is a sadly common catch with UK ISPs.

Ultimately, Vodafone has kicked things up a notch with its Pro II service, and the Ultra Hub is perhaps the best ISP-supplied router you can get in the UK today. Many folks will still do better by picking the best service in their area (depending on budget and speed requirements) and then buying from our best routers or best mesh guides, but you will have to spend a few hundred to get something comparable.

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Tags Backup, hub, Pro, Review, Ultra, Vodafone, WiFi

Featured

French startup reveals quasi-immortal sensor that doesn’t need energy to work — SilMach’s ultra cheap microsensors can be used in a dizzying array of use cases

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France 2030 is a strategic €34 billion investment by the French government aiming to kickstart economic growth in the country.

As part of this initiative, the SIRCAPASS project (Surveillance of Road Infrastructures by Passive Sensors) has chosen French firm SilMach to provide ultra-cheap microsensors to monitor and ensure the structural health of bridges across the country.

The €1.7 million project is aimed at monitoring road infrastructures through passive sensors, specifically targeting impact detection, fatigue monitoring, exceptional overload, and crack identification – all tasks that previously were handled manually.

Operate effectively in harsh environments

Built around hybrid MEMS micromechanical sensor technology, these microsensors can record critical structural events without a power source, potentially identifying any hazards that might compromise a bridge’s structural integrity, and hopefully ensuring public safety.

“France 2030 marks a crucial step in SilMach’s development,” said Co-CEO Pierre-François Louvigné. “We are proud to lead this public-private consortium with key actors capable of providing a technological solution for the safety of the French and our economy.”

Fellow Co-CEO Jean-Baptiste Carnet added, “Everyone knows the human and economic cost of a bridge collapse. Our innovations are here to provide a new response to a major societal challenge.”

SilMach says its energy-free microsensor sensors operate effectively even in harsh environments including underwater and in space. With a communication module linked to an information system, the sensor can relay critical data and provide a mechanical memory ensuring access to raw data in a directly exploitable format.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 might not pack any hardware upgrades

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date May 2, 2024
No Comments on Apple Watch Ultra 3 might not pack any hardware upgrades

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The Apple Watch Ultra has one standout feature that alone is worth the price of admission. — This year’s Apple Watch Ultra refresh might disappoint you.
*Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac*

The Apple Watch Ultra 3, due to launch this year, will have “almost no” hardware upgrades. The claim comes from reputed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Last year’s Apple Watch Ultra 2 packed modest improvements over its predecessor. Apple will seemingly follow the same trend with this year’s model.

“Almost no” hardware improvements planned for Apple Watch Ultra 3

In a note shared with MacRumors, Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities says not to expect hardware upgrades on the 2024 Apple Watch Ultra. While his note is light on details, it sets the tone on what to expect from Apple’s third-gen Ultra smartwatch.

The watch might retain the same internals as its predecessor, with Apple relying on new software features and marketing to make the wearable stand out.

It was a similar story with the 2023 Apple Watch Ultra 2. Besides a super-bright 3000-nit display, it shipped with an S9 SiP. The only other notable change was the addition of a double-tap gesture, which rolled out with watchOS 10.1 in October. Otherwise, it looked the same and delivered the same functionality as the model it replaced.

Given Kuo’s accurate track record, there’s little reason to doubt this latest claim. With this year’s Apple Watch Ultra 3 not packing any hardware improvements, you should have no reason to upgrade from your current watch.

Could the Apple Watch Series X steal the limelight this year?

Instead of the Ultra, Apple could focus on the rumored Apple Watch Series X revamp this year. If previous reports are accurate, the wearable could debut with a slimmer design and a larger display. It might also sport a magnetic band connector.

But the big Apple Watch redesign has only been detailed in reports. There have not been any concrete leaks that confirm the long overdue Apple Watch redesign will debut in 2024. If not this year, the 2025 model might launch with a new design.

Apple was apparently working on an Apple Watch Ultra with micro LED for 2025. But with the display project canceled, we might not see big improvements in next year’s model either.

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Tags Apple, hardware, pack, Ultra, Upgrades, Watch

News

Kuo: Apple Watch Ultra to Get ‘Almost No’ Hardware Upgrades This Year

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date May 1, 2024
No Comments on Kuo: Apple Watch Ultra to Get ‘Almost No’ Hardware Upgrades This Year

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Just over six months ago, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the likelihood of a new Apple Watch Ultra being released in 2024 was “decreasing,” but it now sounds like there will be an Apple Watch Ultra 3 this year after all.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 hero feature blorange
In a direct message shared with MacRumors today, Kuo said that while the Apple Watch Ultra will be updated this year, the new model will have “almost no” hardware upgrades compared to the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Kuo did not reveal any specific changes planned for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which will presumably launch in September.

A third-generation Apple Watch SE is also a possibility this year if Apple sticks to a two-year upgrade cycle for that model, but the successor to the Apple Watch Series 9 is not entirely clear. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman previously reported about a redesigned “Apple Watch X” with a thinner case and magnetic bands, but he said it would be released “in 2024 or 2025,” so it is not clear if it will launch this year or next year.

In any case, Gurman previously said the model that succeeds the Apple Watch Series 9 will offer blood pressure sensing and sleep apnea detection, and these features would almost certainly extend to the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

The original Apple Watch was unveiled in September 2014, and launched in April 2015, so the device is approaching its tenth anniversary.

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