The new Black Titanium update for the Apple Watch Ultra might appear to be the ultimate gesture for fans of the device, unless you're looking for a real hardware upgrade.
Color Comparison
Zach Nelson, the host of JerryRigEverything, remarked that the newly introduced finish resembled Space Gray more than Jet Black, which was the iPhone 7’s infamous colorway that gained notoriety for negative reasons.
Durability and Design
Despite this, Apple claims that the Black Titanium edition of its rugged 49mm watch will not face the same issues as the past. Interestingly, this version features a "diamond-like" coating made through a physical vapor deposition (PVD) method. This coating is designed to prevent the typical natural titanium from showing through and performed admirably in durability tests against the standard Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Garmin Fenix 7X, as examined by the YouTuber Chase the Summit.
Testing Challenges
In the durability tests, each smartwatch was exposed to everyday objects like keys and concrete, and the debris simply wiped off the Black Titanium finish, which appeared to be the tougher surface. The testing continued on the JerryRigEverything channel, where Nelson subjected the Black Titanium surface to more extreme challenges, including contacting hollowpoint bullets.
Final Thoughts
However, the tests concluded when Nelson used a standard razor blade from a branded knife. While it did leave typical titanium marks on the coating, it had no effect on the Ultra 2's sapphire-enhanced display. Overall, it might be wise to handle the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the new color with extra caution. A protective case like the Lite Fit Pro (priced at $24.99 on Amazon) from Spigen could provide some additional security.
JerryRigEverything via YouTube
