Apple Watch Ultra: really very durable, but very difficult to repair

iFixit has completed the teardown of the Apple Watch Ultra. Extremely durable, it is also very difficult to repair. But it’s probably a step in the right direction.

The Apple Watch Ultra is designed and built to withstand the most extreme outdoor adventures, but that means no more DIY repairs. iFixit recently posted a video of a complete teardown of a brand new connected watch from the Apple brand, and the conclusion is clear: the Ultra model is no easier to repair than the regular version.

iFixit has completed the teardown of the Apple Watch Ultra.

While there are indeed screws on the back of the watch, you will destroy the seal if you push on the back. And do not even think about going through the front, the operation is extremely difficult without breaking the screen, at least without special tools.

Extremely durable, it is also very difficult to repair

It is also very difficult to access the battery and other components. This proper analysis by iFixit also shows just how much more impressive the speaker is on the Apple Watch Ultra than on the Series 8. While there are only a few chances that you’re using the alarm function that these speakers were designed for, help ensure better quality during calls and with applications that use sound.

But it’s probably a step in the right direction.

So clearly not the progress in terms of repairability that we saw with the base iPhone 14. You will need to take your watch to a professional repairer if it was damaged during a trip. However, iFixit sees this Apple Watch Ultra as a step towards a more repairable Apple-connected watch. It’s hard to say if the next generations will come to close that gap even further, but that’s not surprising given the political pressure on the tech industry to push for more sustainable products.