Does Apple Watch Ultra 2 fit old cases, bands and straps?

the Apple Watch Ultra 2 from the side
(Image credit: Apple)

Does Apple Watch Ultra 2 fit older cases?

Best Answer: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 will work with an original Watch Ultra case but will not work with any of the Series or SE watch cases. If you are upgrading from a traditional Series watch, you will need to buy a brand-new case. The same can be said for straps if you happen to have picked the smaller Series watch. 

What is the Apple Watch Ultra 2?

An upgrade to the previous top-of-the-line watch, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the most durable and most expensive Apple wearable currently available. With an always-on Retina display reaching up to 3000 nits, it is designed for you to be able to access it at almost any point, be it in a forest or at sea. The Watch Ultra 2 may be a little extravagant for some but, if you are an adventurer looking for a device that will accompany you through long hikes, it is the perfect accessory. You can access all of your iPhone’s notifications without having to grab your phone and built-in GPS and cellular makes it an excellent choice in a pinch. 

Apple Watch Ultra 2 modular ultra face

(Image credit: Apple/Future)

Will my old bands fit the Apple Watch Ultra 2?

Yes. Although the Watch Ultra 2 is a good bit bigger than the biggest Series 7,8, and 9 watches, you can put the 44mm band on your Watch Ultra 2. As well as this, the previous Ultra bands will work with the Ultra 2. 

Slight changes

Like the Apple Watch Series 9, watch upgrades are mostly reliant on internal upgrades. Though the chip will be upgraded and the display will be brighter, Apple has avoided changing the dimensions of devices too much in the last few years. This means that watch accessories are very compatible with each other. Though there are reports that the Watch X will have a different band type, it seems likely the dimensions will be similar to previous years. Apple has landed on a winner in their wearable design and they know it. 

Apple Watch Ultra 2 | From $799 at Apple

Apple Watch Ultra 2 | From $799 at Apple

Head to Apple and find all the customization options you could possibly want. This is the place to go if you want your watch as close to release as possible, and you can get Apple Care directly from the source.

James Bentley

James is a staff writer and general Jack of all trades at iMore. With news, features, reviews, and guides under his belt, he has always liked Apple for its unique branding and distinctive style. Originally buying a Macbook for music and video production, he has since gone on to join the Apple ecosystem with as many devices as he can fit on his person. 

With a degree in Law and Media and being a little too young to move onto the next step of his law career, James started writing from his bedroom about games, movies, tech, and anything else he could think of. Within months, this turned into a fully-fledged career as a freelance journalist. Before joining iMore, he was a staff writer at Gfinity and saw himself published at sites like TechRadar, NME, and Eurogamer. 

As his extensive portfolio implies, James was predominantly a games journalist before joining iMore and brings with him a unique perspective on Apple itself. When not working, he is trying to catch up with the movies and albums of the year, as well as finally finishing the Yakuza series. If you like Midwest emo music or pretentious indie games that will make you cry, he’ll talk your ear off.