The Apple Watch Ultra is equipped with an 86-decibel “siren” function that alerts nearby people to your location in case of an emergency. Apple officially says that the “siren” function can travel up to 180 meters (600 feet), but foreign technology media The Verge’s real-world testing suggests that this feature is up to par but not very reliable in real-world scenarios, and is not as good as a whistle that costs $4.
The Verge invited five professionals to review the Apple Watch Ultra (diving, running, hiking, skiing, and teardown for repair). In an earlier teardown, it was revealed that the smartwatch has a large 542mAh battery, which means it has a much longer battery life than other Apple Watch models, so using the “siren” feature in an emergency could increase the chances of rescue.
You also have to keep in mind that the Apple Watch Ultra won’t last for days with GPS enabled – the company claims up to 36 hours depending on your usage. On the other hand, the $4 whistle will last for years, so while there are other features to look forward to in this wearable, it’s important to always have it with you in case of an emergency.
