Apple Watch Ultra Now at Record Discount Prices Before Festive Season - Insights

Jason Hiner/ZDNET

The original Apple Watch Ultra is getting a rare $160 discount for the holidays. Released one year ago, Apple’s outdoor adventure smartwatch is now on sale for $639, down from its usual $799 price. This deal is available at Best Buy for the 49mm Titanium Case model.

If you have been thinking about getting yourself or a loved one a new Apple Watch , now is the time to snag a great deal on the top-performing high-end model.

Apple Watch Ultra for $639 (save $160) View now at Best Buy

The Ultra series is Apple’s most rugged and capable watch line. While the Apple Watch Ultra 2 , released this fall, is the latest version, the Apple Watch Ultra continues to be an incredibly capable smartwatch that you can buy for a significantly lower price.

When comparing the smartwatches, ZDNET’s wearable expert Matthew Miller notes the Ultra 2 does not have any major improvements compared to its predecessor – the biggest differences are the brighter display and the new processor.

Also: Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Watch Ultra: Is it time to upgrade?

When testing the Apple Watch Ultra , Miller put it through the most ruthless endurance test he could think of: a Tough Mudder 15K. He found the Ultra watch held up impressively well, especially since he completed the challenge without getting a single scratch in the display. During the Mudder, the watch updated Miller about one-mile splits, tracked his workouts, notified him of his heart rate, and identified several times when he had taken a hard hit, asking if he needed assistance.

ZDNET reviewer Adrian Kingsley Hughes also tested the Apple Watch Ultra for nine months, and wrote that he was “impressed there [wasn’t] more damage to the case.”

Also: The best Apple Watches you can buy

If you are planning on buying an Apple Watch Ultra for the first time for yourself or a loved one and looking to save some money, this deal is worth taking advantage of.