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Apple Watch Ultra Display Too Dim in Low Light, Say Some Users | MacRumors Forums
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The Apple Watch Ultra display is too difficult to read in low light conditions, report some users, an ambient light sensor issue that is likely linked to Apple's watchOS 10 software update last month.

apple-watch-ultra-night-mode.jpg

There are multiple complaints from MacRumors readers (1, 2), Reddit users (1, 2, 3, 4), and Apple Community users who say that they are unable to read information on the Apple Watch Ultra display in dark environments because the screen is too dim, suggesting the device's ambient light sensor has not been properly calibrated to increase brightness to an adequate level.

Launched last month, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 pushes the maximum screen brightness to 3,000 nits, making it the brightest Apple Watch ever, according to Apple. The display is also capable of reducing brightness to as low as 1 nits.

Some Ultra 2 owners have pinned the blame on this new hardware specification, however the recent uptick in reports also includes users of the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, suggesting it is an issue with Apple's watchOS 10 software update, which was released in September.

Users say the issue is particularly pronounced when quickly moving from a bright room to a dark area, and when the Wayfinder and Ultra Modular watch face is set to Night mode, which puts a red filter on the display. Legibility issues persist despite manual adjustments to the brightness level in the watch's Settings. Both Ultra and Ultra 2 owners say the problem is evident on models updated with watchOS 10.0.1 and the latest watchOS 10.0.2 update.
Apple is reportedly aware of the issue, so hopefully a future software update will remedy the situation. Have you experienced difficulty reading information on the Apple Watch Ultra's screen in low light? Let us know in the comments.

(Thanks, Joshua!)

Article Link: Apple Watch Ultra Display Too Dim in Low Light, Say Some Users
 
Last edited:

michaelbirdart

macrumors newbie
Nov 4, 2021
7
3
I'm sure this is because human eyes take longer to adjust to dark conditions than a screen takes to dim. Is it still dim after 30 minutes in the dark? Do you have vision problems? The solution is an option to increase the brightness - increasing it for everyone would be a shame for those than can make use of the increased range.

Given that their marketing rationale for the utility of the ultra dim display was that it wouldn't be obtrusive in movie theaters, one would expect eyes to be adjusted to the screen and therefore the watch would be readable regardless. My eyes have the opposite issue in that they do not acclimate to bright lights quickly (particularly fluorescents), and given my preference for darker lighting, my Ultra 2 is simply too dim in the dark.

Your premise that it would be unfortunate if they increased the brightness and therefor deprived (presumably) you and others of the option of its current setting is somewhat paradoxical. Those of us who are having trouble with it would suggest that maybe three stops for "brightness" is perhaps inadequate and that a greater degree of personalization from a smart watch isn't too much to ask.
 

Rychiar

macrumors 68000
May 16, 2006
1,897
4,430
Waterbury, CT
I'm sure this is because human eyes take longer to adjust to dark conditions than a screen takes to dim. Is it still dim after 30 minutes in the dark? Do you have vision problems? The solution is an option to increase the brightness - increasing it for everyone would be a shame for those than can make use of the increased range.
It was fine the way it was in the dark . It was never too bright for me and I have light sensitivity issues
 

spazzcat

macrumors 68040
Jun 29, 2007
3,217
3,039
Why is this article just about the ultra 2? The series 9 is just as bad. I was excited about having a brighter always on display coming from a series 5 and now I can barely see my screen in a dark room unless all the colors are white and even then it’s dim
Because it's only an issue when it goes into night mode with the red display.
 

Kingrusso

macrumors newbie
Sep 22, 2023
7
2
Big mess from Apple this year, I am having also issue with apple watch not detecting my wrist because I have a tattoo. Had garmin and other sport trackers/watches, never had an issue until I got ultra. Even the previous gen of apple watch were not bad as ultra..
 

MrSkoTA

macrumors regular
Mar 22, 2010
108
81
“unable to read information on the Apple Watch Ultra display in dark environments because the screen is too dim”

Yup!
 
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Evolving Mind

macrumors newbie
Sep 20, 2022
14
19
I can confirm this as well, went from a series 7 to Ultra 2 and watch OS 10. You cannot read anything, also always on display gets to dark and does not adjust properly in bright environment. You cannot glance at your watch an see the time, that's a bummer.
 

jclardy

macrumors 68040
Oct 6, 2008
3,995
3,992
Users say the issue is particularly pronounced when quickly moving from a bright room to a dark area, and when the Wayfinder and Ultra Modular watch face is set to Night mode, which puts a red filter on the display.
Not to discount this issue...but do people know how eyes work? If you move from a bright room to a dark room, you aren't going to see dim lights for a few seconds/minutes as your eyes acclimate to the new brightness levels. I also suspect people could be looking at max brightness iPhones or a TV in dark rooms, then looking at a 1/2 nit watch display.

Just don't want these people to force apple to ruin my 2 nit night mode which is one of my favorite ultra features.

Add an accessibility setting to force a minimum brightness level, problem solved.
 
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