Apple Watch Ultra 2 flickering issue could be fixed by an imminent free update

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is an awesome smartwatch, having been given a five-star review by T3 and many other outlets. However, it has a peculiar issue that we've even noticed on our own device.

When the always-on display is active (as per the default), the screen can flicker at times – seemingly raising brightness momentarily.

This strange problem has also been reported by Apple Watch Series 9 users, although we've not experienced it in that regard.

It's an issue that Apple reportedly acknowledges, with the Cupertino company alleged to have sent an internal service memo to Apple Authorised Service Providers (via MacRumors). It tells them not to attempt to repair either Watch, but to advise customers to keep the software up-to-date instead.

This suggests that the issue is soon to be fixed through a watchOS update. It could even arrive as part of watchOS 10.1, which is due for public release within a week.

One other temporary solution is to turn off the always-on display option, which is hardly ideal. I don't know about you, but I've invested in an Ultra 2 with that particular feature in mind.

The memo also reveals that some Apple Watch wearers might experience a different issue. The activity rings on a Watch face might "temporarily turn pink", it says.

This is strangely not in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, although it would have been a cool and subtle way to draw attention to it. It may also be addressed in the next operating system update.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 was announced alongside the new Apple Watch Series 9 on 12 September, with both devices being made available from 22 September. However, some band options are still yet to be delivered with several designs selling out during the pre-order phase.

It is priced at $799 / £799 while the Watch Series 9 starts at $399 / £399.

Both are now widely available from multiple retailers, although you might still find you have to wait a bit longer for select bands considering the demand.