Apple Watch Ultra 3: In summary
- Launched on 9 September, available now
- All the rumours about blood pressure tracking were true
- Satellite communication will be a game-changer for adventurers
- Prices remain unchanged over the previous model
The curtain has officially been pulled back on the long-awaited refresh to Apple’s outdoor-ready premium smartwatch. For all the key things to know about the Apple Watch Ultra 3, keep on reading.
It’s taken a while to come to market, but the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is finally here. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 hit the world stage back in 2023, and in the time since, Apple fans have had to sit back and wait patiently as new features have come out for competing smartwatches from the likes of Garmin and Polar, but it now seems as though that patience has been rewarded.
The Watch Ultra 3 is packed full of key updates that Apple fans have been clamouring for – so much so that it might be an essential upgrade for Watch Ultra 2 fans, let alone anyone who’s still repping the original Apple Watch Ultra .
It’s also worth mentioning that this flagship wearable was announced alongside two other devices in the same category, the Apple Watch Series 11 and the more budget-friendly Apple Watch SE 3 , so there’s plenty of choice this year for anyone looking to upgrade.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Key upgrades & new features
In summary
- Just like Emergency SOS on iPhone, the Watch Ultra 3 can use satellite communication
- The battery life has jumped up to 42 hours
- Blood pressure tracking arrives alongside Sleep Score and Workout Buddy
Lifesaving connectivity
One of the best features to come to iPhones in the last few years is Emergency SOS, which allows compatible handsets to use satellite connectivity to call for help if you’re ever in a location that’s out of reach to your mobile network. The feature was a game-changer, especially as it’s gone on to save a handful of people from peril after a hike gone wrong, but now you won’t even need to rely on your phone for the same tech if you have an Apple Watch Ultra 3 to hand.
Apple
The new Watch Ultra can help you to contact the emergency services, send your location or a text to loved ones, all over a satellite connection, so if you are taking a trip in the woods and you find yourself in an area that wasn’t on your itinerary and is too off grid for typical network coverage, then you do have the means of getting yourself back to safety. Given that the Watch Ultra was always intended to be a more outdoor-ready watch compared to the two cheaper options in the range, this feels like a perfect fit and one that frequent hikers and runners will be glad to have.
There’s also 5G connectivity onboard, so instead of having to rely on the 4G-based LTE standard that previous Apple Watch Ultras utilised, you’ll now get a much faster connection if you have your SIM set up on the wearable itself. This is great news if you’re the type of person who prefers to leave their iPhone at home when heading off on a run or even just a lunchtime walk, as you’ll be able to stream music, audiobooks and more at a faster rate, not to mention all the benefits when it comes to sending and receiving texts on the go.
A much-needed battery upgrade
One of the Apple Watch’s biggest problems, across the board, has always been the battery life. Even though the original Apple Watch Ultra kicked things up a notch by providing up to 36 hours of use on a single charge (up from 18 hours on standard Apple Watches at the time), it paled in comparison to the longevity provided by similarly priced wearables from Garmin, which can often go for weeks between charges. Thankfully, Apple has heard these complaints as the Watch Ultra 3 is getting a key bump to battery life.
Now, instead of topping out at 36 hours, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 can keep the party going for a total of 42 hours, although that can be increased to a whopping 72 hours if you toggle the Low Power Mode, which switches off certain features like the always-on display.
It’s worth mentioning that Apple tends to be quite conservative with these numbers, and from our experience, it was perfectly possible to get two days (and two nights) of use with the previous battery, so it isn’t too hard to imagine this larger cell potentially nabbing users an extra day before needing to top up.
Apple
What’s surprising is that the Watch Ultra 3 is able to achieve these metrics despite having a slightly larger display. The bezels have been thinned down by 24%, bringing the total surface area of the new display to 1,245 sq mm, up from 1,185 sq mm.
The viewing angles and the refresh rates have been improved too, with the display now boasting LTPO3 wide-angle OLED. To have these features on board and still have more battery life alongside them is a huge win for any adopters who have wanted a high-end Apple Watch that could comfortably last through a marathon without any concern.
Health tracking is getting a lot better
One of the big rumours in the run-up to the Apple Watch Ultra 3’s unveiling was that the wearable would be able to take blood pressure readings, and while we now know that the feature is also available on the standard Apple Watch Series 11, it is still a major addition to Apple’s already expansive line-up of health tracking tech.
Labeled as ‘Hypertension notifications’, this feature will supposedly let you know if there’s anything about your blood pressure that might be cause for concern, although given that blood pressure tests usually require an inflatable band for a more accurate reading, only time will tell if the Apple Watch Ultra 3 can provide genuine insight on this topic, with the standard watch band in tow.
There are two more features in this department that, despite also being available on the Series 11 and the SE 3, only expand the Watch Ultra 3’s fitness tracking chops even more.
The first is Workout Buddy, which uses Apple Intelligence, alongside recent fitness data, to offer personalised encouragement as you work out. Think of it like having a boxing trainer in your corner, telling you what to do next as you go several rounds with a group of dumbbells.
Apple
The second feature pertains to sleep tracking as Apple is finally offering an easy-to-understand insight into how well you’ve actually slept.
Labelled as Sleep Score, this feature assigns you a number out of 100 so that you can know right away whether or not your body is fully rested and ready to take on more exercise, or if a rest day might be on the cards to make up for not getting enough sleep. It’s something that competing wearables have had for years, but to see Apple finally get on board with more in-depth sleep tracking is a big win.
When is the Apple Watch Ultra 3 release date?
In summary
- Announced on 9 September
- Available now, following 19 September release date
The wait to get your hands on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is over.
After being announced on 9 September, the watch officially went on sale on 19 September in the following countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, India, the UAE, the UK and the US.
Just for reference, here are the release windows for previous Apple Watch Ultra devices:
- Apple Watch Ultra – September 2022
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 – September 2023
How much does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 cost?
In summary
- Prices remain unchanged compared to the Apple Watch Ultra 2
- The Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a starting price of £749/$799
Despite concerns regarding the ongoing tariffs being implemented by the US Government, there is no price increase whatsoever on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 from its predecessor, meaning that prices start at £749/$799.
Apple
The price can jump up if you opt for one of the tougher Titanium Milanese Loops (going to £849/$899), and there are two colourways available for the watch itself: Natural and Black.
Regardless of which combination you go for, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 includes three months’ free access to both Apple Music and Apple Fitness Plus for new members.
Here are all the pricing options for the Apple Watch Ultra 3:
49mm, Alpine Loop, Trail Loop or Ocean Band – £749/$799
49mm, Titanium Milanese Loop – £849/$899
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Author: Thomas Deehan, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Tom began covering tech all the way back in 2018, initially writing about tech deals for Trusted Reviews before working his way up to being the site’s Deputy Editor. Now operating as a freelance writer, you can find Tom testing the latest smartphones, wearables, earbuds and more. In his spare time, you’ll either find him trying to get through a backlog of books, games and TV shows, or trying to write his very own novel (if he’s feeling productive).
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