In a move that pushes the boundaries of wearable innovation, Apple has officially introduced the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Announced today, this latest iteration builds on the rugged legacy of its predecessors, blending advanced sports and adventure capabilities with everyday smartwatch elegance. For those who demand precision in extreme conditions—whether scaling mountains or monitoring daily health—this device promises to be an indispensable companion.
A Display Built for the Great Outdoors
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 features the largest display ever on an Apple Watch, powered by cutting-edge LTPO3 technology and wide-angle OLED panels. What stands out is the 24% thinner bezels, which maximize the active screen area without altering the familiar 49mm titanium case size. This results in a brighter view even from off-angles, surpassing the Ultra and Ultra 2 models in visibility under harsh sunlight or during dynamic activities.
A new Waypoint watch face enhances usability with a live compass, satellite communication integration, and a Night Mode to protect low-light vision—ideal for nighttime hikes or stargazing. Available in natural or sleek black titanium finishes, it pairs with refreshed band options, including a reflective Trail Loop for visibility and updated Hermès collections for a touch of luxury.
Extended Battery Life
Battery endurance has long been a hallmark of the Ultra series, and the third generation elevates it further. Users can expect up to 42 hours of battery life, stretching to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. With fast charging—15 minutes on the charger yields up to 12 hours of use. These improvements make the Ultra 3 a reliable partner for multi-day expeditions.
Satellite Connectivity and 5G Integration
One of the most exciting advancements is the built-in two-way satellite communications, enabling off-grid texting to emergency services, family, or friends, complete with location sharing. Features like Emergency SOS via satellite, automatic crash and fall detection, and periodic Find My updates every 15 minutes ensure safety in remote areas. Messages via satellite support encrypted texts, emojis, and Tapbacks, all free for the first two years in select countries.
Complementing this is 5G cellular support, which accelerates downloads for music, podcasts, and apps. An intelligent algorithm leverages dual antennas to strengthen signals in low-coverage zones, doubling the connection range to satellites up to 800 miles away.
Advanced Health and Fitness Features
Health monitoring takes center stage with hypertension notifications, which analyze heart sensor data over 30 days to alert users to potential chronic high blood pressure. Pending FDA clearance, this feature rolls out this month in over 150 countries via watchOS 26—though it’s not suitable for those under 22, with prior diagnoses, or during pregnancy.
The new Sleep Score in watchOS 26 evaluates rest quality based on duration, stages, and consistency, drawing from expert guidelines. It joins an arsenal including ECG, blood oxygen, sleep apnea detection, and ovulation estimates. For fitness enthusiasts, the Workout Buddy—powered by Apple Intelligence—delivers personalized audio motivation during runs or cycles, while enhanced apps offer metrics like stride length for runners, power zones for cyclists, and SWOLF scores for swimmers.
Divers will appreciate the Oceanic+ app partnership, turning the watch into a certified dive computer for depths up to 40 meters, with automatic stroke and lap tracking. Hikers benefit from offline maps and Backtrack GPS in the Compass app.
Pricing and Availability
Priced at a starting point of $799 in the U.S., the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available for pre-order immediately, with in-store and online availability beginning Friday, September 19, in major markets including the U.S., UK, Japan, and over 50 others. New buyers may qualify for three months free of Apple Fitness+ and Apple Music, subject to regional terms.
watchOS 26, essential for many new features, launches September 15 and requires an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26. As Eugene Kim, Apple’s vice president of Apple Watch Hardware Engineering, noted, “Apple Watch Ultra 3 debuts innovative satellite communications that will offer users more safety and connectivity when they’re off the grid, plus longer battery life, 5G, powerful health insights, and all the advanced fitness features our users love.”
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