Apple has finally introduced the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the company’s most advanced smartwatch designed for sports, adventure, and everyday use, being the most advanced family member of the Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Series 11.
The Ultra 3 combines a larger display, expanded health monitoring, satellite connectivity, and extended battery life to support users in demanding environments.
Largest display and long-lasting battery
The Ultra 3 features Apple’s largest display to date, using LTPO3 and wide-angle OLED technology. This makes screen borders 24% thinner and improves readability at wider angles.
The always-on display refreshes up to once per second, supporting live seconds hands and over 20 watch faces, including a new Waypoint face for navigation and satellite access.
The larger battery provides up to 42 hours of daily use, 72 hours in Low Power Mode, and up to 20 hours of continuous GPS tracking in Low Power Mode. Fast charging allows 15 minutes to supply up to 12 hours of battery.
Satellite communications and off-grid safety
Ultra 3 introduces built-in, two-way satellite communications.
Users can text emergency services, message contacts, and share locations even without cellular coverage. Emergency SOS via satellite can alert authorities and contacts after a severe fall or car crash when the user is unresponsive.
Satellite features are free for two years and end-to-end encrypted. Advanced antenna design and radio tuning enable connections with satellites 800 miles above Earth traveling at 15,000 mph.
New health insights
Apple Watch Ultra 3 adds hypertension notifications to detect consistent signs of chronic high blood pressure, helping users identify undiagnosed conditions. Sleep score provides insights into restorative sleep by analyzing duration, consistency, and stages.
These join existing health features like irregular rhythm alerts, ECG, blood oxygen, sleep apnea notifications, and retrospective ovulation estimates.
Advanced fitness features
Workout Buddy, powered by Apple Intelligence, delivers real-time motivation based on heart rate, pace, distance, and fitness history. The Workout app now supports customizable views, custom workouts, Pacer, Race Route, and integrated music or podcast playback.
Ultra 3 offers specialized tracking for runners, cyclists, swimmers, hikers, divers (with Oceanic+ app), and golfers, along with third-party integrations like Strava, Nike Run Club, Runna, and TrainingPeaks.
watchOS 26 updates
The Ultra 3 runs watchOS 26, featuring Liquid Glass design, Smart Stack hints, Live Translation in Messages, one-handed wrist flick gestures, and intelligent message-based suggestions.
Design, bands, and sustainability
Ultra 3 is available in natural and black titanium, with new Trail Loop, Ocean, Alpine, and Hermès bands.
The watch is made with 40% recycled content, including 100% recycled cobalt in the battery and 100% recycled titanium in the case, with production using 100% renewable electricity. Apple continues to pursue carbon neutrality under Apple 2030.
Availability and pricing
Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available for pre-order now, shipping September 19. Pricing starts at $799 (U.S.).
