The third-gen premium smartwatch is available for $799 from 19 September
Apple has announced the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the next generation of its premium smartwatch, with the headline addition of Emergency SOS via satellite.
At first glance, the third iteration of the outdoor smartwatch looks identical to the previous generations. However, a bigger display—the largest display ever on an Apple Watch—is a key differentiator. There’s also improved battery life, with the brand noting users can expect upwards of 42 hours (up from 36 hours) on the latest model.
The headline feature, satellite connectivity, allows users to send emergency texts, message friends and family, and share their location via Find My even when they are completely off the grid without any cellular or Wi-Fi signal. Similar to the recently announced Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, this update should make the Ultra 3 a more effective safety device for hikers, climbers, and trail runners.
It’s available to pre-order today from $799 (which means there’s no price increase) in the same natural titanium or black titanium cases as before, with availability beginning on Friday, September 19.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Four key features
1. Satellite connectivity is the headline feature
If there’s been a consistent trend in premium smartwatches recently, it’s the emergence of sattelite messaging and connectivity. Last week, Garmin’s unveiled the Fenix 8 Pro with its own inReach technology, while Google beat everybody to the jump with its satellite support in Pixel Watch 4.
Now, Apple’s best smartwatch has it. Users in remote locations can use their Ultra 3 to send an SOS to emergency services or send a check-in message to a loved one. Apple also notes that the feature comes with two years of complimentary service for users with an active cellular plan.
2. The display is bigger (with improved refresh rates)
The Ultra 3 now boasts the largest-ever display on an Apple Watch, pushing the screen even closer to the edges of the rugged titanium case.
It also features a more efficient 1Hz refresh rate, which Apple claims will help conserve power, as well as updated LTPO3 and wide-angle OLEDs to enhance viewing angles. So, no MicroLED, but still.
3. Battery life gets a welcome boost
The Ultra 3 increases the standard battery life estimation from 36 hours to 42 hours, a meaningful improvement that will be a welcome addition for those embarking on multi-day hikes or long endurance events.
We’ve always found that the Ultra has managed to stretch to at least a couple of days in most testing conditions, so this should push that comfortably into a third day.
4. It gets all the new health & fitness features
As you would expect, the Ultra 3 also gets all the advanced features that were announced for the Series 11. This includes the hypertension detection monitoring and notifications, the new native Sleep Score, and the Workout Buddy implementation first teased at WWDC 2025 in June.
