The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is Apple's most expensive watch, starting at $799. Designed for outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and adventurers, it offers greater durability, a larger display, and more specialized features than the standard Apple Watch. The third-generation model was released in September 2025 and represents a significant update over the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Should You Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 3?
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is currently a good time to buy. It was just refreshed in September 2025, and Apple is not expected to release another update until at least September 2026, if at all. The Ultra line does not see annual updates, and any 2026 refresh is likely to lack major new hardware features. Compared to the second-generation model, the Ultra 3 offers a larger and brighter display, slimmed-down bezels, 5G support, and satellite connectivity. Against the Apple Watch Series 11, the Ultra 3 has better water resistance, a more rugged enclosure, and longer battery life. However, the 49mm case may be too large for some wrists, so those who prefer a smaller watch or don't need the Ultra's advanced features should consider the Series 11.
Design and Display
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 retains the same design as its predecessors: a lightweight aerospace-grade titanium body, flat sapphire crystal face, a larger Digital Crown with deeper grooves, and a customizable Action button on the left side, colored international orange for visibility. The case measures 49mm by 44mm by 12mm and weighs 61.6 grams, making it the largest and heaviest Apple Watch. It is available in Natural Titanium or Black Titanium, with the black finish featuring a diamond-like carbon coating for scratch resistance.
The biggest design change is the display. Apple slimmed the bezels by 24 percent, increasing the viewable area to 1,245 sq mm—the largest of any Apple Watch. The LTPO3 wide-angle OLED display reaches 3,000 nits peak brightness and can drop to 1 nit for dark environments. The always-on display now shows a ticking seconds hand. The resolution is 422 x 512 pixels, beating the 46mm Series 11's 1,220 sq mm area.
S10 Chip and Gestures
Inside the Ultra 3 is the same S10 chip found in the Series 11. While performance is unchanged from the S9, the chip enables new gestures: Double Tap (tap index finger and thumb twice to control the watch one-handed) and Wrist Flick (dismiss notifications or calls by flicking the wrist). Both gestures are powered by watchOS 26. Storage remains 64GB.
Health Features
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 includes a third-generation optical heart rate sensor, an electrical heart rate sensor for ECG, and blood oxygen monitoring (with U.S. limitations due to patent disputes). New in watchOS 26 are Hypertension Alerts, which analyze 30 days of heart rate data to detect patterns of high blood pressure, and Sleep Score, a numerical rating based on sleep duration, consistency, and interruptions. The watch also supports sleep apnea detection, fall detection, crash detection, and temperature sensing for menstrual cycle tracking and fertility planning.
Activity and Outdoor Features
The Ultra 3 is built for endurance. It includes a Depth app and a diving depth gauge certified to EN 13319 for recreational scuba diving to 40 meters. A dedicated Tides app provides tide, sunrise, and sunset information. The Compass app supports Waypoints and Backtrack GPS tracing. The Action button can launch workouts, mark waypoints, or toggle the torch. For extreme environments, the watch operates between –4°F and 131°F, is MIL-STD-810H certified, and has a 100-meter water resistance rating suitable for kitesurfing and wakeboarding.
Battery Life
Battery life has been improved to up to 42 hours on a single charge, up from 36 hours on the Ultra 2. With Low Power Mode, it can reach 72 hours. Fast charging charges 0-80% in 45 minutes; a 15-minute charge gives 12 hours of normal use, and a 5-minute charge provides 8 hours of sleep tracking.
Connectivity
All Ultra models include cellular connectivity. The Ultra 3 introduces 5G for faster speeds and satellite connectivity for Emergency SOS, messages, and Find My when Wi-Fi and cellular are unavailable. It also features a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for Precision Finding of iPhone and HomePod media control, Bluetooth 5.3, and the W3 wireless chip. A loud 86-decibel emergency siren can be heard up to 600 feet away.
Bands and Pricing
Three sport-focused bands are available: Trail Loop (thin and light), Alpine Loop (durable woven design), and Ocean Band (for water sports). The watch also fits standard 44mm, 45mm, and 46mm bands. Prices for various configurations range from $749 to $999, with Apple's starting price at $799.
Comparison with Other Models
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is sold alongside the Series 11 (starting at $399) and the SE 3 (starting at $249). The Ultra 3 is larger, more rugged, and has satellite connectivity, a siren, longer battery life, and more health sensors like blood oxygen and ECG, which the SE lacks. The Series 11 offers many of the same health features but in a lighter, smaller package without satellite or extreme water resistance.
What's Next?
According to rumors, a design overhaul is unlikely until 2028. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 in 2026 may include a "full redesign" and improved high blood pressure sensing, but major changes are not expected soon. Apple is also developing noninvasive blood glucose monitoring, though that is several years away. Future models could use LG's HMO display technology for lower power consumption and potentially integrate Touch ID.
With its advanced features, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 sets a new standard for adventure smartwatches, combining rugged durability, cutting-edge health monitoring, and extended battery life for the most demanding users.
Source: MacRumors News