Apple unveils Apple Watch Ultra 3

• Apple Watch Ultra 3, the company’s latest adventure-focused smartwatch, introduces satellite connectivity for emergencies, a larger display, and new health-tracking features.

Apple has officially announced the Apple Watch Ultra 3, a new iteration of its high-end smartwatch line. This model focuses on expanding its capabilities for a range of activities, from extreme sports to daily health monitoring. The watch is equipped with new features designed to enhance user safety and connectivity, especially in remote areas. It also incorporates significant hardware upgrades that improve display quality and battery life.

The watch can now be used for satellite communications, allowing users to send texts and share their location when cellular or Wi-Fi is unavailable. Additionally, it offers advanced health insights and new fitness-tracking features, including a personalized coaching experience. Apple Watch Ultra 3 is now available for pre-order and will be on sale starting Friday, September 19. The company says the device builds on the success of its predecessor by offering a more comprehensive and powerful user experience.

Key Hardware Upgrades

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 features the company’s largest display to date, which uses advanced LTPO3 and wide-angle OLED technology. This display design results in 24 percent thinner borders, maximizing the active screen area without changing the overall case size. The LTPO3 technology also boosts power efficiency, allowing for a faster 1Hz refresh rate in always-on mode. This enables a live ticking seconds hand on the watch face.

The display’s improved power efficiency and a larger battery contribute to a longer lifespan. The watch offers up to 42 hours of battery life in standard use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. The device also supports 5G cellular capabilities, which provide faster data speeds for music downloads and app usage. An advanced antenna algorithm significantly improves signal strength in areas with weak coverage by engaging both system antennas.

New Safety and Health Features

A major new addition is built-in, two-way satellite communication. When users are off the grid, they can text emergency services and contacts or share their location via satellite. The watch can also automatically alert emergency services and contacts after a severe car crash or hard fall, provided it has a clear view of the sky. This feature is designed to offer a new level of safety for hikers, skiers, and others who venture into remote areas.

The watch also introduces new health-tracking capabilities, including groundbreaking hypertension notifications. An algorithm analyzes blood vessel responses over a 30-day period and alerts users to signs of chronic high blood pressure. This feature is intended to help people detect a condition that often has no symptoms. Another new feature, Sleep Score, analyzes a user’s sleep quality based on duration, consistency, and time spent in different sleep stages.

Fitness and Environment

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 includes new fitness features designed to assist athletes of all levels. A standout feature is Workout Buddy, an AI-powered personal trainer that provides personalized, spoken motivation during workouts. This feature analyzes workout data and fitness history to deliver relevant feedback. The new layout of the Workout app also makes it easier for users to customize their routines and set up music or podcasts to play automatically.

The device is also positioned as the ultimate sports watch for runners, cyclists, and swimmers. It offers the most accurate GPS in a sports watch and provides advanced metrics like vertical oscillation and ground contact time. For hikers, the watch supports offline maps and navigation features, while for divers, it can function as a dive computer via the Oceanic+ app. The watch is also made with 40 percent recycled content, including 100 percent recycled titanium in the case, in line with Apple’s environmental goals.