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Apple Watch Ultra 3

Apr 16, 2026 Twila Rosenbaum 6 views

Should You Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 3?

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 represents Apple's most premium smartwatch, priced at a starting point of $799. This model is tailored specifically for outdoor adventurers and sports enthusiasts, providing enhanced durability and a comprehensive suite of features beyond what standard models offer.

Released in September 2025, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is currently a solid purchase, especially since we do not anticipate a new version until at least September 2026. Apple's refresh cycle for the Ultra series has been inconsistent, making now a favorable time to invest.

When compared to its predecessor, the Ultra 2, the Ultra 3 boasts a larger, brighter display, reduced bezels, 5G connectivity, and satellite communication capabilities. Furthermore, it outperforms the Series 11 in terms of water resistance, ruggedness, and battery longevity.

With a 49mm size, the Apple Watch Ultra is the largest in the Apple Watch lineup, which may be a consideration for individuals with smaller wrists. Users who prefer a smaller watch or do not require the Ultra's expansive feature set might find the Apple Watch Series 11 more suitable.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 succeeds the second-generation Ultra model launched in September 2023, aiming to compete with high-end fitness watches from brands like Garmin. Apple positions the Ultra series as the go-to choice for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts seeking longer battery life, superior connectivity, and enhanced performance tailored to sports.

Equipped with an S10 chip, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 supports new features such as the Wrist Flick gesture introduced in watchOS 26, allowing users to dismiss notifications or decline calls with a simple flick of the wrist. The Double Tap feature enables one-handed interaction by tapping the index finger and thumb together.

In terms of design, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 remains consistent with the original model, featuring an aerospace-grade titanium body, a flat sapphire crystal face, and a larger Digital Crown for improved usability, especially with gloves. An innovative Action button in international orange is included for easy access to various functions, such as workouts and waypoints.

The display has been updated with slimmer bezels, which increases the viewable area to 1,245 sq mm, and employs LTPO3 technology with a brightness of up to 3,000 nits. It also offers an always-on display mode, ensuring visibility in various lighting conditions.

With three built-in microphones, the watch enhances sound quality during calls and features a powerful 86-decibel siren for emergencies, designed to be heard from significant distances.

The Ultra 3 boasts an impressive battery life of up to 42 hours on a single charge, extending to 72 hours in Low Power Mode, making it suitable for extended outdoor activities. Fast charging capabilities allow for an 80% charge in just 45 minutes.

The watch features dual-frequency GPS, providing the most accurate positioning yet in an Apple Watch, ideal for training and outdoor navigation.

Designed for extreme conditions, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 can withstand temperatures from -4°F to 131°F and has a water resistance rating up to 100 meters, certified for recreational scuba diving.

Incorporating a unique Wayfinder watch face, the Ultra 3 allows customization for various outdoor activities and includes advanced features like Compass Waypoints and Backtrack functionality for navigation.

Additionally, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers a comprehensive suite of health features, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and advanced metrics for detecting hypertension and sleep apnea.

Cellular connectivity is standard across all Ultra models, with the Ultra 3 supporting 5G and satellite communications for emergency services and messaging when cellular networks are unavailable.

With a choice of sport-focused bands designed for various activities, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 caters to a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts.

How to Buy

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available for order through Apple and other retailers, having officially launched on September 19, 2025.

Design

Maintaining the rugged design of its predecessors, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 features a lightweight titanium body and a larger display area due to slimmer bezels. It measures 49mm by 44mm, making it the largest Apple Watch available.

The customizable Action button and enhanced Digital Crown design improve functionality, especially in challenging environments.

Colors and Materials

The Ultra 3 is crafted from aerospace-grade titanium, available in Natural Titanium or Black Titanium finishes. The manufacturing process uses 3D printing technology for enhanced durability.

Exclusive Watch Faces

The watch features exclusive watch faces, including the Wayfinder face that transforms into a compass and supports multiple complications.

Durability

Designed for exploration, the Ultra 3 meets MIL-STD-810H standards, ensuring it can withstand extreme conditions.

Water Resistance

Certified to withstand water activities, the Ultra 3 is suitable for scuba diving and other water sports.

Always-On Display

The upgraded display technology allows for improved visibility, featuring a larger active screen area without altering the overall case size.

S10 Chip

The S10 chip enhances functionality with advanced gesture controls while maintaining the same storage capacity as previous models.

Health Features

The Ultra 3 monitors various health metrics, including blood oxygen levels and ECG readings, with new features to detect hypertension and sleep apnea.

Activity Features

Tracking daily movements and workouts, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 encourages an active lifestyle, integrating advanced activity features designed for athletes.

Battery Life

With improved battery longevity and fast charging, the Ultra 3 is built for extended use during adventures.

Connectivity

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 introduces satellite connectivity for emergency features, alongside standard cellular capabilities.

Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3

Alongside the Ultra 3, Apple offers the Series 11 and SE 3, providing options for users seeking different features and price points.

What's Next for the Apple Watch Ultra

Future updates to the Apple Watch may include new health monitoring technologies and potential design changes, though significant revisions are not expected until 2028.