Should You Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 3?
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is Apple's most expensive watch, priced starting at $799. It is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who need more durability and a wider range of features than those wearing the standard Apple Watch. The Apple Watch Ultra was refreshed in September 2025, making now an okay time to buy. We are not expecting another update until September 2026 at the earliest, and Apple has not always refreshed the Ultra on a yearly basis. If a new model is planned for 2026, it won't have major new hardware features.
Compared to the second-generation Ultra model, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a larger and brighter display, slimmed down bezels, 5G support, and satellite connectivity. Compared to the Series 11, the Ultra offers better water resistance, a more rugged enclosure, and longer battery life. The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple's largest Apple Watch at 49mm, and it might not fit people with smaller wrists. Those who do not need the Ultra's feature set or need a smaller watch should check out the Apple Watch Series 11.
Design and Display
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 retains the same design as its predecessor but features slimmer bezels for a larger active screen area (1,245 sq mm, up from 1,185 sq mm). The case is made from aerospace-grade titanium, available in Natural Titanium or Black Titanium with a satin finish. The black finish uses a diamond-like carbon coating for improved scratch resistance. The watch measures 49mm by 44mm by 12mm and weighs 61.6 grams. It includes an orange Action button on the left side, customizable for various functions.
The display is an LTPO3 wide-angle OLED with up to 3,000 nits brightness, now with a faster refresh rate in always-on mode to show a ticking seconds hand. The always-on display also supports a second hand visible without raising the wrist. The flat sapphire crystal front is more durable than standard glass.
S10 Chip and Gestures
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 uses the S10 chip, which is a smaller chip than the S9 but offers no performance improvement. It supports Double Tap—a gesture to control the watch by tapping index finger and thumb together—and a new Wrist Flick gesture that dismisses notifications or declines calls with a flick of the wrist. The watch has 64GB of storage.
Health Features
The Ultra 3 includes a third-generation optical heart rate sensor, electrical heart rate sensor for ECG, and blood oxygen monitoring (with limitations in the US due to a patent dispute). New health features include Hypertension Alerts, which analyze heart rate data over 30 days to detect possible high blood pressure patterns. Sleep Apnea Detection uses the accelerometer to sense breathing interruptions during sleep. The watch also offers sleep tracking with a Sleep Score, fall detection, crash detection, and temperature sensing for women's health and retrospective ovulation estimates.
Activity Features and Durability
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is built for endurance and adventure. It has dual-frequency GPS (L1 and L5) for accurate distance, pace, and route data. A Depth app uses the depth gauge for underwater activities, and the watch is water resistant to 100 meters and certified EN13319 for scuba diving up to 40 meters. It can withstand temperatures from –4°F to 131°F and is MIL-STD-810H certified. Other activity features include the Tides app for tide information, Compass with Waypoints and Backtrack, and the Oceanic+ app for dive computer functionality. The watch includes an 86-decibel siren for emergencies.
Battery Life
The battery lasts up to 42 hours on a single charge (improved from 36 hours on the Ultra 2). With Low Power Mode, it can last up to 72 hours. Fast charging reaches 80% in 45 minutes, and a 15-minute charge provides up to 12 hours of normal use.
Connectivity
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the first Apple Watch to support 5G, along with satellite connectivity for Emergency SOS, text messaging, and Find My when cellular and Wi-Fi are unavailable. It features a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for Precision Finding of iPhone and seamless interaction with HomePod. Bluetooth 5.3 and the W3 wireless chip are included.
Bands and Pricing
The watch is available with three sport-focused bands: Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band, plus compatibility with standard Apple Watch bands. Pricing starts at $799 for the base model with Alpine Loop, and up to $899 for the Milanese Loop options. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 launched on September 19, 2025, and is available from Apple and other retailers.
Comparison with Other Models
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is sold alongside the Apple Watch Series 11 (starting at $399) and the Apple Watch SE 3 (starting at $249). The Series 11 lacks satellite connectivity, siren, and has a shorter battery life. The SE has an older design and fewer health sensors. The Ultra 3 remains the top choice for adventurers and athletes seeking maximum durability, battery life, and advanced connectivity.
Source: MacRumors News