2025 Apple Watch Ultra to Support 5G and Satellite Texting

[MacRumors]

This year's upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3 will feature satellite connectivity and a new 5G cellular modem, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Apple first introduced satellite connectivity for off-grid texting with the iPhone 14, and the feature has been included in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, but no Apple Watch models so far.

Support for satellite messaging on the Apple Watch Ultra would allow users to send texts when out of range of cellular and Wi-Fi networks, similar to how it works on iPhone. Initially limited to emergency use, satellite texting expanded in iOS 18 to support messages to any contact.

Gurman says Apple aims to make this feature a key selling point for the third-generation Ultra, expected in September 2025. It also positions the device to better compete with brands like Garmin, which offer satellite-equipped gear for remote and rugged environments. Gurman first reported on the upcoming features last December.

Designed for adventurers, divers, and hikers, the Ultra will gain a new safety edge with off-grid communication capabilities. Satellite access remains free for now on supporting iPhones, which include two years of coverage. Apple is expected to offer the same for the Ultra.

Gurman also reports that Apple plans to move away from Intel cellular modems in future Watch models, shifting to MediaTek. MediaTek's chip supports 5G RedCap – a low-power, mid-speed version of 5G tailored for wearables. Current Apple Watch models still use 4G LTE, despite iPhones having adopted 5G years ago.

Article Link: 2025 Apple Watch Ultra to Support 5G and Satellite Texting

 

[sniffies]

More than likely, BP feature won't make it this year. I guess, 5G and satellite texting will be the only upgrades. Yet another year to hold off on upgrading my original AW Ultra.

 

[allenvanhellen]

As someone who switched from an Ultra 1 to a S10, they’ll have to add more than this to make the Ultra compelling. Its battery life is compelling, but its style and band compatibility issues limit its versatility.

 

[macdaddy43]

With all new - 6 hour battery life for your adventure watch! Just be sure to make it home before dark so you can plug it in to its quick charger!

 

[L92]

Designed for adventurers, divers, and hikers, the Ultra will gain a new safety edge with off-grid communication capabilities.

This is gonna be very handy in the office, which is the place for most Ultras.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

i would really prefer 4G if it's more power efficient. Because fast speeds isn't what the Apple Watch needs, it's low power while still being fast enough for FaceTime calls and streaming audio and surely 4G is more power efficient as a more established tech?

 

[thefrost]

Is that all we are going to be getting? I don't seem to be hearing anything else.

 

[baconcat_8964]

Current Apple Watch models still use 4G LTE, despite iPhones having adopted 5G years ago.

I wonder why no smart watch currently available support 5G NR network.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Eh....I'm still on a s6, with a a pretty rough battery life. Can't decide on this next, or a Garmin. The Ultra is awfully big, and I don't care for giant clunky watches. I do spend a lot of time off-grid, out in the woods, or climbing and I've scratched the absolute crap out of my current one, so durability matters.

I don't care about more health-tracking features, and I don't wear it to bed.

 

[Howard2k]

i would really prefer 4G if it's more power efficient. Because fast speeds isn't what the Apple Watch needs, it's low power while still being fast enough for FaceTime calls and streaming audio and surely 4G is more power efficient as a more established tech?

I agree. 5G for thr sake of 5G would be silly.

Technically 5G could be more power efficient in the right implementation but it’s not a slam dunk.

Also cellular stays inactive unless there is no available BT/Wifi so it might be that even a slightly lower level of efficiency has no significant impact. But again, it might be close between the two depending how they implement it.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

...

Some bands don't fit or look right on the ultra, despite physically connecting.

I wonder why no smart watch currently available support 5G NR network.

I've never even heard of 5G NR. Is it widespread?

 

[Howard2k]

I've never even heard of 5G NR. Is it widespread?

5G NR is 5G.

But there are different ways of implementing it. There is something called 5G RedCap (5G NR-Light) that has reduced power consumption versus regular 5G.

 

[Veinticinco]

Here’s a thought. To compete with the likes of Garmin in terms of “remote and rugged gear” maybe Apple should really focus on battery life on the AWU. The use of silicon carbon tech for example.

But I guess Marketing (you know, those “Built for Apple Intelligence” guys) want something more nebulous and gimmicky like 5G they can work with, despite offering zero to negligible real world applications in a watch.

 

[mikethebigo]

Is this their first time using a MediaTek modem instead of Qualcomm?

 

[assquatch]

Anyone else feel like the watches have been moving along at a snail's pace?

 

[Ctrlos]

Designed for adventurers, divers, and hikers

Any adventurer woeth their salt will have a Garmin. The Ultra is for city posers like me who go for a sunday afternoon hike to a local pub!

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Apple Watch Ultra marketing is akin to Land Rover Defender: for the aspirational types who have a few leaves on their driveway

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Designed for adventurers, divers, and hikers, the Ultra will gain a new safety edge with off-grid communication capabilities.

This is gonna be very handy in the office, which is the place for most Ultras.

Well, considering how unnecessarily bad battery life is on all the regular AWs, including S10, I can't blame anyone for opting for the only Watch that actually can get you through a 1-1,5 days of usage on a single charge, including a workout, or any other activity that would require a heavier drain, if you're so inclined.

Fingers crossed that EU's upcoming changes for AW might allow others to put out devices that can cut a bit into Apple's (indirect) monopoly and force them to be a tad less stingy with upgrades for all AWs.

For all of Apple's capital, Watch sure is a mighty disappointment nearly every year.

Really only Series 4 and Ultra 1 have been worth our attention. And then mostly impressive in the context of how boring all other models have been.

It's truly embarrassing how stagnant big tech becomes when there's no competitors or laws pushing them forward.

 

[cms2]

Designed for adventurers, divers, and hikers

Any adventurer woeth their salt will have a Garmin. The Ultra is for city posers like me who go for a sunday afternoon hike to a local pub!

After spending all day using their adventure/diving/hiking watch to confirm 2FA prompts, like me.

“Yes, it’s me.”
“Yes, it’s me.”

 

[jonnysods]

Maybe they will be able to get their own modem in there and make it more power efficient.

I have the AW2, it's a solid watch, I kind of wished the screen made it further to the edges of the watch, and that I hadn't updated to watchOS 11 - battery life was far superior on 10...

 

[tridley68]

Not sure if this is worth upgrading from my ultra 2 will wait closer to its release date.

 

[DrJR]

Satellite text makes sense, 5G would be nice for streaming...... I really enjoy leaving my phone behind while running, or to make quick trips out. Keep buds in front pocket in case phone call needed. I have computer, ipad, iphone and watch. One of these could be eliminated.... and my vote would be the PHONE. Untether the watch from the phone, as it could be, allow me to take calls/facetime on ipad through watch......

 

[nottorp]

Designed for adventurers, divers, and hikers, the Ultra

I'm curious, do apple watches shut down at a measly -4 celsius, like the iphones do? Not much adventuring then...

At least you can keep the phone in an inner pocket, but the watch stays on your wrist.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Here’s a thought. To compete with the likes of Garmin in terms of “remote and rugged gear” maybe Apple should really focus on battery life on the AWU. The use of silicon carbon tech for example.

But I guess Marketing (you know, those “Built for Apple Intelligence” guys) want something more nebulous and gimmicky like 5G they can work with, despite offering zero to negligible real world applications in a watch.

I would happy with a trans-reflective screen in the AWU. I had it in my previous Garmin and it was great for outdoor usage. The sip power too, compared to OLED.

I'm curious, do apple watches shut down at a measly -4 celsius, like the iphones do? Not much adventuring then...

At least you can keep the phone in an inner pocket, but the watch stays on your wrist.

My s6 doesn't. I did a several-hour hike in January at -10F (-23C) and it did fine, though I kept it under a sweat band except when referencing it. I regularly run with it uncovered well below freezing, and while the battery suffers, it doesn't shut off.

Speaking of which, my phone has never shut off in low temps either except when it needed a new battery.

 

[TechWhisperer]

Yeah the AWU totally does not need better battery life, right?

Another annual AWU YAWN upgrade. Oh well, rocking my AWU 2 for another year won’t hurt.

So who’s gonna buy the Apple Watch Ultra YAWN?