I’m pretty sure 5G will be more power efficient because it will be built on 4nm chip
I only caught it doing that while in the urban jungle.
As opposed to the breathtaking iPhone 12-17 era you mean?
Another bunch of "nice to have" features, when what most users need is more battery life.
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
People do realise that you're only really supposed to buy a new device when the old one breaks, right? Nobody replaces their car, washing machine or dog on an annual basis. Why are phones any different? Just because they release them annually doesn't mean you're supposed to buy them that way.
Or you could save yourself a grand, and remember to take your sat-enabled iPhone with you when venturing out in the wilderness.
Maybe my experience just shows how hard is it to get rid of a bad reputation.
The iphone that shut down on me was ... 2 phones ago. Possibly a 5S. I didn't even leave it outside, it was in my car (engine off for 15 min) so warmer than the -10 C outside.
Can't say anything about the XS and the 16 that followed the one that was shutting down because I don't get winters that cold in my area any more...
Incidentally no iphone has shut down on me while hiking in winter because it's in the pocket of my insulating pants then
Somewhere in a sterile office in Cupertino, a cold bead of sweat rolls down the face of Tim Cook.
They only release annually because lots of people are on different upgrade schedules. Its not like the games industry where everyone updates at the same time. People are free to spend their money however they like but the annual upgraders complaining about a 'stagnant market' have never stopped to ask if the problem is they buy a new phone too often.
Maybe my experience just shows how hard is it to get rid of a bad reputation.
The iphone that shut down on me was ... 2 phones ago. Possibly a 5S. I didn't even leave it outside, it was in my car (engine off for 15 min) so warmer than the -10 C outside.
Can't say anything about the XS and the 16 that followed the one that was shutting down because I don't get winters that cold in my area any more...
Incidentally no iphone has shut down on me while hiking in winter because it's in the pocket of my insulating pants then
Phones are different because we use them on average like 6 hours a day. Only thing I use more than that is my bed. Some people want to have the best of the best (I care a lot about photo quality). I would never replace my dog every year because he's the best boi. But anyway.. disposable income.
You could argue it the other way. Personally I never upgrade (either phone or watch) unless there is a significant overlap between current reduced functionality (battery life or software response) in my current device along with compelling real world use features in the new model. If neither apply, I defer.
