It would be really nice if they could leverage some sort of hardware + software (efficiency cores, low power mode, silicone carbon battery) to get various activity power profiles. I don't mind charging each day or every 2 days but I'd like to get 48 hrs of gps time without sacrificing GPS and HR accuracy possibly with navigation as well. I know with the type of tech they use Garmin level battery is not possible but I think we all know Apple can do better. I switched to a Garmin and noticed even the most basic of experiences are pretty awful, but it gets the job done.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Coming Next Week: Eight Reasons to Upgrade
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
So zero reasons to upgrade from AWU2
We're only days away from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023.
By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for enhancements, especially for users coming from a first-generation Apple Watch Ultra. Here are all of the major new features we're likely to see in the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Larger Display
Evidence from a recent iOS 26 beta points to a slightly larger display for the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3. MacRumors uncovered an image with a resolution of 422 x 514 pixels – higher than the current Ultra 2's 410 x 502 panel.
No increase in case size has been rumored, but the larger resolution suggests Apple could be trimming bezel width to expand the viewing area without altering the watch’s overall dimensions. If accurate, this would give the Ultra 3 the biggest Apple Watch display yet, enhancing readability and making better use of the rugged design's expansive front surface.
Newer Processor
Given it's been two years since an update, it's highly likely the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will debut with a new chip.
The current model uses the S9, while the 2024 Apple Watch Series 10 introduced the S10. Although the S10 doesn't improve performance over the S9, its smaller design creates more internal space for other components. In the Ultra, that could allow for a larger battery, additional sensors, or new connectivity hardware.
On the other hand, leaked internal information suggests Apple could introduce an S11 chip this year, and while the underlying technology is the same as the S9 and S10 chips, Apple could make other tweaks. With the S10, for example, Apple redesigned the chip with a thinner profile so it would take up less space inside the watch. Major performance gains may not arrive until the S12 chip next year, however.
Faster Refresh Rate
By skipping a hardware refresh for the Apple Watch Ultra in 2024, Apple inadvertently allowed the Apple Watch Series 10 to leap ahead in display technology. This imbalance is unlikely to last long, with the next Ultra almost certain to catch up.
The Series 10 debuted with an LPTO3 OLED always-on Retina display, a step up from the Ultra's LTPO2 panel. The upgrade gives the Series 10 a faster refresh rate in always-on mode, making it possible for watch faces to feature a continuously ticking seconds hand.
Wide-Angle OLED
Apple also introduced a wide-angle OLED on the Series 10, which delivers up to 40% more brightness when viewed off-axis compared to the Ultra's OLED display. Taken together with the LPTO3 panel, these advancements make it seem all but inevitable that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will inherit the same improvements.
Satellite Connectivity
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to become the first Apple Watch with satellite connectivity, extending its reach far beyond cellular towers and Wi-Fi. Like the iPhone 14 and later, it will tap into satellite networks for off-grid texting, giving wearers a lifeline in remote areas.
Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that Apple was working to bring the feature to the Ultra line. On iPhone, satellite support originally handled only emergency SOS messages, but iOS 18 expanded it to allow standard text conversations. If Apple follows the same model, Ultra 3 owners could message anyone, even when entirely off the grid.
On iPhone, two years of service come free, and it's likely the same arrangement will apply to the Ultra 3 when it launches.
Faster Charging
With the Series 10, Apple debuted a redesigned rear casing made of metal, complete with a larger charging coil and an integrated antenna. The change replaced the ceramic and sapphire crystal back seen on earlier models.
The Ultra still uses that older rear design, but the advantages of the Series 10's update make it probable that the Ultra 3 will adopt the same metal back. Beyond structural changes, the redesign improves cellular performance and significantly boosts charging speeds.
In practice, the difference is stark: the Series 10 can reach 80% charge in just 30 minutes, shaving 15 minutes off the Series 9's time. By contrast, the Ultra 2 – with its older back and larger battery – needs a full hour to hit the same mark. A switch to the new casing would close that gap, giving the Ultra 3 much faster top-up times alongside stronger connectivity.
5G Cellular
Reports from Bloomberg and The Information indicate that Apple intends to drop Qualcomm modems from the Apple Watch Ultra with the third-generation model. Instead of relying on Qualcomm hardware or on its own custom modem, Apple is expected to turn to MediaTek, one of the few companies developing 5G solutions for wearables.
The shift would mark a major connectivity upgrade. Current cellular Apple Watch models still depend on 4G LTE, despite the iPhone adopting 5G back in 2020. MediaTek's chip is designed for 5G RedCap, a streamlined version of 5G tailored for connected devices that don't require the... Click here to read rest of article
Article Link: Apple Watch Ultra 3 Coming Next Week: Eight Reasons to Upgrade
What they need to do is incorporate battery into the wristband. Could have the wristbands charge and discharge into the sides of the watch face where they clasp in.
I’m not talking bulky but could be fit within the current dimensions.
I love the color of the black Ultra.
I see no compelling reason to upgrade from my AW1 which still works great, never dies in daily use from me and has all the features I need.
I suspect I’ll have my Ultra 1 for as long as I had my AW 4. When the feature/upgrade curve got too tight I decided to pull the trigger.
Considering skipping the phone upgrade this year in favor of a 16” BMP really for the screen real estate working from home. I was gonna hold out for the M5 (coming from an M1 and I’m hardly a power user) but the M4 should be just fine.
The air is not an option. I want the nicer screen and fan driven cooling
I see no compelling reason to upgrade from my AW1 which still works great, never dies in daily use from me and has all the features I need.
I suspect I’ll have my Ultra 1 for as long as I had my AW 4. When the feature/upgrade curve got too tight I decided to pull the trigger.
Considering skipping the phone upgrade this year in favor of a 16” BMP really for the screen real estate working from home. I was gonna hold out for the M5 (coming from an M1 and I’m hardly a power user) but the M4 should be just fine.
The air is not an option. I want the nicer screen and fan driven cooling
Come on Mac Rumors, this must be the fifth time over the last 2 weeks you’ve run this EXACT same story? We all know blood pressure monitoring is the only reason to upgrade to this if it gets it. Otherwise may as well wait for a redesign if you already have an Apple Watch.
Most probably the worst update in the history of technical things. I will stay with my Apple Watch 4
Honestly, blood pressure monitoring doesn’t really add a whole lot to an adventurist watch. It’s not something most people scaling rock walls or SCUBA diving have much use for.
Someday when there is a viable way to monitor blood pressure via a watch, it will be useful on the cheaper Apple Watch line.
Glucose monitoring is something that is likely further out, but much more useful to the average user and the adventurist.
You are right though that these updates are minimal, at best and it may have been better for Apple to held off another year to release this device.
well, even a "adventurer" doesn't rock climb or scuba dive 24/7, nor do they need to take an ECG while doing so ...Honestly, blood pressure monitoring doesn’t really add a whole lot to an adventurist watch. It’s not something most people scaling rock walls or SCUBA diving have much use for.
Someday when there is a viable way to monitor blood pressure via a watch, it will be useful on the cheaper Apple Watch line.
Glucose monitoring is something that is likely further out, but much more useful to the average user and the adventurist.
You are right though that these updates are minimal, at best and it may have been better for Apple to held off another year to release this device.
Up until now, the Ultra has the exact same health features s the regular watch, and I don't see that changing.
Apple didn't do anything to the Ultra for 2 years, except color ...
Well, next Tuesday shall be interesting
I don't understand the general hate here. At least it is getting an update instead of another color refresh. Anyways..
While the screen and chip are mostly a wash, the refresh rate does really help.It's honestly kinda insulting that the current ultra doesn't have it while the s10 does. 5G and satellite would be great for the intended use case, which is going off without your phone into more "dangerous" situations in the middle of nowhere. That's the whole point of the Ultra's entire design. Having satellite for off the grid adventures and 5G when on grid means the watch is more useful, especially as more towers move to 5G instead of 4G. Blood pressure, like most of the watch's heath metrics, is mostly just for horribly wrong readings to get you to go get real readings. It's like a check engine light, not an OBD scanner. It's not useless though.
The appeal is subjective, but it is pretty comfortable on the series 10. I honestly don't notice compared to the ceramic of previous series or the composite back of the SE2.
See the rest of my comment, but there are reasons to upgrade besides bp monitoring. As a series 10 owner, I'm certainly looking forward to the display upgrades of the 10 coming to ultra. A second hand on a watch is non-negotiable imo, and I really want the durability of the Ultra.
Samsies, it does everything I want it to do. I would jump on an Ultra with glucose monitoring though.
11088 more pixels, if my math is correct.
I see more active people wearing a Garmin than I do Apple Watch Ultras (living in Bend, Oregon). I cruised by REI and actually like Garmin’s better. Not having to think about taking off my watch for 20+ days is such an easy sell for me. I have a BP monitor at home - not a selling point. ;P
I don’t recall the Ultra 2 being a worthwhile upgrade from my Ultra 1. This doesn’t sound much better.
People that believe this is a major upgrade also believe the Earth is round.
Im with you on this! Im skipping everything this year. 16 pro max and ultra 2 are doing just fine!
I love my AWU1. None of those features are worth an upgrade. I will be upgrading though as I want the black colour. I just wish apple could not stick to orange buttons. Silver or black maybe!!
For the folks commenting about BP… in my late 40’s developed a weird heart anomaly. Been athletic and physically active my whole life. Use the ECG feature & heart monitor often. Per my cardio they’re quite good and way less invasive than other methods. Id welcome BP. Im imagining there are many other ‘active’ Ultra users, who welcome these features.
I am struggling to find reasons to upgrade my Ultra 1. It looks and runs like new nearly 3 years later. Got it launch day 2022. Battery still holds up incredibly well, it's still quick opening apps.
