No Refresh for Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch SE as Apple Focuses on Series 10

[MacRumors]

Though pre-launch Apple Watch rumors suggested that Apple would update its entire Apple Watch lineup this year, Apple ended up focusing primarily on the Apple Watch Series 10. We didn't get a new Apple Watch SE or a new Apple Watch Ultra 3, with Apple only adding a new color option for the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

As late as last Friday, rumors pointed toward refreshes for the standard Apple Watch, the Apple Watch SE, and the Apple Watch Ultra. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, for example, said in his Friday "Everything to Expect" article that all three models would get an update.

For the first time in two years, the company is preparing to update all of its Apple Watch models at once. There will be a new low-end Apple Watch SE, a mid-level Series 10 model and an Ultra 3.

Late last night, Gurman changed his prediction and said that Apple would not introduce an Apple Watch Ultra 3 model, and he suggested there could be a "delay" for a new Apple Watch SE.

It's likely the addition of a new black color for the Ultra 2 was mistaken for an Ultra 3, as Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also flip flopped on the possibility of a new Ultra model earlier in the year.

Though the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is Apple's most expensive Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 10 now has a superior LTPO3 OLED display with wider-angle viewing and a faster S10 chip, plus it gained the previously Ultra exclusive temperature sensor, depth gauge, and Depth app. Apple also released a titanium version of the Series 10, using the material that once made the Apple Watch Ultra unique.

The new sleep apnea detection health feature is not a Series 10 exclusive, and it will be available on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Apple Watch Series 9, with Apple also bringing the new Tides app to the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The changes mean the Ultra 2 and Series 10 are much closer in terms of feature set, though there are still some areas where the Ultra has an edge, such as diving and battery life. The Ultra 2 still has twice the battery life of the Series 10.

With the new Apple Watch Ultra color, it's likely we're not going to see a new version of the device until September 2025. As for the Apple Watch SE, it's possible Apple could release that earlier, timing it with the iPhone SE 4 launch instead of waiting until September of next year to debut it.

Apple discontinued the Series 9 when it introduced the Series 10, so the Apple Watch lineup now includes the Series 10, the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the Apple Watch SE.

Article Link: No Refresh for Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch SE as Apple Focuses on Series 10

 

[Bremse]

I never thought the ultra screen had issues with angle sensitivity. If it becomes hard to read at extreme angles for me it‘s because of glare, not because the display colors/contrast shift.

 

[caioferrari]

I was excited to see an Apple Watch SE 3 with plastic body.

 

[Dwalls90]

I wonder if this is the start of non-annual watch upgrades. Seems to be the case for the SE and Ultra as of today.

 

[Dwalls90]

I was excited to see an Apple Watch SE 3 with plastic body.

Maybe we’ll get it with the iPhone SE in early 2025?

 

[JPack]

It's likely the addition of a new black color for the Ultra 2 was mistaken for an Ultra 3, as Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also flip flopped on the possibility of a new Ultra model earlier in the year.

Seems more likely Apple didn't have anything new to offer the Ultra or simply ran out of time, and phoned it in with the color update. I doubt Apple is comfortable with the Series 10 using S10 SiP while Ultra 2 on S9.

 

[hieranonymous]

There's really no reason for the Ultra and Series update cycles to be coupled. They address different market segments. I'm sure next year's Ultra 3 will be a banger.

 

[coffeemilktea]

The SE has always been an afterthought (I say, wearing my Apple Watch SE as I type this), but I'm surprised the Ultra didn't receive any updates.

...well, I guess Tim figured out that a new color and an Hermès band + Hermès watch face was all that was needed to rake in vast profits this year. To be fair, that new black color looks very sleek.

 

[AlexJaye]

I would’ve finally considered my 1st Apple Watch had they introduced the blood pressure monitoring that was rumored this year, it would’ve been helpful.

No longer interested and it can wait another year.

 

[Naraxus]

Translation: Gurman was hillariously wrong once again

 

[GDF]

I think the AW Ultra 2 is still up to 1000 nits brighter than AW 10. Also - has dual frequency GPS. The Ultra 2 has such long battery life, it would be hard to go back to normal AW, although the thinner and lighter AW 10 look nice.

 

[jz0309]

Not even upgrade to the S10 chip was really a surprise, and keeping your “top model” in the lineup for likely a total of 2 years is certainly strange, not sure what was driving this.

 

[rtr1985]

Also Ultra still w/ 1000 nits brighter and better GPS?

 

[Apple$]

I was hoping to get a SE 3 watch, but I guess I’ll settle for a refurbished Watch SE. 2.

 

[HarryPot]

This is the first Apple Watch that makes me consider upgrading from the Series 4 I have.
It seems to have some new nice health features.

And to be honest, the Series 4 is still very functional.

 

[xDKP]

There's really no reason for the Ultra and Series update cycles to be coupled. They address different market segments. I'm sure next year's Ultra 3 will be a banger.

No but many will see the Ultra as the top of the line - best they can do with the Apple Watch … and it’s not really the best of the specs any more. Might have better GPS and battery but should have made it a spec bump at the very least

 

[travis64]

Ultra and reg watch should be 2-3 year upgrade no reason to do this every year and kill resale values

 

[Bremse]

Not even upgrade to the S10 chip was really a surprise, and keeping your “top model” in the lineup for likely a total of 2 years is certainly strange, not sure what was driving this.

How long have Mac Pros gone between updates in the past? It is strange, but not new for apple.

I think the watches in general have a much longer upgrade cycle so it kind of makes sense to slow down the updates, especially when there isn’t much new to add. I was hoping the new software features would all be available on the original ultra. I wear mine all day and all night (pretty much only charge it when I take it off in the shower) and the sleep apnea detection would be nice to have, but not enough for me to consider upgrading.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

The standard watch updates are good. The Ultra still has a long ways to go to compete with Garmin watches. The sleep apnea detection is tempting to me, but I still need what my Garmin Epix 2 Pro brings over what Apple offers.

 

[Tomasulu]

Got a RingConn smart ring for sleep apnea.

 

[xDKP]

Translation: Gurman was hillariously wrong once again

Can we please ignore him soon

 

[Rychiar]

Seems more likely Apple didn't have anything new to offer the Ultra or simply ran out of time, and phoned it in with the color update. I doubt Apple is comfortable with the Series 10 using S10 SiP while Ultra 2 on S9.

Why wouldn’t they be comfortable with that? They’re perfectly comfortable with the pro Macs and Vision Pro still on M2 while the damn iPad is already on M4🙄

 

[Analog Kid]

Good call. No reason to just increment the series number if there's nothing really new under the hood. I have an Ultra 1 and wouldn't plan to update for a few years anyway. I'm also past the point where I'm all that upset if the device I'm buying is a year old design. It's good enough for what I need.

 

[Entilzha]

Seems more likely Apple didn't have anything new to offer the Ultra or simply ran out of time, and phoned it in with the color update. I doubt Apple is comfortable with the Series 10 using S10 SiP while Ultra 2 on S9.

This statement amuses me.

Casio has made a business on “phoning in” different colorways with their watches since time immemorial. Watchmakers do it all the time.

Apple does it and they’re “phoning it in.”

 

[JPack]

This statement amuses me.

Casio has made a business on “phoning in” different colorways with their watches since time immemorial. Watchmakers do it all the time.

Apple does it and they’re “phoning it in.”

Casio, Timex, and Swatch don't have a $30 billion annual R&D budget.