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Top 5 Features Coming to the Apple Watch Ultra 3

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We're just about a month away from Apple's annual September event, and we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. There are some useful new features rumored for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which we've summarized below.


  1. Satellite Connectivity - The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will be the first Apple Watch to feature satellite connectivity, allowing wearers to get help even when out of range of cellular towers and Wi-Fi. It will mimic the satellite functionality on the iPhone 14 and later, so it will support off grid texting. With satellite functionality, the Ultra 3 will better compete with satellite wearables from companies like Garmin.
  2. Bigger Display - It looks like the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will have slimmed down bezels, allowing for more viewable display space. So far, we're not hearing rumors of a larger casing size.
  3. 5G - All cellular Apple Watch models use LTE right now, but rumors suggest Apple will adopt MediaTek's modem chip with 5G RedCap support. 5G RedCap is a 5G service designed for wearables that don't need standard 5G speeds, but it should still be faster than LTE.
  4. Faster S11 Chip - Apple regularly updates the chips in its Apple Watch models, so the Ultra 3 could get an S11 SoC this year. The S11 is expected to have a more compact, efficient design, and we could see battery life optimizations.
  5. Blood Pressure Monitoring - This one isn't a sure thing, but Apple has been working on a blood pressure monitoring feature for the Apple Watch. It may or may not be ready in time for the Ultra 3, because of issues with accuracy and reliability. If it is ready to go, don't expect exact systolic and diastolic readings. Instead, the Apple Watch will monitor for hypertension and send an alert if the condition is detected over time.
Most of these features are also rumored for the Apple Watch Series 11, with the exception of satellite connectivity and the larger display. The Series 10 got a display size update last year, and satellite functionality is supposedly going to be an Ultra only selling point.

Both the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Apple Watch Series 11 will get watchOS 26, which has the Liquid Glass redesign, an updated Smart Stack and customizable Control Center, and the AI-powered Workout Buddy that'll motivate you to keep fit.

It's looking like Apple could hold its iPhone event on September 9, so that's when we could see the new Apple Watch models debut.

Article Link: Top 5 Features Coming to the Apple Watch Ultra 3
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/12/apple-watch-ultra-3-top-features/
MacRumors said:


We're just about a month away from Apple's annual September event, and we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. There are some useful new features rumored for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which we've summarized below.


  1. Satellite Connectivity - The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will be the first Apple Watch to feature satellite connectivity, allowing wearers to get help even when out of range of cellular towers and Wi-Fi. It will mimic the satellite functionality on the iPhone 14 and later, so it will support off grid texting. With satellite functionality, the Ultra 3 will better compete with satellite wearables from companies like Garmin.
  2. Bigger Display - It looks like the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will have slimmed down bezels, allowing for more viewable display space. So far, we're not hearing rumors of a larger casing size.
  3. 5G - All cellular Apple Watch models use LTE right now, but rumors suggest Apple will adopt MediaTek's modem chip with 5G RedCap support. 5G RedCap is a 5G service designed for wearables that don't need standard 5G speeds, but it should still be faster than LTE.
  4. Faster S11 Chip - Apple regularly updates the chips in its Apple Watch models, so the Ultra 3 could get an S11 SoC this year. The S11 is expected to have a more compact, efficient design, and we could see battery life optimizations.
  5. Blood Pressure Monitoring - This one isn't a sure thing, but Apple has been working on a blood pressure monitoring feature for the Apple Watch. It may or may not be ready in time for the Ultra 3, because of issues with accuracy and reliability. If it is ready to go, don't expect exact systolic and diastolic readings. Instead, the Apple Watch will monitor for hypertension and send an alert if the condition is detected over time.
Most of these features are also rumored for the Apple Watch Series 11, with the exception of satellite connectivity and the larger display. The Series 10 got a display size update last year, and satellite functionality is supposedly going to be an Ultra only selling point.

Both the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Apple Watch Series 11 will get watchOS 26, which has the Liquid Glass redesign, an updated Smart Stack and customizable Control Center, and the AI-powered Workout Buddy that'll motivate you to keep fit.

It's looking like Apple could hold its iPhone event on September 9, so that's when we could see the new Apple Watch models debut.

Article Link: Top 5 Features Coming to the Apple Watch Ultra 3
Click to expand...
with the exception of blood pressure monitoring I do not find any of the other new features compelling to upgrade from my almost 2 year old U2. And if they don't bring SpO2 back, I will not upgrade period.
They took a 2 year break from upgrading the top model - better have something more compelling.
But then again, rumors about AW have always been sparse and incorrect a lot of times, so let's see on Sep 9 or whenever the announcement will be
 
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I think they should change the following with the Ultra:

- Leave the display as it is and make the frame / edges smaller so that the watch is more like 47 mm.

- make the Ultra thinner

- this time an Ultra with a beautiful design would also be good🤣
 
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I find the 5G rumor strange, surely 4G is fast ebough for FaceTime calls, streaming music and downloading podcasts? I just thought the most power efficient chips were the ones of older technologies and that 4G chips are more power efficient. And the Apple Watch is all about power efficiency.
 
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To connect to a satellite do you need a separate plan for the watch? Does it connect through a satellite capable phone? I have no idea how it works and am hoping someone will enlighten me. If it would be completely independent from a phone and I would not have to connect it to my cell plan I would definitely be tempted.
 
KFridman said:
To connect to a satellite do you need a separate plan for the watch? Does it connect through a satellite capable phone? I have no idea how it works and am hoping someone will enlighten me. If it would be completely independent from a phone and I would not have to connect it to my cell plan I would definitely be tempted.
Click to expand...
Pretty sure it’s not going to be a standalone device, due to not being how the Apple Watch works right now.
A cellular plan is between $5-$10 a month, and allows you to get phone calls without your phone near by. The watch right now won’t function as advertised without an iPhone near by, even with cellular plan
 
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wilderkun said:
Pretty sure it’s not going to be a standalone device, due to not being how the Apple Watch works right now.
A cellular plan is between $5-$10 a month, and allows you to get phone calls without your phone near by. The watch right now won’t function as advertised without an iPhone near by, even with cellular plan
Click to expand...
Nit pick but if you have AT&T, plan on $16 a month after adding taxes and fees. Its unnecessary. I dont think they should give it away but I think if you have a higher tier phone plan it should be included.
 
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Yeah. I agree. In my own experience the watch doesn’t really work if the phone isn’t nearby. I’ve lost my phone in an uber, and thought I would be ok with just the watch. The watch wouldn’t get messages or calls without the phone, even though I had a cellular plan on my awu
 
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I'm not sure I'm in the mood to buy anything but I wonder how the black finish holds up. I keep thinking it looks nice. I like my gray finish but the black is nice too.
 
BelgianChoklit said:
I find the 5G rumor strange, surely 4G is fast ebough for FaceTime calls, streaming music and downloading podcasts? I just thought the most power efficient chips were the ones of older technologies and that 4G chips are more power efficient. And the Apple Watch is all about power efficiency.
Click to expand...

5G RedCap = Reduced Capacity. It's a more efficient service than LTE.
 
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KFridman said:
To connect to a satellite do you need a separate plan for the watch? Does it connect through a satellite capable phone? I have no idea how it works and am hoping someone will enlighten me. If it would be completely independent from a phone and I would not have to connect it to my cell plan I would definitely be tempted.
Click to expand...

For iPhone14 onwards Apple say it was free for a limited time.

In other words, at some points, they may start charging for aged devices, but it seems likely that they will continue to include it for free on brand new devices.
 
wilderkun said:
Yeah. I agree. In my own experience the watch doesn’t really work if the phone isn’t nearby. I’ve lost my phone in an uber, and thought I would be ok with just the watch. The watch wouldn’t get messages or calls without the phone, even though I had a cellular plan on my awu
Click to expand...
So, is there any point in having a cellular plan for the watch?
 
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I'm hoping for instrumentation and software to measure red and near-infrared light radiation, which is known in the literature as photobiomodulation. Instrumentation is cheap, and Apple could have been accumulating a vast amount of clinical data where software measuring and displaying that data – a fourth fitness ring – could be accessible in the new hardware.

There are a large number of science papers showing the health benefits of photobiomodulation. There is also a paper showing a tremendous reduction of red and near-infrared radiation in our homes and buildings over the last 20 years. Red and near-infrared are always available outdoors during the day, but many people do not get outdoors enough. They have no way of knowing how to get enough red and near-infrared light. Apple is uniquely positioned to have a significant health impact on its customers by enabling monitoring of this light radiation.

Tim Cook has stated that he believes that in the long run, Apple's greatest contribution will be in health. Fleshing out that research into easily-changed habits would be a major feather in Tim's cap.
 
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wilderkun said:
The watch right now won’t function as advertised without an iPhone near by, even with cellular plan
Click to expand...
The Apple Watch functions just fine as it is right now, with a cellular plan I’m able to text & make phone calls perfectly fine without carrying my iPhone. If you’re referring to the Satellite functionality rumored for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 we won’t know its features until Apple announces it next month. Apple has never advertised any of its current watches as having Satellite connectivity, so I’m confused as to why you say they don’t function as advertised… 🤷
 
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wilderkun said:
Yeah. I agree. In my own experience the watch doesn’t really work if the phone isn’t nearby. I’ve lost my phone in an uber, and thought I would be ok with just the watch. The watch wouldn’t get messages or calls without the phone, even though I had a cellular plan on my awu
Click to expand...
There are so many incorrect things in your posts here, it’s disappointing. If you had that experience there was an issue with your watch or your service. It is wildly inappropriate and unfair to tell people who are u familiar that a connected cellular Apple Watch doesn’t work unless the phone is nearby. Never had such an experience, and it’s just incorrect. Once again, sounds like you had a particular problem, and you should describe it as such, not as a universal truth or a description of the products design.
 
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