18 hours ago
4
⌚️ Apple is expected to drop the Apple Watch Ultra 3 this year
🛰️ The latest rumors suggest 5G, satellite connectivity, and blood pressure monitoring could be on the way
📱 The Ultra 3 might also include a new display technology and faster performance
📐 It’ll probably stick with the same design unless rumors significantly change
📝 Here’s what we know about Apple’s next Ultra smartwatch
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is almost here.
Two years after the Ultra 2 debuted and a year after it was refreshed with a snazzy black finish, Apple is finally expected to release the much-anticipated Ultra 3 this September, alongside the iPhone 17 series.
Thus far, we haven’t seen or heard any crazy rumors about the Apple Watch Ultra 3. It doesn’t sound like Apple will introduce any revolutionary changes with the device, saving those for future Apple Watches that could come with cameras and advanced health sensors that could power things like glucose monitoring.
So far, it looks like new features such as satellite connectivity and blood pressure monitoring could be on the way, as well as a new display technology and faster performance. Here’s a rundown of what we’ve been seeing.
📅 See you in September. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will be announced at Apple’s September 9 “Awe dropping” event alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Air. We also expect the Apple Watch Series 11 to be revealed at the same time. We predict the watch will go up for preorder a few days later on September 12, then launch on September 19, if history is any indication.
💰 Ultra 2 pricing? The original Apple Watch Ultra was priced at $799, and so is the Ultra 2 (even after the Black refresh). Therefore, it seems likely that the Ultra 3 will be priced at the same $799, unless new technologies or external factors like tariffs affect Apple’s bottom line significantly.
⌚️ Keeping the look. We haven’t heard anything about the Apple Watch Ultra 3 getting a redesign, so it seems like Apple will be sticking with the current Watch Ultra appearance with a durable titanium frame, robust drop and weather protection, diving support, and the signature orange action button. The screen will also likely stay the same size, although one leak points to a very slight increase in resolution, which could mean it’ll grow and shrink the bezels.
There’s been zero chatter about a new Apple Watch Ultra design, at least since last December when a random TrendForce report came out suggesting it would be thinner than the Ultra 2. In all likelihood, Apple will stick with the same design it’s currently using for the Ultra series, which means it’ll be as rugged and full of titanium as ever. We also expect natural and black titanium colorways with the Ultra 3, but there’s always a chance Apple adds a third color option to spruce things up.
🛰️ Satellite texts. One of the latest rumors involves satellite connectivity. According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 might be the first Apple Watch to get the iPhone’s Emergency SOS system which allows you to connect to satellites to send texts and your location when in distress. The feature has been available on iPhone dating back to the iPhone 14, so it makes sense that Apple could start adding it to more products.
🩸 Blood pressure monitoring. Rumors also suggest the next Apple Watch Ultra could include blood pressure monitoring. Apple has been working on this feature for some time, and while it won’t be able to detect systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, it’ll help you monitor your blood pressure over time and receive warnings when it’s high. Rumors say it’ll work similarly to how sleep apnea detection works on the Apple Watch - not as a way to diagnose yourself, but as a general health guidance tool.
As for glucose monitoring, Apple is still working to incorporate that feature into the Apple Watch. It’s not expected to ship for a number of years down the line, and we don’t expect it to come to Apple Watch Ultra 3 or Series 11.
⌚️ A more efficient display. Previous reports have indicated that Apple’s been working on mini-LED screens for the Apple Watch, but after delaying the project until further notice, it seems like the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could just wind up with a more efficient OLED display. That’s not a bad thing, mind you. The Ultra’s current screen is gorgeous, and if the next generation doesn’t look better but saves more battery, I can’t imagine anyone will be complaining.
🚀 Typical performance improvements. Considering we didn’t get a processor boost with the black Apple Watch Ultra 2, we expect Apple to introduce the S11 chip with the Ultra 3 and Series 11. That’ll be a notable performance improvement for the Ultra series since the Ultra 2 still uses the S9 SiP. Meanwhile, the glossy and thin Apple Watch Series 10 comes with the S10, so there will be a smaller year-over-year improvement for normal Apple Watch buyers.
🤖 More Apple Intelligence? As for what the S11 could enable, that remains a mystery. Obviously, Apple Intelligence is always a topic of discussion with new Apple products, and given Apple’s huge push into AI with the iPhone 16 series, there’s a good chance it’ll introduce new AI features for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 that could wind up being dependent on the power of the S11. This is all speculation, of course, but it would line up with Apple’s current track record of new products and their corresponding features. (For the record, we don’t expect AI to be huge on the watch until Visual Intelligence arrives, which is rumored for 2027.)
🧑💻 watchOS 26 software. In addition, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will more than likely be powered by watchOS 26, Apple’s next operating system for the watch. The new system includes Apple’s Liquid Glass redesign, the AI-powered Workout Buddy, a new UI for the Workout app, upgrades to Smart Stack, a new wrist-flick gesture, and more.
We’ll be tracking all of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 rumors as they come in, so keep it locked to The Shortcut so you don’t miss out on anything big.
Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut. He’s been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.
