Apple Watch Ultra 3 has satellite connectivity and larger display

It’s been two years since Apple updated its rugged, ultra-premium Watch Ultra line, so it was long overdue for a replacement. Today, at its Awe Dropping event to launch the iPhone 17, the company has unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 3. The biggest feature is the inclusion of satellite communication, letting you stay in touch no matter where you are in the world.

The company was naturally delighted to show off a broad number of tweaks that, in aggregate, more than make up for the additional delay. For instance, the Watch Ultra 3’s bezels have been slimmed down to accommodate the company’s largest display in a watch yet. Similarly, the display technology has been tweaked to improve off-angle viewing, making it easier for you to check the time when you don’t want everyone to notice that you’re checking the time.

An even more welcome improvement is in battery life, with Apple claiming the Ultra 3 will survive for 42 hours on a single charge.

Naturally, you’ll also get all of the new bells and whistles announced with the Apple Watch Series 11. That includes hypertension alerts, keeping you aware of your heart health even if you don’t feel too bad at present.

Apple commonly updates its devices annually, but the Ultra 2 has been top of the list for two years. It’s likely that the bulk of the company’s design focus in the previous cycle was on the top down redesign of the regular Watch. After all, the Watch 10 got a thinner case and, in the 46mm version, a display slightly bigger than the Watch Ultra. Plus, those in the know say that the S10 system-on-chip found in the 2024 models was just a smaller version of the S9 found in the Ultra 2. Consequently, there was little reason to upgrade the Ultra to the newer package since it already had plenty of room inside its beefy, rugged case.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available to pre-order today, with shipments beginning on September 19.

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