The new Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to feature a nearly two-inch display, 5G RedCap, and possibly Apple's first blood pressure monitor... and?! Read more
iOS 26 beta hints at larger screen on new Apple Watch Ultra 3 and satellite communication in new Apple Watch Series 3
Quick summary: the new Apple Watch Ultra 3
- A new image in iOS 26 shows a resolution of 422×514 pixels, suggesting a roughly 1.98-inch display – the largest yet on an Apple Watch.
- Sources mention satellite messaging and a new 5G RedCap modem for reduced battery consumption.
- In the background, blood pressure measurement is being tested, which could further solidify the watch's health pedigree.
- The launch is scheduled for September 9th alongside the iPhone 17; the price is expected to remain around €799.
What does higher resolution bring?
The image, discovered by Aaron Perris in the latest beta, reveals a resolution of 422 × 514 pixels – slightly up from the current 410 × 502 on the 49mm Watch Ultra 2. The difference seems small, but it means thinner bezels and a nearly two-inch OLED LTPO3 display with higher brightness, which will come in handy for climbers, sailors and anyone who battles the midday sun.
I found the Apple Watch Ultra 3's Display Size in iOS 26 beta 5, looks like we are getting more pixels! https://t.co/Mr8Ln8pFBX
— Aaron (@aaronp613) August 5, 2025
Satellite as a safety net
For adventurers, satellite communication, modeled after the iPhone 14 SOS, will be even more important. The feature will allow text messages when LTE fails - for example, while mountaineering or sailing in the Adriatic. Apple is said to have reached an agreement with Globalstar, but details about the price list are not yet known.
5G custom wristband
Instead of “full” 5G, the Ultra 3 will get 5G RedCap – a stripped-down, power-efficient version designed for wearables. This means faster data transfers and lower latency without major compromises on the battery life that’s crucial for the Ultra.
Blood pressure: the holy grail of carriers
Apple has been working on its own non-invasive blood pressure solution for years. References to a “BPTrackingKit” have appeared in the WatchOS codebase, and analysts say it could involve hypertension detection using an optical sensor and hardware analysis of pulse transit time. If the feature does arrive, the Ultra 3 may even be eligible for CE marking as a Class II medical device.
When and for how much?
If the dates from internal plans are accurate, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will officially be released on September 9, at the same time as the iPhone 17 family and Watch Series 11. The case remains titanium, and the price is expected to remain unchanged - €799 in Europe.
Bottom line: A larger screen, satellite safety network, and the first 5G in an Apple Watch take the Ultra 3 a truly “ultra” step forward. If the rumors of blood pressure monitoring come true, this year’s model could become the most versatile wearable we’ve seen from Cupertino.
**Note on sources**: We have compiled the information from several reliable technology sources: MacRumors articles by Aaron Perris from August 5 and 6, 2025, where a screen resolution of 422 × 514 pixels was discovered in iOS 26 beta; Bloomberg reports by Mark Gurman (“Power On”, December 10, 2024 and June 29, 2025) mentioning satellite communication and 5G RedCap in the coming hour; publicly available 3GPP Release 17 specifications on 5G RedCap technology for wearables; module references BPTrackingKit in the watchOS source code, which hint at blood pressure measurement; and supporting analysis by independent experts and developers from the MacRumors forum community, the YouTube channel “Do Not Buy An Apple Watch Now!” (posted August 3, 2025), and specialized wearable blogs. All sources were verified on August 7, 2025 and together form the basis of the above report.
