In September 2025, Apple is expected to introduce a new generation of its most expensive watch - the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Blood pressure, satellite connection, new display technology? Maybe. Definitely?
Apple Watch Ultra 3 is set to arrive this fall, after a year of silence and rising expectations. What will it actually bring? A few important features that have long been on the wish list - but at the same time enough ambiguity to make you wonder if we're not just looking at another iteration of a device that's already very good... and therefore hardly significantly better.
Looking back: a year of hiatus and unanswered questions
When it's Apple When Apple introduced the first Apple Watch Ultra in 2022, it was clear that it was something new. The watch was bigger, more robust, more purpose-driven. For athletes, for hikers, for those who aren't in the gym just for Instagram stories.
The Ultra 2 a year later brought some improvements – a brighter screen, a better chip, a longer battery – but nothing revolutionary. In 2024… nothing. Apple only released a black version of the Ultra 2 at its September event. Which means one of two things: either they didn’t have enough to really upgrade, or they deliberately took their time. Both have their weight.
What the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is really supposed to bring
Blood pressure: finally a useful health function or just a reminder?
Blood pressure monitoring is one of those features that smartwatches have been promising for years. Apple is reportedly going the route of detecting trends, not exact numbers. So you won't be replacing your meter at home, but you'll get an alert if something's going on. Which is a lot. Not because of the "gadget effect," but because it's a real health benefit.
Battery: Better, but not revolutionary
With 36 hours of battery life, the Ultra is already the longest-lasting Apple Watch. The new model is expected to extend that even further—likely by a few hours, not days. The focus is said to be on energy efficiency, not just a bigger battery. Fewer light effects, more actual runtime.
MicroLED: the technology of the future that may not be ready (yet)
This has been talked about for too long to be taken seriously without skepticism. MicroLED is supposed to be brighter, more energy efficient, with better contrast. Reality? According to the latest data, Apple is said to have postponed the project due to production problems. Which means we will probably still be looking at OLED, but a slightly optimized one in the Apple Watch Ultra 3 model. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. OLED is already very good. Just don't expect a revolution.
Satellite connection: the thing you don't want to need but are glad you have
This is one of those features that is rare but has a clear purpose. If Apple does indeed introduce the ability to send emergency messages via satellite – similar to the iPhone – it will be a huge asset. Not for everyone. But if you ever find yourself out of cellular coverage, it is no longer a matter of prestige, but of safety.
Design: evolution, not revolution
If you're expecting a completely new case – the Apple Watch Ultra 3 – forget it. Apple has long been betting on gradual evolution, not radical changes. The watch will remain large, robust, with a digital crown and an "action" button. Maybe we'll get new colors, maybe a more matte case, maybe a different titanium finish. But this won't be a watch that you'd recognize at first glance as brand new.
Price: stable… which means high
$799. That's how much the Ultra 2 cost, and that's what the Ultra 3 is supposed to cost. If we translate that into our reality – close to a thousand. Apple maintains its position here – the Ultra is not for everyone. And that's fine. The question is, are we getting enough more for that money a year and a half later?
What does long-standing practice say?
When you've been in this world for a decade, you quickly recognize the difference between a "real upgrade" and "marketing optimism." And the Ultra 3 will most likely fall somewhere in between. For those who have the Ultra 2, there probably won't be enough reason to upgrade. For those who have been waiting for the Ultra line to mature, there might be.
Is the Apple Watch still one of the best on the market? Undoubtedly. Is the Ultra 3 a necessary upgrade? We won't be able to truly judge that until the fall.
Conclusion
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will almost certainly be a good smartwatch. Maybe even the best in its class. But expecting it to be a “game changer” may be illusory. Apple rarely makes a leap, but rather builds with small improvements. And sometimes that’s the only way to go – at least until the alternative starts breathing down its neck.
