The Apple Watch Ultra 3, which is expected to be unveiled after a two-year hiatus, is generating a lot of interest among tech enthusiasts. According to reliable sources, the third-generation Ultra watch is expected to bring a thinner titanium case, an even larger and brighter display, a more powerful processor, and new features such as 5G connectivity, satellite messaging, and even blood pressure detection. Below, we summarize the latest rumors and expectations regarding the design, hardware, sensors, software (watchOS 11), and the release date and price of the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Apple is with the line Watch Ultra in 2022 introduced a completely new class of smartwatches designed for demanding users, athletes and adventurers. The first Apple Watch Ultra with a 49 mm (1.93 inch) case, it stood out with a durable titanium case, a larger screen, and superior durability, which it continued Apple Watch Ultra 2 in 2023 with minor improvements. The latter brought an updated S9 chip and a new black titanium a color version of the case, but there were no other major hardware upgrades. After a two-year hiatus and only cosmetic refreshes in between, it is now expected in 2025 Apple Watch Series 3, which is said to be the biggest upgrade ever and responds to some of the user's wishes.
Design changes and display: this is the Apple Watch Ultra 3
According to current rumors, Apple is expected to slightly revamp the exterior of the Ultra 3. The case is said to remain made of lightweight and durable titanium (including the iconic orange action button and robust protected buttons), but the design may be thinner than its predecessor. Despite the slimmer shape, there is mention of the possibility of a slightly larger screen – probably with narrower bezels around the screen, which would increase the usable area. The brightness and viewing angles of the screen are also expected to improve, either by upgrading the OLED panel or even switching to a new one microLED technology. The latter promises higher resolution, even higher brightness and better contrast while consuming less power. However, some sources report delays in the delivery of microLED, so it is possible that the Ultra 3 will still use an improved OLED display with a wide viewing angle and a higher refresh rate for even better functionality. Always-On display.
We do not expect any major changes in the color variants. Model Ultra 2 Last year, in addition to the standard silver-gray titanium, it also offered black-colored titanium for the first time (i.e. Titanium Black), which has impressed many users. Therefore, it is very likely that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will be available in at least both of the aforementioned shades of titanium. Possible new colors or materials (e.g. ceramic or steel versions) are not the subject of reliable rumors for now, as the Ultra line remains committed to titanium due to its strength-to-weight ratio.
Hardware upgrade: processor, connectivity and battery
The biggest anticipated hardware change is the new Apple S10 chip or newer that will power the Ultra 3. After two years, we can expect a significant speed upgrade and better power efficiency from the S9 chip in the Ultra 2. This will not only speed up the watch and apps, but also enable more advanced features such as more advanced health analysis and on-device voice assistant Siri. However, analysts believe that the Apple Watch will not yet receive quite the same artificial intelligence capabilities (Apple Intelligence), as the iPhone and Mac get, mainly due to the limited RAM memory capacity in the watch.
In the field connectivity a significant leap is expected – 5G support for the first time cellular network. Until now, Apple Watches (including the Ultra) have been limited to 4G/LTE, but now the Ultra 3 is expected to receive a power-saving form of 5G connectivity called 5G RedCap, which offers faster connectivity without a significant impact on battery life. In addition, the watch is also said to have satellite connection for sending text messages in emergencies or from remote locations – similar to what newer iPhones already allow with the feature SOS messages via satelliteThe difference is that the Ultra 3 will be able to communicate autonomously with the Globalstar satellite network directly from the wrist, without the help of a phone. This functionality will be especially useful for hikers, sailors, mountain bikers and anyone who ventures beyond the reach of traditional mobile networks.
Despite the faster chip and new connectivity, battery autonomy It won't be drastically different, according to estimates. Apple has been promising around 18 hours of battery life for the standard models since the beginning, and around 18 hours for the Ultra model. 36 hours of normal use (or up to ~60 hours in power saving mode). Sources close to the company say that this generation is not expected to have significantly longer autonomy - improvements in the energy efficiency of the chip and display will most likely be spent on new features and a brighter display, so that the battery life remains comparable to the previous model. Of course, charging will continue to be wireless via the included magnetic charger, and it is likely that the Ultra 3 will also support faster charging, similar to its predecessor.
New features and sensors
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also expected to upgrade its feature set, especially in the areas of health, safety, and sports. The most prominent rumor is definitely detection of high blood pressure. According to Bloomberg, Apple has been developing a non-invasive blood pressure monitoring feature for years and is finally mature enough to be used in practice. The watch will not display the user's exact systolic and diastolic values like a classic meter, but it will use heart rate sensors and other data to detect patterns that indicate hypertension and warn the user to check their blood pressure. Such prevention would help many people take timely action against cardiovascular risks. However, be careful - other sources mention that Apple may hold off on this feature, saying that it may not be ready in time for the Ultra 3 model, so its introduction is not yet guaranteed.
Other health sensors are expected to remain similar to before: an optical sensor for heart rate and blood oxygen (SpO2), an electrical sensor for ECG, a temperature sensor for monitoring body temperature (also useful for assessing fertility in women), and a high-precision barometer and altimeter. The long-term “holy grail” of wearables is non-invasive blood glucose measurement, which is still years away from being used in a watch. Apple is said to have made some progress in the labs, but the technology is currently too expensive and complex to be included in such a small device.
In addition to health, development also focuses on safety and navigation functions. Existing features such as fall detection, collision detection (accidents) and an 86 dB siren for calling for help will likely remain in the Ultra 3 and may be further improved. Satellite connectivity, as mentioned, will allow sending SOS messages or location to rescuers even where there is no mobile signal. Apple is rumored to be developing its own wireless modem (called C1), which will improve the efficiency of satellite communication in the future and reduce the impact on the battery during such tasks. It may even be possible to connect for text messages with the Satrlink system.
For adventurers and athletes, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is said to be an upgrade navigation: With watchOS 11, Apple Watch gets reliable turn-by-turn navigation on the watch itself, even when your iPhone isn't nearby, and offline maps. The Ultra 3, with its larger screen and longer battery life, will be able to take advantage of these features even better when hiking or running in nature. You can also count on all the new features from watchOS, such as Live Activities display in Smart Stacks and new advanced Workout analytical data (e.g. Training Load or training load over a 28-day period) and the application Vital signs, which monitors nighttime parameters (sleep, breathing, pulse, temperature) and alerts you to deviations. While these features are not exclusive to the Ultra model, when combined with the robust hardware of the Ultra 3, they will certainly be very attractive to users who want the best in health and sports performance.
watchOS 25 and software support
Apple Watch Series 3 will of course run the latest version of the operating system upon release watchOS. The new software will bring a number of user experience improvements that will complement the hardware innovations of the Ultra 3. As mentioned, watchOS 25 introduces improvements for athletes (e.g. advanced interval training, flexible goals and pausing sequences of activities so that illness or rest does not interrupt the achieved sequence). Integration has also been added Live Activities and smart wearables that contextually display important information on the watch face. And users going for late-night runs or hikes can share their live location with selected contacts for added safety – watchOS 11 (25) will enable this automatically during workouts, similar to what competitors already offer on select models.
Since the Ultra 3 will be equipped with a state-of-the-art chip, it will be able to support all of these innovations with distinction. It is likely that Apple will also highlight some exclusive software solution or watch face designed specifically for the Ultra series at the presentation - such as a customized ultrasound sports profile views or an improved app Compass for expeditions. The Ultra 2 already has an exclusive dial Modular Ultra, which takes advantage of the large screen, so we can expect something similar this time.
Expected release date and price
Based on established Apple cycles and reliable rumors, Apple Watch Series 3 expecting September 2025, along with the launch of new iPhones (likely the iPhone 17 series). The special media event is usually in the first weeks of September – analysts mention that September 9, 2025 could be the date when the watch will be revealed to the public (Source: Macworld). Pre-orders would follow a few days later, and sales would begin in the second half of September. Of course, Apple will only officially confirm any plans shortly before launch, so the timeline could change, but we doubt the Ultra 3 would see the light of day sooner, given that 2024 did not bring a new generation (Source: AppleInsider).
Regarding price, Apple is expected to keep the same basic layout as previous Ultra models. This means a suggested retail price of around $799 (in the USA) or approximately 800 € in Europe for the basic configuration with one of the standard straps (Source: Macworld; AppleInsider). The Ultra model is compared to the classic steel Series The watch is only slightly more expensive than what is offered (the Series 10 titanium version cost around £749, while the Ultra cost £799) (Source: Macworld), so Apple is unlikely to drastically increase the price. However, some warn that global market conditions (e.g. import duties in the US) may affect prices until autumn 2025 (Source: AppleInsider). For Slovenian buyers, VAT will have to be added to the US price, so the price of the new Ultra 3 in our country could be around €900.
Compared to previous generations: this is the Apple Watch Ultra 3
According to experts and past data, Apple Watch Series 3 was a significant leap forward over its predecessors. The first-generation Ultra (2022) introduced the concept of a rugged Apple Watch with a long battery life, accurate dual GPS, diving capabilities (waterproof to 100 m (330 ft), submersible to 40 m (131 ft)), and MIL-STD-810 durability. Ultra 2 (2023) added a new hardware core (S9 chip) with more computing power and enabled Siri on your device (faster offline voice commands), and it also increased the screen brightness to 3,000 nits (up from 2,000 nits on the first model) for even better sunlight readability. Despite these improvements, it remained very similar to the first Ultra – to the point that Apple only allowed itself to release a new color version in 2024, rather than an entirely new model (Source: MacRumors).
Now, at Ultra 3, but it is after two years more concrete innovations are promised: a faster processor (S10/S11) with a noticeable performance boost, for the first time 5G module for faster data transfers, brand new satellite functionality for emergency communication from the wilderness (Source: 9to5Mac), and the ability upgraded sensors with hypertension detection (Source: 9to5Mac). The display may also take a step forward – either by switching to microLED (if it is ready) or at least by evolving OLED technology for better viewing angles and higher refresh rates at Always-On mode (Source: MacRumors). All of this suggests that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will be truly The crown of Apple's smartwatch offerings for 2025, designed for those who want the most that wearable technology currently offers.
As always, we must emphasize that this is unofficial information based on rumors and reports from trusted sources. Apple does not officially reveal details of its products before launch. But if at least most of the above expectations come true, we will get a smartwatch in the fall that will set a new milestone in the field of performance, connectivity and useful functions. In Slovenia, we can again expect a lot of interest among technology enthusiasts, because the Apple Watch Ultra 3 combines everything we value – engineering perfection, durability and health care – in one device on the wrist.
