I tried the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and it’s a meaningful upgrade thanks to these 3 changes

Between satellite connectivity, the longest battery life of any Apple Watch^[1], a bigger and better display, and new health features like hypertension detection and Sleep Score, the Apple^[2] Watch Ultra 3 is a substantial upgrade – and it looks like an even bigger departure from its predecessor when you remember that in 2024, the main innovation was a new color option.

I got to try the Apple Watch Ultra 3 in both Natural Titanium and Titanium Black finishes shortly after Apple’s Awe dropping event concluded on September 9. Let’s dive into its full specs, and the three big changes Apple’s made to the Ultra series this year.

1. 42 hours of battery life

While the Apple Watch Series 11 is kicking into high gear with 24 hours of battery life, compared to its predecessor’s 18 hours, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 blows it out of the water. Thanks to some clever re-engineering of the battery on the inside, and a power-efficient combination of the updated LTPO3 display and a 5G modem, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 lasts for up to 42 hours.

And yes, that’s with the always-on display mode active.

The 42-hour runtime is six hours longer than the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and equates to almost two full days of use, and more with the Low Power mode active. You can also fast-charge the Apple Watch Ultra 3 using the included charging cable, and Apple says you can get 12 hours of use with just 15 minutes of charge time.

I’m keen to put that to the test as soon as I get the chance to run this watch down to zero. You also still have Low Power mode, which turns off some features and gives you upwards of 72 hours of use.

2. Satellite Connectivity arrives on your wrist

Just like the iPhone has offered since the iPhone 14, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 brings Satellite Connectivity to your wrist, and its arrival makes perfect sense. Since the Ultra series is the go-anywhere, rugged, long-lasting Apple Watch, it’s fitting that if you’re hiking and lose cellular service, you can connect to a satellite floating hundreds of miles above the Earth to update your location using Apple’s Find My service, or to send a message.

The interface for this is sleek and simple, enabled by using a redesigned antenna array – coupled with the new 5G modem – that sits under the lip of the 49mm display. It’ll also power Emergency SOS via Satellite, which will come in handy if you’re in an emergency situation – though we hope you don’t ever have to use it. You can use Emergency SOS via Satellite even without a data plan.

Given that many Ultra users might opt to wear it for hikes or more extreme activities, this could prove critical when it matters most.

Apple uses relay centers to connect you with the appropriate emergency services. You’ll answer a few questions to identify your issue, and the watch will send your info and location up to a satellite. On-screen directions will guide you to move your wrist for the best connection or wait for a satellite to pass.

Additionally, Emergency SOS via Satellite can be used as a backup if the Apple Watch Ultra 3 detects a fall or a car crash and you don’t have service. To use Messages via Satellite, you will need an active cellular plan on the Ultra 3, but Emergency SOS and Find My updates are free for two years.

3. The display is larger and more efficient

While the Apple Watch Ultra 3 still packs a 49-millimeter display like its predecessor – the largest for an Apple Watch, though the 46mm Series 11 might have you thinking otherwise – the bezels have shrunk all around to extend the visible display space. This is noticeable with some of the watch faces, including the new Ultra 3 ones, but also when you’re reading text or scrolling through an email.

Moreover, it’s now an LTPO3 display, which not only makes it more efficient but also lets the refresh rate speed up when needed. When the display is on but not in active use on your wrist, the second hand will move – a nice addition, seeing as the Series 10 and Series 11 watches also have this functionality. The screen has a minimum 1Hz refresh rate and it’s got a 3,000 nit maximum brightness.

I’m keen to see how this display performs in daily use, and in more extreme situations like hikes and night-time activities; still, it looked vibrant and crisp in Apple’s well-lit hands-on space.

Those are the three biggest arrivals unique to the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Like the Apple Watch Series 11, the Ultra 3 will also be able to alert you to possible hypertension, or high blood pressure, on a rolling 30-day basis. To be clear, it’s not actively taking blood pressure readings on your wrist; rather, it’s using an algorithm and the optical heart rate sensor on the back to identify potential signs of hypertension. You’ll get a notification on your wrist if that’s detected, recommending that you see a medical professional.

This feature is awaiting FDA clearance for the US, but Apple says the feature will arrive in 150 countries – including the US and EU – by the end of September.

Sleep Score is another feature that I’m particularly excited about, and it should make sleep tracking more actionable. Instead of just seeing your total time asleep and time spent in various stages, you’ll be given a score from 0 to 100 and a classification. It will also work historically to assign a score. This is arriving to any Apple Watch that will run watchOS 26, so it’s not exclusive to the Ultra 3 or Series 11.

Apple has made some genuinely big changes here, and I’m pretty bullish on the performance, even though I’ve only had a quick hands-on with the third-generation Apple Watch Ultra.

The extended battery life, more advanced display, and satellite connectivity should be big functional improvements, and the good news is that they don’t come with a price increase – and there’s actually a £50 price drop compared to the Ultra 2’s start price if you’re in the UK. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 starts at $799 / £749 / AU$1,399 and is up for preorder now, with an official launch set for September 19, 2025.

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