Apple Watch Ultra 3 release date predictions and its pricing, features, and specs
We're just days away from Apple's new flagship smartwatch – the Apple Watch Ultra 3. It's going to show itself on September 9 at the usual flamboyant Apple event:
The fact that we're so close to the official unveiling doesn't mean that there's an abundance of details about the Apple Watch Ultra 3. In fact, the rumor mill has been suspiciously quiet about it, with a few notable exceptions.
The most reliable insight on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 comes from Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known analyst specializing in Apple's supply chain. In early May, Kuo indicated that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 would feature "almost no" hardware upgrades from the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (pictured above).
Based on this information, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is anticipated to include a new Apple S10 chip, while the rest of its hardware will largely mirror that of the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Of course, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to be a highly capable device, featuring a 1.92-inch OLED touchscreen with 3,000 nits of brightness, a customizable Action Button, and advanced double-tap gesture functionality, in addition to various sensors and premium features.
Prior to Kuo's claims, there was a wild rumor that said the Ultra 3 was actually going to be delayed until 2026. Also, this particular rumor stated that it would cost $1,500 because the display was claimed to be a MicroLED one – something that was going to give a great boost to the Apple Watch line battery life and display brightness. This rumor, at least for the moment, is off the table. But, then again, it's Apple we're talking about here, so releasing a $1,500 smartwatch will not be a surprising move for the Cupertino giant.
Let's delve deeper!
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Apple Watch Ultra 3 release date
Usually Apple's events take place on Tuesdays, but this time around, the date is set for September 9, Monday. My guess is that it's because the Trump-Harris debate, scheduled for September 10.
Of course, at the same "It's Glowtime" event, we're about to witness the premiere of the iPhone 16 line.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Ultra | September 7, 2022 | September 23, 2022 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | September 12, 2023 | September 22, 2023 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | September 9, 2024* | September 19, 2024* |
*Expected dates
Apple Watch Ultra 3 price
Not to jinx it, but so far, the rumors about the Apple Watch Ultra 3 do not mention anything about the price going up in comparison to the starting price of its predecessor(s). This equates to $799 – not an easy sum to swallow (heck, there are flagship smartphones with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and amazing 6.7-inch displays that cost less than $799!), but you're getting a lot of smartwatch power for the price.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 rumor from months ago – the one that said a $1,500 with MicroLED is coming in 2025 – is at this point off the table.
| Apple Watch model | Price |
|---|---|
| Apple Watch Ultra | $799 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | $799 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3* | $799* |
*Expected prices
Apple Watch Ultra 3 design
The Ultra 2, pictured here, will clone itself onto the Ultra 3, design-wise | Image credit - PhoneArena
No significant design changes are anticipated for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. With an already near-perfect design, there's little need for further refinement. It is expected to maintain its 49mm size, featuring the same titanium casing and sapphire glass as the previous model. The large digital crown and customizable Action Button will continue to be easy to operate, even while wearing gloves.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 boasted water resistance up to 100 meters (10ATM), making it a great choice for recreational diving.
Similar to its predecessors, the third generation will likely be offered in just one size: 49mm. This size is larger than that of a regular Apple Watch, making it more suitable for individuals with bigger wrists.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 boasted water resistance up to 100 meters (10ATM), making it a great choice for recreational diving.
Similar to its predecessors, the third generation will likely be offered in just one size: 49mm. This size is larger than that of a regular Apple Watch, making it more suitable for individuals with bigger wrists.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 display
The enhanced display from the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which can reach up to 3,000 nits of brightness compared to the 2,000 nits of the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, is likely to be included in the Ultra 3 as well. This upgrade ensures excellent readability in all conditions, even under direct sunlight.
However, users cannot manually adjust the brightness to its maximum level of 3,000 nits. This feature automatically activates in bright environments, adjusting to improve visibility based on the surrounding light, regardless of the user’s brightness settings. This is how the brightness functionality works on the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 battery
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to keep the same 564mAh battery as the Ultra 2. This battery capacity is slightly larger than the 542mAh battery found in the first-generation model, ensuring that the watch continues to deliver impressive battery life.
With this battery, users can anticipate the same dependable performance, with the watch lasting up to three days under moderate usage. This includes activities like checking the time, receiving notifications, responding to messages, tracking sleep, and using the walkie-talkie feature occasionally.
Charging the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will likely be similar to the Ultra 2. It is expected to take around 90 minutes for a full charge, but users can reach an 80% charge in just about an hour, which is quite convenient for daily use. This efficient charging means you only need to charge the watch every other day, providing peace of mind that you won't run out of battery power unexpectedly. This makes it a great option for those who lead busy lives and don't want to worry about frequent charging.
With this battery, users can anticipate the same dependable performance, with the watch lasting up to three days under moderate usage. This includes activities like checking the time, receiving notifications, responding to messages, tracking sleep, and using the walkie-talkie feature occasionally.
Charging the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will likely be similar to the Ultra 2. It is expected to take around 90 minutes for a full charge, but users can reach an 80% charge in just about an hour, which is quite convenient for daily use. This efficient charging means you only need to charge the watch every other day, providing peace of mind that you won't run out of battery power unexpectedly. This makes it a great option for those who lead busy lives and don't want to worry about frequent charging.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 features and software
The Ultra 2 will not get obsolete all of a sudden! | Image credit - PhoneArena
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the perfect device to come with the brand-new, the announced-yet-unreleased watchOS 11 that is expected to bring lots and lots of goodies to Apple's recent timepieces.
Key features of the watchOS 11 include:
Training Load exertion ranking: Assesses effort based on heart rate, elevation, pace, and physical traits, providing a 10-point effort score to help athletes optimize their training.
Vitals following app: Tracks health metrics like sleep and heart rate, offering weekly reports and alerts for abnormal data.
New SmartStack predictions: Enhances app suggestions and user experience.
Check-in feature for friends: Allows users to stay connected by sharing status updates.
Dynamic Watch faces: Automatically selects watch faces from user photos.
Training Load exertion ranking: Assesses effort based on heart rate, elevation, pace, and physical traits, providing a 10-point effort score to help athletes optimize their training.
Vitals following app: Tracks health metrics like sleep and heart rate, offering weekly reports and alerts for abnormal data.
New SmartStack predictions: Enhances app suggestions and user experience.
Check-in feature for friends: Allows users to stay connected by sharing status updates.
Dynamic Watch faces: Automatically selects watch faces from user photos.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 hardware
While the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to carry over most of its hardware from previous models, it will stand out by featuring Apple's next-generation S10 chipset, which has not yet been released or officially announced.
Although details about the S10’s performance are still speculative, it is anticipated to be at least somewhat faster and more energy-efficient than the S9 chip.
Aside from the new chipset, the rest of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to remain largely the same as its predecessor, according to the information currently available.
Although details about the S10’s performance are still speculative, it is anticipated to be at least somewhat faster and more energy-efficient than the S9 chip.
Aside from the new chipset, the rest of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to remain largely the same as its predecessor, according to the information currently available.
Should I wait for Apple Watch Ultra 3?
Nothing is clear at the moment, but if the rumors turn out to be true and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a slightly better variant of the Ultra 2, then it's fair to say that if you already own the second Apple Watch Ultra, there's no need to upgrade to the third generation. While the new chipset could mean a slightly better overall experience, this doesn't make a compelling case for upgrading.
- You should wait for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if you're after the next best thing, you've got money to spend and… large wrists.
- You should not wait for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if you're on a tight(er) budget, or if you already own an Ultra from Apple – have fun with the money that you saved!
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