Apple announced three new Apple Watch models during its “Awe Dropping” event on September 9, 2025. The Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 each has its own list of features and specs, but all three have one thing in common: longer battery life. Learn more about the upgrades, including the high blood pressure/hypertension alert feature.
Apple Watch Series 11 Release Date & Pricing
Availability
- Pre-order September 9
- Available September 19
Pricing
While the Apple Watch Series 11 has added new features, it is priced the same as last year’s Apple Watch Series 10.
- Apple Watch Series 11 GPS-Only Aluminum Finish: Starts at $399
- Apple Watch Series 11 GPS + Cellular Aluminum Finish: Starts at $499
- Apple Watch Series 11 GPS + Cellular Titanium Finish: Starts at $699
Series 11: New Sensors & Health Alerts Plus Tougher Glass
The four most exciting features of the Apple Watch Series 11 are the new high blood pressure/hypertension alerts, 24-hour battery life, 5G cellular connectivity, and a new Sleep Scores reading. But it isn’t just the inner software that makes the Series 11 watch a good choice; the hardware boasts a much tougher glass than we’ve seen before, making it twice as scratch-resistant as the Apple Watch Series 10. (Of course, if you’re looking for the toughest watch, keep reading to see specs on the new Apple Watch Ultra Watch 3.)
Hypertension Notifications & Sleep Scores
Apple enthusiasts have been hearing rumors of a watch with blood pressure readings for years, and it is finally here. This new feature works by using an algorithm that analyzes how your blood vessels respond to the beating of your heart via the optical heart sensor. After a 30-day period of readings, your watch will take the gathered data and send you an alert if any signs of consistent hypertension are detected. Any high blood pressure readings will be saved in your Health app, allowing you to easily share them with your doctor.
According to Apple, the watch’s new hypertension notification feature was created based on data compiled from over 100,000 study participants and is expected to receive FDA clearance this month. Keep in mind that until that clearance is in place, this feature won’t be available, so if blood pressure readings are the deciding factor for you, you may want to hold off until the FDA has signed off. Like any at-home tool, it is important that users consult a physician if they have any concerns or symptoms.
The second most exciting new health feature is Sleep Scores, measuring how long you spend in bed, how quickly you fall asleep, how long you spend in each sleep stage, and any interruptions that cause you to wake up. If you’ve had third-party health apps or smart devices, you might already be familiar with this type of feature, but this is the first time we are seeing it in Apple’s Health app.
While the Sleep Scores are an exciting upgrade, they will not be exclusive to the new Apple Watch lineup. In fact, as long as you have an Apple Watch 6 or later running watchOS 26 (including Apple Watch SE 2 and all Ultra models) and your watch is paired to an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26, you’ll be able to use Sleep Scores.
Thinner Body, New Colors & Other Updates
As expected with a new Apple Watch model, the Series 11 is slightly thinner and lighter, despite featuring a large and resilient display. The body of the Apple Watch Series 11 comes in four aluminum finishes: Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, and Jet Black. Three titanium finishes are also available: Natural, Gold, and Slate. Both finish materials are made from recycled metals.
Other Series 11 updates include 5G connectivity if you opt in for a cellular plan. Plus, the watchOS 26 design comes with two new watch faces: Liquid Glass Numerals and Exactograph. As previously mentioned, the new watch will have up to 24 hours of battery life, which is 6 more hours than the previous Series 10 model. This extended battery life will make it easier to wear your watch all day and through the night, allowing you to track all your vitals.
Apple Watch SE 3 Release Date & Pricing
Availability
- Pre-order September 9
- Available September 19
Pricing
While the Apple Watch SE 3 has added new features, it is priced the same as the Apple Watch SE 2, which was released in 2022.
- Apple Watch SE 3 GPS-Only: Starts at $249
- Apple Watch SE 3 GPS + Cellular: Starts at $299
Apple Watch SE 3: More Features at a Lower Budget
We haven’t had a new budget model watch since 2022. Is the Apple Watch SE 3 worth the wait? Despite being cheaper than the Series 11, it has many features that a casual Apple Watch wearer wants and needs. The SE 3 is the first Special Edition Apple Watch to offer the Always-On display, which lets you glance at your watch face for the time and other info without waking your watch. It also gets a speaker, so you can listen to your favorite songs or podcasts even if your AirPods run out of battery.
Additionally, an Apple Watch SE 3 running watchOS 26 will enable convenient hands-free gestures, including double tap to navigate your watch and wrist flick to dismiss notifications. The Apple Watch SE 3 will also be able to track hard falls, car crashes, sleep apnea, ovulation cycles, and cardio fitness. You can use the SE 3 model to make Emergency SOS calls and use the Check In feature.
Despite adding all these features, the newest Apple Watch SE model still has 18 hours of battery life, which Apple refers to as “all day.” While this seems like a lot less than the 24-hour battery life of the new Series 11, the Series 10 also had 18 hours of battery life. Finally, this model supports fast charging, which means that just 15 minutes on the charger will get you 8 hours of battery life. While the budget models of the iPhone often come in exciting colors, the Apple Watch SE 3 is only available in the practical yet stylish Midgnight or Starlight.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Release Date & Pricing
Availability
- Pre-order September 9
- Available September 19
Pricing
While the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has added new features, it is priced the same as last year’s Ultra 2 and the original Apple Watch Ultra were at launch.
- Apple Watch Ultra 3 GPS + Cellular: Starts at $799
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Safer Than Ever Before
The third edition of the Apple Watch Ultra includes all the new Series 11 features, such as hypertension alerts, as well as some exciting extras not available on any other watch model. Apple Watch Ultra 3 takes full advantage of satellite connectivity, making it possible to use Find My and Messages even if you are in the middle of nowhere without a cellular network or Wi-Fi. Just make sure you’re in a region with satellite connectivity before venturing out into the wilderness.
The Apple Watch Ultra’s battery can now last up to 42 hours, or even 72 hours if you keep it on Low Power Mode. Just to compare, the original Ultra and the Ultra 2 had a battery life of 36 hours, and based on experience, 42-hour battery life makes it easier to get into a more regular charging habit so that you never run out of juice. Plus—a very exciting update if you are a nurse or need an accurate second count—Apple Watch Ultra 3 includes more watch face options that display seconds on the Always-On display.
Other Apple Watch Ultra 3 updates include a larger and brighter screen with a quicker refresh rate. Despite the display being bigger, the Ultra 3 is the same size as the Ultra 2; its thinner borders to allow for more display real estate. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available in Natural or Black titanium, just like the Ultra 2. Hopefully, the next upgrade will have more color options.
There we have it, three new models of the Apple Watch! More details about the exciting new things you can do on the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 can be found in our watchOS 26 roundup, which covers the new software update.
