Apple has just announced the Watch Ultra 3, two years after the launch of its predecessor the Watch Ultra 2.
Whether you’re still donning the Apple Watch Ultra 2 but are debating upgrading to the new Apple Watch Ultra 3, or you just want to know what’s the difference between the two, then you’re in luck.
We’ve highlighted all the new features found in the Apple Watch Ultra 3, alongside any noteworthy similarities with the Watch Ultra 2, below. For more on the new Apple Watch series, make sure to check out our Apple Watch Series 11 vs Apple Watch Series 10 guide too.
Specs Table
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Apple Watch Ultra 2 | |
| Colours | Natural or Black Titanium | Natural or Black Titanium |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Manufacturer | Apple | Apple |
| Operating System | watchOS 26 | watchOS 11 |
| UK RRP | £799 | £799 |
| US RRP | $799 | $799 |
| Size (dimensions) | 49mm x 44mm x 12mm | 49mm x 44mm x 14.4mm |
| Waterproof | 10ATM | 10ATM |
| Weight | 61.6-61.8g | 61.4-61.8g |
Price and Availability
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available for pre-order now, ahead of its official launch alongside the iPhone 17 series on September 19. It is the most expensive of the Apple Watch series, with a starting RRP of £799/$799.
At the time of writing, although the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is no longer available to buy directly from Apple it is possible to nab the device from third party retailers like Amazon. While it still technically has a starting RRP of £799/$799, it is possible to nab the wearable with a solid price cut.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a larger screen
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 not only boasts the title of having the largest screen on an Apple Watch, but it is also fitted with premium display technology including LTPO3 and wide-angle OLEDs. LTPO3 enables the display borders to be 24% thinner than its predecessor, which means the active screen area is increased without changing the 49mm case.
Speaking of LTPO3, the technology is also more power efficient and enables a faster refresh rate when in always-on mode.
Otherwise, both the Ultra 3 and Ultra 2 support up to 3000 nits peak brightness and an always-on retina display too.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 supports 5G
Like the new Apple Watch Series 11, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 now supports 5G connectivity which should offer an overall faster performance when on the move.
Not only that, but the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also able to engage its two system antennas to boost signal strength whenever it’s weak. It does this, Apple explains, by using an advanced algorithm found in the wearable.
Remember that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 does also support cellular connectivity as long as you buy the correct Wi-Fi + Cellular model. It just doesn’t benefit from the faster speeds of 5G.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 promises a longer battery life
One area which consistently lets Apple Watches down, especially when compared to other best smartwatch options, is with battery life. While the likes of Garmin Fenix 8 and Whoop straps offer multiple weeks of battery life on a single charge, Apple Watches usually only offer hours or can perhaps eke out a day or so if pushed.
While the Apple Watch Ultra 3 won’t see you through a week long hike without needing a top-up, it does boast a longer battery life compared to its successor, promising up to 42-hours or 72-hours in Low Battery Mode.
As we’re yet to review the Apple Watch Ultra 3, we can’t verify Apple’s claims. However, as we found the Apple Watch Ultra 2 out-performed Apple’s 36-hour claims and offered us up to 60 hours with casual use, we have high hopes for the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 has satellite connectivity
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the first to sport satellite connectivity, thanks to its built-in, two-way satellite communication. Essentially, this allows users to text emergency services, message friends and family and share their location, even when they don’t have mobile or Wi-Fi coverage.
In addition, while the Watch Ultra 3 is fitted with Crash and Fall Detection which is also found within the Watch Ultra 2, it can also detect if a user is unresponsive after a hard fall or car crash. In this instance, the Ultra 3 can automatically send situation information to emergency services and your emergency contacts too.
All satellite communication tools will be free for two years with the Apple Watch Ultra 3, but Apple is yet to share how much it will eventually cost.
Both offer the new hypertension notifications and Sleep Score
Apple announced at its annual event that all the new Apple Watches alongside the Ultra 2 and others, will offer hypertension notifications and the new Sleep Score tool.
Hypertension notifications are designed to alert users if signs of chronic high blood pressure are detected, with the idea that users should log their blood pressure for seven days after the alert and share their results with a doctor.
Sleep Score, on the other hand, is a tool similar to that found in the best Fitbits and best Garmin smartwatch and analyses your sleep stages and provides you with an overall score and classification of how well you slept.
The app then gives a clear breakdown of critical components to help users understand what they need to prioritise in order to improve their sleep.
Early Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 benefits from a few new features including 5G connectivity, satellite support and the largest screen ever found on an Apple Watch. However, if you’re still sporting the Apple Watch Ultra 2 then we’d argue there aren’t quite enough differences to warrant splurging on the new model.
However, if you’re debating between buying either the Watch Ultra 3 or Watch Ultra 2, then the newest model’s tools make it a worthy investment.
We’ll update this versus once we’ve reviewed the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
