The new Apple Watch Ultra 3 is built for big days outside and now features the longest battery life ever in an Apple Watch. There are other notable improvements to discuss as well, including those made to the display, satellite communications, and new health insights.
Battery life that keeps up
The headline upgrade is stamina: you’ll now get up to 42 hours of everyday use, or up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. Endurance folks get 20 hours of continuous outdoor workout tracking (full GPS + heart rate) in Low Power Mode, while a 15-minute fast charge can add up to 12 hours—perfect for a long hike or a two-a-day training block.
Bigger, brighter, easier to read
Ultra 3 keeps the rugged titanium case but moves to Apple’s most advanced display stack: LTPO3 with wide-angle OLEDs. Apple says the Ultra 3’s borders are 24% thinner, readability is better at off-angles, and the always-on refresh now ticks at 1 Hz so complications and seconds feel truly live. A new Waypoint face brings a live compass, quick Night Mode, and a satellite-comm complication for fast access.
Safety and connectivity—on and off the grid
Also new to Watch Ultra 3 is 5G. When you’ve got coverage, 5G cellular delivers faster throughput, and an algorithm can drive both antennas to boost reception in weak-signal areas.
Should you venture off-grid, Ultra 3’s two-way satellite communications let you text emergency services, send/receive messages, and share your location via Find My—with two years of satellite features included. Crash and Fall Detection can auto-message your location if you’re unresponsive.
New health insights
Ultra 3 introduces background hypertension notifications that can flag signs of chronic high blood pressure (rolling out broadly this month, pending clearances). The new Sleep Score in watchOS 26 turns duration, consistency, wake-ups, and stages into an easy-to-understand metric you can track over time—alongside staples like ECG, irregular rhythm, and sleep apnea notifications.
Built for athletes and adventurers
Runners get ultra-accurate GPS, Precision Start, and advanced training views; cyclists can pair power meters and view live metrics on iPhone; swimmers have stroke detection, laps, SWOLF, and WR100 water resistance. Offline maps, Waypoints, and Backtrack support hikers, while Oceanic+ turns Ultra 3 into a capable recreational dive computer.
Price and availability
Apple Watch Ultra 3 starts at $799 (U.S.), in natural or black titanium. Pre-orders begin today, with in-store availability starting September 19. New Trail Loop, Ocean Band, and Alpine Loop colors are available as well.
Bottom line: A bigger, clearer screen; smarter safety on and off the grid; meaningful new health insights—and that standout longer battery life—make Ultra 3 Apple’s most capable adventure watch yet.
