Apple Introduces Apple Watch Ultra 3 With Satellite Communications, Larger Display, and New Health Features

Apple today introduced the Apple Watch Ultra 3, its most advanced wearable yet, adding two-way satellite communications, a larger LTPO3 OLED display, new health insights, and extended battery life.

A major new feature is the addition of two-way satellite communications, a capability that had been previously rumored. When outside of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, users can now text emergency services, message friends and family, share their location via Find My, and use Emergency SOS via satellite. Messages support text, emoji, and Tapbacks, and SMS via satellite is also possible. Crash Detection and Fall Detection integrate with satellite SOS if the wearer is unresponsive off the grid. Apple says all satellite features are free for two years with the activation of an Apple Watch Ultra 3.




The display is the largest ever in an Apple Watch, using Apple's most advanced screen technology with LTPO3 and wide-angle OLEDs. The new design reduces borders by 24%, increases the active area without enlarging the case, and improves readability at an angle. LTPO3 also enables a 1Hz always-on refresh rate, allowing for a ticking second hand on supported watch faces. Stopwatch, Timer, and more than 20 faces have been updated for this capability, and a new Waypoint face adds a live compass, quick access to satellite communications, and Night Mode.



Battery life is improved, with up to 42 hours of normal use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. Outdoor athletes get 20 hours of continuous workout tracking with full GPS and heart rate in Low Power Mode. With fast charging, 15 minutes provides up to 12 hours of use.

New health features include hypertension notifications, which use data from the optical heart sensor to passively analyze vascular response over 30 days and notify users of consistent signs of chronic high blood pressure. Apple says the feature was validated with studies including over 100,000 participants and expects FDA clearance this month, with rollout in more than 150 countries. A new sleep score in watchOS 26 helps users understand sleep quality with metrics for duration, consistency, and time in each stage.




For fitness, Apple Watch Ultra 3 introduces Workout Buddy, an Apple Intelligence-powered feature that gives personalized, spoken motivation based on fitness history and real-time performance. The redesigned Workout app makes it easier to build custom workouts, use Workout Views, and integrate music or podcasts that start automatically with exercise. Apple Music can also suggest playlists based on workout type.

The Ultra 3 also supports a wide range of advanced sports features:
• Running: dual-frequency GPS, Precision Start, advanced metrics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, stride length), Race Route, automatic track detection, training load, and support for third-party apps like Strava and Runna.
• Cycling: Live Activity on iPhone, Bluetooth accessory support, cadence, FTP estimates, and Power Zones.
• Swimming: automatic stroke detection, lap count, SWOLF scoring, custom workouts, and built-in water temperature. Certified to WR100 for diving to 40 meters.
• Hiking: offline maps with turn-by-turn directions, Waypoints, and Backtrack GPS in the Compass app.
• Diving: support for the Oceanic+ app, turning the watch into a recreational dive computer.
• Golf: compatibility with apps like Golfshot and Arccos using Apple's motion APIs.



Apple Watch Ultra 3 runs watchOS 26, which adds a refreshed design with Liquid Glass, new Smart Stack hints, Live Translation in Messages, and a one-handed wrist flick gesture to dismiss notifications.

The Ultra 3 is available in natural titanium or black titanium. New bands include a Trail Loop with reflective yarn, new colors for the Ocean Band and Alpine Loop, and Hermès designs such as the En Mer band and the Scub'H Diving band with a titanium buckle.



Apple also emphasized its Apple 2030 environmental plan: the Ultra 3 is made with 40% recycled content, including 100% recycled cobalt in the battery and 100% recycled titanium in the case, which is manufactured using a 3D-printing process that halves raw material use. The watch is produced with 100% renewable electricity, and packaging is fully fiber-based.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 starts at $799 and can be pre-ordered today. Availability begins Friday, September 19, in more than 50 countries and regions.