The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a focused update, not a redesign. It keeps the same 49mm titanium body and toolset but adds satellite communications, a bigger and more legible screen, 5G, and longer battery life. Health insights like Sleep Score and hypertension notifications headline the software story — and importantly, most of those also land on Ultra 2 via watchOS 26.

Feature Apple Watch Ultra 3 Apple Watch Ultra 2
Design & Display 49mm titanium (natural/black), LTPO3 OLED, 1,245 sq mm active area, 422×514 pixels, 1Hz always-on refresh 49mm titanium (natural), LTPO OLED, 1,185 sq mm active area, 410×502 pixels, 1/min always-on refresh
Brightness Up to 3,000 nits (min 1 nit) Up to 3,000 nits (min 1 nit)
Connectivity 5G, two-way satellite (SOS, Messages, Find My), dual-frequency GPS, UWB LTE/UMTS only, dual-frequency GPS, UWB
Battery Life Up to 42 hrs normal use, 72 hrs Low Power Mode, 20 hrs GPS logging, 15-min quick top-off = 12 hrs Up to 36 hrs normal use, 72 hrs Low Power Mode, same GPS logging, no quick top-off claim
Charging Fast charge: 0–80% in ~45 min Fast charge: 0–80% in ~45 min
Processor Apple S10 SiP Apple S9 SiP
Performance Features On-device Siri, double-tap gesture, second-gen UWB On-device Siri, double-tap gesture, second-gen UWB
Health Software Hypertension notifications (watchOS 26), Sleep Score (watchOS 26) Same via watchOS 26 (regional limits apply)
Workout Features Training load, customizable Workout Views, Waypoint face Same with watchOS 26
Water Resistance WR100, scuba to 40m via third-party apps WR100, scuba to 40m via third-party apps
Colors & Bands Natural/black titanium, refreshed Trail Loop (reflective), Alpine Loop, Ocean Band, Hermès styles Natural titanium, previous band styles
Safety Features Siren, Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency Calling Same
Price & Availability $799, available Sept 19 Previously launched

Design and display: same case, bigger canvas

Ultra 3 retains the 49mm titanium case in natural or black, the raised bezel, and the Action Button. The change you notice is the screen: Apple trimmed the borders and switched to an LTPO3 wide‑angle OLED panel, yielding Apple’s largest watch display and better off‑axis readability. The active area moves from 1,185 sq mm on Ultra 2 to 1,245 sq mm on Ultra 3 — roughly a 5% increase — with pixel dimensions up to 422×514 versus 410×502.

There’s also a quality-of-life tweak: the always‑on display can refresh once per second (formerly once per minute), so seconds hands and timers remain live without raising your wrist.

Brightness still tops out at up to 3,000 nits (same headline number as Ultra 2), with a minimum of 1 nit for dark rooms.

Connectivity: 5G and built‑in satellite comms

This is the clearest dividing line. Ultra 3 adds 5G (in supported markets) and two‑way satellite features: Emergency SOS, Find My location updates, and Messages. You can text emergency services off‑grid, ping your location periodically in Find My, and send/receive iMessage or SMS via satellite with constraints Apple outlines in its support article. Emergency SOS via satellite is included for two years with activation; Messages/Find My via satellite require a carrier plan. Check out the carrier support and roaming details on this cellular page.

Ultra 2 remains LTE/UMTS only (no 5G, no satellite). Both models keep dual‑frequency (L1/L5) GPS and the second‑generation Ultra Wideband chip for Precision Finding with compatible iPhones.

Battery life and charging: a measured bump

Apple rates Ultra 3 for up to 42 hours of normal use, up from 36 hours on Ultra 2. Low Power Mode remains up to 72 hours on both. For long outdoor tracking, Ultra 3 quotes up to 20 hours in Low Power Mode with full GPS and heart rate logging. Fast charging is unchanged at a headline “0–80% in about 45 minutes,” but Ultra 3 adds a practical quick‑top‑off claim: 15 minutes yields up to 12 hours of normal use. Real‑world life still varies with cellular use, screen time, and workout mix.

Processor and performance

Under the hood, Ultra 3 moves to Apple’s S10 SiP; Ultra 2 uses S9. Apple hasn’t emphasized performance gains here, and day‑to‑day behavior will feel familiar: on‑device Siri with health data access, double‑tap gesture support, and the same second‑gen UWB.

Health and fitness: what’s new, and what’s not exclusive

The year’s marquee health additions are software-first. Hypertension notifications analyze heart‑sensor data over time to alert you to signs of chronic high blood pressure; Sleep Score rolls nightly duration, consistency, interruptions, and sleep stages into a single number with a transparent breakdown.

  • Hypertension notifications: pending regulator clearance and intended for adults; not for those already diagnosed with hypertension or during pregnancy. Availability expands to Ultra 2 (and Series 9 or later) with watchOS 26.
  • Sleep Score: available across all Ultra models (and Series 6 or later) with watchOS 26 when paired to iPhone 11 or later.

Workout features continue to deepen: training load, more customizable Workout Views, and a new Waypoint watch face designed to surface compass navigation and a satellite shortcut. Divers still get WR100 water resistance with recreational scuba support to 40 meters via third‑party apps; Apple’s water resistance guidance is documented in its support page.

Other notes

  • Colors and bands: Ultra 3 ships in natural and black titanium with refreshed Trail Loop (now with reflective yarn), Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band options. Hermès adds new styles.
  • Siren, Fall Detection, Crash Detection, international emergency calling, and WR100 ratings carry over unchanged.
  • Price and availability: Ultra 3 starts at $799 in the U.S., with availability beginning September 19.

Ultra 3 vs Ultra 2: the differences

  • Display: ~5% larger active area, improved off‑angle readability, and 1Hz always‑on refresh (Ultra 3 only).
  • Connectivity: 5G and two‑way satellite SOS/Messages/Find My (Ultra 3 only).
  • Battery: up to 42 hours vs 36 hours; both list up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode.
  • Chip: S10 vs S9; both have second‑gen UWB for Precision Finding.
  • Health software: Hypertension notifications and Sleep Score arrive on Ultra 2 as well via watchOS 26 (regional/regulatory limits apply).

Should you upgrade?

  • Trail, backcountry, or offshore users who go beyond cellular coverage — and live where Apple supports satellite features — will benefit most. Off‑grid emergency texting and location sharing is a meaningful safety net.
  • Anyone who values a bigger, more readable screen and a bit more headroom on battery will appreciate the day‑to‑day experience gains.
  • If you own an Ultra 2 and were eyeing the new health features, you can likely wait. Sleep Score and hypertension notifications are slated for your watch with watchOS 26, and Low Power Mode endurance remains identical on paper.
  • Coming from the original Ultra or a Series model, Ultra 3 is the cleanest all‑in option with the longest quoted battery life, the most robust connectivity, and the fullest watchOS feature set.

There’s no shock value update here, but the combination of satellite comms, a larger and livelier display, 5G, and a measured battery bump makes Ultra 3 the stronger pick for off‑grid safety and everyday legibility — while Ultra 2 stays relevant for most users thanks to the watchOS 26 health rollout.