We at iMore are big fans of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, as our review of the wearable shows. Yet rumors suggest that we could be seeing an even less substantial upgrade for the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
During Apple's WWDC event in June, it was clear that Apple Intelligence, the company's set of AI features, won't be coming to the Apple Watch anytime soon. When watchOS 11 was announced at the same event, it seemed to be a more minor update for watchOS, even though this latest update finally introduces the ability to add rest days.
With this in mind, we've scoured through the rumors to see if the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is set to be a minor upgrade when it allegedly debuts later this year.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: The headlines
- What is it? The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will be Apple’s next rugged, premium smartwatch.
- When can we expect it? Q4 2024
- Key upgrades: New Apple silicon chip
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Release Date Rumors
Apple Watch models tend to be revealed at September events alongside the new iPhone, so there’s a good chance we’ll see it in the same showcase as the iPhone 16 and the ‘Series X’ if it’s real.
As for when it may be available to buy, expect Ultra 3 to go up for preorder after the event and launch within a few short weeks - likely in October.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Price Expectations
Both prior versions of the Apple Watch Ultra have debuted at $799, and with this being a slimmer year for new features, we can't see that changing this time around.
So while we don't expect a price increase, a price drop remains unlikely.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Design and Display
Ming-Chi Kuo, a longtime Apple analyst and source of plenty of leaks, has suggested the next Apple watch will be darker in color - maybe even black titanium.
We’ve previously covered why a slick new colorway could tempt us to upgrade.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a 1.93-inch display, but reports have suggested the third version will grow to 2.12 inches. Whether that means a larger footprint or the thinning of the existing bezels, however, it’s hard to say.
Here’s hoping Apple can remove some of the weight of the device, too - it doesn’t feel drastically heftier than rivals, but it can’t hurt.
One thing we’re not expecting though is the microLED display that’s reportedly been in the works for some time. Reports suggest this has been pushed back to 2026, and possibly further, due to issues with producing the new displays.
Interestingly, Mark Gurman has reported that the Series X could match the Ultra 3 in terms of display size, so it'll be interesting to see just how the Ultra 3 changes to differentiate itself - if at all.
In July, Gurman added that he expects Ultra 3 to include a new Apple silicon chip, but nothing else regarding major hardware updates this year to the wearable.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Features
New fitness features
Apple’s lengthy legal disputes with Masimo over the blood oxygen sensors in its Apple Watch models are still rumbling on, and that may have slowed down the updates on the latest Apple Watch Ultra - and the second generation was a pretty slow year, too.
We had been hoping blood pressure monitoring would be coming this year as was reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, but at the time of writing it appears quiet on that front from Apple.
That could make the Ultra a tough sell for Ultra 2 owners or even owners of the original Ultra, and with the ongoing legal battle, there's every chance blood oxygen monitoring isn't available at launch.
Apple has also reportedly been working on sleep apnea detection, but its ties to the blood oxygen monitoring that isn't available right now could mean it slips.
Performance and Apple Intelligence
Reports have suggested that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Series 10 will gain a new SiP (system in package) to offer additional performance and "lay the groundwork for some AI enhancements down the road".
The Ultra 2 saw the arrival of the S9 chip, which allows for more on-device processing of Siri requests, but Mark Gurman says we shouldn't expect Apple Intelligence on the wearable anytime soon.
"For now, that service is only headed to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Later, it will come to the Vision Pro, but there are no plans to bring the full initiative to the watch," he said.
What does watchOS 11 offer?
Apple’s latest OS update for Apple Watch doesn’t offer many clues for the future of the Ultra lineup, but it does offer some notable improvements for the Apple Watch line.
The new Vitals update in watchOS 11 gives a more glanceable look at your health data, including heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep, and blood oxygen, helping you understand big changes to any of those.
Training Load will also help users plan workouts based on a variety of factors, including effort levels and timing, to ensure they’re getting the most out of things. It uses algorithmic data from multiple sources.
Users will also be able to log a pregnancy within the Health app and use the cycle tracker to track gestational age, and Activity Rings can now be personalized on a per-day basis or paused if a user suffers an injury or needs a rest day.
A big 'finally' in watchOS 11 is the ability to set rest days, so you won't lose your workout streaks if you suddenly come down with illness and you're unable to do a workout.
