After a very modest refresh last year, rumors indicate the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — set to launch this September alongside the iPhone 17 series — will mark Apple’s most ambitious wearable update yet.
Here’s what we’re expecting in 2025’s major overhaul of Apple’s rugged smartwatch. Keep reading or check out our latest video.
Rumors point to significant Apple Watch Ultra 3 upgrade
Apple expanded its smartwatch offerings in 2022 with the launch of the original Apple Watch Ultra. Not only is the Ultra larger than any previous version, it’s also more rugged. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 brought a faster processor and brighter screen in 2023, but last year Apple doled out only the most minor of upgrades – a new satin black color.
Still, 2025 could make up for it with a lengthy list of enhancements.
Satellite messaging and blood pressure monitoring
One of the most anticipated new features is native satellite messaging, mirroring the functionality introduced to iPhone in iOS 18. If the rumors prove true, Apple Watch Ultra 3 users who venture off the grid will be able to send texts over Globalstar satellites even without Wi‑Fi or cellular coverage. The upgrade seems tailor-made for adventurers and backcountry explorers who make up the target market for the Ultra series.
Another blockbuster potential feature is non-invasive blood pressure trend detection. Just be aware that, instead of precise readings, the smartwatch would monitor for hypertension risk and alert users about potential problems (echoing Apple’s strategy with sleep apnea detection). However, Apple has been struggling for years to pull off blood pressure monitoring. Technical hurdles could delay the feature yet again.
Other Apple Watch Ultra 3 rumors point to a switch from a Qualcomm LTE cellular-wireless modem to a MediaTek chip that supports 5G RedCap — a power-efficient version of 5G designed for wearables and “internet of things” devices. This tech promises data access faster than LTE but without the battery drain of standard 5G.
Display and design changes
The Ultra 3 likely will inherit the Apple Watch Series 10 display technology from 2024 — an LTPO3 OLED screen with always-on mode, live second hands and increased brightness at wide angles.
Other changes might include a metal rear housing like the one on Series 10 and support for faster charging: up to 80% in just 30 minutes.
Internally, the premium smartwatch is rumored to pack Apple’s S11 (or a refined S10) processor. That should bring power and efficiency boosts and potentially a longer battery life.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 launching with watchOS 26
Two factors determine the launch date for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. One is tradition: So many previous Apple smartwatches came out in early autumn that everyone expects a September launch for the next generation.
In addition, Apple undoubtedly will time the Apple Watch Ultra 3 debut alongside release of watchOS 26, expected in September. The third-generation Ultra should be the showpiece for the next version of this operating system, which includes a new Liquid Glass design and an AI-powered Workout Buddy.
Expect the price of the 2025 model to remain the same as the Apple Ultra 2: $799. That said, tariffs imposed by the Trump administration might force Apple to increase the cost.
