The Apple Watch Ultra timepieces represent the pinnacle of robust outdoor accessories. So, how can the firm improve on its Apple Watch Ultra 2, which was released in September 2023? Rumors are already circulating that the next model will have some amazing enhancements when it arrives later this year. So, this is what we know so far about the Apple Watch Ultra 3 wearable.
When will the Apple Watch Ultra 3 be released?
Apple has yet to declare a release date for the Ultra 3, but we may use previous launch periods to estimate when the new model will come.
Here’s when the last two generations made their debuts:
- Apple Watch Ultra – September 2022
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 – September 2023
So we expected the Ultra 3 to appear alongside the iPhone 16 and the Apple Watch Series 10, but that did not happen. The Apple Watch SE 3 did not make an appearance.
The wait continues, but Apple has announced a new edition of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 that may pique your interest.
It’s called Black Titanium, has a satin finish, and includes a matching back strap (Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band), as well as a new Titanium Milanese Loop band.
It contains the new sleep apnea detection capability (FDA clearance pending) and is available to order now for £799/$799 with a September 20 release date.
The Ultra 3’s release date remains unknown, although it appears to be 2025 currently, as Ming Chi Kuo had reported that it could be delayed by a year to create new health monitoring functions.
How much will the Apple Watch Ultra 3 cost?
Again, there have been no announcements regarding any potential costs of an updated Apple Watch Ultra, so we look to the models that have been released so far to give us some guidance.
Here’s how the two previous generations have been priced:
- Apple Watch Ultra – $799/£849
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 – $799/£799
As you can see, Apple appears to have decided on a price point for its Ultras, with the UK even seeing a price decrease to align with the US figure. We haven’t seen anything to suggest that these prices would rise in 2024, so anticipate to pay roughly $800/£800 for the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
What new features will we see in the Apple Watch Ultra 3?
While no official announcements have been made about the new Ultra, there are a few rumors floating around that hint at what Apple may have in store for us by the end of the year.
Perhaps you should moderate your expectations, since serial tech leaker Ming Chi Kuo stated in October last year that ‘The 2024 new Apple Watch would unlikely contain substantial innovative experiences’.
It’s unclear if he meant the ordinary model or the new Ultra, but the image he used to accompany his predictions was of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, so things may not be too different if you plan to purchase the next model when it (hopefully) arrives later this year.
A Micro LED display?
This one has been making the rounds for a while. In fact, the concept was considered to have died at the end of last year, but a new claim from the5Krunner website (which specializes in outdoor running equipment) suggests that we may yet see a microLED display in an Apple Watch Ultra.
It notes that the company now offers two microLED tiny displays, however they are only available in the Apple Vision Pro headset.
While this appears to increase the likelihood that the technology will be integrated into other Apple devices, the research suggests that this is more likely to occur in 2025 (and hence the Apple Watch Ultra 4) rather than in the coming months. So, it seems like it will be an OLED display again for the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
According to industry expert Ming Chi Kuo’s Medium post (see above), the upcoming Apple Watch in 2024 will not have Micro LED technology. The upcoming Apple Watch in 2025 will most likely feature Micro LED, although I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets pushed back to 2026.
This is a shame because Micro LED has the potential for brighter panels with longer battery life, which is important for a device designed to be used outdoors most of the time.
New color
There were numerous rumors in the run-up to the release of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 that we’d be given a choice between the normal titanium colorway and an appealing Space Black option.
These aspirations were shattered when Apple remained with its silver livery on the Ultra 2, but as we previously stated, industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has stated that a ‘black/dark’ livery might come on the Ultra 3, with the caveat that ‘if production yields reach expectations’.
New processor
The CPU is a rather obvious boost for the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
The S8 SiP powered the original Apple Watch Ultra, however with the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the S9 SiP took its place. It is expected that the newest S10 SiP will be used in the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
If we observe the same advances across generations, we can expect twice as many transistors, a twice as fast neural engine, and overall improvements.
A new Digital Crown
One interesting invention that has received widespread attention is a patent granted to Apple that details a future update to the Digital Crown.
The new design looks to limit the crown’s rotation, but it also has touch-sensitive parts that would allow Apple to reduce physical movement, lowering the risk of failure.
The patent also includes light sensors, which have led to speculation that they could be used for new ambient light control, as well as allowing for a shorter stem for the crown, which frees up room in the body for extra hardware.
That’s all we know so far about the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Of course, we will continue to update this post as additional information becomes available.
Until then, you can browse our collection of the greatest Apple Watch discounts and compare the competition in our best smartwatch roundup.
