Apple Watch Ultra 3: Larger Display, Satellite SOS, and Faster Charging on the Horizon
CUPERTINO, CA – September 9, 2024 – Apple is poised to unveil the Apple Watch Ultra 3 on September 9th, bringing a suite of enhancements focused on display technology, connectivity, and health monitoring. Leaks from the Beta version of iOS 26 SE reveal important upgrades, positioning the Ultra 3 as a substantial evolution of Apple’s premium smartwatch line.
The upcoming Ultra 3 addresses key user needs with a slightly larger display-increasing from 410 x 502 pixels to 422 x 514 pixels-while maintaining the current housing size, resulting in a narrower frame. This, coupled with the anticipated implementation of an LTPO3 OLED panel (previously featured in Series 10), promises improved readability, particularly in luminous sunlight, with a minimum brightness of 1 nit. Perhaps most notably, the Ultra 3 will introduce satellite connectivity, enabling emergency calls and potentially text messaging in areas lacking cellular service.
Beyond the display and connectivity, the Ultra 3 is expected to feature blood pressure monitoring, designed to identify trends and potential risks, though it won’t provide the precise readings of dedicated medical devices. Internally, the watch will be powered by the new S11 chip, offering performance comparable to the S9 but with a smaller footprint, allowing for a larger battery. Apple is also transitioning to MediaTek 5G Redcap chips, promising faster mobile connections than current LTE capabilities.
Charging speeds are also slated for enhancement, potentially reaching 80% capacity in 30 minutes if Apple incorporates the larger coil from Series 10. Pre-orders for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 begin on September 12th, with devices shipping on September 19th.
