Apple Watch Series 12 is slightly easier to repair, but iFixit still gives it a 4 out of 10
Apple made the Series 12 a little easier to repair and left the Ultra 4 alone. On both, the glued screen still comes off first.
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Apple Watch Ultra 3Specs, Price & Expert Reviews
Replaced by Apple Watch Ultra 4
Price todayFrom $649
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is now the current model. Replaced does not mean the Apple Watch Ultra 3 stops working or can no longer be bought.
Last updated
Ultra 3 is the endurance model. Long battery life, satellite messaging and 5G, all wrapped in titanium built to take a beating. It is far more watch than city life asks for, and about right for anyone who spends real time off pavement.
iDevice advice
NO NEED TO RUSH
$649 at Amazon is $49.03 above its lowest price in the 60 days iDevice has checked it.
Should you upgrade from…
Ask about the Apple Watch Ultra 3
Latest on Apple Watch Ultra 4
More news- Three weeks with the Series 12: the Readiness Score works but wasn't finished at launch
DC Rainmaker's Ray Maker found Apple's new Readiness Score tracks hard days and sick days well, but it sometimes shows no value. Battery was weak in week one, then settled at a day to a day and a half.
Read the story - Apple Watch Series 12 heart rate tracks a chest strap on runs but lags in the gym
It is accurate enough to train by on runs and rides, but one tester says it is no better than recent Garmins, and a chest strap is still the pick for HIIT.
Read the story
Best for
Outdoor adventure. Show why
It is water resistant to 100 metres and runs 42 hours on a charge.WR100M, ahead of the COROS PACE 4 (5 ATM) and the Apple Watch Series 12 (WR50M) and 4 more; none of the 12 other watches compared beats it.
Fitness. Show why
What 17 reviewers said
More reviewsThe screen and battery life are great.
Screen
Reviewers liked looking at the screen.
Price
Reviewers think it costs too much.
Battery life
Reviewers got good battery life out of it.
Comparison
Compare watchesHow it compares
Cost over 3 years
$799
Device price plus up to three years of optional subscription.
Weight
62g
Grams on your wrist. Lower is lighter.
Battery life
~1.8 days
How long it lasts on its own, away from a charger.
Cost over 3 years
Apple Watch Ultra 3$799
Apple Watch Series 12$399
Pixel Watch 5Google Health Premium costs $9.99 a month. It is optional. Over 3 years that is $360.
A personalized health coach, plus the fuller sleep and readiness analysis and the workout and mindfulness libraries.
Galaxy Watch Ultra 2$699.99
Apple Watch Ultra 4$799Weight
Battery life
DeviceOptional subscription
Case only, without a strap, as officially quoted.
Battery life can vary based on usage, settings and firmware version.
If not this one
- If battery life decides itSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
Reviewers prefer its battery life.
4.1 / 5
Great
Screen
Reviewers liked looking at the screen.
Price
Reviewers think it costs too much.
Battery life
Reviewers got good battery life out of it.
Scores published by other outlets, normalized and averaged. iDevice did not test these products for this score.
17 expert reviews, 8 with a score
- Read reviewThe ShortcutMax BuondonnoDec 12, 2025
- Read reviewOutdoorGearLabMatthew RichardsonNov 18, 2025
- Read reviewPCMagAndrew GebhartSep 18, 2025
- Read reviewAppleInsiderWesley Hilliard
- Read reviewGizmodoRaymond Wong
- Read reviewPhoneArenaPeter Kostadinov; contribution from Orhan Chakarov
- Read reviewThe VergeVictoria Song
- Read reviewroad.ccGeorge Hill
- Read reviewTech AdvisorBritta O'BoyleFeb 4, 2026
- Read reviewDC RainmakerRay MakerNov 17, 2025
- Read reviewWareableConor AllisonOct 28, 2025
- Read reviewHardwareZone SingaporeKenny YeoOct 14, 2025
- Read reviewCNETSep 29, 2025
- Read reviewTom's GuideKate KozuchSep 16, 2025
- Read reviewAndroid AuthorityKaitlyn Cimino
- Read reviewTechRadarMatt Evans; Jacob Krol
- Read reviewThe GuardianSamuel Gibbs
Reviewer breakdown
What reviewers agreed on, and how many raised each
- Battery life15 / 6
- Screen17
- Price14
- Fitness tracking12
- Comfort3 / 7
- GPS accuracy8
- Health tracking8
- Design6
- Speed5
- Software3
Liked itDidn’t
Dec 10, 2024 · First sign of it
Bloomberg reports satellite messaging is planned for the next Ultra
Mar 24, 2025 · Others confirmed it
Satellite reporting is reiterated alongside a 5G modem
Aug 5, 2025 · Design and hardware
Leaked software points to a 422 by 514 display
Sep 9, 2025 · Announced
Apple formally introduces Apple Watch Ultra 3
At a glance
PREVIOUS MODELApple Watch Ultra 3
CURRENT MODELApple Watch Ultra 4Emergency help
Satellite messaging is the feature that matters exactly once, a long way from a cell tower.
Weight
Weight can matter when something stays on your body for hours at a time.
More specs⌄
Processor
The processor affects speed, efficiency and which features the device can support.
Software
Software affects apps, updates and how well the device fits your other products.
watchOS 26
Connectivity
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other connections determine what the device can work with.
Current offers
Best Buymarketplace seller · condition not stated · marketplace seller
$639.97
Conditional
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links.
Other models to consider
Frequently asked questions
Questions about Apple Watch Ultra 3
Using it
What does it cost?
It costs $799. That is the list price.
Does it measure blood pressure?
No, it does not measure blood pressure.
Does it read blood glucose?
No, it has no glucose sensor.
Does it track sleep apnea?
It looks for signs that you may be at risk. Its screening is FDA-cleared. It is a signal to act on, not a diagnosis.
Does it work with my phone?
It works with an iPhone only. There is no Android app.
Does it do 5G?
Yes, it does 5G.
How heavy is it?
It weighs 61.6g to 61.8g. The weight varies by size or finish.
How does it connect?
It connects over Wi-Fi.
How sharp and bright is the screen?
The screen reaches 3000 nits at its brightest.
How thick is it?
It is 12mm thick.
What chip is inside?
It runs on Apple S10.
Which AI assistant does it use?
It uses Apple Intelligence and Siri.
What software does it run?
It runs watchOS 26.
What is it made of?
It is made of titanium.
Does it do satellite SOS?
Yes, it can call for help by satellite. You can message off the grid where there is no signal.
What kind of screen is it?
It is an LTPO OLED screen. It drops its refresh rate to save power, which is how always-on works.
Does it track sleep stages?
Yes, it tracks your sleep stages.
Sizing and fit
What sizes does it come in?
Case sizes: 49mm titanium, 12mm thick.
Battery and charging
How long does the battery last?
It runs 42 hours. That is 3 days in low power mode, and 42 hours at most.
Water
Can it get wet (shower, pool, swimming)?
Yes, you can shower and swim in it. It is rated to 100m, and for snorkelling. Its rating is IP6X.
Price and models
When did the Apple Watch Ultra 3 come out?
It went on sale September 19, 2025. Announced September 9, 2025.
Is there a newer one?
Yes: the Apple Watch Ultra 4, out September 18, 2026.
How much does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 cost?
List price: From $799. Current price we last read at Best Buy: $639.97, October 16, 2026.
Works with
An Apple Watch can now pair with some Huawei phones in China
Switch from an iPhone to a recent Huawei flagship and your watch keeps showing messages and calls, but you still need an iPhone to set it up and your workouts won't follow you.
Up next
Apple Watch Series 12 is slightly easier to repair, but iFixit still gives it a 4 out of 10
Apple made the Series 12 a little easier to repair and left the Ultra 4 alone. On both, the glued screen still comes off first.
watchOS 27 adds Siri, Find My and Readiness apps to your Apple Watch
watchOS 27 adds a Siri app with conversation history, one Find My app in place of three, and a Readiness app for the Series 12 and Ultra 4.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners report burning, redness under the sensor
Some Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners report burning and redness under the sensor, and nobody has confirmed a cause. Apple advises a clean, well-fitted band and a physician visit if irritation appears.
Three weeks with the Series 12: the Readiness Score works but wasn't finished at launch
DC Rainmaker's Ray Maker found Apple's new Readiness Score tracks hard days and sick days well, but it sometimes shows no value. Battery was weak in week one, then settled at a day to a day and a half.
AppleInsider rates the Apple Watch Series 12 4 out of 5 and says Series 11 owners should wait
AppleInsider calls the $399 Series 12 the best non-Ultra Apple Watch yet, thanks to a new health sensor and tougher glass. Its reviewer tells Series 11 owners to wait for Audio Intelligence.
A judge added $184 million in interest to Apple's Masimo patent bill
The patent expired in 2022, so current Apple Watch heart-rate features are untouched, but the total Apple owes Masimo is now around $818 million.
Apple Watch Series 12 heart rate tracks a chest strap on runs but lags in the gym
It is accurate enough to train by on runs and rides, but one tester says it is no better than recent Garmins, and a chest strap is still the pick for HIIT.
Apple's Watch trade secret case against Oppo can go ahead
A federal judge refused to dismiss Apple's suit saying a former Apple Watch engineer took trade secrets to Oppo. Oppo has until October 21 to file its defenses.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 review: same $799 price, a more accurate heart sensor, missing software
Gizmodo's review of the Apple Watch Ultra 4 finds better heart-rate accuracy and no price increase, but key Apple Intelligence health features aren't live yet.
Apple lost a $5.7 billion Taptic Engine patent verdict and will appeal
The jury cleared Apple of willful infringement but still set the bill above $5.7 billion. Apple says it does not use Taction's technology, so the appeal is what decides whether it pays.
Jury orders Apple to pay Taction $5.7 billion over the Apple Watch Taptic Engine
The jury found infringement but not willful infringement. Apple says it doesn't use Taction's technology and will appeal.
Xiaomi phones can now pair with an Apple Watch, after an iPhone sets it up
It's for people switching from an iPhone who want to keep their watch. You still can't set up an Apple Watch on Android from the box.
watchOS 27.0.1 fixes the random restarts on the Series 12 and Ultra 4
The reboots new Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners have been hitting should stop once this is installed. Apple still hasn't said what was causing them.
watchOS 27.2 code hides an iPhone-style screenshot preview for Apple Watch
It's switched off and Apple hasn't announced it, so watch screenshots still work the old way for now. If it ships, you'll be able to delete a stray capture before it lands in your iPhone's photo library.
Apple Watch Series 12 matches Garmin's best heart rate sensor
Lifehacker's health editor used to rate Apple's sensor a C. She now puts it in the same tier as the Forerunner 570, with one catch: it skips readings it isn't sure of.
Apple is prototyping a screenless fitness band to take on Whoop
Apple hasn't decided to ship it, and Bloomberg's reporting puts any release in 2028 at the earliest, so the Apple Watch stays Apple's only fitness wearable for years yet.
The Apple Watch App Switcher is back in watchOS 27.2 beta 2
Apple removed the quick way to jump between recent apps in watchOS 27 and is now testing its return, though on a new long press rather than the old Digital Crown double-click. It is a beta, so the gesture could still change.
Some Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners say their watches keep rebooting
About 30 owners report Neural Engine crashes that restart the watch, even after a reset. Apple hasn't commented.
Handwashing detection is missing from the Series 12 and Ultra 4
The feature still runs on the Series 11 and Ultra 3, and Apple has not explained why its newest watches are off the list.