Apple Watch Ultra 3
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Apple Watch Ultra 3Specs, Price & Expert Reviews

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Released Guide 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.

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More newsAll Apple Watch news

What Apple Watch Ultra 3 does best

  1. Outdoor adventure

    Built for long days outside, it is water resistant to 100 metres and lasts up to 42 hours of normal use.

  2. Fitness

    On runs it records stride length, ground contact time and vertical oscillation, so you see your form as well as your pace.

  3. Safety

    Off the grid with no cell signal, you can still message and call for help by satellite.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 4

All 6 differences ›
Apple Watch Ultra 3
THIS PRODUCT

Apple Watch Ultra 3

Sep 2025
Apple Watch Ultra 4
THE NEWCOMER

Apple Watch Ultra 4

Sep 2026
  1. Apple Watch Ultra 3: Up to 42 hoursBattery life+8 hoursApple Watch Ultra 4: Up to 50 hours
  2. Apple Watch Ultra 3: Up to 72 hours in Low Power ModeLow power battery life+12 hoursApple Watch Ultra 4: Up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode
  3. Apple Watch Ultra 3: Less oftenHRV measurementImprovedApple Watch Ultra 4: Up to 24 times more often
  4. Apple Watch Ultra 3: Up to 12 hours of use from a 15-minute chargeFast charging+6 hoursApple Watch Ultra 4: Up to 18 hours of use from a 15-minute charge
  5. Apple Watch Ultra 3: S10ProcessorChangedApple Watch Ultra 4: S11

What 17 reviewers said

More reviews

The 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 watches

How 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 5
$399 to $759
Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
$699.99
Apple Watch Ultra 4
$799

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

Most paired with

Everything it works with

What the Apple Watch Ultra 3 works with

A smartwatch that works with iPhone. It does not work with Android.

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 work with iPhone?

Works

Apple's specs for Apple Watch Ultra 3 list an iPhone 11 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation or later) with iOS 26 or later.

What you need
iPhone 11 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation or later) with iOS 26 or later.

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 work with the AirPods Pro 3?

Yes. If you set up the AirPods Pro 3 with your iPhone, they are ready to use with your Apple Watch. You can also pair them in the watch Bluetooth settings.

See the AirPods Pro 3 Guide

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 work with Android?

Doesn't work

Apple's specs for Apple Watch Ultra 3 list an iPhone as the phone it needs, so an Android phone cannot set it up.

What you need
An iPhone 11 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation or later) with iOS 26 or later.
Good to know
An Android phone cannot replace the iPhone the watch is set up with.

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 work with the AirPods 5?

Yes. If you set up the AirPods 5 with your iPhone, they are ready to use with your Apple Watch. You can also pair them in the watch Bluetooth settings.

See the AirPods 5 Guide

Get Apple Watch Ultra 3 updates

Email me when there's news.

Works with

These answers are the same as for the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and name nothing specific to one generation.

Does it work with…?

Same as the Apple Watch Ultra 4

Set it up in the Apple Watch app; Apple Fitness+ is optional.

The watch uses the Apple Watch app on a compatible paired iPhone for setup and management. Your Apple Account signs it into Apple services. Apple Fitness+ is a separate subscription for workouts and meditations, and it is not available in every country or region.

WorksSame as the Apple Watch Ultra 4

Find My can locate and protect a lost Apple Watch Ultra.

You can play a sound, mark the watch as lost, erase it remotely, use Notify When Found, and use Activation Lock. Availability can vary by country or region, and Find My and your Apple Account need to be set up as needed.

Doesn't work

Apple's specs for Apple Watch Ultra 3 list an iPhone as the phone it needs, so an Android phone cannot set it up.

What you need
An iPhone 11 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation or later) with iOS 26 or later.
Good to know
An Android phone cannot replace the iPhone the watch is set up with.
Works

Apple's specs for Apple Watch Ultra 3 list an iPhone 11 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation or later) with iOS 26 or later.

What you need
iPhone 11 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation or later) with iOS 26 or later.
WorksWorked out from the official minimum

It works with iPhone 11 and later on iOS 26 or later.

  • iPhone 17: yes, with iOS 26 or later
  • iPhone 16: yes, with iOS 26 or later
  • iPhone 15: yes, with iOS 26 or later
  • iPhone 14: yes, with iOS 26 or later
  • iPhone 13: yes, with iOS 26 or later
  • iPhone 12: yes, with iOS 26 or later
  • iPhone 11: yes, with iOS 26 or later
  • Older than iPhone 11: no

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 work with iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15 or iPhone 16? Yes, as long as it runs iOS 26 or later. Worked out from the officially stated minimum ("iPhone 11 or later"), not a separate test. See the sources.

Most paired with

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 work with iPhone?

Works

Apple's specs for Apple Watch Ultra 3 list an iPhone 11 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation or later) with iOS 26 or later.

What you need
iPhone 11 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation or later) with iOS 26 or later.

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 work with the AirPods Pro 3?

Yes. If you set up the AirPods Pro 3 with your iPhone, they are ready to use with your Apple Watch. You can also pair them in the watch Bluetooth settings.

See the AirPods Pro 3 Guide

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 work with Android?

Doesn't work

Apple's specs for Apple Watch Ultra 3 list an iPhone as the phone it needs, so an Android phone cannot set it up.

What you need
An iPhone 11 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation or later) with iOS 26 or later.
Good to know
An Android phone cannot replace the iPhone the watch is set up with.

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 work with the AirPods 5?

Yes. If you set up the AirPods 5 with your iPhone, they are ready to use with your Apple Watch. You can also pair them in the watch Bluetooth settings.

See the AirPods 5 Guide

What you need

How does the Apple Watch Ultra use the iPhone app, Apple Account, and subscriptions?

Same as the Apple Watch Ultra 4

Set it up in the Apple Watch app; Apple Fitness+ is optional.

The watch uses the Apple Watch app on a compatible paired iPhone for setup and management. Your Apple Account signs it into Apple services. Apple Fitness+ is a separate subscription for workouts and meditations, and it is not available in every country or region.

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 work with iPhone?

Works

Apple's specs for Apple Watch Ultra 3 list an iPhone 11 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation or later) with iOS 26 or later.

What you need
iPhone 11 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation or later) with iOS 26 or later.

Supports

Some features missingSame as the Apple Watch Ultra 4

Many work over Wi-Fi or cellular, but some still need the iPhone on.

With Wi-Fi or cellular, the watch can send and receive messages when the iPhone is not nearby. On a cellular Apple Watch, SMS, MMS, and third-party push notifications still need the paired iPhone powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or cellular, though it can be somewhere else. A paired iPhone is still required for normal setup.

For SMS, MMS, and third-party push notifications on a cellular Apple Watch, the paired iPhone must remain powered on and connected to Wi‑Fi or cellular, though it does not need to be nearby.

Some features missingSame as the Apple Watch Ultra 4

Some features vary by country, region, language, or carrier.

Check Apple's current watchOS Feature Availability page for the exact feature and region or language. Health features, Siri AI, Apple Pay, cellular, and satellite can all have country, region, language, or carrier limits.

Feature availability can differ by country/region/language; regulated health features, Siri AI, Apple Pay, cellular and satellite are especially dependent on locale or carrier.

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

  1. The Shortcut
    Max BuondonnoDec 12, 2025
    4.5 / 5
    Read review
  2. OutdoorGearLab
    Matthew RichardsonNov 18, 2025
    4.3 / 5
    Read review
  3. PCMag
    Andrew GebhartSep 18, 2025
    4 / 5
    Read review
  4. AppleInsider
    Wesley Hilliard
    4 / 5
    Read review
  5. Gizmodo
    Raymond Wong
    4 / 5
    Read review
  6. PhoneArena
    Peter Kostadinov; contribution from Orhan Chakarov
    4 / 5
    Read review
  7. The Verge
    Victoria Song
    3.9 / 5
    Read review
  8. road.cc
    George Hill
    4.5 / 5
    Read review
  9. Tech Advisor
    Britta O'BoyleFeb 4, 2026
    No score
    Read review
  10. DC Rainmaker
    Ray MakerNov 17, 2025
    No score
    Read review
  11. Wareable
    Conor AllisonOct 28, 2025
    No score
    Read review
  12. HardwareZone Singapore
    Kenny YeoOct 14, 2025
    No score
    Read review
  13. CNET
    Sep 29, 2025
    No score
    Read review
  14. Tom's Guide
    Kate KozuchSep 16, 2025
    No score
    Read review
  15. Android Authority
    Kaitlyn Cimino
    No score
    Read review
  16. TechRadar
    Matt Evans; Jacob Krol
    No score
    Read review
  17. The Guardian
    Samuel Gibbs
    No score
    Read review

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
Bloomberg reported that Apple planned to bring satellite connectivity to the next Apple Watch Ultra in 2025. The report established both a next-generation Ultra target and a major off-grid communications feature well before launch.
Mar 24, 2025 · Others confirmed it
Satellite reporting is reiterated alongside a 5G modem
MacRumors reported Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman as saying Apple Watch Ultra 3 would combine satellite connectivity with a new 5G cellular modem. The later report reinforced the December satellite story and added a separate connectivity upgrade.
Aug 5, 2025 · Design and hardware
Leaked software points to a 422 by 514 display
MacRumors reported that an image found in an iOS 26 beta suggested Apple Watch Ultra 3 would move to a 422-by-514 display resolution. The discovery supported the expectation of a slightly larger display area without requiring a wholly new product shape.
Sep 9, 2025 · Announced
Apple formally introduces Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple announced Apple Watch Ultra 3, confirming the generation and opening preorders. Apple’s launch materials confirmed satellite communications and the larger display as shipping features rather than remaining reports.
Sep 19, 2025 · Went on sale
Apple Watch Ultra 3 becomes available
Apple Watch Ultra 3 reached general availability on September 19 alongside Apple’s other September hardware. That closes the pre-launch reporting arc with a shipping product.

At a glance

Apple Watch Ultra 3PREVIOUS MODELApple Watch Ultra 3Apple Watch Ultra 4CURRENT MODELApple Watch Ultra 4
Display
LTPO OLED, 3,000 nits flat
LTPO3 OLED, 3,000 nits, flat sapphire
Battery
Up to 42 hrs
Up to 50 hrs (84 hrs Low Power Mode)
Works with
iPhone only
iPhone only
Water resistance
WR100MIP6X
WR100MIP6X
Price
$649 (regularly $799)
$774 (regularly $799)
Emergency help
Emergency SOS + Find My + Messages
Emergency SOS + Messages + Find My
Weight
61.6g / 61.8g
63.0g / 63.1g
Design
49mmtitanium, 12mm thick
49mm titanium Grade 5, 12mm thicknatural or black
Show 3 more specs
Blood sugar
No
No
Blood pressure
Hypertension notifications (no readings)
Hypertension notifications (no readings)
Sleep apnea
Yes (FDA)
Yes (FDA)
Technical specs
Processor
S10
Apple S11 (64-bit dual-core, 4-core Neural Engine, 64GB)
Software
watchOS 26
watchOS 27
Connectivity
5G + Wi-Fi
5G RedCap + Wi-Fi + satellite
AI assistant
On-device (basic)AI Siri needs iPhone
Siri AI on watch (watchOS 27 beta)
Buy
See prices
See prices
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple

Good to buy.

It's the outgoing model, but the price is near its low, so buy now.

Apple Watch Ultra 3

About Apple

Apple makes the iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, and is known for hardware and software designed to work together.

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AirPods 5AirPods Pro 3AirPods MaxiPhone 17

Where to buy

StorePriceIn stockAction
Amazon$649Buy
Target$799.99In stockBuy
Best Buymarketplace seller · condition not stated · marketplace seller$580Conditional

Price history

It's the outgoing model, but the price is near its low, so buy now.

Lowest in 30 days
$599.97Oct 1
Highest in 30 days
$799.99Oct 17
Stores we check
3Amazon is cheapest
On sale since
Sep 19, 2025
Newer model
Apple Watch Ultra 4on sale Sep 18, 2026
Price checks
60 over 31 days

All smartwatch prices

Discount below listEstimated reading

20%15%10%5%list20%15%10%5%list

Nine sales in the past year. The best was $649 in June, 19% off the $799 list price.

Apple Watch Series 12UnknownAvailable nowGuide News
Pixel Watch 5$399Available nowGuide News
Galaxy Watch9$349+Available nowGuide News
Galaxy Watch Ultra 2$699Available nowGuide News

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: $580, October 30, 2026.

Works with

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 work with iPhone?
Yes. Apple's specs for Apple Watch Ultra 3 list an iPhone 11 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation or later) with iOS 26 or later. Works

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