Apple has unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the most advanced model in its smartwatch lineup, designed to seamlessly transition from a powerful sports watch to an elegant everyday companion and a comprehensive health tool.
For the first time, the Ultra 3 integrates built-in two-way satellite communications, allowing users to text emergency services, send messages to friends and family, and share their location while off the grid. The device also supports Emergency SOS via satellite and integrates with Find My to share location updates every 15 minutes. Messages sent via satellite remain end-to-end encrypted. Apple has reengineered the watch’s radio and antenna to support communication with satellites up to 800 miles away, offering an unprecedented safety net for adventurers.
The Ultra 3 features the largest display ever on an Apple Watch, thanks to LTPO3 and wide-angle OLED technology. The display offers thinner borders, improved brightness at wide angles, and a faster always-on refresh rate that updates once per second, making it easier to glance at time and metrics. Apple has also introduced a new Waypoint watch face for navigation and quick access to satellite tools.
Battery life is significantly extended, with up to 42 hours of regular use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. For continuous outdoor workouts, the Ultra 3 offers 20 hours of battery life with GPS and heart rate monitoring. Fast charging enables 12 hours of use with just 15 minutes of charge. The watch also supports 5G cellular connectivity, boosting performance for calls, messages, music, and apps, even in low-coverage areas.
Health features expand with groundbreaking hypertension notifications that passively monitor for signs of chronic high blood pressure using advanced algorithms and optical heart sensor data. With validation from large-scale clinical studies, the feature is expected to help identify millions of undiagnosed cases globally. Sleep tracking is also enhanced with the new Sleep Score, providing clear insights into sleep quality based on duration, stages, and consistency.
For fitness enthusiasts, Apple Watch Ultra 3 includes the new Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence, offering personalized spoken motivation during workouts. It also delivers advanced metrics for runners, cyclists, swimmers, hikers, divers, and golfers, making it the most versatile sports watch Apple has produced. Offline maps, advanced GPS, automatic track detection, stroke recognition for swimmers, scuba diving support via Oceanic+, and cycling power meter integration are just some of the robust features.
The Ultra 3 runs on watchOS 26, introducing a refreshed Liquid Glass design, Smart Stack hints, Live Translation in Messages, and a new one-handed wrist flick gesture. It is available in natural and black titanium finishes, with new band designs across Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band, as well as new Hermès collaborations.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 retails for RM3699 in Malaysia.
