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Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple · Released September 19, 2025

Watch Ultra 3

Apple's 2025 Ultra 3 has satellite SOS, 5G and a 42-hour rating; the $799 Ultra 4 has replaced it.

Smartwatches
8.3/10What the pros sayExcellentExpert consensus · Verified Oct 8, 2026See score breakdown ↓
Buying call

Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 3 only at a clear discount, since Apple's store now lists the $799 Ultra 4 in its place (Oct 8, 2026). You still get a 49mm titanium case, the brightest, widest Apple Watch screen of its year, 5G, satellite SOS and a 42-hour battery rating (72 in Low Power Mode). Skip it at near-Ultra 4 prices, because the newer model adds a faster heart-rate sensor and longer battery for the same money. It's bulky and works only with an iPhone.

Full verdict ↓
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Editor testedHands-on testing and real-world use
Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
Unbiased reviewIndependent and objective, sources shown
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Key specs
Battery life
42
Water resistance
100m WR + MIL-STD-810H + IP6X
Heart rate
Yes
Display type
Always-On Retina
Highlights

Specs that matter

Display
Panel
LTPO AMOLED
Size
49" (1245 mm)
Resolution
410x502
Refresh
1 Hz
Brightness
3000 nits
Performance
Processor
S10 chip with 64-bit dual-core processor
OS
watchOS 11
Body
Weight
2.2 oz (61 g)
Dimensions
height: 49mm; width: 44mm; depth: 12mm
IP rating
100m WR + MIL-STD-810H + IP6X
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

Display49" (1245 mm) · 1 HzLTPO AMOLED
ChipsetS10 chip with 64-bit dual-core processor
Weight2.2 oz (61 g)height: 49mm; width: 44mm; depth: 12mm · 100m WR + MIL-STD-810H + IP6X
53 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

Prices from trusted US retailers, updated daily.

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Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 3 only at a clear discount, since Apple's store now lists the $799 Ultra 4 in its place (Oct 8, 2026). You still get a 49mm titanium case, the brightest, widest Apple Watch screen of its year, 5G, satellite SOS and a 42-hour battery rating (72 in Low Power Mode). Skip it at near-Ultra 4 prices, because the newer model adds a faster heart-rate sensor and longer battery for the same money. It's bulky and works only with an iPhone.

Best for

iPhone owners who want satellite SOS and multiday battery and can find an Ultra 3 discounted.

Not for

Anyone paying near Ultra 4 prices, and Android users.

Main strengthSatellite SOS messaging and standard 5G
Main weaknessApple no longer sells it new (Oct 8, 2026)
Reasons to buy
Satellite SOS messaging and standard 5G
Largest, brightest Apple Watch display of its generation
42-hour battery rating, 72 hours in Low Power Mode
Excellent build quality and fitness tracking
Reasons to avoid
Apple no longer sells it new (Oct 8, 2026)
Bulky, with the same sensors as the Ultra 2
Expensive
Measured view8.3/10What the pros say · verified oct 8, 2026.
ScoreVerified Oct 8, 2026
Independent coverage

What other reviewers say

Reviews from other sites and creators. They don't change the Gadget Clash score.

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The Verge8/10
Article · Full reviewThe Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a good watch but a small upgradeVictoria Song · Oct 2025Read on The Verge ↗
Tom's Guide4.5/5
Article · Full reviewApple Watch Ultra 3 review: The ultimate smartwatch just got betterKate Kozuch · Sep 2025Read on Tom's Guide ↗
TechRadar4.5/5
Article · Full reviewApple Watch Ultra 3 review: A Garmin-rivaling powerhouse for adventurers, and a lovely daily driverJacob Krol, Matt Evans · Sep 2025Read on TechRadar ↗
DC Rainmaker · Dec 2025Apple Watch Ultra 3 In-Depth Review: Worth The Upgrade?Watch on YouTube ↗
DesFitApple Watch Ultra 3 In-Depth Review // The Perfect Blend of Sports and Smarts?Watch on YouTube ↗
CNETApple Watch Ultra 3 Review: Is it Worthy of the Name and the $800 Price Tag? | All Things MobileWatch on YouTube ↗
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

Choose a gadget
Apple Watch Ultra 3
This deviceWatch Ultra 3
VS
Galaxy Watch8 Classic
AlternativeGalaxy Watch8 Classic
Display
49"1.5"
Chipset
S10 chip with 64-bit dual-core processorSamsung Exynos W1000 (3 nm)
Full comparison
Apple Watch Ultra 3
This deviceWatch Ultra 3
VS
AlternativeWatch Series 11
Chipset
S10 chip with 64-bit dual-core processorS10 chip with 64-bit dual-core processor
Full comparison
Apple Watch Ultra 3
This deviceWatch Ultra 3
VS
Watch SE 3
AlternativeWatch SE 3
Chipset
S10 chip with 64-bit dual-core processorS10 chip with 64-bit dual core processor
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

Other phones in the database, with their stored scores and prices.

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8.5
AppleWatch Series 11S10 chip with 64-bit dual-core processor
Watch SE 38.7
AppleWatch SE 3S10 chip with 64-bit dual core processor
8.6
AppleWatch Series 10S10 SiP with 64-bit dual core processor
Watch Ultra 28.7
AppleWatch Ultra 2S9 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
Product data

Full specifications

53 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Verified Oct 8, 2026. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Battery

Battery life
42
Wireless charging
✓
Charging
Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C

Display

Display type
  • Always-On Retina
  • wide-angle OLED
  • LTPO3
Pixel density
338 ppi
Brightness
Up to 3000 nits peak; 1 nit minimum
Touchscreen
✓
Always-on display
✓
Color display
✓
Form factor
Wearable

Health & Sensors

Heart rate
✓
Sleep tracking
✓
Blood oxygen (SpO₂)
✓
ECG
✓
Skin temperature
✓
Workout tracking
✓
Accelerometer
✓
Gyroscope
✓
Barometer
✓
Compass
✓
Ambient light
✓
Sensors
  • Electrical heart sensor
  • third-generation optical heart sensor
  • blood oxygen sensor
  • temperature sensor
  • compass
  • always-on altimeter
  • high-g accelerometer
  • high dynamic range gyroscope
  • ambient light sensor
  • depth gauge
  • water temperature sensor

Performance

Operating system
watchOS 11
Neural engine
4-core Neural Engine

Connectivity

Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.3
Wi‑Fi
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
NFC
✓
GPS
  • GPS
  • GLONASS
  • Galileo
  • BeiDou
  • QZSS
Cellular
No cellular (GPS only)

Body

Water resistance
100m WR + MIL-STD-810H + IP6X
Dimensions
1.93 in (49 mm)
Case material
Titanium (Grade 5)
Colors
  • Natural
  • Black

Launch

Released
September 19, 2025
Vote & discuss

Community says

No reader votes on the Watch Ultra 3 yet. Votes happen on head-to-heads: pick a matchup and say which one you would buy.

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Apple Watch Ultra 3 Specs, Price & Features | Gadget Clash