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As of the writing, the big Apple iPhone event is just around the corner – about a week away, give or take, depending on when you’re reading this article. While most of the attention is focused on the iPhone 17 and the new Liquid Glass UI coming with iOS 26, the Apple Watch will also be a supporting player during the big show.
In fact, we expect to see three new smartwatches make their debut at the Apple event on September 9 – the Apple Watch Series 11, the Apple Watch SE, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Not to sound like a broken record, but just like with the iPhone 17 (and the Series 11), we expect incremental improvements, not a drastic redesign. That doesn’t mean we won’t see anything new, but lower your expectations for the $800 smartwatch. Here’s everything we know so far, and everything we think we know.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Price
Let’s start with the good news: as mentioned earlier, it is expected that the Ultra 3 will maintain last year’s starting price of $799. It’s still a significant investment, even for Apple’s high-end wearable, but in the age of tariffs, many products are becoming more expensive.
Like the Series 11 and the iPhone 17, we expect the Ultra 3 to be announced on September 9, with likely pre-orders starting around September 12. Early adopters may have it on their wrist by September 19.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Design and Display
According to MacRumors, the Ultra 3 is expected to have a larger display – about 10% larger than the Ultra 2. Measuring at 2.12 inches, the new screen could also mark a shift from OLED, with Apple testing more energy-efficient options like microLED or LTPO wide-angle panels.
There are also rumors of an integrated camera, a feature that also surfaced in our Series 11 rumors roundup. If confirmed this year, the camera would be positioned on the side of the case near the digital crown. Don’t expect it to replace your iPhone, though. As Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman points out, the feature would likely serve more for AI-based visual analysis than for taking Instagram-ready photos.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Hardware
A new Ultra also means a new chip. After two years, the Ultra 3 will finally get an upgrade with Apple’s latest S11 processor. The Ultra 2 featured the S9, while the Series 10 moved to an S10, but this year Apple is aligning the lineup – the Series 11, Ultra 3, and the rumored SE 3 are all rumored to sport the updated S11.
That being said, don’t expect too much. Although it’s technically a new processor, MacRumors reports that leaks suggest the S11 shares much of the same internal architecture as the S9 and S10. It’s still a solid chip for a smartwatch, but in terms of real-world performance, improvements are expected to be modest at best.
The Ultra 3 is also expected to feature a larger charging coil, which should help extend battery life. Combined with the new energy-efficient display, CNET reports that the watch could last up to 72 hours in low-power mode – a big advantage for adventurers and users requiring high endurance.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: New watchOS 26 Features
One of the major updates, according to Mark Gurman, will be the satellite messaging. The Ultra 3 is said to be the first Apple smartwatch capable of sending emergency messages via the Globalstar satellite network. This means that even if you’re completely out of cellular coverage, you could still get a lifeline. (Garmin recently announced their top-of-the-line smartwatch with satellite connectivity, coming out on September 8, the day before Apple’s event.)
There are also rumors of integrated blood pressure measurement, a feature that could provide early alerts for users at risk of hypertension. In addition to that, the Ultra 3 is expected to carry forward much of what the Ultra 2 already offered – with the significant addition of built-in 5G connectivity directly in the watch.
