Apple’s rugged smartwatch lineup, the Apple Watch Ultra, is set to receive its third iteration later this year. The upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3 is rumored to bring significant upgrades in display technology, performance, and health tracking, making it one of the most anticipated wearable releases of 2025.
Expected Release Date
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is likely to launch the Apple Watch Ultra 3 in the second half of 2025. If the company follows its usual release pattern, the smartwatch could debut in September alongside the iPhone 17 and other product updates.
Display and Design Upgrades
The current Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a 1.93-inch OLED display encased in Grade 5 Titanium. However, supply chain reports suggest that the Ultra 3 may switch to a microLED panel, offering better brightness, efficiency, and contrast. TrendForce, a market research firm, predicts the display could grow to 2.12 inches—a 10% increase from the previous model.
German LED manufacturer OSRAM and South Korea’s LG Display are reportedly supplying microLED chips and LTPO glass panels, respectively. However, conflicting reports indicate that a microLED-equipped Apple Watch may not arrive until 2026, leaving some uncertainty around this upgrade.
Performance and Connectivity
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 runs on the S9 chip with 64GB of storage, and its successor is expected to feature an upgraded S10 chip for faster performance. Additionally, Gurman suggests Apple may integrate MediaTek modems to enable 5G connectivity with RedCap (Reduced Capability) support. This technology promises lower latency, higher data speeds, and improved battery efficiency—key for a device with a power-hungry microLED display.
Another area for potential improvement is charging speed. The Ultra 2 takes 90 minutes to charge fully, and users hope the Ultra 3 will reduce this time significantly.
Health and Fitness Enhancements
The Ultra 2 already includes advanced health features like ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and sleep apnea detection. The Ultra 3 is rumored to introduce blood pressure monitoring, though initial versions may only provide summarized readings rather than precise systolic and diastolic measurements.
Improved sleep tracking and heart rate accuracy are also expected. Additionally, with Apple’s push into AI through “Apple Intelligence,” the Ultra 3 could integrate smarter health insights and personalized recommendations.
Satellite Messaging Capability
One of the most exciting rumored features is satellite-based texting. Following the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature on iPhones, the Ultra 3 may allow users to send messages in areas without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. Apple is reportedly partnering with Globalstar to enable this functionality, potentially making the Ultra 3 the first mainstream smartwatch with satellite communication.
Pricing Expectations
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 starts at $799, and the Ultra 3 is unlikely to be cheaper. If microLED and satellite connectivity are included, the price could rise significantly. Alongside the Ultra 3, Apple is also expected to unveil a redesigned Apple Watch SE 3 and a Watch Series 11 with minimal aesthetic changes.
Conclusion
With potential upgrades like a microLED display, blood pressure monitoring, and satellite messaging, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could set a new standard for premium smartwatches. If the rumors hold, September 2025 will be a major month for Apple enthusiasts.
What are your expectations for the Apple Watch Ultra 3? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
