Apple Watch Ultra 3 review: Peak performance, peak bulk

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Despite this being the third generation of the Apple Watch Ultra, it’s my first time experiencing the larger adventure-themed smartwatch.

So rather than pump out a quick review based on initial impressions and comparison to the previous generations, I decided to really take my time with this review. I tested out the features over the past six months or so to get a more thorough understanding of the differences between this and the Apple Watch Series 11.

What I found was a wearable I ultimately preferred to use every day, thanks to its extended battery life and convenient shortcut button, though its extra bulk made it far less comfortable as a sleep-tracking device.

What makes the Apple Watch Ultra 3 stand out?

Side by side with the Apple Watch Series 11, the Ultra 3 is a beast. The larger always-on, wide-angle OLED is obvious, but the entire device looks larger and chunkier than Apple’s main device.

This isn’t a bad thing, by any means. Particularly for men, large, chunky watches are almost a fashion statement. In the case of the Apple Watch Ultra, it’s a statement with a purpose: better battery life.

Because of the extra heft of the Ultra model, you can get up to three days between charges, instead of the 11’s 24 hours.

When it comes down to it, three days is still pretty rubbish in a category where you can get a week from alternative devices. The holy grail for Apple has to be getting week-long battery out of its wearables somehow, but right now, the quest is maxing out at three days.

There are other benefits to the bulk, though. While battery is the most obvious, being able to add a third physical button to the watch makes it much easier to start a workout.

Still, these are things that have been pretty common in the Apple Watch Ultra lineup for years. The third generation updates the watch to the latest S10 chip, updates the display to the same technology as 2024’s Series 10 watch, which gives you better wide-angle viewing angles and a 1 Hz refresh rate that offers an always-on display capability. There is 5G connectivity and enhanced satellite options.

In other words, it’s the most powerful Apple Watch the company has ever released. But is it best?

Apple Watch Ultra 3 smartwatch specs

Category	Specification
Display	Always-On Retina display with wide-angle OLEDs and LTPO3 Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, 1 nit minimum brightness 1Hz refresh rate 422 × 514 pixels, 326 pixels per inch (1,245 sq mm display area) Flat sapphire crystal display Night Mode for Ultra faces (Modular Ultra, Wayfinder, Orienteering)
Materials & Finish	Grade 5 Titanium case Natural, Black
Size & Weight	Height: 49mm | Width: 44mm | Depth: 12mm Weight: Natural 61.6g, Black 61.8g Fits 130-210mm wrists
Chip	S10 chip with 64-bit dual-core processor 4-core Neural Engine 64GB capacity
Sensors	Electrical heart sensor, Third-generation optical heart sensor Blood oxygen sensor, Temperature sensor Depth gauge, Water temperature sensor Compass, Always-on altimeter High-g accelerometer, High-dynamic-range gyroscope Ambient light sensor
Battery Life	Up to 42 hours normal use Up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode Fast charge: Up to 80% in about 45 minutes 15 minutes for up to 12 hours normal use 5 minutes for up to 8 hours sleep tracking
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), 2.4GHz and 5GHz Bluetooth 5.3 L1 and L5 precision dual-frequency GPS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou) Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip 4G LTE and 5G NR support Satellite connectivity (Emergency SOS, Find My)
Health Features	Blood Oxygen app, ECG app Heart Rate monitoring with high/low notifications Irregular rhythm notifications Sleep tracking with sleep stages and sleep score Sleep apnoea notifications Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates Temperature sensing Medications app, Mindfulness app, Noise app
Safety Features	Emergency SOS via satellite International emergency calling Crash Detection, Fall Detection Siren (86 decibels) Torch, Backtrack Last Emergency Call Availability Waypoint Noise monitoring
Durability	Water resistance to 100m (swim, snorkel, scuba, high-speed water sports) EN13319 recreational scuba diving to 40m (±1m accuracy) Dust resistance IP6X MIL-STD 810H tested (altitude, temperature extremes, shock, vibration, immersion)
Controls	Customisable Action button Digital Crown with haptic feedback Side button Double tap and wrist flick gestures Siri with on-device processing
Audio	Three-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation Dual speakers Media playback Siren
Environmental	On-wrist operating temperature: -20° to 55°C Operating temperature: 0° to 35°C Dive operating temperature: 0° to 40°C Operating altitude: -500m to 9,000m
Operating System	watchOS
Compatibility	iPhone 11 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd gen or later) Requires iOS 26 or later
In the Box	Apple Watch Ultra 3 Band Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable (1m)

Design and build quality

While the Series 11 is definitely a sleeker looking smartwatch, there is something about the Ultra that appeals to my sense of masculinity. Indeed, I think it’s inherently a very male-oriented watch design, given the large 49 mm display.

Where other Apple Watch models offer a selection of screen sizes, the Ultra is only available in the 49 mm. It’s go big, or go home.

As a sense check, I popped the Ultra 3 on my wife’s tiny wrist. It looked ridiculous.

But her bigger complaint was the weight. She normally wears a 40 mm Series 6 Apple Watch, and the weight of the Ultra at 61.6 grams is practically double that of the 30.5 grams of her usual device. Even the larger Series 11 model weighs just 37–43 grams.

Again, this isn’t a bad thing in itself, but I think it does mean that the Ultra is fundamentally a device designed for larger (typically male) wrists.

Fortunately, the bulk and weight means it feels like the Ultra is bulletproof. I obviously didn’t test it against live ammunition, but the titanium casing and screen feel like it can take a beating.

The screen tops out at 3,000 nits of peak brightness, which is 1,000 nits brighter than the Series 11. During a regular day, I don’t think you really need that extra thousand nits, but if you’re using the watch underwater, it definitely makes a difference.

While I like the bulk most of the time, I do want to point out that it is not a comfortable device to wear to bed. Sleep tracking is an important feature in today’s smartwatches, but the Ultra’s larger size make it uncomfortable overnight.

You do get a bit used to it, but in that scenario the Series 11 is certainly a more comfortable option.

Beyond that design, the Ultra 3 has exactly what you expect from the Ultra range of Apple Watches. There are sensors for heart rate, temperature tracking, blood oxygen, ECG, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, and altimeter. It also measures the water temperature while you swim, which is probably useful for some, though not so much for me.

Arguably more significant for potential owners is the 100-metre water resistance rating, making it a reasonable option for snorkelling and scuba divers.

Performance and software

Apple didn’t upgrade the main chip inside its Apple Watch models last year, sticking with the same S10 chipset that debuted in 2024’s Series 10.

While the tech nerd in me is somewhat offended by the lack of a meaningful hardware update in the processor, the part of me that’s spent the past six months testing this watch understands that there’s no indication at all that the chip is over 12 months old.

Everything is fast and responsive, from scrolling through options with the Digital Crown to starting a workout with the extra shortcut button.

I also found that the automatic switching between phone and watch when connected to the AirPods Pro 3 was even more reliable during a workout with this watch.

A big part of that is watchOS 26, which launched alongside the Ultra 3. Just like with the Series 11, it’s an effortless platform to use, built around health tracking and convenient notifications.

The combination of sensors on the device lets you effortlessly track a massive range of health stats. One of the newest ones is discovering signs of hypertension, sending a notification to alert people who might otherwise never realise they were at risk of this dangerous condition.

Battery life and connectivity

Battery life really depends on how you use the device. If you sit around working at your desk all day and don’t move too much, then the battery will last longer than if you go for a long run, where the watch tracks your location and heart rate constantly.

Even so, the Ultra could comfortably get me through a couple of days with a reasonable amount of physical activity. What I liked most though was on those rare occasions I pushed myself all-day.

Shortly after the watch launched, I took it for a walk from Taronga Zoo to Balmoral beach, around the Sydney Harbour foreshore. It was a big day out, and while the Series 11 might have been low on battery after the walk, the Ultra was ready to keep going.

While it has been a few years since I pushed myself on multi-day hikes, the Ultra’s satellite connectivity allowing you to share your location even when you aren’t in range of mobile networks is a huge advantage over other premium smartwatches.

Verdict

From a pure specs' perspective, I don’t think there’s a better smartwatch on the market than the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Its extended battery, extra button and brilliant screen mean it’s an extremely versatile wearable.

But watches (more than any other tech, arguably) are about a lot more than specs.

Design is important, and the Ultra 3 is a bulky unit. The Ultra’s design immediately means it’s not for everybody. The Series 11 is a more comfortable and sleeker design, available in a couple of sizes, making it a far better option for daintier wrists.

The Ultra also has a fairly significant price premium, which really only makes sense if you plan to really take advantage of the extra features on offer with the Ultra 3’s design.

Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if:

• You’re an outdoor adventurer: You need the rugged titanium build, 100m water resistance, and specialised sensors for diving or multi-day hiking.
• Battery life is your priority: You want a wearable that can last up to three days, significantly outperforming the standard Series 11.
• You want the best display: You need that 3,000-nit peak brightness for perfect visibility in direct sunlight or while underwater.

Skip the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if:

• You have smaller wrists: The 49 mm "beast" is inherently bulky and can look disproportionately large or feel heavy on daintier frames.
• Sleep tracking is a must: The extra weight and size make it far less comfortable to wear to bed compared to the sleeker Series 11.
• You already own an Ultra 2: The jump to the S10 chip and updated display tech is incremental and likely doesn't justify the $1,399 upgrade.

Where to buy

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available in either a black or natural finish and a 49 mm display, with pricing starting at $1,399.

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