A refresh to the Apple Watch Ultra could be on the horizon. Or maybe not. Here's when you can expect the next Ultra smartwatch from Apple and what the rumors say about how it differs from the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
When Will Apple Watch Ultra 3 Be Released?
It makes sense for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 release date to mirror the last two models. The first Apple Watch Ultra and the second generation arrived in September 2022 and 2023, respectively.
However, the company hasn't announced or teased a new Ultra watch, nor have we seen any insider leaks to indicate that one is coming soon. On the contrary, leaker Ming-Chi Kuo suggests (in late 2023) that Apple might not release a new Apple Watch Ultra in 2024. Here's why:
I think Apple hasn’t officially kicked off Apple Watch Ultra 3 project because it needs more time to develop innovative health management features, ensure the manufacturability of new features, and address issues related to Micro LED production.
Still, we expect a new Apple Watch Ultra at some point. It's just not yet clear when that'll be. We'll be monitoring the next Apple event for any mention of this smartwatch.
Lifewire's Release Date Estimate
For now, we expect to see the Apple Watch Ultra 3 in September 2024.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Price Rumors
We think the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will cost the same as the first two: $799.
Pre-Order Information
You can't pre-order the Apple Watch Ultra 3 until Apple announces it. It'll be available on the Apple Store and we'll drop the pre-order link here when you can buy it.
In the meantime, check out all the other Apple Watch models available right now.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Features and Specs
Without official word from Apple and still lots of time until its purported release date, there's not much we can know right now regarding features coming to the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
To quote Kuo again, "It is expected that the 2024 Apple Watch will not have a significant innovative experience." There's no mention of the Ultra model specifically, but it's a bummer if this is true.
At the very least, we expect the same level of improvement seen between the first two models, so a newer chip is likely, and it will likely have a longer battery life.
The S9 chip in the Ultra 2 powers on-device Siri and its handy double-tap feature. An even better chip will no doubt open up the possibility for more useful improvements that might include integration with the Apple Vision Pro VR headset.
Storage was doubled with the Ultra 2 (from 32 GB to 64 GB), and while another doubling sounds excessive, some significant AI features in this watch might need more storage. Considering rumors of a big Siri update, more local storage would be smart.
We'd also like Apple to offer different sizes for the Ultra series smartwatch since 49mm is quite large. Samsung's watches come in multiple sizes, and both Google and Samsung let you pick from a few different colors. On the other hand, if you've been wanting an even bigger Apple Watch, 2026 might be the year you upgrade.
Other changes will manifest on the software side. We know the next Apple Watch will run watchOS 11. One of the features we could see in watchOS 11 includes a remappable side button to open any app quickly you want. Of course, if the Ultra 3 doesn't come out until 2025, it'll run watchOS 12.
Due to a patent dispute, the blood oxygen feature originally included in the Ultra 2 is no longer available in the US. This might be cleared up for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 launch.
On the topic of patents, MobileSyrup pointed us in the direction of this patent dated February 20, 2024. Titled "Crown for an Electronic Watch," it details potential new sensor technology for a future Apple Watch. The idea is for the Digital Crown to remain, but be replaced by "a light-directing feature configured to direct, onto the image-sensing element, an image of an object in contact with the imaging surface."
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/apple-watch-patent-11906937-c28359d036b5406c8b743da75f81285d.png "Apple Watch Ultra 3: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors (1)")
What this means isn't fully clear, but it sounds like a new way to retain the features of the crown without the faults that come with mechanical components. Or, as AppleInsider points out, it could allow for the crown to be smaller, which in turn could increase available space within the watch for better/newer components.
Rumors have gone back and forth about when we'll see a microLED Apple Watch. Benefits to battery life, response times, lifespan, and more are well understood, but high costs have kept it out of Apple's smartwatch lineup. Forbes reveals the latest on this, reporting that "Apple is looking at potential new suppliers and processes" for an Apple Watch with microLED, but that new products are probably still years away.
We'll update this section as we learn more throughout the year.
The Latest News About Apple Watch Ultra 3
You can read news about wearables here at Lifewire. Below are some stories from us about the Apple Watch.
