Apple Watch Ultra 3 – Introduction
To be honest, we were more than happy with the first and second models of the Apple Watch Ultra. However, if Apple releases the same watch for the third year in a row, it might get a little boring.
What changes, what stays the same? Who is actually the Apple Watch Series 3 for?
What's new:
Table of contents:
Apple Watch Ultra 3 – specifications, models and prices
There will be a single 49mm version of the Apple Watch Series 3. A smaller version is not in sight.
The smartwatch will support LTE, GPS and Wi-Fi and is expected to be available for $799 like its predecessors.
All important Apple Watch Series 3 Specifications are available in the following table:
| Technical data | Watch series |
|---|---|
| Models (size, weight, prices) | 49mm, 49x44mm, 61.4g, $799 |
| Processor, RAM, storage | Apple S10 chip |
| software | watchOS 11 |
| Battery and charging | >564mAh Magnetic charger, 80% in 60 min. |
| Sensors | HR, blood oxygen, altimeter, ECG, skin temperature sensor, HDR-G-sensor, always-on altimeter, ambient light sensor, depth gauge, blood pressure monitor |
| New features | IP6X, 10ATM water resistance Double tap |
New here compared to the previous generation is likely the new Apple S10 chip, which will hopefully improve efficiency and optimization, as well as the rumored blood pressure monitoring feature that may or may not make it into Apple's next ultra smartwatch.
Design, sizes and straps of the Apple Watch Ultra 3
Nothing new on the smartwatch front
We assume and are pretty sure that Apple will change the design of the Apple Watch Series 3 at all. In fact, it will certainly be an exact copy of the Apple Watch Ultra 1 and 2. The same titanium case with sapphire crystal, a raised side frame that protects the large digital crown, and an action button on the opposite side.
A pretty good design, clean and functional, so maybe it's not such a bad thing that Apple doesn't change the design for the sake of change.
The Apple Watch Series 3 will likely continue to be available in a single 49mm version, and we have no reason to believe that Apple is planning a smaller version of the Apple Watch Ultra for people with smaller wrists.
We hope that Apple will finally offer different case colors for the Apple Watch Series 3as the standard titanium shade that the Apple Watch Ultra 1 and 2 came in became outdated pretty quickly. Titanium can certainly be painted, so we expect more color options.
The Apple Watch Series 3 remains an IP6X dust-resistant smartwatch that can withstand water pressure up to 10 ATM, or up to 100 meters. However, Apple advised against diving deeper than 40 meters with previous Apple Watch Ultra models – that recommendation may remain.
The display of the Apple Watch Series 3 will remain a 1.92-inch OLED display with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits or more. We don't expect higher brightness, but who knows?
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Software and features
Apple's watchOS 11 will be on board the Apple Watch Series 3The software is already available as a beta version and comes with a fairly impressive selection of software improvements:
- Training Load Assessment: Evaluates effort based on heart rate, altitude, pace and physical characteristics and provides a 10-point effort rating to help athletes optimize their training.
- Vitals app: Tracks health metrics such as sleep and heart rate and provides weekly reports and alerts when data is abnormal.
- New SmartStack predictions: Improves app suggestions and user experience.
- Check-in for friends: Allows users to stay connected by sharing status updates.
- Dynamic watch faces: Automatically selects watch faces from user photos.
- Improved sleep tracking: watchOS will finally understand the concept of naps and be able to monitor them.
Just like Apple’s previous Ultra smartwatches, the Apple Watch Series 3 will feature an 86dB emergency siren that could very well save your life in emergency situations. It seems to be catching up, as Apple's competitors are also adopting similar helpful features (the Galaxy Watch Ultra also has an emergency siren).
The same goes for the dive computer function, which provides important data while diving such as the current water temperature, current depth and time underwater. Definitely a good feature if you like underwater activities.
When it comes to GPS accuracy, we are sure that the Apple Watch Series 3 will follow in the footsteps of its predecessors and be equipped with dual L1+L5 GPS, which is more accurate than “standard GPS”, especially in urban areas.
Double Tap, a useful feature introduced last year, will not only be available on the Apple Watch Series 3but will be even more impressive than ever as Apple opens the API to outside developers.
Apple Maps also offers you special offline maps for hiking in all 63 U.S. national parks, which sounds like great news for avid hikers.
And for those who have complex smart home systems, Apple Watch Series 3 and watchOS 11 brings ultra-wideband support for house keys, so you can unlock your front door as you approach your home.
Training functions
The Apple Watch range already supports a wide range of activities and sports, but the new Apple Watch may store even more personal data. Apple Watch Series 3One of the most important new features in watchOS 11 is the Training Load metric, which helps you understand how the intensity of your workout affects your body and your readiness to exercise over time.
For example, if your training load is lower than usual, you may not be able to achieve your usual activity goals and vice versa: if your training load is above your average, you may be able to achieve better results.
You can also create custom workouts for pool swims, and Apple Watch will automatically guide you through your custom time intervals with haptic feedback.
Sleep tracking
The Apple Watch remains one of the more reliable options for accurate sleep tracking and compares pretty well to most other smartwatches on the market. While it's not flawless and can occasionally be a few minutes off when it comes to when you fall asleep or wake up, it's pretty decent when it comes to consistent sleep tracking accuracy.
Apple also has a fairly comprehensive breakdown of your sleep stages, as well as other important data such as breathing rate and heart rate trends during sleep.
What I'm really excited about is the revamped sleep tracking in watchOS 11. Now sleep will be monitored even if you don't enable the special sleep mode. Also, Apple has finally recognized the importance of naps and will monitor all your siestas. This feature has been long awaited.
Health characteristics
The Apple Watch Series 3 Whether Apple will equip this health feature with blood pressure monitoring or not has not yet been finally clarified.
Apart from that, we get the standard features of continuous heart rate monitoring, ECG, blood oxygen monitoring and more.
And watchOS 11 puts the focus on pregnancy by allowing women to track gestational age directly in the Health app.
Battery and charging of the Apple Watch Ultra 3
At least two days battery life, please
The Apple Watch Series 3 will likely have a battery with the same zip code as its predecessor, which had a 564mAh battery. This will likely result in similar battery life to the previous Apple Watch Ultras.
Apple claims a battery life of 36 hours with moderate use, but this is based on “180 time checks, 180 notifications, 90 minutes of app use, and a 60-minute workout with music playing from Apple Watch over Bluetooth,” which may vary significantly from your own usage.
Personally, I've extended the battery life to over two and a half days by using it more sparingly, but yours may vary.
An increase in charging speed is not expected at the moment. Charging to 80% is expected to take an hour, and fully charging the watch will take an hour and a half.
Competitors of the Apple Watch Ultra 3
Currently Apple Watch Series 3 has some pretty interesting rivals.
Summary of the Apple Watch Ultra 3
Overall, Apple has “Never change a winning team” quite close to heart with the Apple Watch Series 3. It has only minor improvements over its predecessors, but is that such a negative thing?
Certainly not. It is obvious that Apple does not intend to Apple Watch Series 3 as an indispensable upgrade over the Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Series 2; instead, the upcoming Apple Watch Series 3 is aimed at those looking to upgrade from an older regular Apple Watch to the best large model Apple has in stock.