Apple just announced the latest generation of its top-of-the-line Apple Watch Ultra.
The third-generation wearable arrives with the ability to send messages to friends and family or alert the emergency services via a satellite connection — a potentially lifesaving feature if you're completely off the grid without any mobile signal or Wi-Fi networks.
And it's not the only feature that has the potential to save your life, with hypertension alerts that'll flag if the wearable detects signs of chronic high blood pressure. Apple expects 1 million people to be diagnosed with hypertension, often referred to as the "silent killer", within the first year of its new wearables being on sale.
On the front of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the biggest screen ever fitted on one of these devices. The size of the device hasn't changed compared to its predecessor, but the screen now stretches to the very edge of the chassis.
There's also a whopping 42-hour battery life. In Low Power Mode, the battery life stretches to a massive 72 hours.
Summarising the new features, Eugene Kim, Apple Vice President of Apple Watch Hardware Engineering, said: "Apple Watch Ultra is our most advanced Apple Watch, designed to take users from sports and adventure to the rest of their life, and help them stay active, healthy, connected, and safe, wherever they are.
"Apple Watch Ultra 3 debuts innovative satellite communications that will offer users more safety and connectivity when they’re off the grid, plus longer battery life, 5G, powerful health insights, and all the advanced fitness features our users love."
Apple Watch Ultra 3 was far from the only device announced during the September Event, which also saw an Apple Watch Series 11, iPhone 17, the ultra-thin iPhone Air, and new AirPods Pro 3, unveiled.
Using satellites orbiting the planet, Apple Watch Ultra 3 owners can update friends and family with an up-to-date location
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When you're hiking in remote mountains or sailing far from shore, the Apple Watch Ultra 3's satellite features could prove invaluable. The device connects to satellites orbiting 800 miles above Earth, travelling at 15,000 mph, enabling two-way communication when traditional networks aren't available.
You'll be able to send emergency SOS messages with just a few taps. For instance, if you're unresponsive after a severe car crash or hard fall, the watch can automatically alert emergency services with your location and situation details. The Find My feature lets you share your position every 15 minutes with pre-selected contacts, to ensure your loved ones can locate you in case of an emergency.
Apple's new clock face — called Waypoint — helps you navigate with a live compass, an optional satellite complication, and Night Mode for easier viewing in low-light conditions
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For everyday communication when hiking off-grid, you can exchange text messages, MeMoji and emojis, and reactions with anyone you've messaged in the past 30 days.
The watch's hypertension monitoring represents a significant advancement in wearable health technology. Using optical heart sensors, it analyses how your blood vessels respond to heartbeats, working quietly in the background over 30-day periods.
If you're among the 1.3 billion adults worldwide affected by high blood pressure — often without knowing it — this feature could provide a crucial early warning. The technology underwent rigorous testing with over 100,000 participants in development studies and 2,000 in clinical validation.
When the watch detects consistent signs of hypertension, you'll receive a notification prompting you to monitor your blood pressure for seven days using a traditional cuff. You can then share these results with your doctor.
The feature awaits FDA clearance this month and will be available in over 150 countries, though it's not suitable for those aged under 22, pregnant women, or people already diagnosed with hypertension.
From your wrist, Apple Watch Ultra 3 can detect signs of chronic high blood pressure — and will send a notification
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The Apple Watch Ultra 3 utilises LTPO3 technology — a high-performance, low-power display technology — that's visible from a wide angle and 24% larger without changing the case dimensions. You should notice improved brightness when viewing from angles, and the always-on display now refreshes every second rather than every minute, allowing you to see a ticking seconds hand without lifting your wrist.
Battery performance extends to 42 hours for daily use, or up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode, and a 15-minute charge tops up the Watch Ultra 3 with enough juice for 12 hours of use.
When you're tracking outdoor workouts continuously, you'll get 20 hours with full GPS and heart rate monitoring. The new sleep scoring feature analyses multiple factors, including duration, consistency, interruptions and sleep stages. You'll receive nightly scores with clear breakdowns to help improve your rest quality.
The 5G connectivity enables faster downloads of music, podcasts and apps when you're within network coverage. Apple's new Workout Buddy feature, powered by Apple Intelligence, provides personalised spoken motivation during exercise sessions based on your heart rate, pace and fitness history.
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Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers what Apple claims is the most accurate GPS in any sports watch, where runners benefit from automatic track detection
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For athletes, you'll find the watch offers what Apple claims is the most accurate GPS in any sports watch. Runners benefit from automatic track detection, while cyclists can view metrics on their iPhone screen. The device supports recreational scuba diving to 40 metres and includes offline maps for hikers.
The watch comes in natural or black titanium finishes. Apple has also incorporated 40% recycled materials, including fully recycled cobalt in the battery and titanium in the case, manufactured entirely with renewable electricity.
If you want to get your hands on the Ultra 3, it's available for preorder today, but it will be available in stores worldwide from September 15, 2025. Apple Watch Ultra 3 prices start from £749 in the UK.
Apple's satellite services will be available free of charge for two years with your purchase. Additional fees to continue beaming location data, text messages, and making emergency service calls via satellites orbiting the Earth have not been confirmed.
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