When Apple Watch arrived in 2015, there was no way to send or receive data without an iPhone or wifi. Now these things can talk to space. It’s wild.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the first version to include satellite connectivity, a feature introduced with iPhone 14 just three years ago. It comes standard in every Ultra 3 and enables the ability to contact emergency services without a cellular connection.
Over the last few days, we’ve been testing Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch Series 11. Check out our early impressions below.
Satellite
The feature is free to use for two years from the date of purchase. Apple hasn’t said when or how much emergency SOS via satellite will cost when the trial ends. It also hasn’t started charging for the feature on iPhone. Instead, Apple recently extended the trial period for 14 and 15 models through September 2026.
When it comes to testing satellite connectivity, there are four components:
Connecting Apple Watch Ultra 3 to a satellite Contacting emergency services using SOS via satellite Sharing current location with a contact via satellite Sending a message to a contact via satellite
An active cellular plan is required for Messages and Share Location to work via satellite when out of LTE or 5G network coverage. Emergency SOS via Satellite, on the other hand, does not require an active cellular plan.
Like on iPhone 14 or later, Apple Watch Ultra 3 lets you run a connection demo to see how satellite connectivity works without being in an emergency situation. The demo turns off cellular radios to temporarily allow the satellite connection. Otherwise, satellite connectivity is only possible when no cell network is available.
While there’s no Satellite app, satellite features can be accessed from multiple places: a watch face complication, a Smart Stack widget, a Control Center tile, or the Action button if assigned as a control. Apple Watch Ultra 3 will also suggest establishing a satellite connection if you go out of cellular coverage.
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