With September inching closer and Apple's next event likely just weeks away, rumors are heating up about the company's fall lineup, which this year could include the Apple Watch Ultra 3 alongside a flagship Apple Watch Series 11 and iPhone 17.
In a turnaround from the busy rumor mill, the clearest signal yet for an Ultra 3 release comes from the secretive company itself. Imagery found in the public beta of iOS 26 (first uncovered by MacRumors) reveals new screen specs that don't match any of the current Apple Watch models on the market.
While Apple has yet to confirm anything (as usual), the Ultra 3's absence at last year's launch and its two-year upgrade cadence make 2025 a prime candidate for its debut. Here's what else we've heard and what we can expect based on the latest reports, leaks and Apple's usual upgrade patterns.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 design and display
If the leaked iOS 26 imagery holds true, the Ultra 3 will feature a slightly larger screen with a 422x514-pixel resolution (up from the Ultra 2's 410x502 pixels). Ideally, this would come with slimmer bezels to accommodate the larger, sharper display -- keeping with Apple's tradition of maximizing screen real estate without adding bulk to the already giant Ultra.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 debuted in September, 2023. Apple/Screenshot by James Martin/CNET
Apple Watch Ultra 3 performance
The Ultra is due for a performance bump to at least keep up with the S10 chip on the current Series 10 (the Ultra 2 runs on the S9 chip). The more likely scenario is that both the Ultra 3 and Series 11 get a new S11 chip that would typically bring faster performance and greater efficiency. The bump up in processing power could support new features such as enhanced GPS tracking, satellite connectivity, more advanced health monitoring and potentially some additional Apple Intelligence integrations like Workout Buddy which Apple announced in WatchOS 26 (and which I've started to think might be a bigger deal that it first appeared).
Apple Watch Ultra 3 satellite connectivity
One of the more intriguing Ultra 3 rumors comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has reported that Apple is exploring satellite connectivity for the next Apple Watch Ultra model. This would enable emergency messaging and location sharing even in areas without cellular coverage.
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