It’s been widely reported that Apple might have something significant planned for its Apple Watch Series 10 or Apple Watch X to mark its 10-year anniversary. What about the Apple Watch Ultra 3? In 2023, Apple launched the Apple Watch Ultra 2 with an impressive array of features, setting high expectations for the next premium model. Although we are still over two months away from the debut of the Apple Watch Ultra 3, there are already some rumors and speculations circulating about Apple’s 2024 flagship smartwatch. Here’s what all we know about the Apple Watch Ultra 3 so far.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Rumored Design
Unfortunately, there won’t be any new design changes for Apple’s 2024 smartwatches. The upcoming Ultra 3 is expected to retain the same iconic design as the current model, which was introduced in 2022. However, there is an intriguing rumor about its size.
According to TrendForce, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will be even larger than the existing Ultra 2, which has a 1.93-inch display. TrendForce reported in December 2023 that the Ultra 3’s display could increase by about 10%, reaching 2.12 inches.
The rumors about the Apple Watch Ultra 3’s design have raised some concerns. The current Ultra Watch 2 already features a large display, which can be cumbersome and uncomfortable for those with thinner wrists, especially during extended wear. If Apple intends to increase the size of the Ultra 3, it will need to find ways to reduce both the weight and bezels. Otherwise, the Ultra 3 may not appeal to a wide audience.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Display
Introduced in 2023, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 boasts an upgraded, brighter display that can reach up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, compared to 2,000 nits on the original Ultra. This improvement enhances visibility in any setting, including bright outdoor environments.
There were initial rumors suggesting that Apple was diligently working to introduce microLED display technology in its Apple Watch. The upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3 was expected to feature a microLED display, which would offer enhanced brightness and improved battery efficiency. However, Apple has since abandoned its in-house microLED project for the immediate future. Both Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Display Chain Supplier Consultants have confirmed these reports. According to The Elec, we may have to wait until 2026 to see a microLED Apple Watch.
On the other hand, Apple is expected to implement more energy-efficient LTPO panels to improve power consumption on the Apple Watch’s Always-On Display. According to The Elec, Apple will adopt new low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) thin-film transistor (TFT) technology for its 2024 Apple Watch models. There is speculation that Apple will also expand the use of LTPO OLED technology across additional devices. Currently, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus use LTPS panels, while the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max feature the more advanced LTPO panels with variable refresh rates.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Specs & Features
If you’re hoping for major upgrades and thrilling new features on the Apple Watch Ultra 3, it might be a letdown. Unless Apple is keeping significant changes under wraps, the upcoming premium smartwatch is unlikely to introduce any groundbreaking additions. However, we may finally see some long-anticipated health tools in the new models.
Similar to the Apple Watch Series 10, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to include a range of advanced health features, such as blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection. With blood pressure monitoring, users will be able to track changes in their blood pressure and understand their activities when hypertension occurs, although the watch will not provide specific systolic and diastolic readings. For sleep apnea detection, the watch will analyze sleep data and breathing patterns to detect potential signs of the condition.
However, the development of these features has encountered some challenges. On July 7, Mark Gurman reported that while Apple has been working on blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection, the process has faced significant hurdles. The hypertension detection feature proved unreliable during testing, and there are concerns about integrating it into the updated design. As a result, Apple may need to delay these features until next year.
Additionally, the sleep apnea detection feature might not appear in Apple’s 2024 smartwatch lineup due to an ongoing legal dispute with Masimo over the blood oxygen monitor. Masimo, a California-based medical technology company, has alleged that Apple’s blood oxygen monitoring feature, introduced with the Apple Watch Series 6, infringes on their patented technology. Masimo filed a lawsuit in 2021, prompting Apple to remove the blood oxygen monitoring feature from its smartwatches to avoid a potential ban. The legal issue may be resolved by September, but if it isn’t, Apple might announce the sleep apnea detection feature at the launch but delay its release until the dispute is resolved.
All 2024 Apple Watch models will come with the newly announced watchOS 11 (currently in Beta), which introduces several appealing features. Notable additions in watchOS 11 include summarized notifications, customizable Activity Rings and Smart Stack, Training Load insights, and support for Apple Intelligence.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Hardware Upgrades
Unfortunately, there isn’t much to look forward to in terms of hardware upgrades for the 2024 Apple Watch Ultra. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new model will offer ‘almost no’ hardware changes compared to the Apple Watch Ultra 2. He suggests that the anticipated health features, such as blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection, will rely on machine learning and existing health sensors. Meanwhile, Mark Gurman believes that while the Ultra 3 will not receive a new design this year, it will likely feature a new processor to replace the S9 chip found in the Ultra 2. This updated processor could potentially set the stage for future AI enhancements.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Colors
Both the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are available in a natural titanium color. Despite earlier rumors suggesting that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 might feature a darker color, it did not. Apple had initially designed a dark ceramic black option for the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, but it was never released. There are now speculations that this color might make its debut with the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Ming-Chi Kuo has indicated that while the Apple Watch Ultra will remain “roughly the same” in 2024, Apple could introduce a new dark or black case color option for the first time.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Battery Life
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 already boasts an impressive battery life of up to 36 hours on a single charge. Compared to the 542mAh battery in the original Apple Watch Ultra, the second-generation model features a slightly larger 564mAh battery. The upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to offer similar battery performance, with up to 36 hours of use and 18 hours on LTE. The updated low-power mode on the Ultra 2 extends battery life up to 72 hours. Charging will remain consistent with the Ultra 2, with fast charging support allowing the battery to reach 80% in about an hour, making it highly convenient for daily use.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Expected Price & Release Date
Initially, Kuo indicated that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 might not be released in 2024, suggesting that Apple could need more time to develop its advanced health management features. However, he later revised his stance, stating that the Ultra 3 is expected to launch according to Apple’s usual timeline.
Historically, Apple unveils its new Apple Watch models in September, alongside the latest iPhone series. The company has adhered to this schedule consistently for the past eight years. Therefore, it is likely that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will be released in September.
Currently, there’s no information available about the pricing of the Apple Watch Ultra 3. If we speculate based on past models, the Ultra 3 could have a starting price of $799, similar to the previous two Ultra models. However, if Apple introduces significant upgrades, the price could be higher.
That’s all we know about the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for now. We’ll keep this updated as new information becomes available. Stay tuned!
0 Comments