Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2: The truth about the upgrades

That's probably the question that Cupertinians asked themselves during the team meeting that had to determine the design evolution for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. It most likely was a rather short meeting that could have––and should have––been an email. As a result, we do have a hard time determining which of these two models is the new one… for yet another year in a row. 

Okay, yes, it doesn't really feel like the Apple Watch Ultra needs major changes to its design, and yes, it's a well-designed smartwatch. Employing titanium and sapphire, it exudes manliness and simply beckons you to hit the trails, silently judging you for carrying it to your 9-to-5 desk job. And we do love that; after all, it's intended for adventurous folk and more intensive use.

The device still looks a bit weird on thinner wrists, and the fact that it's available in just a single 49mm version doesn't really help its case.

Unlike regular Apple Watches, the Ultra lineup features a raised side bezel on the right with a shielded digital crown and a customizable Action Button painted in International Orange on the opposite side that also doubles as the emergency siren shortcut.

Apple has found a way to minimize bezels a bit, resulting in a slightly larger screen, but the difference against the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is marginal. What you'll notice, however, are the much wider viewing angles on the new wearable, which allow you to view content from way more acute angles than before. Perfect if you're hanging for dear life from a rock perch and someone sends you a Venmo request.

Another key upgrade to Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the use of LTPO3 display technology, which lets the screen refresh at just 1Hz, or a single time per second. That's significant, as it allows for the always-on display feature to consume even less power than before and also showcase a seconds indicator when the always-on display is turned on.

Apple usually releases a new band or two with new smartwatch launches. However, with the Apple Watch Ultra 2, we didn't get new bands, but merely new color options for the Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, and Ocean Band straps. 

The same applies here as well. We don't get new bands, but more varied color combinations for the new good ol' ones. That's okay, we didn't feel the need for any new bands either. 

In terms of attaching the bands to the watch itself, Apple has been using the same slotted mechanism for a decade now. This is superb, because it builds a healthy ecosystem of accessories and lets you use your old bands with your new Apple Watch. You can also buy adapters to use virtually any other watch band, even standard spring bar ones, so there's definitely a plethora of customization potential here. 

The Apple Watch Ultra comes with watchOS 26 on board, which follows the same design language as Apple's iOS 26, macOS 26, and visionOS 26. Relying on transparent and iridescent visual cues to translate the physical properties of glass to the digital world, Liquid Glass is definitely cool, but also takes some getting used to. On the watches themselves, the Liquid Glass isn't that intense, so the jump from watchOS 10 isn't that grand. 

Here are some key features of the watchOS 26 update:

The same applies to the ultra-loud emergency siren that might one day come to your aid in dire situations. Apple was first with this feature, and we're glad that others are following suit: the Galaxy Watch Ultra also has an emergency siren on deck. 

With the Apple Watch Ultra 3, you will most certainly get a dive computer functionality that measures how deep you've dived, for how long, and the current water temperature thanks to the on-board thermometer. This feature is also on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and it works beautifully, even with diving greenhorns like me. 

Apple's heart rate monitoring is quite accurate, and while it's not perfect in comparison with medical-grade hardware, it's up there in the higher tiers of accuracy. With the Apple Watch Ultra 3, you will most probably be able to take ECG readings and blood oxygen.

Again, the Apple Watch is among the more accurate smartwatches you can rely on for accurate sleep tracking. Although not perfect, and sometimes not accurately registering the exact times you go asleep or wake up by a few minutes, it's a minor gripe. 

One thing that I'm actually excited for is the revamped sleep tracking that's coming with watchOS 11. Sleep will be recorded even if you don't enable the dedicated sleep mode. Apple also has finally grasped the concept behind naps, and will track all your siestas. Finally. 

GPS Accuracy

With the Apple Watch Ultra 3, we have scored a dual-frequency GPS on board, similar to both the first and second generations of the model. Such a GPS diminishes signal interference while you're between large buildings, so your Apple Watch Ultra can nail the location faster and more accurately than conventional smartwatch GPS.

In our experience, the Apple Watch Ultra 3

Battery and Charging

Big upgrades