{"id":873407,"date":"2025-09-16T21:12:40","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T02:12:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/16\/i-wore-the-apple-watch-ultra-3-for-5-days-and-its-a-garmin-rivaling-powerhouse\/"},"modified":"2025-09-16T21:12:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T02:12:40","slug":"i-wore-the-apple-watch-ultra-3-for-5-days-and-its-a-garmin-rivaling-powerhouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/16\/i-wore-the-apple-watch-ultra-3-for-5-days-and-its-a-garmin-rivaling-powerhouse\/","title":{"rendered":"I wore the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for 5 days \u2013 and it\u2019s a Garmin-rivaling powerhouse"},"content":{"rendered":"<section data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"widgetArea16\">\n<div data-component-name=\"pretty-verdict\">\n<p><h3>Early Verdict<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>From my initial testing, I can confirm that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is simply a powerhouse of a wearable, adding 5G, satellite connectivity and new screen technology to an already-winning formula. I\u2019ll be testing it further, including the Low Power Mode that can stretch its runtime to a remarkable 72 hours, but all the early signs suggest that Apple&#8217;s Ultra upgrade can truly go the distance in every sense of the term. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<h4>\nPros<br \/>\n<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span>+<\/span>\n<p>5G and satellite connectivity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li><span>+<\/span>\n<p>New larger screen<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li><span>+<\/span>\n<p>Recycled titanium<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h4>\nCons<br \/>\n<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span>&#8211;<\/span>\n<p>Older Ultra models also get new health and fitness features, making upgrade decision less pressing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"how-we-test\">\n<span>Why you can trust TechRadar<\/p>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n<span>We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you&#8217;re buying the best. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/news\/how-we-test\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/news\/how-we-test\">Find out more about how we test.<\/a><\/span>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p id=\"b3e32835-037e-4666-bcd0-60ebc2f8b8cc\">You could say I\u2019ve had a busy past few days \u2013 between rocking the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/audio\/earbuds-airpods\/airpods-pro-3-won-me-over-in-less-than-a-week-thanks-to-these-key-upgrades-heres-why\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/audio\/earbuds-airpods\/airpods-pro-3-won-me-over-in-less-than-a-week-thanks-to-these-key-upgrades-heres-why\">AirPods Pro 3<\/a> and fully reviewing the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/apple-watch\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/apple-watch\">Apple Watch<\/a> Series 11 and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/apple\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/apple\">Apple<\/a> Watch SE 3, I\u2019ve also been daily-driving the Apple Watch Ultra 3.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s finally a proper upgrade for the most rugged, go-anywhere, climb-every-mountain Apple Watch. In 2024, it got a slight spec bump and a fresh paint job, but for 2025 Apple\u2019s really rounding out the Ultra 3 in a way that makes it a compelling upgrade for folks with the first or second generation Ultra, especially the former.<\/p>\n<p id=\"b3e32835-037e-4666-bcd0-60ebc2f8b8cc-2\">I\u2019m still in the midst of testing, so consider this my review-in-progress, and my early impressions of the Apple Watch Ultra 3, beyond the environs of Apple Park and the launch event. TechRadar\u2019s Senior Fitness &#038; Wearables Editor Matt Evans \u2013 himself a smartwatch aficionado \u2013 will also be weighing in soon, putting the Ultra 3 (and himself) through a battery of fitness, health, and exercise tests.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"section-apple-watch-ultra-3-price-and-availability\"><span>Apple Watch Ultra 3: Price and availability<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul id=\"21b563ab-f3b7-4c7d-a5e3-b9b256ace04b\">\n<li><strong>$799 in US <\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>\u00a3749 in UK<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>AU$1,399<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"c85e266d-fcd2-4e9e-bec3-e0f5b11b89ad\">The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available for $799 \/ \u00a3749 \/ AU$1,399. This is the same price as its predecessor in most regions, although the Ultra 3 is slightly cheaper in the UK \u2013 the Apple Watch Ultra 2 cost \u00a3799 in the UK, so the Ultra 3 is better value there.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"section-apple-watch-ultra-3-design\"><span>Apple Watch Ultra 3: Design<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"2c6c8a68-0982-4e5c-a7a7-76e8236ace79\">\n<div>\n<p> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Apple Watch Ultra 3 Review\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/77yXHYyvW4x9kB7zpPTZGX.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/77yXHYyvW4x9kB7zpPTZGX.jpg\">\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\"><span itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Jacob Krol\/Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul id=\"6c641795-aa19-4d42-a2be-7df7f3f81640\">\n<li><strong>Same 49mm case as Ultra 2<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Slightly larger screen<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Recycled Natural or Black Titanium finishes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"90fbdedb-aa60-435c-beac-d8930f44e1bc\">In the same way that Apple is sticking with the rounded &#8216;squircle&#8217; look of previous iterations for its Series 11 smartwatch, it\u2019s clear that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is sticking with its tried-and-tested design here. It still offers a supersized 49-millimeter display in a thicker, more durable titanium body.<\/p>\n<p>The Ultra 3 comes in Natural Titanium or Black Titanium, and I\u2019ve been testing the latter, which looks especially sleek. You can pair it with a custom-match Ultra Milanese Loop \u2013 a personal favorite band of mine \u2013 with one of the new 2025 options, like the Trail Loop, which now features reflective material on the edges, or with older bands that fit the 49mm \/ 46mm \/ 44mm sizes.<\/p>\n<p>One change Apple made here is using a 3D printing process to build the case from recycled titanium, though you won\u2019t notice any difference in appearance. The display, however, is seriously improved. Like the Series 11 \u2013 and the Series 10 before it \u2013 the Ultra 3 now boasts an always-on Retina <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/oled\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/oled\">OLED<\/a> display with an LTPO3 panel, giving it finer control over the refresh rate for additional smoothness in motion. This shines with watch faces like the new Flow, Waypoint, or Exactograph.<\/p>\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-WGusB3zxxYwTEgrqMS55s\">\n<section>\n<p>Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p>It also enables wide-angle viewing, so even when glancing to the side you have a better chance of reading what\u2019s on the display \u2013 I\u2019ve found this especially helpful when checking notifications with my <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/arm\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/tag\/arm\">arm<\/a> extended or in low brightness. Apple has also slimmed down the bezels by 24% all around. While noticeable when comparing the Ultra 3 to the Ultra 2 side by side, it\u2019s most apparent when viewing maps \u2013 like hiking trails \u2013 or photos on the 49mm display.<\/p>\n<p>The Ultra 3\u2019s display can flex its brightness from as high as 3,000 nits in peak sunlight to as low as 1 nit in darkness. Much of the interface uses the Liquid Glass design language introduced in watchOS 26; and even though it looks snappy, it\u2019s also plenty fast for handling actions thanks to the S10 chip inside.<\/p>\n<p>It still charges with the same magnetic puck included in the box, but now supports faster charging.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"section-apple-watch-ultra-3-features-and-performance\"><span>Apple Watch Ultra 3: Features and performance<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"40a54c81-1f47-4b64-a98c-a4f928a8f366\">\n<div>\n<p> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Apple Watch Ultra 3 Review\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qBvkAQUoRzRz7jgbZF7cRU.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qBvkAQUoRzRz7jgbZF7cRU.jpg\">\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\"><span itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Jacob Krol\/Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul id=\"d9246bed-8a9d-4e90-87c4-da29fd270e9a\">\n<li><strong>Emergency SOS instructions intuitive<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Satellite connectivity genuinely useful<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>I&#8217;m loving the new Sleep Score software update<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"48cdd876-109c-44ee-a61e-139f16e5ac93\">Satellite connectivity for communication makes a lot of sense on a device that you\u2019re likely to be wearing into areas without cell service, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the first Apple Watch to support satellite connectivity.<\/p>\n<p>The headline feature Apple announced at its September launch event was Emergency SOS via Satellite, and while I hope you never need it, I did get a demo at Apple Park. Much like the iPhone\u2019s satellite connectivity, it walks you through the process of sending an alert: identifying the issue, guiding you on how to point your wrist for a satellite connection, packaging the info, sending it into orbit, and beaming a response back down.<\/p>\n<p>In the demo, we triggered SOS on the Ultra 3 by dialing 911. Once it realized there was no grid connection, it began sending an emergency text via satellite. The watch guided us through a questionnaire \u2013 we selected \u201clost or trapped,\u201d confirmed it was just us, and noted no active injuries. This is especially handy if you\u2019re lost on a trail. As a final step, you can also notify emergency contacts.<\/p>\n<p>The watch then instructed us to move our wrist left until it locked onto a satellite. At that point, it packaged the watch\u2019s location, questionnaire details, and the linked medical ID. A relay center receives this data and can send messages back down.<\/p>\n<p>This was, of course, a demo, but it shows how impressively the system works. Notably, it can sometimes transmit data without you moving your wrist, which could be helpful if it\u2019s triggered as a backup during crash or fall detection.<\/p>\n<p>Emergency SOS via Satellite is available for free for two years in the United States \u2013 though Apple has a history of extending that \u2013 and in the UK and Australia, it\u2019s also free, along with the additional Find My features, which also operate via satellite. I was able to test Find My myself, but in the US, Find My and Messages require an active cellular plan.<\/p>\n<figure data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"04d36c43-133e-48fb-bacc-7bf21aa0c8e4\">\n<div>\n<p> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Apple Watch Ultra 3 Review\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PPiePVxyiGgmLUaS2EzBqX.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PPiePVxyiGgmLUaS2EzBqX.jpg\">\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\"><span itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Jacob Krol\/Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"41787a62-2941-4574-8ab9-a261173ab187\">With Find My, you can send a basic message (with a character limit) via satellite and even update your Find My location. You\u2019ll go through the same process of moving your Ultra 3 into the right path of a satellite as it passes overhead. With Find My, you\u2019ll know the location was updated this way via a satellite icon on the map next to the person.<\/p>\n<p>Satellite connectivity is a genuinely useful addition to the Ultra 3, and I\u2019m keen to test the Messages and Find My functions more. Beyond this, the Ultra 3 also gets a number of new features as part of watchOS 26, including the Liquid Glass interface, new apps like Notes, and a new Wrist Flick gesture.<\/p>\n<p>Just like the Series 11 and SE 3 \u2013 as well as some older models that can run watchOS 26 \u2013 the Ultra 3 also gets the new Sleep Score. This builds upon the watch\u2019s ability to track sleep and detail time spent in each stage but now quantifies it with a score from 0 to 100. I\u2019m really enjoying this feature so far, and it feels like it\u2019s about time it arrived here.<\/p>\n<p>The Ultra 3 also adds Hypertension Notifications, meaning that on a rolling 30-day basis, the watch can alert you to potential hypertension (high blood pressure) and recommends you see a doctor for a full diagnosis. This feature is FDA-approved for use in the US.<\/p>\n<p>While the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is technically getting an upgrade to the S10 chip, it\u2019s mostly a repackaged version of the S9 chip found in the Ultra 2. The good news is that the Ultra 3 still feels just as responsive as the other new Apple Watches and competing smartwatches on the market. I think you\u2019d be hard-pressed to slow it down.<\/p>\n<p>This is paired with a new 5G antenna and redesigned antenna band visible around the outer lip of the watch. Apple says it\u2019s more efficient than the previous onboard antenna, and can use two bands at once when needed to improve reception.<\/p>\n<p>Apple also redesigned the internals of the Ultra 3, and thanks to that, there\u2019s a bigger battery inside. Apple rates the Ultra 3 for up to 42 hours with normal use, and I\u2019ve easily been hitting a long day and a half with sleep tracking before noticing a meaningful drop in battery life. It\u2019s simply a powerhouse, and I\u2019ll be testing it more, including the Low Power Mode that can stretch runtime to a remarkable 72 hours.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-WGusB3zxxYwTEgrqMS55s\">\n<div>\n<figure data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div><picture data-hydrate=\"false\"><source type=\"image\/webp\"   data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hKSCqxtWYDuUtwZseV9E3C.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hKSCqxtWYDuUtwZseV9E3C.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hKSCqxtWYDuUtwZseV9E3C.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/jpeg\"   data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hKSCqxtWYDuUtwZseV9E3C.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hKSCqxtWYDuUtwZseV9E3C.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hKSCqxtWYDuUtwZseV9E3C.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Jacob Krol\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hKSCqxtWYDuUtwZseV9E3C.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hKSCqxtWYDuUtwZseV9E3C.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hKSCqxtWYDuUtwZseV9E3C.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Jacob Krol is the US Managing Editor, News for TechRadar. He\u2019s been writing about technology since he was 14 when he started his own tech blog. Since then Jacob has worked for a plethora of publications including CNN Underscored, TheStreet, Parade, Men\u2019s Journal, Mashable, CNET, and CNBC among others. <\/p>\n<p>He specializes in covering companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google and going hands-on with mobile devices, smart home gadgets, TVs, and wearables. In his spare time, you can find Jacob listening to Bruce Springsteen, building a Lego set, or binge-watching the latest from Disney, Marvel, or Star Wars.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div x-show=\"$store.Viafoura.showWidgets\" x-cloak data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" x-data=\"ViafouraComments\" data-nosnippet id=\"viafoura-comments-container\" data-community-guidelines-text=\"\n\n<p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'>Please follow our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/news\/about-us#section-community-guidelines\" target=\"_blank\">community guidelines<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;><\/p>\n<p>You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p>Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/health-fitness\/smartwatches\/apple-watch-ultra-3-review\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><br \/>\n Elroy Mcnaught<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Early Verdict From my initial testing, I can confirm that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is simply a powerhouse of a wearable, adding 5G, satellite connectivity and new screen technology to an already-winning formula. I\u2019ll be testing it further, including the Low Power Mode that can stretch its runtime to a remarkable 72 hours, but<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":873408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[376,46,451],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-873407","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-apple","8":"category-technology","9":"category-watch"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=873407"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873407\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/873408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=873407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=873407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=873407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}