Apple appears ready to deliver its most significant smartwatch update in years, with multiple industry analysts and credible reports suggesting the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could launch this September alongside the iPhone 17 series after a strategic two-year development hiatus. According to analyst Jeff Pu of Haitong International Tech Research and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Ultra 3 is expected to introduce satellite communication capabilities, blood pressure trend monitoring, and enhanced connectivity options that would position it as a serious competitor to rugged smartwatches from brands like Garmin.
Designer: Apple
Key rumored features based on credible reports include: Satellite messaging capabilities that extend beyond cellular coverage areas, blood pressure trend monitoring focused on hypertension detection rather than precise readings, 5G RedCap connectivity through a potential switch to MediaTek modems, and display improvements while maintaining the signature 49mm titanium case design.
The extended development timeline suggests Apple has strategically invested in addressing key limitations of previous models while introducing features that would significantly expand the device’s utility for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals who require reliable communication in remote environments.
Enhanced Connectivity: Satellite Communication and 5G RedCap Technology
The most anticipated addition to the rumored Apple Watch Ultra 3 feature set would be satellite connectivity, which Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests could allow users to send text messages via satellite when cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity are unavailable. This capability would extend Apple’s existing Emergency SOS via satellite system, currently available on iPhone 14 and newer models, to the wearable platform for the first time.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Beyond satellite capability, connectivity improvements may extend to cellular technology with Apple planning to stop using Intel cellular modems in future Apple Watch models, instead adopting technology from MediaTek. This strategic shift would bring 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) support, a specialized variant of 5G specifically designed for wearable devices that delivers substantially faster data transfer speeds for app downloads, software updates, and media streaming directly to the watch.
The implementation would likely build upon Apple’s partnership with Globalstar for satellite features, while MediaTek’s modem chip brings improved battery efficiency compared to previous generation hardware. This dual approach would create a device that maintains connectivity in virtually any environment—from remote wilderness areas via satellite to urban centers with enhanced 5G speeds.
Reports suggest satellite functionality would be restricted to the more expensive Apple Watch Ultra line, with standard Apple Watch models continuing to rely on cellular connectivity. This positioning strategy would help Apple compete more directly with Garmin’s satellite-equipped outdoor watches that currently dominate the remote communication market, directly targeting outdoor professionals, wilderness hikers, mountaineers, and adventure enthusiasts who regularly venture beyond cellular network coverage.
Technical implementation would require users to activate satellite mode when traditional connectivity becomes unavailable, with the watch automatically switching to satellite communication protocols while managing variable message delivery times that depend on satellite constellation positioning and atmospheric conditions. Meanwhile, 5G RedCap technology would provide dramatically improved responsiveness when accessing cloud-based services, with advanced power optimization translating to longer battery life during intensive use scenarios.
Blood Pressure Monitoring: Delayed but Still Expected
Health monitoring represents a major focus for the Ultra 3, with the device expected to introduce blood pressure monitoring that alerts users to potential hypertension without providing exact systolic or diastolic readings. However, recent reports indicate Apple has encountered significant challenges during testing phases that could delay this feature’s implementation.
While Apple is working on blood pressure monitoring, a feature that could come as soon as 2025, Apple has been running into problems when testing the feature. For that reason, we may not see the new health option added to the Ultra 3 and other 2025 Apple Watch models. The approach would focus on trend analysis rather than medical-grade precision, following regulatory guidelines for consumer wearable devices while emphasizing pattern detection and health trend analysis.
Hypertension affects millions of people worldwide and often progresses undetected due to its largely symptom-free nature, making continuous monitoring through wearable devices particularly valuable for early detection and ongoing health management. The Ultra 3’s rumored monitoring system would provide continuous background tracking capabilities that identify concerning trends over time, automatically generating notifications when measurements consistently exceed normal ranges.
The technical implementation would likely combine multiple advanced sensors to estimate blood pressure through sophisticated pulse wave analysis and other biometric indicators, with Apple’s health development team working closely with medical professionals to ensure accurate trend detection while minimizing false positives that could cause unnecessary concern among users.
5G RedCap Technology: Enhanced Connectivity Through MediaTek Partnership
Connectivity improvements may extend beyond satellite capability with Apple planning to stop using Intel cellular modems in future Apple Watch models, instead adopting technology from MediaTek. This strategic shift would bring 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) support, a specialized variant of 5G specifically designed for wearable devices and IoT applications.
MediaTek’s modem chip will bring support for 5G RedCap, a 5G service designed for wearables that don’t need standard 5G speeds. As of right now, Apple Watch models are limited to LTE, so 5G RedCap could bring connectivity improvements. The technology would deliver substantially faster data transfer speeds for app downloads, software updates, and media streaming directly to the watch, while users could experience dramatically improved responsiveness when accessing cloud-based services.
Power management could receive significant attention through the new modem design, with MediaTek’s implementation potentially offering improved battery efficiency compared to previous generation hardware. The advanced power optimization could translate to longer battery life during intensive use scenarios, particularly important for outdoor enthusiasts who rely on extended operation periods without charging access.
Network compatibility would expand globally as 5G RedCap deployment increases across major wireless carriers worldwide, with early adopters in markets featuring established 5G infrastructure immediately benefiting from enhanced connectivity capabilities.
Design Evolution: Refined Rather Than Revolutionary
The physical design would likely retain the distinctive 49mm titanium case construction that defines the Ultra series aesthetic and durability standards, with Apple focusing on internal improvements rather than dramatic external changes. Unlike earlier speculative reports suggesting a 50% thickness reduction, current credible leaks indicate more modest refinements are expected.
Display upgrades are anticipated, with early rumors hinting at a microLED panel for brighter visuals and better battery efficiency, but recent reports indicate Apple has delayed this technology until 2026 or 2027. Instead, the Ultra 3 is likely to adopt the Series 10’s LTPO3 OLED display, offering a faster refresh rate and up to 40% brighter viewing angles at 3,000 nits.
Some reports suggest the possibility of a larger 2.12-inch display, representing a 10% increase over the Ultra 2’s 1.93-inch screen, potentially achieved by shrinking bezels while retaining similar overall case dimensions. The Digital Crown and action button would likely retain their established positions and core functionality while receiving tactile improvements for enhanced operation reliability.
Water resistance capabilities would maintain the current 100-meter rating that supports swimming and water sports activities, ensuring continued compatibility with aquatic adventures and professional marine applications. Band compatibility would continue seamlessly with existing Ultra series accessories, protecting user investments in premium band options.
Expected Launch Timeline and Pricing
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is widely expected to debut at Apple’s annual fall event, with a likely release date around September 19, 2025. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman have both corroborated a 2025 launch, following Apple’s decision to skip an Ultra update in 2024.
Pricing is expected to remain consistent with the Ultra 2’s $799 starting point, though potential U.S. tariffs could nudge costs higher. This pricing strategy would maintain the premium positioning established by previous Ultra models while targeting serious outdoor enthusiasts and health-focused users willing to invest in advanced wearable technology.
The launch would coincide with the Apple Watch Series 11 and iPhone 17 lineup, representing one of Apple’s most comprehensive product refreshes in recent years. The Ultra 3 will likely feature the S10 or S11 chip, boosting performance and enabling Apple Intelligence features like an AI-powered fitness coach codenamed “Quartz,” running watchOS 26.
Looking ahead, analyst projections suggest 2026 could bring the Apple Watch Series 12 and third-generation AirPods Pro, while 2027 might represent a breakthrough year for Apple’s wearable technology with more advanced health monitoring capabilities and potentially the introduction of Apple’s rumored smart glasses.
If these rumors prove accurate, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 would represent a substantial evolution in wearable technology that justifies the extended development cycle between generations. Satellite connectivity and enhanced health monitoring would create a device that expands beyond traditional smartwatch capabilities into specialized communication and health tools, directly competing with established outdoor technology brands while maintaining Apple’s ecosystem integration advantages.
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