Apple has unveiled its most advanced smartwatch to date – Apple Watch Ultra 3. The new device introduces satellite communications, expanded health monitoring capabilities, and significant improvements to display technology and battery life, all designed to support users across various activities, from extreme sports to everyday health management.
What Display Technology Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 Use?
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 showcases Apple’s largest display ever incorporated into an Apple Watch, utilizing advanced LTPO3 and wide-angle OLED technology. LTPO3 display technology enables 24% thinner borders around the screen, increasing the active display area without changing the overall case size.
The wide-angle OLED display optimizes each pixel to emit more light at wider viewing angles for improved visibility. Additionally, the display now features a 1Hz always-on refresh rate, allowing users to see a ticking seconds hand without raising their wrist—an improvement from the previous once-per-minute refresh rate.
How Long Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 Battery Last?
The device offers up to 42 hours of daily use. In Low Power Mode, this extends to 72 hours of battery life. For outdoor workout tracking specifically, the watch provides 20 hours of battery life in Low Power Mode while maintaining full GPS and heart rate monitoring.
The enhanced battery performance results from the power efficiency of the LTPO3 display, 5G modem optimization, and a larger battery. Fast charging capabilities allow 15 minutes of charging to provide up to 12 hours of battery life.
What Satellite Communication Features Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 Include?
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 introduces built-in two-way satellite communications, enabling users to stay connected when cellular or Wi-Fi coverage is unavailable. Users can text emergency services, message friends and family, and share their location while off the grid.
Emergency SOS via satellite allows users to contact emergency services and notify emergency contacts with simple taps. If the device detects a severe car crash or hard fall while the user is unresponsive and off the grid, it can automatically send situation and location information to emergency services and contacts when satellites are in line of sight.
Find My via satellite enables users to send their location every 15 minutes to previously added contacts. Messages via satellite supports sending and receiving texts, emoji, and Tapbacks to friends and family, maintaining end-to-end encryption. The system can communicate with satellites up to 800 miles above Earth traveling at 15,000 mph.
What Health Monitoring Capabilities Are New in the Apple Watch Ultra 3?
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 introduces hypertension notifications, representing a significant advancement in cardiovascular health monitoring. This feature can alert users if signs of chronic high blood pressure are detected, addressing a condition that affects approximately 1.3 billion adults globally and is frequently undiagnosed.
The hypertension notification system uses data from the optical heart sensor to analyze blood vessel responses to heartbeats. The algorithm reviews data over 30-day periods and notifies users when it detects consistent signs of hypertension. The feature was developed using machine learning and training data from studies involving over 100,000 participants, with validation conducted on more than 2,000 participants.
Sleep score functionality provides users with insights into sleep quality by tracking duration, bedtime consistency, wake frequency, and time spent in each sleep stage. The feature assigns transparent metrics for overall sleep quality and provides recommendations for improvement.
What Fitness Features Does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 Offer?
The Ultra 3 incorporates Workout Buddy, a fitness experience powered by Apple Intelligence that analyzes workout data and fitness history to deliver personalized spoken motivation. The system considers heart rate, pace, distance, Activity rings, and personal fitness milestones to provide real-time encouragement during workouts.
The device maintains its position as a comprehensive sports watch with the most accurate GPS available in sports watches, according to Apple’s testing. Advanced running metrics include vertical oscillation, ground contact time, and stride length. Cyclists can connect Bluetooth-enabled power meters and accessories for enhanced metrics including cadence and Power Zones.
Swimming capabilities include automatic stroke detection, lap counting, and SWOLF scoring. The device maintains its WR100 certification for water resistance. For outdoor activities, offline maps provide turn-by-turn directions, while the Compass app offers Waypoints and Backtrack GPS functionality.
What 5G and Connectivity Options Are Available on the Apple Watch Ultra 3?
The device supports 5G cellular capabilities, providing improved performance with greater throughput for faster downloads of music, podcasts, and apps. The device uses an advanced algorithm that simultaneously engages two system antennas when needed to boost reception in areas with weak coverage.
With this, users can make calls, send messages, and access emergency services without their iPhone nearby.
What Is the Apple Watch Ultra 3 Price in the Philippines?
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is priced at PHP 54,990 if you get the Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, and Ocean Band, and PHP 60,990 if you want the Titanium Milanese Loop. The device will be available in natural and black titanium finishes.
For more information, visit Apple PH’s official website.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
