96
TechRadarT2Sep 16, 2025
“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.”
By Matt Evans and Jacob Krol · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Watch
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple · From $799
Release date Sep 19, 2025
87
Critical Gold
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
10 with a published score, 5 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Jun 4, 2026
7 Rave8 Positive
Critics' Take
Critics call the Ultra 3 the best Apple Watch for outdoor use and the best all-round smartwatch for iPhone owners. The larger, brighter display, longer battery life, 5G and satellite messaging draw praise, and OutdoorGearLab and Tom's Guide gave it their top awards. Several reviewers also call it a small step up from the Ultra 2 and point to the $799 price and the bulk.
What critics loved
- Largest, brightest Apple Watch display, up to 3000 nits
- Up to 42 hours of battery, 72 in Low Power Mode
- Satellite SOS and messaging plus 5G
- Rugged titanium build and reliable GPS tracking
Common gripes
- Small upgrade over the Ultra 2
- Expensive at $799
- Big and heavy, especially on thin wrists
- Battery and training tools trail Garmin
- Works only with iPhone
Critic Scorecard
15 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:T1100%T275%T340%T420%
96
Tom's GuideT2★ Editors' ChoiceSep 16, 2025
“With the brightest display of any Apple Watch, new health tools like hypertension alerts, and all the safety features Apple is known for, it’s the ultimate wearable for those who want the very best.”
By Kate Kozuch · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
MacworldT2Oct 30, 2025
“It’s not cheap, but the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is worth considering for its mighty battery alone.”
Review originally published by sister site Macwelt and translated from German.
By Halyna Kubiv · Rated 4.5/5Full review
94
Digital TrendsT2★ Editors' ChoiceOct 3, 2025
“If you can handle the larger size, this is the best Apple Watch ever made.”
Digital Trends shows an Editors Choice badge but no numeric score on the page; score is an estimate.
By Nirave Gondhia · Unrated, scored from textFull review
93
Trusted ReviewsT2Jun 4, 2026
“The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is Apple’s most complete smartwatch, pairing its biggest, brightest screen yet with useful safety features such as Emergency SOS via satellite.”
Long-term update of the review, retested after a year of use.
By Max Parker · Rated 4.5/5Full review
92
9to5MacT2Sep 16, 2025
“Apple Watch Ultra 3 is an impressive update to an already established Apple Watch line.”
Unrated; joint review of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 after several days of testing. Score estimated from the Ultra 3 conclusion.
By Zac Hall · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Show 9 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
86
OutdoorGearLabT3★ Editors' ChoiceNov 18, 2025
“With its titanium build, improved signal strength, and expanded off-grid features, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 builds upon its predecessor while maintaining its status as the best adventure smartwatch available.”
By Matthew Richardson · Rated 85/100Full review
84
CNETT1Sep 23, 2025
“With its two-day battery life and satellite-powered safety features, Apple's rugged new smartwatch is built for sensible thrill seekers who still want convenience.”
Page is labeled Review; CNET shows no numeric score, so score is an estimate of the verdict.
By Vanessa Hand Orellana · Unrated, scored from textFull review
84
Trail and KaleT4May 4, 2026
“The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is, in my view, the best all-round smartwatch you can buy if you’re already in the iPhone ecosystem and you live an active life.”
Unrated; score estimated from the written verdict.
By Alastair Dixon · Unrated, scored from textFull review
81
PCMagT2Sep 18, 2025
“The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is even more well-connected than its predecessor, with a 5G modem and satellite support, bringing extra peace of mind to its target audience of outdoor enthusiasts.”
Original publish date 2025-09-18 (page later updated). PCMag Editors Choice went to the Series 11, not the Ultra 3.
By Andrew Gebhart · Rated 4/5Full review
81
Tech AdvisorT3Feb 4, 2026
“It’s comfortably one of the best rugged outdoor smartwatches you can buy, but unless you really need its exclusive features – of which there are few – its predecessor will make for a better value purchase.”
By Britta O’Boyle · Rated 4/5Full review
81
The 5K RunnerT4Jan 21, 2026
“BUY if you want better smart features than on any Garmin. SKIP if you plan to do an Ironman.”
Staff review · Rated 88/100Full review
80
T3T3Sep 29, 2025
“So, is the Apple Watch Ultra 3 an essential upgrade? No, it isn’t. It’s brighter and has a longer battery life, and the WatchOS 26 enhancements are also handy.”
Unrated; score estimated from the written verdict after a week of testing.
By Matt Kollat · Unrated, scored from textFull review
75
GizmodoT2Sep 24, 2025
“The Apple Watch Ultra 3 has the most features of any Apple smartwatch, but you may not need to buy it if you want two of its best features.”
By Raymond Wong · Rated 4/5Full review
75
Pocket-lintT3Oct 10, 2025
“Over the past few weeks, I've grown to really appreciate the Apple Watch Ultra 3's unique features, mainly its stellar battery life and unique design.”
By Patrick O'Rourke · Rated 4/5Full review
93
Trusted ReviewsT2Jun 4, 2026
“The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is Apple’s most complete smartwatch, pairing its biggest, brightest screen yet with useful safety features such as Emergency SOS via satellite.”
Long-term update of the review, retested after a year of use.
By Max Parker · Rated 4.5/5Full review
84
Trail and KaleT4May 4, 2026
“The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is, in my view, the best all-round smartwatch you can buy if you’re already in the iPhone ecosystem and you live an active life.”
Unrated; score estimated from the written verdict.
By Alastair Dixon · Unrated, scored from textFull review
81
Tech AdvisorT3Feb 4, 2026
“It’s comfortably one of the best rugged outdoor smartwatches you can buy, but unless you really need its exclusive features – of which there are few – its predecessor will make for a better value purchase.”
By Britta O’Boyle · Rated 4/5Full review
81
The 5K RunnerT4Jan 21, 2026
“BUY if you want better smart features than on any Garmin. SKIP if you plan to do an Ironman.”
Staff review · Rated 88/100Full review
86
OutdoorGearLabT3★ Editors' ChoiceNov 18, 2025
“With its titanium build, improved signal strength, and expanded off-grid features, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 builds upon its predecessor while maintaining its status as the best adventure smartwatch available.”
By Matthew Richardson · Rated 85/100Full review
95
MacworldT2Oct 30, 2025
“It’s not cheap, but the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is worth considering for its mighty battery alone.”
Review originally published by sister site Macwelt and translated from German.
By Halyna Kubiv · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Show 9 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
75
Pocket-lintT3Oct 10, 2025
“Over the past few weeks, I've grown to really appreciate the Apple Watch Ultra 3's unique features, mainly its stellar battery life and unique design.”
By Patrick O'Rourke · Rated 4/5Full review
94
Digital TrendsT2★ Editors' ChoiceOct 3, 2025
“If you can handle the larger size, this is the best Apple Watch ever made.”
Digital Trends shows an Editors Choice badge but no numeric score on the page; score is an estimate.
By Nirave Gondhia · Unrated, scored from textFull review
80
T3T3Sep 29, 2025
“So, is the Apple Watch Ultra 3 an essential upgrade? No, it isn’t. It’s brighter and has a longer battery life, and the WatchOS 26 enhancements are also handy.”
Unrated; score estimated from the written verdict after a week of testing.
By Matt Kollat · Unrated, scored from textFull review
75
GizmodoT2Sep 24, 2025
“The Apple Watch Ultra 3 has the most features of any Apple smartwatch, but you may not need to buy it if you want two of its best features.”
By Raymond Wong · Rated 4/5Full review
84
CNETT1Sep 23, 2025
“With its two-day battery life and satellite-powered safety features, Apple's rugged new smartwatch is built for sensible thrill seekers who still want convenience.”
Page is labeled Review; CNET shows no numeric score, so score is an estimate of the verdict.
By Vanessa Hand Orellana · Unrated, scored from textFull review
81
PCMagT2Sep 18, 2025
“The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is even more well-connected than its predecessor, with a 5G modem and satellite support, bringing extra peace of mind to its target audience of outdoor enthusiasts.”
Original publish date 2025-09-18 (page later updated). PCMag Editors Choice went to the Series 11, not the Ultra 3.
By Andrew Gebhart · Rated 4/5Full review
96
TechRadarT2Sep 16, 2025
“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.”
By Matt Evans and Jacob Krol · Rated 4.5/5Full review
96
Tom's GuideT2★ Editors' ChoiceSep 16, 2025
“With the brightest display of any Apple Watch, new health tools like hypertension alerts, and all the safety features Apple is known for, it’s the ultimate wearable for those who want the very best.”
By Kate Kozuch · Rated 4.5/5Full review
92
9to5MacT2Sep 16, 2025
“Apple Watch Ultra 3 is an impressive update to an already established Apple Watch line.”
Unrated; joint review of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 after several days of testing. Score estimated from the Ultra 3 conclusion.
By Zac Hall · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Quick Facts
- Display
- 49mm Always-On wide-angle LTPO3 OLED, up to 3000 nits
- Chip
- S10 with 64GB storage
- Battery life
- Up to 42 hours; up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode
- Connectivity
- GPS, 5G cellular, satellite SOS and messaging
- Case
- Titanium, 49mm by 44mm by 12mm
- Weight
- 63.0 g (natural titanium), 63.1 g (black titanium)
- Water resistance
- 100 meters
- Price
- From $799