Apple Watch Ultra 3 review: Incremental, but still superb

Price When Reviewed

$799

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When Apple first launched the Watch Ultra back in 2022, it felt like a challenge to the Garmins of the smartwatch world. It was a statement watch – bulky, unapologetic, and designed for people who know what a decompression stop is.

Fast forward to the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and its rugged aesthetic can be found on the wrists of not only divers and hikers, but casual commuters, tradespeople and anyone who wants a smartwatch with a battery that doesn’t die before dinner.

The Watch Ultra 3 arrives with the same design as its predecessors and many of its new software features have also been granted to the Watch Ultra 2.

It’s therefore the definition of an incremental update with Apple focusing on internal refinements like 5G connectivity, Emergency SOS via satellite, a very slightly bigger display and faster charging to differentiate it from its predecessors.

But that’s the thing about the Watch Ultra – it doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel every twelve months to stay relevant. It remains an excellent smartwatch for iPhone users looking for a larger device that lasts a little longer, or who find the standard Series 11 a bit too fragile for their weekend adventures.

Having worn it for the last four months, here’s why the Watch Ultra 3 is a great buy for many people, while some might think twice.

Design & Build

• Titanium build
• 49mm case
• 9.7mm and 62g

You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between this model and the first Watch Ultra unless you looked very hard, mainly because there isn’t really one. But don’t mistake that for a criticism.

It’s a design that works, especially for those looking for a larger, chunkier smartwatch.

Britta O’Boyle

The 49mm case continues to be made out of aerospace-grade titanium, which makes for a very premium finish and one that can survive a little more rough and tumble thanks to its various credentials, with IP6X, EN13319, WR100 and MIL-STD 810H all included.

I’ve testd this smartwatch for four months and there’s not so much as a single scratch or ding on it – and I’ve not been especially careful. The build quality is superb, while the satin-like finish transitions surprisingly well from a muddy stroll to a mid-week meeting.

There are two colour options – Apple added a Black Titanium finish for the Watch Ultra 2, which carries over to this model, and while I have the Natural Titanium finish for my review unit, I prefer the black. That’s a matter of personal preference, of course, but the contrast between the black and the orange of the Action Button on the left of the casing is more striking.

Britta O’Boyle

Speaking of the Action Button, this is one of my favourite features of the Watch Ultra and the feature I miss most whenever I switch to wearing the standard Apple Watch Series 11. It’s programmable, so you can have it open anything from the Workout app (my choice) to a Shortcut, which gives you multiple possibilities.

You can only pick one, however, and that’s my only real complaint about the design. I’d like the option to double or triple-press to allow for more quick actions from that button, which is something I’ve said in the past for iPhone and its Action Button too.

Still, the Watch Ultra 3’s tactile controls are excellent and easier to use with wet, sweaty or gloved hands than the Watch Series 11 controls are. The chunky Digital Crown and side button are surrounded by a rugged guard that means you don’t accidentally knock them, while the gesture controls are handy in all sorts of situations, from a dog walk with a coffee, to running – more on those in a second.

Britta O’Boyle

At 62g, the Watch Ultra 3 is far from light, but I can’t say I ever notice it on my wrist. The curved underside and weight distribution mean it doesn’t feel cumbersome and that’s coming from someone with smaller wrists. I found it comfortable to wear not just during the day and during exercise, but overnight for sleep tracking too.

Overall, the Watch Ultra 3 retains a design that prioritises function without sacrificing flair like the previous Ultra models have done, and in doing that, it remains one of