The Apple Watch Ultra 3 Is Back to Being the Best Smartwatch

This yr, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 regains its identification as the most important, baddest smartwatch that Apple affords. It’s nonetheless a advantageous selection for individuals who need probably the most battery life, however it’s again to being the one selection that motivated runners and athletes needs to be taking a look at.

8/10

Model

Apple

Coronary heart Charge Monitor

Sure

Shade Display

Sure

Notification Help

Sure

The Apple Watch Extremely 3 affords a brand new satellite tv for pc characteristic, which makes updating family and friends simpler.
 

Execs & Cons

• Added 5G and satellite tv for pc connectivity
• Greater and higher trying display screen
• Finest battery lifetime of any Apple Watch

• Total modifications are minimal
• Software program at launch has been buggy

Value and Availability

The Apple Watch Extremely 3 is available in a single 49mm measurement and begins at $799. You get a selection between pure and black titanium for colours. All Extremely 3 watches have mobile connectivity inbuilt.

Small Design Tweaks Are Welcome, However Not Defining

Credit score: Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek

For the final yr, the Collection 10 has had the biggest Apple Watch show and probably the most superior display screen. That meant selecting certainly one of Apple’s watches was a bit of tough for the final 12 months should you needed the most effective one accessible.

This yr, nonetheless, the Extremely 3 has regained the title of the biggest display screen and matches the Collection 11 with an LTPO3 OLED. The Extremely 3 can slide between 1 nit of brightness and three,000 nits. It could additionally show a second hand whereas the face is inactive.

It’s laborious to name these updates to the Extremely 3 defining, however they’re welcome. For anybody who desires to purchase an Extremely 3, it makes the choice simpler.

Have I seen the few additional pixels that the Extremely 3 affords over previous fashions? Nope, not likely. Is the brighter viewing angle a game-changer? No. Nevertheless, all of these items collectively do make the Extremely 3 very nice to make use of all through the day. Whether or not I am out working or simply being out within the sunshine, the display screen is vibrant and straightforward to learn.

On the colour entrance, I selected black titanium. It isn’t stark black in most lighting circumstances, however it does not look grey to my eyes. It definitely may have been darker, although. In my preliminary use, I’ve but to see it scratch or discolor in any method. I do discover extra gunk on it, like dried chlorine from being within the pool, or sweat residue after working, however all of that wipes off advantageous.

Connectivity Has Been Upgraded, However Is It a Promoting Level?

Credit score: Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek

One other notable characteristic of the Extremely 3 is its up to date connectivity. This consists of 5G mobile and satellite tv for pc. The three areas lined by satellite tv for pc are Emergency SOS, Discover My, and Message. To make use of Discover My and Messages through satellite tv for pc, you want a mobile plan, which is probably going in place to maintain folks from abusing or overusing satellite tv for pc connectivity in non-emergency conditions.

I’ve had to make use of satellite tv for pc messages on my iPhone earlier than (in an emergency scenario), so I’m glad it’s now a part of the Apple Watch Extremely 3. I hope I by no means have to make use of it, although.

The 5G mobile improve will in all probability be much less noticeable, even whether it is nonetheless a welcome addition. I run each day and I depart my iPhone at dwelling, so this can be a characteristic I’m enthusiastic about. I’ve had dropouts and a weak sign with my LTE watches earlier than. This may take some long-term testing to essentially touch upon, as I’ve but to totally expertise the 5G advantages.

Except the reception in your space is poor, I don’t assume the 5G mobile connection is price upgrading for. It is a good bonus, however not going a defining characteristic for the typical individual.

This Is the Apple Watch For Athletes

When the Apple Watch Extremely first debuted, I purchased it as a result of it was a novelty. I did not notice what number of tiny advantages for my each day working that I might discover in its design. Once I went to the Series 10 last year, I ended up lacking the flat display screen of the Extremely. It is simply more durable to faucet on-screen buttons with a curved display screen whereas working. I may make do with the Collection 10 battery life, however the Extremely 3 is significantly better.

Anybody who depends on their smartwatch for health monitoring various occasions per week ought to at the least take into account the Extremely 3. It has all of the small options that enable it to trace exercises in addition to potential. It hasn’t taken me lengthy to understand the Extremely 3’s health skills.

The Extremely 3 Comes with watchOS 26

Credit score: Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek

As you’d count on, the Extremely 3 comes with Apple’s newest smartwatch software program. Whereas the working system designed in your wrist is an in depth member of the family of iOS 26, it isn’t an actual mirror.

The Liquid Glass interface reveals up totally on the notification space and the numberpad when the watch is locked. Notifications will be an eyesore, however fortunately, the remainder of the interface is simple to see.

There’s no unique software program tied to the Apple Watch Extremely 3. Which means you don’t want to purchase new {hardware} to get any watch face, AI, or well being options. Hypertension detection and Sleep Rating can be utilized on earlier units.

Thus far, I’ve seen lagging and unresponsive apps. At occasions, urgent the Motion button to start out a exercise is delayed. I’ve tried to dismiss a display screen and return to the watch face with no luck. This stuff aren’t {hardware} deal-breakers, however normal enhancements are wanted to deliver watchOS 26 as much as scratch. Updates will come, however each time I see a glitch, I am barely bummed out.

Battery Life Is Predictably Lengthy

Improved battery life is an actual, noticeable characteristic of this yr’s iPhone 17 Pro. It’s additionally a touted characteristic of the Extremely 3. Within the case of the wearable, I didn’t see the elevated utilization time as prominently as I did on the telephone.

Final yr’s Extremely 2 received a claimed 36 hours of use. Apple says the Extremely 3 will get 42 hours. I put the watch by means of a number of longer runs, indoor rowing periods, tons of notifications, and different duties, and ended the day with concerning the quantity of battery life I anticipated. Nevertheless, I haven’t been blown away.

The battery life is implausible. It’s simply not method higher than it was earlier than. There have been modifications in how Apple measures its battery life, together with counting sleep monitoring, which can account for the up to date quantity determine.

All of that’s okay, as a result of the Extremely 3 didn’t essentially have to get longer battery life. You possibly can nonetheless just about stress it in each method potential, and it ought to get you thru at the least a full 24 hours.

Ought to You Purchase the Apple Watch Extremely 3?

Credit score: Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is well the most effective Apple Watch selection for athletes. Even should you don’t take into account your self an athlete, should you’re somebody who runs or works out greater than three days per week, I might argue that you simply’re the kind of one who will profit from the Extremely over a Collection mannequin.

The Collection 11 ought to have sufficient battery life for most individuals, however not sufficient to fully neglect about it. The Extremely 3 is a ‘neglect about it’ kind of gadget. It really works as marketed and at last has all of the top-end display screen options that make it worthy of paying prime greenback for.

Non-athletes who simply desire a massive watch can nonetheless profit from the Extremely 3, however, if that is you, you would possibly choose to avoid wasting cash with a Collection 11.

8/10

Model

Apple

Coronary heart Charge Monitor

Sure

Shade Display

Sure

Notification Help

Sure