Apple Releases New Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3

ace · September 10, 2025, 2:26am

Originally published at: Apple Releases New Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 - TidBITS

At its September 2025 event, Apple unveiled three new Apple Watch models that emphasize health monitoring, durability, and connectivity. The cellular-capable models all now feature 5G cellular capabilities, while the flagship Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 introduce hypertension detection and sleep quality measurements. The Ultra 3 can also communicate with satellites, and the Apple Watch SE 3 adds several features previously missing from the SE line.

The new lineup maintains Apple’s familiar pricing structure, with the Apple Watch SE 3 starting at $249 (cellular adds $50), Apple Watch Series 11 at $399 (cellular adds $100), and Apple Watch Ultra 3 at $799 (including cellular). All models can be pre-ordered today and will be available beginning 19 September 2025.

Apple Watch Series 11

The Apple Watch Series 11 retains the design of last year’s Apple Watch Series 10 while adding a new ceramic coating to improve scratch resistance. A more noticeable change is 5G connectivity in the cellular models, which should provide better performance with reduced battery drain. Apple also touts improved battery life of up to 24 hours.

Apple highlighted two prominent health-related features: hypertension detection and a sleep score. The hypertension detection uses optical heart sensor data to identify patterns associated with high blood pressure, and Apple expects to notify over one million people with undiagnosed hypertension in the first year alone. The sleep score builds on the existing sleep monitoring in the Apple Watch to analyze sleep quality based on multiple factors, including duration, consistency, and sleep stages.

Neither feature is unique to this year’s models, with the hypertension feature working back to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the sleep score is available on the Apple Watch Series 6 or later, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) or later, and all Apple Watch Ultra models. Upgrade to watchOS 26 to get these features on supported watches.

The Apple Watch Series 11 is available in aluminum (jet black, silver, rose gold, and space gray) and titanium (natural, gold, and slate) finishes, all made from 100% recycled materials.

Apple Watch SE 3

You can evaluate the Apple Watch SE 3 in two ways: how it differs from the standard Apple Watch models and what improvements it offers over the previous SE generation.

Despite sharing the S10 chip and many new features with the Apple Watch Series 11, the Apple Watch SE 3 still lacks several premium capabilities. There’s no ECG app or blood oxygen monitoring, no hypertension detection, and it uses a standard optical heart sensor rather than the Series 11’s more advanced electrical and optical sensor combination. The SE 3’s display, while now always-on, is smaller and less bright than the Series 11’s. The SE 3 also has shorter battery life (18 vs 24 hours) and comes in fewer colors, with just midnight and starlight aluminum options.

Compared to the Apple Watch SE 2, however, the Apple Watch SE 3 brings significant improvements. The addition of an always-on display addresses one of the most significant limitations of previous SE models. The new S10 chip enables features like the double-tap and wrist flick gestures, plus on-device Siri processing. It offers sleep apnea notifications, and the addition of temperature sensing enables cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates. Fast charging and the ability to play media through the built-in speaker round out the major upgrades, along with 5G cellular capabilities for better connectivity.

Apple Watch Ultra 3

While last year’s Apple Watch Ultra 2 only added a new color option, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 brings several meaningful improvements to Apple’s adventure-focused design.

The most technologically impressive change is support for Messages, Find My, and Emergency SOS via satellite, much like the iPhone 14 and later. It’s astonishing enough to communicate with a satellite from an iPhone, but from a watch? There are some limitations: all Apple Watch Ultra models are cellular-capable, but to use Messages and Find My, even via satellite, you’ll need a cellular plan. (Emergency SOS does not require a plan, though Apple says it might not work on all cellular networks.) Plus, to send and receive SMS/MMs messages, the paired iPhone must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or cellular, though it doesn’t need to be nearby.

Apple also increased the size of the display, relying on thinner borders to keep the case size the same. It’s also brighter and more visible from off-axis viewing angles. The always-on display can now update once per second rather than once per minute, enabling a ticking seconds hand, with numerous watch faces taking advantage of this update. Despite the faster screen refresh rate, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 now boasts up to 42 hours of battery life, 20 hours of continuous outdoor tracking (GPS plus heart rate) in Low Power Mode, and up to 72 hours of general use in Low Power Mode.

Upgrade Considerations

For current Apple Watch users, the decision to upgrade depends on which model you currently own and what features matter most to you. Most people with an Apple Watch Series 9 or Series 10 won’t see enough of an improvement to bother upgrading to a Series 11. (My Series 9 has no limitations that would encourage me to upgrade, for instance.) Apple Watch Ultra owners may be in the same boat, although Ultra 3’s satellite connectivity could be appealing to those who frequently spend time in the wilderness.

However, if you have a significantly older Apple Watch, particularly one with a weak battery, it’s a fine time to upgrade. The decision comes down to the Apple Watch SE 3 or the Apple Watch Series 11. While you won’t go wrong with a Series 11, if you aren’t interested in the ECG app, blood oxygen monitoring, or hypertension detection, the SE 3 might be a good way to save $150 without compromising on key features.

ddmiller · September 10, 2025, 2:45am

This Ultra owner pre-ordered the Ultra 3, partly for the added features (1 hz refresh display, wrist flick to dismiss notifications, double-tap, sleep apnea detection - I don’t think I have it, but it’s nice to know if I do - and satellite connectivity - I used it once with my iPhone this summer, and it would have been much easier to use my watch if I could have). But mostly because my battery max capacity is at 88% and I have to top up the charge a couple of times most days.

trilo · September 10, 2025, 5:16am

I’ve pre-ordered an Ultra 3 - an upgrade from my Series 6 which isn’t working properly. I’m not sure if I’ll be happy with the larger size, but as I sometimes go off-grid I’m hoping the new satellite features will offer some peace of mind. If I don’t like the size I’ll return it within 14 days and get a Series 11.

tommy · September 10, 2025, 10:57am

I have a series 10 and am off the upgrades accordingly… but the Ultra always beckons to me!

ace · September 12, 2025, 2:03pm

And the FDA has now approved those hypertension notifications.

romad · September 16, 2025, 3:27am

I have a Series 5 that works just fine, however I picked up a Series 10 a few months ago before a large sales tax hike in my city. It’ll be the replacement when the 5 dies.

jschenck · September 16, 2025, 7:54pm

So I have an Ultra 1 & a Watch 6. I"ve preordered the Ultra 3. Love my Ultra 1 (battery still has 90%) & will keep it for backup. The trade-in price isn’t worth it for me and my Apple 6 still works fine but isn’t worth doing a new battery The Ultra 1 still works great, but want the improvements from Ultra 1 to 3.

trilo · September 16, 2025, 10:46pm

My feelings exactly. Apple only offered $40 trade on my Series 6 so I’ll keep it for when I’m working on the car or doing other things where it might get bashed about. The Ultra 3 will become my normal watch, and my Tag remains a dress watch.

neil1 · September 17, 2025, 3:17pm

O started with a 5 and upgraded to 9 when it was released. Wear the 5 to bed for sleep tracking and for bike rides…but its battery is getting weak. I could turn off always on display on it but don’t like that much…so I think I’m going for an Ultra 3 and demote the 9 to night and bike ride use. I could easily get by with just keeping the 5…but we are retired and well enough off that the cost is pretty insignificant to making the decision.

trilo · September 19, 2025, 8:44am

Well, the Ultra 3 arrived today — and it’s being returned tomorrow.

It’s just too big and chunky for my liking; not the svelte, stylish case of the smaller models. It’s disappointing as I’d really like the satellite messaging but I already own a Garmin PLB so I’ll just keep carrying that when I’m out the back of nowhere.

One thing I must say, Apple’s packaging is just beautiful. From the blade free opening strips to the folding tabs which keep it all closed, it’s a very aesthetic, almost ASMR, user experience.

ddmiller · September 19, 2025, 12:21pm

As an Ultra owner for three years, and one with a 155mm wrist, I understand that first impression - but, I got accustomed to the size fast, and the battery life, compared with the other Apple Watch models, is the minimum for what I’d want as someone who wears it all the time. I don’t understand why Apple hasn’t done more to make all Apple Watches have at least enough battery to make it to 50% after 24 hours minimum.

My Ultra 3 is coming today.

trilo · September 19, 2025, 8:42pm

I considered this but honestly find it a bit too… ‘industrial’, compared to the smaller watches. It’s not a design I’d ever love. It looks odd on my wrist and I doubt I’d ever get used to it. Many like them so I may be the outlier.

trilo · September 20, 2025, 8:50am

Today I went through the painless process of swapping the Ultra 3 for a Series 11 watch. 10 minutes in total.

I have however, found a strange problem. When I have my arm down, then raise it, it takes a couple of seconds for the watch face to wake up and display the numerals (when ‘sleeping’ it shows as simple lines). Coming from a series 6 to series 11 I imagined it would be faster, not slower.

I turned OFF ‘Always On’ and now the watch displays the numerals correctly when my arm is raised. Unfortunately, sometimes it doesn’t wake with this movement. I’ve not seen this on any other watch I’d have so don’t know if it’s a watch issue or an os26 issue. First world problem but a tad annoying.

ddmiller · September 22, 2025, 10:09pm

My new Ultra 3 arrived Friday night, but I had plans then, and most of Saturday, so I wasn’t able to activate it, and upgrade from my Ultra, until late Saturday night. So after a few days of use:

I bought the same light titanium as the original Ultra. The watch looks exactly the same. Even the lettering on the ceramic portion of the back, which circles the sensor bump, is exactly the same - it calls the watch an Ultra, not an Ultra 3. (The exact wording, reading from the top and going clockwise, is, “WATCH ULTRA • 49MM TITANIUM & CERAMIC CASE • SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL • GPS • CELLULAR • WR-100M • DIVE 40M •”. Nothing about satellite connectivity, either.) The orange action button is the same color orange, the buttons otherwise look exactly the same. I’ve read somewhere that the metal bezel around the screen is slightly smaller - but I cannot tell a difference.

Switching from the Ultra to the Ultra 3 with the Watch app on my iPhone went pretty smoothly. I did get interrupted to transfer my cellular plan from the old watch to the new one, which took me to Verizon’s web site, and it didn’t seem to activate the first time. But I think the activation just took too long and it timed out before I could set up WiFi calling, because once I did that (I had to change my 911/emergency services address because Verizon didn’t like the 9 digit zip code that was there already), the cellular activation was successful. I did have a couple of watch faces that had blank spots where complications should have been, plus I needed to launch some of the stock apps to verify some privacy settings (Weather and always-tracking location, for example); I was surprised that those settings weren’t simply transferred from the old watch.

Just a quick note that there is a watchOS 26.0.1 upgrade for only the Ultra 3 which fixes a few minor issues; I upgraded that on Saturday night as well.

As I’ve done since a few weeks after my first Apple Watch in 2017, I’ve worn it for sleep tracking each of the last two nights. (It wasn’t officially supported until 2020, but thid-party apps like AutoSleep allowed it at first.) Unlike my experience with the Ultra, these first two nights I have not had blood oxygen readings show up in the Sleep section or the Vitals section in the Health app, and for the first time since 2020 I haven’t had body temperature tracked, either. After the recent watchOS 11 and iOS 18 updates that added blood oxygen to the Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 US watches that were unable to support it, I remembered reading that the blood oxygen feature didn’t start working for some people until after an EKG reading was done, so I did one last night, and then verified that the blood oxygen features worked and showed up in the Health app. Still, there was still no background reading done last night, either.

My Ultra’s battery health was down to 88%, so the new watch’s new battery is the most noticeable change so far. After tracking sleep with a fully-charged battery the last few months, I would generally wake up with the Ultra charged to about 87%. I generally do my daily workouts in the morning about an hour after I wake up, and my workout on Saturday was an 80 minute easy run; when the run was finished, the battery on my Ultra was at 55%, which is pretty typical behavior the last year. On Sunday, I woke up to a Ultra 3 charged to 99% - so it lost only 1% while sleep tracking - and I did a two hour and thirty-five minute long run, and came home with the battery charged to 78%. I saw similar values today - I woke up with the watch at 98% charge, and after a 70 minute easy run, 8 minute strength training session, and 10 minute Fitness+ yoga workout, my watch was at 82%. Based on this, and based on how the Ultra fared after three years, I suspect that I will be upgrading to the next Ultra-equivalent Apple Watch in three years again. When I first bought the Ultra, I hoped it would last four years, but the battery just didn’t last as long as I hoped. I was pleasantly surprised, though, that my trade-in offer for the Ultra from Apple is a higher-than-expected $255, so that helps a little.

Otherwise, like the physical appearance, there isn’t too much different about the Ultra 3 from the Ultra, but there are a few things that I like, and have noticed so far:

Double-tap and wrist-flick gesture support. The Ultra supported a rudimentary double-tap gesture, but nothing like this feature that was first offered on the Series 9 ad Ultra 2 in 2023, and the wrist-flick support was added this year with watchOS 26. Basically I have used wrist-flick to dismiss timers - there have been times the pst few years when timers have continued going off on my wrist because I wasn’t able to tap the close control with my other hand, and now I can dismiss with just a flick of the wrist. Just as an example of these gestures, one thing I can do with these gestures is to use double-tap to open the smart stack when I am looking at my watch face and continue to double-tap to scroll through the stack, and then wrist-flick to dismiss the Smart Stack and return to the watch face. With the Ultra I would have needed to either swipe-up from the bottom or scroll the Digital Crown to activate and scroll through the stack, and press the crown to return to the watch face. I’ve also used wrist-flick to dismiss notifications after they appear on the watch.
On-device Siri. This is not a huge difference, but there are times when I have only my watch in a weak signal area and have tried to use Siri to start a timer, or to stop a workout, but the Siri command failed because it wasn’t able to reach the server. Now many of these simple commands are supported on the watch hardware itself.
Seconds showing on always-on display dimmed watch faces. Not all watch faces can show seconds - for example, the Photo watch face does not - but now the watch faces that can show seconds will continue to show them when the watch face dims. In the past, the watch face would actually change, with the hours and minutes of digital watch faces actually moving to center the watch face in some cases when the seconds disappeared, and the analog faces changing their appearance quite a bit - watch hands changing colors mostly. I have a few Modular Ultra watch faces which activate when I change to particular focus modes, so I edited all of them to add seconds back - I really disliked it on the Ultra when the watch changed when seconds appeared and then disappeared, so I changed all of them to stop showing seconds altogether - and it’s working great so far.

There are other health-related features that the watch now supports, but these aren’t as important to me. Hypertension alerts is something that I’ve turned on, but my blood pressure has always been normal, so I’m not expecting this to make that much of a difference. It takes thirty days of background readings before this feature is activated, so I won’t know one way or the other for another month. Sleep apnea detection is another that I think us a great addition (though the Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 supported that starting last year, and this year’s Series 11 does as well) but I doubt I will ever get this notification.

Lastly, I am glad that satellite texting and Find My location tracking Is supported, but I doubt that I will ever need to use the texting. I did send one satellite iMessage this past summer with my iPhone 15 Pro, when I was out running - my wife had asked me to text when I was halfway through a long run and it happened when I had no cellular connectivity. But I do occasionally hike in pretty remote locations, and having a second device with me that can do emergency SOS with satellite isn’t a terrible idea.

Supposedly the display can be brighter when the ambient conditions require it, but in three years I never had an issue being able to read the Ultra’s display, so I’m not sure I really needed this all that much either. However, like the Series 10 and Series 11, the new LTPO3 OLED display is supposed to have better visibility when viewing at an angle, and I really have noticed this.

All of that said, I think if I didn’t typically do 70-80 minutes of workout tracking daily, I may have been able to get one more year out of my Ultra - those additional features are really nice to have, but not critically important - and now I also wonder if I could have waited, say, six months before upgrading, just to get a chance to wait until four years from now before I upgrade again. Perhaps that’s what I will do if the battery health of my Ultra 3 follows the pattern that the Ultra followed, and wait until spring 2029 rather than upgrading in autumn 2028.

I do hope that Apple comes up with some dramatic improvements in battery life of the Apple Watch models at some point, whether from new battery technology, and/or using the processor to reduce power drain as the performance of the CPU/GPU and other processors on the SiP improve and the efficiency of network chips and display technology make power use more efficient.

trilo · October 16, 2025, 11:27pm

It’s been a bit over a month since I started using the new Series 11 watch. These few weeks have confirmed my decision to return the Ultra, even the slightly bigger series 11 case feels big to me, and I’m sure I would have regretted keeping the Ultra. If they keep getting bigger, I could see myself buying the smaller case version.

It seems it has to re-learn some of the standard fall detect limitations. I wore my old watch playing vigorous team sports and only rarely had a false positive for a fall, whereas the new watch gave me 6 or 7 false positives on its first use. It has settled down a bit so I imagine it’s learning from its mistakes.

There have been a couple of times it’s shut down during a workout (one in a boxing class wearing gloves) but I figure that’s just bad luck with the glove flicking it off.

One other thing I’ve noticed, if I use the ‘coffee grinder’ exercise machine at the local park, it thinks I’m doing sprint training — despite being stationary. Three 1 minute reps and it thinks I’ve run a kilometre at 3 min k pace (I wish). This suggests the watch totally ignores the GPS and is basing distance purely on my arm movement. This seems like a really poor way to record distances. It means my 6km walk always records as a 7 km walk which is just plain wrong. I do the identical walk without the coffee grinder and it correctly records 6km.