Apple Watch Ultra 3: New Health & Satellite Features Revealed

Apple is anticipated to unveil the third-generation Apple Watch Ultra later this year. A report from 9to5Mac, referencing Bloomberg, indicates that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will bring significant new features aimed at health monitoring and off-grid communication. These enhancements include the ability to detect high blood pressure, satellite messaging, and compatibility with 5G Redcap connectivity.

Aside from a Black Titanium variant, there haven’t been any substantial updates to the Apple Watch Ultra since 2023. Nevertheless, the forthcoming model is expected to introduce a noteworthy transformation. Below are the innovative features that are likely to be introduced with the next generation model:

Apple Watch Ultra 3: New features

High Blood Pressure Detection

As per the report, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will incorporate high blood pressure detection functionality. While this feature won’t provide precise blood pressure measurements, it will alert users if they exhibit signs of hypertension. The device is not designed to show specific diastolic or systolic values but will notify users when unusual blood pressure trends are detected. This feature operates similarly to the current detection of conditions like sleep apnea, offering early alerts instead of comprehensive medical information.

Satellite Messaging

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is set to feature satellite messaging, tailored for outdoor lovers and adventurers. This functionality will enable users to send text messages via satellite when cellular or Wi-Fi signals are unavailable, facilitating communication in remote areas. The device is expected to utilize Globalstar’s satellite network, the same provider Apple has relied on for satellite connectivity in iPhones since the iPhone 14 series was introduced. This marks the first instance of Apple integrating satellite support directly into the Watch.

5G Redcap connectivity

Another exciting feature coming to the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the support for 5G Redcap. This version of 5G is designed to be more energy-efficient, making it perfect for wearable devices. It provides enhanced speed without a significant drain on battery life. This standard aims to fill the gap between full 5G and LTE, replacing the previous 4G LTE connectivity that limited earlier Ultra models.

What more?

Beyond these three features, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also anticipated to come with a faster chip and an improved OLED display, likely in line with the expected Apple Watch Series 10 models.