Apple’s next flagship smartwatch is shaping up to be more than a minor refresh if the latest iOS 26 beta leak is anything to go by.
A new image, discovered by Aaron Perris and shared on X, points to a 422 x 512 display resolution for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 – a subtle, but still meaningful, upgrade from the Ultra 2’s 410 x 502 alternative.
While the difference might sound small on paper, it’s a clear sign that Apple is planning to give its most premium wearable a little more screen real estate – and much more, if rumours are to be believed.
A slightly bigger screen could make all the difference
It’s worth noting that the leak doesn’t explicitly mention the Apple Watch Ultra 3 – but it’s closer in resolution to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 than the Apple Watch Series 10’s 416 x 496 alternative and, as such, makes the most sense.
That could translate to a physically larger screen with a bigger body to match, or Apple managing to slim down the existing screen’s bezels. Either way, that should translate to more room for complications, easier-to-read notifications and a more immersive experience for everything from fitness tracking to maps.
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It could also pave the way for a bigger battery if Apple has made the entire watch larger – something Ultra fans who push their watch to the limit will no doubt appreciate.
Boosted health and connectivity smarts
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 isn’t just rumoured to be getting a little bigger; its health and connectivity capabilities are also said to get upgrades this year.
Health tracking has always been a big focus for Apple, and the Ultra 3 could introduce new sensors like blood pressure monitoring – though this feature has been rumoured for several years without appearing, so take that rumour with a pinch of salt.
It’s also likely that it won’t feature blood oxygen monitoring in the US, given the ongoing patent disputes, though it should still be available for most users in other countries.
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On the connectivity front, the Watch Ultra 3 is said to boast satellite messaging capabilities for the first time, potentially allowing for SOS calls and basic communication when you’re off the grid. It’s not an alien concept – iPhones have been able to do the same for the past few years – and makes a lot of sense for the outdoor-focused Ultra model.
There’s also talk of a custom C1 modem to make these features more efficient, and possibly even 5G support for faster cellular data – though the latter could come at the detriment of battery life.
Familiar, but still upgraded
While a bigger screen and boosted health and connectivity smarts are appreciated, rumours suggest that the Watch Ultra 3 will be a familiar device.
It’s said to sport the same rugged titanium design, sapphire glass and signature orange-ringed Digital Crown, complete with the same Action button and high durability.
Even the band connector is expected to remain unchanged – though this is good news, as it means your existing collection of straps should fit without issue.
Apple is expected to lift the lid on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 alongside the iPhone 17 – including the much-anticipated iPhone 17 Air – at a rumoured event on 9 September, so we don’t have that long to see the next-gen wearable in all its glory.
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