Apple unveils three new Apple Watch models including satellite-ready Ultra 3

Apple used part of its iPhone 17 launch event on Tuesday to introduce new versions of all three prongs of its Apple Watch range, with a redesigned Apple Watch Ultra 3, tweaked Apple Watch Series 11 and a new Apple Watch SE 3 all taking a bow.

The Apple Watch SE 3 retains the older, thicker design of Watches past but gains a newer, faster chip than before in the S10. That’s great to see, and means all the new Apple Watch models now have the S10 chipset.

It will sell from £219, the same as the last version, but adds an always-on display for the first time in an SE.

The Apple Watch Series 11 is a minor update to the Series 10, which last year got a thinner body and larger screen. The new model takes that but makes the screen even brighter, for apparently better viewing in direct sunlight, and it is supposedly twice as scratch resistant as the Series 10’s screen.

Apple also said the Series 11 gets 24 hours of battery life, the first time in ages the firm has promised longer stamina on its ‘Series’ Watch than the previous version. There’s also the option to get 5G on your wrist, as the Apple Watch upgrades its cellular version from 4G for the first time.

Thanks to watchOS 26, the Series 11 also includes new heart health perks such as hypertension sensing for high blood pressure alerts, and a new sleep score metric that gives you a number out of 100 when you wake up. We’ve seen that before on other wearables from Fitbit and Oura.

The Apple Watch Series 11 starts at £369 for the 42mm model or £399 for the 46mm.

For adventure junkies, Apple introduced the Apple Watch Ultra 3, having not released a new Ultra in 2024 (there was just a black Ultra 2 added to the lineup). The Ultra 3 has a larger screen than both older Ultras, but in the same sized casing, meaning it hasn’t got any chunkier than it already is.

You’ll get 42 hours of battery life with the Ultra 3, and 72 hours in Low Power Mode. That still can’t match the longevity of rival Garmin watches, but it’s the best you’ll get from Apple. The trade-off, which you might prefer, is the plethora of apps and fitness features.

Like the Series 11, the Ultra 3 gets 5G, but on this one it’s on every model with no Bluetooth-only option.

Setting it apart from any other Apple Watch model is its compatibility with satellite text messaging and emergency communications, which before the Ultra 3 had been restricted to iPhones. Apple said it will work if your Watch has a cellular plan connected and if your paired iPhone is powered on and connected to data or Wi-Fi - but it doesn’t have to be on your person.

“Apple Watch Ultra is our most advanced Apple Watch, designed to take users from sports and adventure to the rest of their life, and help them stay active, healthy, connected, and safe, wherever they are,” said Eugene Kim, Apple’s vice president of Apple Watch Hardware Engineering.

“Apple Watch Ultra 3 debuts innovative satellite communications that will offer users more safety and connectivity when they’re off the grid, plus longer battery life, 5G, powerful health insights, and all the advanced fitness features our users love.”

Unfortunately, this clever tech is only for the US, Canada and Mexico for now. Fingers crossed Apple brings it to the UK soon.

All three new Apple Watch models will be available to pre-order on Friday September 12, with an on sale date of Friday September 19.