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In the crowded landscape of smartwatches, Apple's Ultra series has carved out a distinct niche for the intrepid—those scaling mountains, diving deep, or pushing human endurance. The newly released Apple Watch Ultra 3, starting at $799, isn't just an incremental update; it’s a statement on how wearables can evolve to meet extreme demands. Unveiled alongside the more accessible Series 11 and SE 3 at Apple’s September event, the Ultra 3 promises six extra hours of battery life, satellite-based emergency tools, and a suite of health-monitoring capabilities. But after a week of hands-on use, its true value lies in who it serves and why it matters for the future of rugged tech.

Battery Life: The Unmatched Endurance

The standout upgrade is undeniably the 42-hour battery life, powered by Apple’s new S10 chip. In real-world testing, this translated to seamless, multi-day use without the constant anxiety of a dying device. Whether tracking a marathon simulation or navigating a busy workweek, the Ultra 3 consistently outperformed its predecessors, eliminating the need for overnight charging in many scenarios. This isn’t just a convenience—it’s a critical reliability boost for athletes and adventurers who rely on continuous data during prolonged excursions. As ZDNET’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes notes from his field tests, battery longevity is often the deciding factor in extreme environments.

Satellite SOS: A Lifeline Beyond Connectivity

Perhaps the most innovative leap is Emergency SOS via Satellite, designed for situations where cellular networks fail. This feature isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a lifeline. During a demo, the watch guided me through a streamlined questionnaire—assessing scenarios like car crashes or medical emergencies—before connecting to satellites 800 miles above. Users must adjust their position for a clear signal, after which the watch transmits location, medical ID, and incident details to relay centers. Kingsley-Hughes, who has tested this in remote hikes, highlights its potential:

"While it doesn’t yet match dedicated devices like Garmin’s inReach for satellite acquisition speed, the Ultra 3’s integration offers peace of mind as a built-in safety net. It’s a security blanket that could save lives when disasters strike."

Yet, this feature’s infrequent use means it’s secondary to daily drivers like battery life. For developers, it underscores Apple’s push into low-earth-orbit tech, hinting at broader applications for IoT and remote monitoring.

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Design and Health: Power at a Cost

The Ultra 3’s 49mm OLED display with LTPO3 technology delivers stunning clarity and efficiency, making on-wrist messaging and data tracking effortless. Its rugged build—water-resistant to 100m, dust-proof, and shock-tested—excels in workouts, aided by the customizable Action Button for quick exercise starts. Health features shine too, including the FDA-cleared Hypertension Detection, which uses PPG sensors to flag 30-day blood pressure trends (though long-term testing is needed for full validation).

However, the watch’s bulk is a double-edged sword. Sleeping with it proved uncomfortable, disrupting rest despite new Sleep Scores functionality. This makes the sleeker Series 11 or SE 3 better for overnight health tracking—a reminder that wearables must balance capability with wearability.

Who Should Upgrade? The Verdict for Tech Enthusiasts

For Ultra 2 owners, the Ultra 3 isn’t essential unless satellite SOS or the extra battery hours are mission-critical. But for rugged-first users or newcomers to Apple’s high-end wearables, it’s a compelling entry. At $799, it’s an investment in durability and innovation, ideal for those leveraging health analytics like sleep apnea detection or ECG in demanding settings. As wearables evolve, the Ultra 3 sets a benchmark: technology that doesn’t just adapt to our lives but empowers us to defy limits.

Source: Based on testing and analysis by Nina Raemont, Editor for Wearables & Health Tech at ZDNET. Original article: I tried the Apple Watch Ultra 3.