After a two-year gap between brand new models, Apple Watch Ultra 3 has arrived. I’ve been using the Ultra 3 for almost a week, and it feels safe to say Apple’s high-end Watch model has reclaimed the ‘Ultra’ name once again.
Living up to the ‘Ultra’ name again
For the past year, differentiation in the Apple Watch hardware lineup has been more complicated than usual.
That’s because the Apple Watch Series 10 had several feature advantages over the latest-generation Apple Watch Ultra.
Those advantages included:
- larger display on the 46mm model
- newer S10 SiP
- LTPO3 display for showing seconds in always-on mode
- wide-angle OLED for better off-angle viewing
Series 10 also came with year-over-year improvements to fast-charging that the Ultra 2 didn’t get.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 still retained many of the core benefits that made it ‘Ultra,’ such as longer battery life, the Action button, and exclusive watch faces.
But in several respects, Apple’s non-Ultra model offered newer, better technology than the Ultra line.
This year with Apple Watch Ultra 3, that oversight has been remedied, and the Ultra is truly ‘Ultra’ once again.
Three standout Apple Watch Ultra 3 improvements so far
I’ve been using Apple Watch Ultra 3 for nearly a week. In that time, some of my favorite new features have included:
- LTPO3 enables seeing seconds in always-on mode
- larger display with smaller bezels than before
- faster charging
There are plenty of other benefits I’ve enjoyed with the Ultra 3. But these are some early standouts.
My current watch face of choice is Modular Ultra, and I absolutely love how the face can show seconds around its perimeter. Especially now that those seconds are visible all the time, even in always-on mode.
For many users, seeing the current seconds is probably not an important feature. But I tend to be very clock-driven and precise in my schedule, so I’ve always found seconds a valuable data point to keep in mind.
Getting to see the seconds with just a casual glance at my wrist, without needing to wake the Ultra 3, has been a fantastic addition. And while Series 10 and 11 can show seconds in always-on mode too, none of their watch faces match Modular Ultra for me.
The Ultra 3’s larger display is key here too. Every time I look at the seconds ticking around the watch face’s border, I’m reminded of the thinner bezels that enabled a more modern design.
It’s not that the Ultra 3’s larger screen makes a huge practical difference, since it’s not actually that much bigger than before. But it does look and feel bigger than my old Series 10.
Finally, improved fast charging on Ultra 3 has been great too. I typically charge in the evenings so I can wear my watch as I sleep. Unless you’re charging overnight, any gains in the area of fast charging can make a big difference.
These are just a few ways I’ve been enjoying the Ultra 3. Obviously, battery life has been a winner too. I haven’t tested 5G or satellite connectivity yet, but those are nice-to-haves.
Overall, I’ve been very happy moving from Apple Watch Series 10 to an Apple Watch Ultra 3. And I’m glad that Apple’s ‘Ultra’ line once again properly lives up to its name.
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