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The Apple Watch Ultra 3 came out in September 2025, and a year later Apple replaced it with the Ultra 4. If you’re thinking of buying one, checking whether a used watch is really an Ultra 3, or just settling a debate, here are the exact dates, the launch price, what changed from the Ultra 2, and how it compares with the newer model.
Short answer: Apple announced the Apple Watch Ultra 3 on September 9, 2025, opened pre-orders the same day, and released it in stores on September 19, 2025, at $799. Its successor, the Apple Watch Ultra 4, was announced on September 9, 2026 and went on sale on September 18, 2026, also at $799.
Applies to: Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) and Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026), US launch dates and prices. Checked October 2026.
Apple Watch Ultra release dates at a glance
| Model | Announced | In stores | Launch price (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Ultra (1st gen) | September 7, 2022 | September 23, 2022 | $799 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | September 12, 2023 | September 22, 2023 | $799 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | September 9, 2025 | September 19, 2025 | $799 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | September 9, 2026 | September 18, 2026 | $799 |
There was no new Ultra in 2024; Apple added a black titanium color to the Ultra 2 that year instead.
What was new in the Apple Watch Ultra 3
- Bigger, brighter screen. A wide-angle OLED display with thinner bezels (about 24% smaller), the largest screen of any Apple Watch at the time, and up to 3,000 nits of brightness.
- Satellite messaging. Two-way texts and Emergency SOS over satellite when there’s no cellular or Wi-Fi signal.
- 5G cellular, up from 4G LTE.
- Longer battery life: up to 42 hours, or 72 hours in Low Power Mode (the Ultra 2 was rated at 36 hours).
- Hypertension notifications that look for signs of high blood pressure over 30 days, plus a daily Sleep Score.
Ultra 3 vs Ultra 4: should you still buy an Ultra 3?
The Ultra 3 is still an excellent rugged watch, and it gets cheaper on the used and refurbished market now that the Ultra 4 exists. Consider:
- Buy an Ultra 3 if you find one well below $799 and want satellite messaging, 5G and the big screen.
- Buy an Ultra 4 if you want the newest health features and the longest software support; it costs the same $799 new.
- Skip either if you mainly track steps and sleep: a regular Apple Watch costs much less.
How to check if a watch is an Ultra 3
On the watch, open Settings → General → About and look at Model Name. Or on your iPhone, open the Watch app → General → About. The model name appears there, along with the serial number you can check on Apple’s coverage site.
Related guides
- How to restart an Apple Watch
- How to pair an Apple Watch with a new iPhone
- How to remove and change an Apple Watch band
The short version
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 was announced on September 9, 2025 and released on September 19, 2025, at $799. It added a bigger screen, satellite messaging, 5G and 42-hour battery life. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 replaced it on September 18, 2026, at the same $799 price.
Sources
- Tom’s Guide: Apple Watch Ultra 3 announced
- PhoneArena: The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is official
- The Apple Wiki: Apple Watch Ultra 4
- MacRumors: Apple Watch Ultra 4 sees first discount after launch
