Watch Ultra 3: Five key features of Apple's flagship rugged smartwatch

Apple earlier this week launched the new line of Watch Ultra 3, Watch Series 11, SE 3, along with the AirPods Pro 3, iPhone Air 17, and 17 Pro series in Cupertino.

It should be noted that the Watch Ultra 2 was launched three years ago. It was supposed to get a successor in 2024, but it never materialised. Now, after the long wait, Apple's new rugged smartwatch is coming with big upgrades in terms of health tracking, larger functional display, improved cellular connectivity, longer battery life and more.

Apple Watch Ultra 3: Five standout features of the Apple smart watch

Big display: Though the dimensions of the Watch Ultra 3 are the same as the predecessor, the bezels have been trimmed (24 per cent thinner) to make more room for the functional display. It sports an LTPO3 wide-angle OLED with 422x514p resolution and 3000 nits peak brightness. It comes with a display area of 1,245 mm² compared to 1,185 mm² on Watch Ultra 2 (410x502p).

It is protected by a Ceramic shield and a sapphire crystal back. The device comes with IP6X rating. It is MIL-STD-810H certified, a testing standard used to grade military equipment and other similar rugged gadgets. The testing includes Low Pressure (Altitude), High Temperature, Low Temperature, Temperature Shock, Contamination by Fluids, Rain, Humidity, Immersion, Sand and Dust, Freeze/Thaw, Ice/Freezing Rain, Shock, Vibration, and more. Apple says the new Watch Ultra can work in extreme weather conditions ranging from -4-degree celsius to 55-degree Celsius.

Apple Watch Ultra 3.

It is certified to WR100. Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also certified to EN 13319. It can sustain water pressure up to 100 metres depth.

Connectivity: Watch Ultra 3 (& Watch Series 11) supports 5G cellular and SOS satellite connectivity, a first for an Apple smart wearable to date.

The Watch Ultra 3 boasts built-in, two-way satellite communications, so users can feel safer and more connected when they are in remote locations and have trouble getting a phone network signal or Wi-Fi.

Apple Watch Ultra 3.

With Find My via satellite, users can send their location once every 15 minutes to contacts previously added to Find My. In addition, with Messages via satellite, users can send and receive texts, emoji, and Tapbacks to friends and family — including anyone they’ve been in touch with over the last 30 days — while keeping the messages end-to-end encrypted. Users can also send SMS messages via satellite.

Hypertension detector: Hypertension is one of the deadliest silent killers, as the symptoms usually go unnoticed until it's too late. Hypertension is said to be the leading cause of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease, and reportedly impacts approximately 1.3 billion adults globally.

The Watch Ultra 3's optical heart sensors and propreitary Apple Health algorithm will detect possible signs of chronic high blood pressure will alert users to medical aid.

The Watch Series 11 supports hypertension detection.

Apple says that the Hypertension notification feature was developed with advanced machine learning and training data from multiple studies, totalling over 100,000 participants. Its performance was then validated in a clinical study of over 2,000 participants.

If users receive a hypertension notification, it is recommended that they log their blood pressure for seven days using a third-party blood pressure cuff and share the results with their provider at their next visit, which is consistent with the latest American Heart Association guidelines for the diagnosis and management of hypertension.

Apple is awaiting approval from the FDA and other regulators. The hypertension notification feature will be available in more than 150 countries and regions — including the US and the EU — this month. Hypertension notifications will be available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, with the watchOS 26 update.

Sleep Score: Quality sleep is important for not just physical fitness but also mental wellness.

Sleep score is a new feature that can help Apple Watch users understand the quality of their sleep and how to make it more restorative.

During sleep, the body will be able to regulate neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, which are linked to a human's emotional stability and happiness.

With Sleep score, Apple Watch Ultra 3 will track the user's sleep pattern, such as deep sleep, REM (Rapid Eye Movements), awake time on the bed to offer insights on the quality of sleep and how the user can improve them for better health.

Apple says that more than five million nights of sleep data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study were used to develop and test the scoring algorithms.

After each night, the sleep score will provide an overall score and classification in the Sleep app on Apple Watch. It will also offer a clear breakdown of the most critical components, so users know what to prioritise to improve their sleep.

Longer battery life and faster charging speed: Apple Watch Ultra 3 features up to 42 hours, three hours longer than the predecessor.

In Low Power Mode, it can offer up to 72 hours of battery life. For continuous outdoor workout tracking, Apple Watch Ultra 3 now gets 20 hours of battery life in Low Power Mode with full GPS and heart rate readings.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 series.

It also supports fast charging. With just 15 minutes of charging, it can provide up to 12 hours of battery life.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available in natural or black titanium for Rs 89,900. It can now be pre-ordered and is slated to hit stores on September 19 in India.

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