Apple officially expanded its wearable lineup this Tuesday during its annual hardware event, announcing the launch of the Apple Watch Series 11, the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 3, and the refreshed Apple Watch SE 3. These new models introduce significant health monitoring capabilities, satellite connectivity, and performance upgrades across the board.
Apple Watch Series 11: Advanced Health Tracking
The standout feature for the Apple Watch Series 11 is its new capability to detect hypertension. By utilizing data from the optical heart sensor, the device analyzes how blood vessels respond to cardiac beats. An advanced algorithm operates in the background, reviewing data over 30-day windows to identify patterns indicative of chronic high blood pressure. Apple aims to reach over 1 million users with previously undiagnosed hypertension within the first year, with this feature also rolling out to Series 9 and 10 models.
Beyond hypertension alerts, the Series 11 introduces a “Sleep Score” feature. This tool provides a comprehensive breakdown of sleep quality by analyzing duration, consistency, wake intervals, and time spent in various sleep stages. Connectivity has also been upgraded to 5G, offering superior coverage and improved power efficiency compared to previous LTE iterations. The Series 11 maintains a 24-hour battery life, comes in Jet Black, Silver, Rose Gold, and a new Space Gray, with pricing starting at $399.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Satellite Connectivity
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 positions itself as the ultimate tool for remote exploration, becoming the first model in the series to feature integrated satellite connectivity. This allows users to transmit messages and share locations via Find My or contact emergency services in areas where cellular or Wi-Fi signals are unavailable.
The Ultra 3 sports the largest display ever on an Apple Watch, utilizing LTPO3 and wide-angle OLED technology to achieve 24% thinner borders and improved visibility from off-center angles. It shares the 5G and hypertension tracking features of the Series 11, while offering a robust battery life of up to 42 hours (extendable to 72 hours in low-power mode). It is available in Black and Natural Titanium, starting at $799.
Apple Watch SE 3: Performance Boost
The entry-level Apple Watch SE 3 receives a substantial performance leap with the new S10 chip, replacing the aging S8. This upgrade brings the device closer to the flagship experience, supporting an always-on display for the first time, as well as advanced gesture controls like double-tap and wrist flick.
The SE 3 also gains fast-charging capabilities and maintains an 18-hour battery life. Health tracking is bolstered by the inclusion of wrist temperature sensing, which provides users with retrospective ovulation estimates and deeper insights within the Vitals app. The SE 3 is available in 40mm and 44mm sizes in Midnight and Starlight aluminum finishes, with a starting price of $249.