Technologies

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 Reveal Could Be Just 5 Days Away

Rumors and iOS 26 beta clues suggest a bigger display and expanded safety features as Apple prepares to refresh its most rugged smartwatch.

By this time next week, we’ll know exactly what Apple has planned for its new Apple Watch lineup. But one thing already seems very likely: a refreshed version of the rugged Ultra. Not only is it due for an upgrade (the Ultra 2 debuted in September 2023), but Apple may have actually dropped the biggest clue yet. Buried in the public beta of iOS 26 (first spotted by MacRumors) are screen specs that don’t match any existing Apple Watch model on the market, hinting at the arrival of an Apple Watch Ultra 3. For a company as secretive as Apple, this slip might be the clearest sign yet of what’s next for its most durable smartwatch.

Here’s everything we’re expecting for the Ultra 3 at Apple’s September 9 event based on the latest reports, leaks and usual upgrade patterns.

Don’t miss any of CNET’s unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 design and display

If the leaked iOS 26 imagery holds true, the Ultra 3 will feature a slightly larger screen with a 422×514-pixel resolution (up from the Ultra 2’s 410×502 pixels). In keeping with Apple’s tradition of maximizing screen real estate without adding bulk to the already giant Ultra, the upgraded screen size wouldn’t increase the actual footprint and could be achieved by reducing the bezel size.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 performance

The Ultra is due for a performance bump to at least keep up with the S10 chip on the current Series 10 (the Ultra 2 runs on the S9 chip). The more likely scenario is that both the Ultra 3 and Series 11 get a new S11 chip that would typically bring faster performance and greater efficiency. The bump up in processing power could support new features such as enhanced GPS tracking, satellite connectivity, more advanced health monitoring and potentially some additional Apple Intelligence integrations like Workout Buddy which Apple announced in WatchOS 26 (and which I’ve started to think might be a bigger deal that it first appeared).

Apple Watch Ultra 3 satellite connectivity

One of the more intriguing Ultra 3 rumors comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has reported that Apple is exploring satellite connectivity for the next Apple Watch Ultra model. This would enable emergency messaging and location sharing even in areas without cellular coverage.

If implemented, it could build on the Apple Watch’s existing lineup of potentially life-saving features like emergency SOS, fall detection and car crash detection to outdoor enthusiasts going off the grid or even people who live in remote areas.

Gurman’s report also suggests the Ultra may gain 5G connectivity, a step up from its current LTE-only support.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 health and fitness

Several rumored health upgrades for the Series 11 could also make their way to the Ultra 3, the most anticipated being blood pressure tracking. According to Gurman, Apple is already testing the feature, though accuracy challenges could delay a public release this year.

Blood glucose monitoring is another long-rumored addition, but it’s expected to be even further out than blood pressure tracking, making it highly unlikely for 2025.

In another Bloomberg report, Gurman says Apple is developing a broader AI health initiative, code-named «Project Mulberry,» aimed at bringing personalized health and fitness insights to the Apple Watch. This would build on Apple’s recently announced AI powered Workout Buddy which delivers personalized motivation for certain workouts with Watch OS 26. The Ultra’s durability and long battery life could make it an ideal platform for round-the-clock training guidance, though based on current rumors, the rollout may be better aligned with a 2026 release.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 battery life

The Ultra already boasts the longest battery life of any Apple device (save for the Airtag of course), with up to two full days or 72 hours in low-power mode. While there are no concrete leaks about changes in battery capacity, pairing an S11 chip with a more efficient display could result in significant gains — potentially approaching three days or up to four days in low-power mode. The faster charging Apple introduced with the Series 10 could also make its way to the Ultra line, reducing the amount of time the watch spends off your wrist.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 price and release date

Barring unexpected price hikes from tariffs or component costs, the Ultra 3 is expected to keep the same $799 starting price as the Ultra 2.

Apple typically unveils its new watches at the same event as the iPhone, which this year is expected in early September (date not yet announced). If the pattern holds, preorders should begin a few days after the keynote and arrive in stores (or at your doorstep) one to two weeks after that.

Technologies

Before It Becomes a Hit TV Series, Fourth Wing Fans Are Going to Obsess Over This New Board Game

A simple party game surrounding key elements from the smash hit Fourth Wing books is coming soon.

Fans of Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean book series are in the middle of a content Winter right now. After Fourth Wing and Iron Flame were released six months apart, and Onyx Storm dropped 14 months later, the author announced she was taking a break and it would be a while before the fourth installment would be announced. Combine that with Amazon’s Prime Studios being light on details the highly anticipated Fourth Wing TV series would start shooting, and fans are eager for something to keep them connected to this world.

Enter Hasbro, which has been working directly with Rebecca Yarros on an officially licensed version of the popular party game Priorities. I’ve spent the last week playing Priorities: Fourth Wing with a rotating cast of fellow fans of the book series, and can confidently say this game will be a popular gift to give this holiday season.

For the uninitiated, Priorities is a quick-play game where the table works together to guess which order the round leader ranks a series of concepts on cards. Each round takes about 20 minutes to complete, and broadly speaking the franchise is quite popular because it can be played with just about anyone and remain pretty lighthearted. It also travels well, since the box is smaller than most board games you’ll find on shelves.

As you might expect, the Fourth Wing version of this game heavily themes the core parts of this game to reflect the artwork and concepts from the books. Despite the name, Hasbro Board Games SVP Brian Baker made it clear to me the team responsible for this game was permitted to pull from all three publicly available books and all aspects of the game were approved by Rebecca Yarros before its creation. In my time playing the game with others, I found everything was quite accessible to anyone who has only read the first book but more in-depth conversations would pop up with those who had read it all. And yes, some of the spicier parts of the books can be found in the game.

Every person I played Priorities: Fourth Wing with all had the same positive response to the game. The game format itself is a proven success, and there are no fans of this series who wouldn’t want to discuss their theories and favorites with other fans. Plus, for $25, it’s a solid addition to any board game shelf and a great way to bring your bookish friends together.

Priorities: Fourth Wing is available to pre-order now and ships September 25th.

Technologies

The Samsung Galaxy S25’s Camera Uses AI to Handle What You’d Normally Miss

Smart features like Scene Optimizer and Object Eraser simplify every shot.

If you’ve ever missed a photo because of confusing phone camera settings or bad lighting, the Samsung Galaxy S25 wants to fix that. Its new AI features automatically adjust exposure, clean up images, and even remove unwanted objects. It’s a smarter, faster way to take better photos without extra effort.

Technologies

Here’s How Much the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max Will Reportedly Cost After Price Hike

If the prognostications are correct, the base iPhone 17 Pro model could cost $200 more, but with 256GB of storage.

Less than a week before Apple officially unveils all the details on its iPhone 17 lineup, the rumor mill is buzzing with estimates of what each of the four predicted model types will cost. And for those who are anticipating purchasing an iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max, there may be an increase in price over last year’s model.

Citing a report from Trendforce, the website Macrumors reports that the base iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models will cost $1,199, $200 more than the iPhone 16 Pro, but will include twice as much memory — 256GB instead of the standard 128GB. The 17 Pro Max will ship with the same base memory, 256GB, but the price will increase $100 to $1,299, according to the report.

The site also reports that the iPhone 17 Air, a new slimmer model expected to be introduced, will start at $1,099 with 256GB of storage. The iPhone 17 is expected to start at $799 with 128GB storage, the same pricing and capacity as the iPhone 16.

The Trendforce report also predicts a bump in RAM from 8GB to 12GB for all models except the regular iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air are expected to use a new Apple A19 processor while the Pro models will use an A19 Pro chip.

According to Trendforce, all four models will use the same type of screen, a flexible AMOLED display running at 120Hz. Screen sizes vary from 6.2 inches for the iPhone 17 and Pro, 6.6 inches for the Air and 6.8 inches for the Pro Max.

Apple didn’t respond to request for comment.