Technologies

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 Reveal Could Be a Few 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.

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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

No, Your iPhone Isn’t Listening to You. But the Truth Is Even Worse

Technologies

About to Buy a New iPhone? Here’s Why You Should Definitely Wait

Apple’s next phone launch is just around the corner.

If you’re ready to upgrade your iPhone, you might want to hang tight.

Apple’s fall event is happening on Tuesday, during which it’s expected to debut the iPhone 17 lineup. So if you wait just a bit longer, you can either score the latest device or get a discount on previous models.

Preorders for new iPhones typically open up the Friday after they’re announced, meaning you’ll likely be able to place an order for the iPhone 17 starting Sept. 12. The phones usually ship a week later.

Newer iPhones tend to include camera and processor upgrades, as well as new features to make them more enticing. For instance, the iPhone 14 Pro models introduced Dynamic Island, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max debuted the Action button and the iPhone 16 series added the Camera Control button and Apple Intelligence across the full lineup, rather than on just the Pro models.

According to leaks and reports, the iPhone 17 lineup, which Apple technically has yet to confirm, could have a fresh camera setup and new color options and, perhaps most notably, could include a slimmer version of the iPhone to compete with similar offerings such as Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge. It’ll likely arrive with the recently announced iOS 26, which features Apple’s biggest software design shakeup in more than a decade.

You can check out our iPhone 17 rumor roundup for more on what might be coming in the fall.

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Will waiting for the iPhone 17 be worth it?

Overall, iPhone upgrades in the past several years have been relatively modest. And it’s likely, based on rumors, that the iPhone 17 lineup will generally follow that mold.

But even with more moderate changes, now’s not a good time to buy a new iPhone, if you can help it. We’re just a couple days away from the anticipated launch of Apple’s next smartphone. So if you hold on a little longer, you can snag that flashy new device when it drops.

If you buy a new iPhone 16 now, you’ll probably pay full price for something that in just a few days’ time will technically be outdated (the harsh reality of the annual phone release cycle). And even if you get a good deal through your carrier now, if you stick it out just a bit longer, you could potentially get an even more lucrative deal once the iPhone 17 drops and carriers ramp up their promotions.

If anything, waiting to see what the iPhone 17 has in store could at least help you confirm whether going with the newest device or an older one like the iPhone 16 or 15 is worth it. After all, if the differences are minimal, you might as well save a couple of hundred dollars by choosing a previous model. And chances are — if the iPhone 17 is anything like the last several iPhones — no one will even be able to tell.

But what about tariffs?

One big unknown is whether tariffs will affect the price of the iPhone 17, which could sway your purchasing decisions. While smartphones and computers were given an exemption from President Donald Trump’s more extensive tariffs, he recently said Apple will still have to pay a 25% tariff on iPhones made outside the US. This would almost certainly lead to a price hike.

But even without tariffs, the iPhone is due for a markup, according to CNET’s Patrick Holland. «The iPhone hasn’t had a price hike in five years and is due for one,» he writes. «Historically, that’s the longest stretch of time the company has gone without an increase.» (You can check out more of his thoughts here.)

So, is it still worth waiting for the iPhone 17? It depends. If you were already planning on purchasing a new iPhone and can’t wait much longer, I can understand panic-buying now. But bear in mind you’ll still likely pay full price for an iPhone 16 model that will be worth less the moment the iPhone 17 drops. So, you might be coughing up more for an iPhone 17, but at least you’ll get more bang for your buck.

So, when’s the best time to buy a new iPhone?

There’s not necessarily a «best» time to buy a new iPhone, because prices are pretty consistent throughout the year, but the fall is an enticing option. That’s when Apple introduces its latest slate of iPhones, and when carriers are eager to attract new customers with abundant trade-in deals and promotions. And again, even if you don’t want the latest and greatest iPhone, you can at least snag an older version at a discount right after the iPhone 17 drops.

In general, we recommend upgrading to a new phone if your existing one is more than two generations old. You can typically wring more life out of your device, but if you want to stay on top of the latest features like Apple Intelligence, leveling up is the way to go. And with just a couple more days left before the anticipated drop of the iPhone 17, you might as well see what fresh capabilities Apple has up its sleeve.

Technologies

Warner Bros., DC Comics and More Sue Midjourney, Says AI Firm ‘Thinks It Is Above the Law’

Midjourney faces very similar allegations in a lawsuit filed by Disney and Universal in June.

Warner Bros. Discovery on Thursday filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against AI image and video company Midjourney, making it the third major entertainment company to do so following Disney and Universal’s similar lawsuit filed earlier this year.

The lawsuit alleges the AI company violated the entertainment company’s copyright protections by allowing AI users to create images with characters like Batman, Scooby Doo and Bugs Bunny.

«Midjourney thinks it is above the law,» Warner Bros. Discovery said in the complaint. «Midjourney has made a calculated and profit-driven decision to offer zero protection for copyright owners even though Midjourney knows about the breathtaking scope of its piracy and copyright infringement.»

Midjourney is one of the most popular AI image generators, allowing anyone to create AI images and video clips with simple text prompts. The lawsuit covers Warner Bros. Entertainment and its subsidiaries, including DC Comics, The Cartoon Network and Hanna-Barbera Productions.

In the lawsuit, Warner Bros. Discovery notes that Midjourney recently dropped a video generation model as evidence that the AI firm knew it was infringing on copyrights. In the first few days of releasing the video model, the lawsuit alleges, Midjourney stopped users from animating scenes with characters. The restrictions were eventually lifted, but the entertainment giant calls this out as Midjourney’s knowledge of wrongdoing. Warner Bros. Discovery also alleges the AI company updated its terms of service to prohibit redteaming, a safety process tech companies use.

Copyright infringement claims aren’t new for Midjourney. In June, Disney and Universal sued the AI program, calling it «a bottomless pit of plagiarism» and «textbook copyright infringement» in its filing. Warner Bros. Discovery is represented by the same law firm that filed the suit on behalf of Disney and Universal.

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A Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson told CNET, «The heart of what we do is develop stories and characters to entertain our audiences, bringing to life the vision and passion of our creative partners. Midjourney is blatantly and purposefully infringing copyrighted works, and we filed this suit to protect our content, our partners, and our investments.» Statements from Disney and NBCUniversal spokespeople expressed similar sentiments. Midjourney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This lawsuit is further evidence that copyright is one of the most contentious legal issues in the age of AI. Concerns exist at every stage of AI content creation, including whether copyrighted materials are used to train AI models and whether those models can create content that meets the legal definition of infringement.

There are also ongoing cases between publishers, creators and AI companies. AI-makers Anthropic and Meta recently scored two victories, with courts claiming that training their models on authors’ books constituted fair use. But there are still a lot of questions and legal uncertainties.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)

This is just step one for the lawsuit. Midjourney users shouldn’t expect any interruptions to service as a result of the legal battle.