Apple Watch Ultra 3 Review: Satellite SOS Gets Two-Way Messaging

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 continues to refine Apple's vision of the ultimate adventure watch. Released in September 2025, it brings meaningful improvements that make it even more capable for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes.

The headline feature is two-way satellite messaging. Building on the emergency SOS capability of previous models, you can now send and receive text messages via satellite even without cellular coverage. For backcountry hikers and adventurers, this could be genuinely life-changing.

The new S10 chip enables faster processing and improved health monitoring algorithms. Blood oxygen measurements are more accurate, and the new sleep apnea detection feature has received FDA clearance. The always-on display is now brighter at 3,500 nits, making it readable in virtually any lighting condition.

GPS accuracy has been significantly improved with dual-frequency L1/L5 GPS plus GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou support. In our testing through dense forest and urban canyons, the Ultra 3 maintained accurate positioning where other watches struggled.

The 49mm titanium case is unchanged—it didn't need to change. The sapphire crystal and flat front design remain incredibly durable. Water resistance continues at 100 meters with EN13319 certification for recreational scuba diving.

Battery life reaches up to 72 hours in low power mode and 36 hours in normal use—still the best in the Apple Watch lineup. The new fast charging reaches 80% in just 45 minutes.

The Action Button now supports more customization options, including direct access to the new Trails app for hiking navigation. The improved compass with backtrack and waypoint features makes navigation more intuitive.

For diving enthusiasts, the Depth app now supports deeper recreational dives up to 40 meters with more detailed dive logging. Third-party dive computer integration has been improved.

At $799, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 remains expensive but delivers genuine value for serious outdoor users. The satellite messaging alone justifies the upgrade for anyone who ventures into remote areas.