Apple Watch Ultra 3 Review: Great Features, Old Chip Problem

Apple has officially launched the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and while excitement runs high among Apple loyalists, there’s also a sense of disappointment: the smartwatch, which comes in at a hefty $799 price point, still relies on the older S10 chip. After two years of anticipation since the Ultra 2, many expected Apple to deliver a significant leap forward with a brand-new processor – what was rumored to be the S11 – but instead, we got a device that feels simultaneously impressive and stuck in the past.

For context, the Ultra series has always been Apple’s premium play in the wearable market, designed for adventurers, athletes, and anyone who wants the very best Apple can offer. Its direct rival is Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra, which is priced at $650, making Apple’s option $150 more expensive.

That difference raises a tough question: if you’re paying top dollar, what exactly are you getting in return?

The missing S11 chip: what we expected vs. what we got

The biggest frustration centers on the chip inside. For months, speculation swirled that Apple would introduce the S11 chip, bringing faster performance and better efficiency. A chip like that could have dramatically improved battery life, which is one of the biggest ongoing pain points with smartwatches. Unlike phones or laptops that already demand frequent charging, adding yet another device to the charging routine has always been a burden. With an upgraded processor, Apple had the chance to ease that burden, giving Ultra owners more than 72 hours of untethered use.

Instead, Apple stuck with the S10, a chip that first appeared in previous models and now feels dated. The decision appears to be strategic rather than careless. Apple has a history of releasing chips with only incremental changes, tweaking sensors or adding modest improvements but rebranding the silicon as a new version. This time, the company may have chosen to hold back until it could introduce a processor with truly game-changing improvements. The risk, however, is that consumers feel shortchanged – paying premium prices for a smartwatch that doesn’t move the needle where it matters most.

What the Ultra 3 still gets right

Ironically, despite the controversy over its processor, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is far from a disappointment in practical terms. It retains and enhances many of the qualities that have made the Ultra line so attractive. The massive Always-On Retina display is brighter than ever, peaking at 3000 nits, making it effortless to read under direct sunlight. That’s a feature not many rivals can claim, and it makes a real difference for outdoor users.

Battery performance is still among the best in the Apple Watch lineup. Regular use stretches to about 42 hours, while Low Power Mode extends it up to 72 hours. Those aren’t groundbreaking numbers, but they’re respectable and often ahead of competitors. When paired with Apple’s ecosystem, it still offers a polished and reliable user experience, seamlessly tying in with iPhones, AirPods, and Macs.

Durability also shines. The Ultra 3 offers water resistance up to 100 meters, which is impressive even for high-end wearables. It comes equipped with a flat sapphire crystal display for scratch resistance and Apple’s Ceramic Shield 2 glass for both the front and back, making it more resistant to cracks than its predecessors. These enhancements give the watch an edge for those who live rough-and-tumble lifestyles, whether climbing mountains or diving into deep water.

Health and fitness features remain unmatched

Apple has leaned heavily into health, and the Ultra 3 reflects that push. It includes all the advanced sensors that Apple has been steadily developing: blood oxygen monitoring, ECG, sleep stage tracking, and temperature sensing. The watch can track cycle health, notify users about potential hypertension, and even flag early signs of sleep apnea. For athletes, divers, or fitness enthusiasts, the built-in depth gauge and comprehensive activity tracking tools round out the package. In short, it’s a health companion as much as it is a smartwatch.

The irony of excellence with old hardware

Here lies the paradox: the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is still one of the most advanced wearables you can buy, but its heart – the processor – isn’t new. It feels like a sports car that’s been fitted with last year’s engine. Yes, it’s still fast, sleek, and packed with features, but enthusiasts expected something more revolutionary after a two-year wait. The Ultra 3 could easily have been the device that solved the smartwatch industry’s charging problem, but Apple chose patience over progress.

For those who want the ultimate Apple Watch today, the Ultra 3 remains the go-to option. It offers ruggedness, unmatched integration with Apple’s ecosystem, and a stunning display. Yet, for the tech-savvy crowd who follow every detail of chip advancements, the lack of an S11 will feel like a missed opportunity. It’s not that the Ultra 3 is a bad watch – it’s that it could have been so much more.

Final thoughts

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is both a triumph and a letdown. It triumphs in its durability, health features, and premium design but disappoints in its reliance on aging silicon. For most buyers, it will still be an incredible piece of tech. For enthusiasts, however, it may feel like Apple delivered a masterpiece without the innovation it desperately needed. The Ultra 3 proves that Apple is playing the long game, waiting until it can truly blow everyone away with its next generation of chips. Until then, customers are left with a watch that excels in nearly every way – except in offering a new heart.