In 2025, Apple has chosen to update all three of its Apple Watch models together. That’s rarer than you’d think. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 came out in 2023, and the SE 2 was last updated in 2022. This year, the Series 11 and the Ultra 3 are both out at the same time, and they share quite a lot of internals. But they’re still quite distinct. One is a $399 smartwatch that’s the perfect Apple Watch for most users, while the other costs double that, at $799. But, it offers the biggest screen, the largest battery life, the most rugged exterior, and the most precise GPS on any Apple Watch. Which is right for you?
Display and design
Credit: Apple
The Apple Watch Series 11 comes in two sizes, 42mm and 46mm, while the Watch Ultra 3 comes in just one size, 49mm. The Series 11 case is made out of aluminum by default, but there’s an option to get a titanium case as well (starting at $699, quite close to the Ultra 3). The Watch Ultra 3 only comes in titanium.
The Ultra 3, though, is distinct. The Series 11 has a thin profile, lightweight design, and curved glass. The Ultra 3 has a flat-top, large display, and rugged titanium body, with some extra protrusion to protect the Digital Crown. It very much looks like an adventurer’s smartwatch.
Credit: Apple
They both share the same basic screen specs, but the Watch Ultra 3’s screen can get much brighter. They’re both LTPO3 wide-angle OLED displays, and not to downplay the Series 11, Apple says it is twice as scratch resistant compared to Series 10.
However, the Watch Ultra 3’s display goes hard. It can reach up to 3,000 nits of brightness (compared to the Series 11’s 2,000 nits), and it’s also the largest display ever in an Apple Watch. In this generation, Apple managed to reduce the bezel size to make the screen slightly bigger. Both devices can also go down to a 1Hz refresh rate with an always-on display, so you can see the watch face update in seconds (and see changes in the complications), without lifting up your finger or wasting too much battery life.
While the screen-quality is mostly matched, the differentiating factor for a lot of people is likely to be how the watch looks and feels on your wrist. The Series 11 is 9.7mm thick, while the Ultra 3 comes in at 12mm. That’s quite a lot in terms of wristwatches.
It’s a similar situation with weight. The 42mm Series 11 in aluminum weighs 30.3 grams, and the 46mm version, which is the closest comparison to Ultra 3, weighs 37.8 grams. The Apple Watch Ultra 3, on the other hand, weighs 61.6 grams. That’s almost 24 additional grams!
The Apple Watch Series 11 comes in multiple colors and finishes like Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray (a new addition this year), and Jet Black. There’s also the Titanium line with Natural, Gold, and Slate finishes. The Ultra 3 is only available in two colors: Natural Titanium, and Black Titanium.
Both smartwatches share the same exact S10 chip, with 64GB of storage, so they’re equally matched when it comes to basic performance.
Longer battery life
The Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 both promise six additional hours of standard battery life. The Series 11 can now last up to 24 hours (up from 18-hours before). The Apple Watch Ultra 3, though, can last up to 42 hours on a single charge (that’s up from 36-hours for the Ultra 2).
Low Power Mode on the Series 11 supposedly takes that battery life up to 38 hours, while the Ultra 3 can go for 72 hours instead. Both watches are fast-charge compatible, and you can charge 0-80% on the Series 11 in about 30 minutes, while it’s 45 minutes for the Ultra 3. On Series 11, a quick 15 minute charging session will add 8 hours of usage, while it’s 12 hours for the Ultra 3.
5G, GPS and satellite connectivity
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Both smartphones come with 5G connectivity this year, if you spring for the cellular model (which costs $100 extra). The 5G connectivity helps in achieving faster downloads and streaming for podcasts and music. But it also makes sure that your calls won’t be dropped even if you have spotty coverage.
However, the Ultra 3 goes one step further and adds Satellite connectivity, which isn’t available on the Series 11. This works similarly to how it does on the latest iPhones. You can use Satellite connectivity to contact Emergency services, and also to send quick messages to your friends and family. This can be a great way to inform your friends about your safety and location when you’re traveling in areas with no reception. Satellite connectivity is free for two years after purchase, but we don’t yet know how much it will cost after that. Apple already extended Satellite services for older iPhones for free, so it’s possible Apple will do the same for the Ultra 3 as well.
The Ultra 3 has support for both L1 and L5 GPS including GLONASS, while the Series 11 gets L1 GPS only.
Ultra 3 has an Action button, and exclusive watch faces
Credit: Apple
Because the Ultra 3 is focused on fitness and tracking, it has a special Action button, and specialized watch faces for fitness tracking that aren’t available on the Series 11. The Action button on the side can be mapped to open your favorite workout, app, or to trigger a shortcut. The Watch Ultra gets a series of unique and useful watch faces, including a Modular watch face that lets you add seven complications and shows real-time depth and elevation data on the side.
Ultra 3 has a slight edge in fitness tracking
The Series 11 and the Ultra 3 share many of the same sensors and features. They have the same electrical heart rate sensor, and a third-generation optical heart rate sensor, water temperature sensor, altimeter, and depth gauge.
But the Ultra 3’s depth gauge works up to 40 meters, while the Series 11 taps out at 6 meters. That’s a big difference when you’re diving out in open waters. With the altimeter, too, the Ultra 3 supports an expanded range from -500m to 9,000 meters (Apple has not yet provided data for the Series 11). The Ultra 3 also has better water resistance, rated at 100m compared to Series 11’s 50 meters. Both smartwatches have IP6X dust resistance.
Both devices also support the same basic health features, like ECG, Blood Oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking, training load updates, and more.
Credit: Apple
The newly added high blood pressure notification system, along with Sleep score, are available on both watches, though they’re also being added to older Apple Watches through the watchOS 26 software update.
The Series 11 is the best pick for most users
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers the biggest screen, the longest battery life, and the most precise GPS tracking in any Apple Watch. Plus, it’s a much better diving watch. But it also comes at a cost. The Ultra 3 starts at $799 for the GPS + Cellular model (there’s no GPS-only model).
The Ultra 3 is all about the feel. It’s about the rugged exterior, and the adventurous watch bands that go with it. But before you buy one, I would highly suggest going to an Apple Store to try it out in person. Only when you put on the Ultra , with its extra heft, will you know if it is for you or not.
For most people, then, the Series 11 will probably be the better pick. The 46mm version still has a large enough screen. Plus, it’s thinner and lighter, and now has a promised 24-hour battery life as well. And it offers all the health and fitness tracking features as the Ultra 3. Plus, the Series 11 starts at $399 for the 42mm model, and $429 for the 46mm model (plus $100 for the cellular upgrade). At those prices, the Series 11 makes more sense, as it offers everything that an average smartwatch user would need, in a package that’s not too expensive.
