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
Apple Watch Series 11. Credit: AppleThe 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.
Apple Watch Ultra 3. Credit: AppleHowever, 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.
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!
Both smartwatches share the same exact S10 chip, with 64GB of storage, so they’re equally matched when it comes to basic performance.
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
Credit: AppleHowever, 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: AppleUltra 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.
Both devices also support the same basic health features, like ECG, Blood Oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking, training load updates, and more.
Credit: AppleThe 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).
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.
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