TL;DR: The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the best smartwatch Apple has ever built, with a stunning display, excellent battery life, comprehensive health tracking, and watchOS 26 refinements. Bold in design but brilliant in execution, it’s the ultimate choice for anyone who wants the best.

There’s a particular kind of satisfaction that comes with wearing an Apple Watch Ultra. It’s not just a smartwatch—it’s a statement. A piece of technology that says, “Yes, I care about design and polish, but I also want capability and endurance.” For me, the Ultra series has always represented Apple’s boldest vision for what a smartwatch can be, and with the Apple Watch Ultra 3, that vision has matured beautifully. This isn’t just a watch for explorers or extreme athletes—it’s for anyone who wants the very best Apple has to offer, wrapped around their wrist in titanium confidence.

The Ultra 3 is Apple’s most refined version yet. It doesn’t reinvent the formula, and it doesn’t need to. Instead, it takes everything that already worked and elevates it. A brighter display. Longer battery life. 5G connectivity. Health tracking that finally feels complete. All of it comes together into a package that feels both familiar and fresh—like the best sequel to a beloved gadget.

The design: unapologetically bold, unapologetically Apple

Let’s talk about design first, because the Ultra 3 is a watch that refuses to be ignored. At 49mm and over 60 grams, it’s a large device. On paper, that might sound excessive, but on the wrist, it feels purposeful. This isn’t a dainty piece of jewelry or a fashion accessory that disappears into the background. The Ultra 3 demands attention—and it rewards it by feeling both rugged and elegant at the same time.

The titanium casing is where Apple’s craftsmanship really shines. It’s not just durable—it’s lightweight, resistant to scratches, and cool to the touch. The brushed finish gives it a refined look, while still leaning into its utilitarian identity. Apple has leaned fully into this duality: it’s a tool built for the outdoors, but also a watch you can confidently wear to a boardroom meeting or a black-tie dinner. I’ve done all three, and each time the watch felt like it belonged.

The flat sapphire crystal display, framed by those perfectly angled titanium edges, gives the Ultra 3 a sharpness that feels distinct from the softer, rounded design language of the Series line. It feels deliberate, as though Apple wanted the Ultra to communicate something different—a seriousness, a sense of readiness. This is a watch that says, “I’m here to work, but I’ll look good doing it.”

Band options add another layer to the design story. The Trail Loop is my go-to for workouts and everyday wear: lightweight, breathable, and sporty. But swap it for the Titanium Milanese Loop, and suddenly the Ultra 3 transforms into something far more elegant, almost jewelry-like. That’s the genius of the design—it adapts. You don’t need multiple watches for different settings. The Ultra 3 becomes whatever you need it to be.

And yes, it’s still large. On smaller wrists, it can feel oversized, even imposing. But I’ve come to see that as part of the appeal. The Ultra 3 doesn’t apologize for its presence. It wears its size like armor, signaling durability and capability. It’s not trying to hide—it’s celebrating its form factor. And honestly, once you get used to it, going back to a smaller watch feels strange, almost toy-like by comparison.

A display that feels like a window to the future

The first thing anyone notices about the Ultra 3 is the display. Apple has created the brightest, sharpest, and most usable screen on any smartwatch to date. With 3,000 nits of brightness, it feels as if the watch is daring the sun to try and overpower it. I’ve tested it in the harshest conditions possible—midday desert heat in Dubai, bright reflective waters near the coastline—and the Ultra 3 handled it effortlessly. Where most watches fade into unreadable shadows, the Ultra 3 remains crisp and vivid. It’s the kind of display that doesn’t just work outdoors; it thrives there.

But it’s not only about raw brightness. The way Apple has slimmed the bezels and expanded the usable screen makes everything—from reading a WhatsApp message to checking your workout metrics—feel more natural. Notifications no longer feel like cramped snippets. Maps feel genuinely navigable. Even controlling music from your wrist becomes less of a novelty and more of a luxury. There’s a sense of spaciousness to this display that you simply don’t get anywhere else.

And then there’s the design language. The flat sapphire crystal display bordered by titanium feels industrial yet refined, rugged yet elegant. It strikes that rare balance between sportiness and sophistication. I’ve worn it during workouts, in meetings, and at formal events, and it adapts seamlessly. That’s the Apple magic—you don’t need different watches for different parts of your life. The Ultra 3 does it all.

Battery life: freedom finally within reach

If there’s one area where the Ultra series has always stood apart, it’s battery life. The Ultra 3 takes that advantage and stretches it even further. With a rated 42 hours on a single charge, and up to 72 hours with Low Power Mode, it finally feels like an Apple Watch that isn’t just keeping pace with your life—it’s ahead of it.

For me, this was transformational. On a busy workweek filled with meetings, workouts, and late-night social outings, I never once felt tethered to a charger. The Ultra 3 easily made it through two full days without complaint. And when I did need to charge it, the fast-charging coil worked its magic—fifteen minutes gave me enough power for the day, and half an hour left me with a nearly full battery. That’s not just convenience; that’s freedom.

Compare this to previous Apple Watches where nightly charging felt mandatory, and the difference is dramatic. Now, I can actually use the Ultra 3 for its full potential—including sleep tracking—without worrying about it dying overnight. That small shift in battery management makes the Ultra 3 feel like an always-there companion, not a gadget you constantly need to babysit.

Yes, other brands like Garmin may still offer weeks of life, but those watches come with compromises in software fluidity, app ecosystems, and polish. The Ultra 3 may not last weeks, but it lasts long enough, and it does so without sacrificing the Apple experience. For most people, this is the sweet spot.

Health tracking: the complete picture

Health tracking has always been central to the Apple Watch experience, and the Ultra 3 perfects it. Every major sensor you could want is here: heart rate, ECG, SpO2, skin temperature, sleep tracking, and more. But what elevates the Ultra 3 is the way Apple continues to refine how that data is presented and what it means for you.

The new hypertension alerts are a perfect example. Using long-term heart rate data, the watch can now flag early signs of potential high blood pressure. It’s not a medical diagnosis, but it’s an intelligent nudge to take action. And honestly, that’s what makes it powerful. A subtle, well-timed notification on your wrist could be the difference between ignoring a problem and catching it early.

Then there’s the new sleep score, a feature that might seem small at first but quickly becomes addictive. Instead of dissecting endless graphs and metrics, you now get a simple number out of 100 that tells you how well you slept. It’s quick, it’s clear, and it makes you reflect on your habits in a way that’s actionable. Stay up too late watching YouTube? You’ll see it in the score. Actually get to bed on time? You’ll be rewarded. Over time, it becomes a subtle motivator to take better care of yourself.

Workout Buddy, Apple’s new AI-powered coach, is another highlight. At first, I wasn’t sure I needed a digital cheerleader, but after a few weeks, I realized how effective it can be. It contextualizes your progress, compares it to your history, and gives you encouragement in moments where you might otherwise quit. It’s not just about data—it’s about motivation. And when you’re trying to squeeze in a run before work or push through a late-night gym session, that little voice makes a difference.

watchOS 26: the quiet game-changer

Of course, hardware is only half the story. What truly makes the Ultra 3 shine is watchOS 26. Apple has managed to evolve its wearable operating system into something that feels both familiar and delightfully new. The animations are smoother, the widgets more responsive, and the customization deeper than ever before.

One of the standout additions is the new Smart Stack improvements. Now, instead of fumbling through apps, you get context-aware widgets that surface exactly when you need them. Checking the weather as you leave for work? It’s there. Want to start a workout at the gym? That card appears at the perfect time. It’s subtle, but it gives the Ultra 3 a sense of anticipation, as though the watch is thinking a step ahead of you.

Sleep tracking also gets a boost with watchOS 26. The daily sleep score integrates seamlessly with the Health app, but what I love most is the way the data is framed. Instead of feeling judged, you feel guided. It nudges you to improve without scolding you for slipping. It’s Apple at its most human, blending technology with empathy.

Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the new workout views. More metrics, customizable layouts, and smarter tracking all add up to a more complete experience. Running with the Ultra 3 feels like carrying a mini-coach on your wrist—not intrusive, but supportive. And combined with Workout Buddy, it makes training sessions more engaging.

Even small touches, like redesigned notifications and haptic refinements, make the Ultra 3 feel better. The watchOS 26 foundation gives the hardware room to shine. Without it, the Ultra 3 would just be a powerful piece of metal. With it, the Ultra 3 becomes alive.

The verdict: Apple at its best

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the best smartwatch Apple has ever made. It doesn’t completely redefine the category, but it perfects it. A dazzling display, long-lasting battery, polished health tools, the evolution of watchOS 26, and a bold design that exudes confidence—all of it adds up to a device that feels less like an accessory and more like an essential part of daily life.

At AED 3,199, it’s not cheap. But for what it offers—the best display, the best battery, the most comprehensive health features, and the smartest software—it justifies its price. For anyone upgrading from an older Series model or even the first Ultra, this is an enormous leap forward. For those on the Ultra 2, it may not be a must-have upgrade, but it shows Apple is continuing to iterate with purpose.