Apple has unveiled three new smartwatches for 2024: Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 3. Each model targets a different audience but shares a core focus on health, fitness, and safety, alongside refinements in durability, battery life, and connectivity. All three are available for pre-order now, with general availability beginning September 19.
At the center of the lineup is the new Apple Watch Series 11. It introduces sleep score, designed to give users a clearer picture of their nightly rest by factoring in duration, consistency, wake frequency, and time spent in each sleep stage. This joins an already broad set of health tools, including blood oxygen, ECG, cycle tracking, and apnea notifications. The Series 11 now offers up to 24 hours of battery life—an increase over earlier models—supported by fast charging, where 15 minutes yields up to eight hours of use. Its design remains slim but is reinforced with tougher materials: aluminum versions use Ion-X glass treated with a ceramic coating for double the scratch resistance, while titanium models continue with sapphire crystal for added durability. Cellular versions move to 5G, promising faster data and more reliable coverage in weak-signal areas.
The Apple Watch SE 3 remains the entry point into the lineup but gains several features previously reserved for higher-end models. For the first time, it includes an Always-On display and fast charging, while battery life is rated at 18 hours. It also introduces sleep score, wrist temperature sensing, retrospective ovulation estimates, and apnea notifications—features that bring the SE closer to the health capabilities of the Series. With the S10 chip, SE 3 supports on-device Siri, one-handed gestures like double-tap, and clearer call quality with Voice Isolation. Its Ion-X glass has been strengthened for better durability, and it carries the same IP57 rating for water and sweat resistance, making it suitable for daily workouts and outdoor use.
For athletes and adventurers, Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the most specialized model. Its standout addition is Emergency SOS via satellite, enabling users to send messages, share their location, or contact emergency services even when outside cellular coverage. Satellite features are free for two years with purchase. Ultra 3 also introduces hypertension notifications, which analyze optical sensor data over 30-day periods for signs of chronic high blood pressure, potentially alerting wearers to an underdiagnosed health risk. Alongside this, it includes sleep score, irregular rhythm alerts, and the full suite of Apple’s health features.
The Ultra 3 features the largest display ever in an Apple Watch, using LTPO3 and wide-angle OLED technology for improved efficiency and visibility at off-angles. The Always-On screen now refreshes once per second, making complications smoother and enabling a true ticking seconds hand. Battery life extends up to 42 hours in regular use, and 72 hours in Low Power Mode. It also supports 20 hours of continuous workout tracking with GPS and heart-rate monitoring. Outdoor athletes benefit from the most accurate GPS Apple has shipped, enhanced navigation tools, and broad third-party app support. The watch is rated WR100 for water sports and can act as a dive computer with the Oceanic+ app. Titanium construction keeps the case durable yet lightweight, and new band options expand the lineup, including fresh colors for Alpine Loop, Ocean Band, and Hermès collaborations.
All three models run watchOS 26, which introduces a refreshed interface with Liquid Glass visuals, updated watch faces, and Smart Stack enhancements. Workout Buddy, a coaching tool powered by Apple Intelligence, provides personalized motivation during training sessions based on heart rate, pace, and fitness history. Live Translation arrives in Messages when paired with a compatible iPhone, while Notes, Hold Assist, and Call Screening add utility for everyday use. Gesture controls expand with the wrist flick, making it easier to dismiss alerts or silence alarms with one hand.
Apple continues to emphasize sustainability across its watch line. The Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3 all use 40 percent recycled materials, including 100 percent recycled cobalt in batteries and recycled aluminum or titanium in cases. Ultra 3 also uses a 3D printing process that cuts raw material usage in half. Packaging across all models is fully fiber-based as part of Apple’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its products and supply chain by 2030.
Pricing begins at AED 1,119 for Apple Watch SE 3, AED 1,599 for Apple Watch Series 11, and AED 3,199 for Apple Watch Ultra 3 in the UAE. Each model is available in multiple case sizes and finishes, with new seasonal band colors also launching this fall. Buyers can access limited-time Apple Music and Fitness+ trials with purchase, while extended coverage is offered through AppleCare+.
Taken together, the 2024 Apple Watch lineup underscores a three-tier strategy: the SE 3 delivers core features at a lower entry point, Series 11 balances advanced health tracking with everyday convenience, and Ultra 3 pushes into specialized sports, exploration, and safety tools. The differences are clear, but the shared foundation—health insights, fitness tracking, safety features, and watchOS 26 upgrades—means every model is positioned as more than just a timepiece.
