Apple Unveils New Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, SE 3 and AirPods Pro 3 with Expanded Health Features
Key Points
- Apple Watch Series 11 introduces a durable ceramic coating and 24‑hour battery life.
- Series 5G connectivity and new Flow and Exactograph watch faces expand functionality.
- Hypertension detection and Sleep Score add advanced health monitoring to all three watches.
- Apple Watch Ultra 3 features a wider OLED display, 42‑hour battery life and satellite connectivity.
- Apple Watch SE 3 delivers core Apple Watch features with wrist temperature sensing at a lower price.
- AirPods Pro 3 include heart‑rate sensing for workouts, integrating audio with fitness tracking.
- All new devices share 5G connectivity and recycled titanium or aluminum construction.
Apple introduced a refreshed lineup of wearables, adding the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3 and AirPods Pro 3. All devices feature 5G connectivity, new health‑focused sensors such as Hypertension detection and Sleep Score, and upgraded battery life. The Series 11 offers a custom ceramic coating, 24‑hour battery life and new watch faces. The Ultra 3 adds a wider OLED display, 42‑hour battery life and satellite connectivity. The SE 3 brings core Apple Watch functionality at a lower price, while the AirPods Pro 3 include heart‑rate sensing for workouts. Together, the launch signals Apple’s continued push into integrated fitness and wellness technology.
Apple Refreshes Its Wearable Portfolio
Apple’s latest event showcased a full refresh of its wearable lineup, delivering four new products that deepen the company’s focus on health, connectivity and performance. The announcements included the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3 and AirPods Pro 3, each positioned to address different user needs while sharing a common set of upgraded capabilities.
Apple Watch Series 11: Durability and New Health Tools
The Series 11 arrives with a custom ceramic coating that is described as twice as scratch‑resistant as its predecessor, offering a more durable surface. It finally incorporates 5G connectivity for LTE models, enabled by a new antenna architecture that improves power efficiency. New watch faces—Flow, featuring Apple’s Liquid Glass design, and Exactograph, an Ultra‑inspired layout—expand customization options. Health‑focused features include a Hypertension detection tool, built on data from Apple’s Heart and Movement Study, and an enhanced Sleep Score that evaluates duration, consistency and interruptions. Battery life has been extended to 24‑hour operation, a notable improvement over the prior 18‑hour standard.
Apple Watch Ultra 3: Expanded Display and Satellite Support
The Ultra 3 maintains the rugged aesthetic of the Ultra line while adding a wide‑angle OLED display that increases screen area without enlarging the case. The always‑on display refreshes more frequently, and a new Waypoint watch face is introduced. Like the Series 11, the Ultra 3 supports 5G cellular and adds satellite connectivity, allowing critical emergency messaging with a stronger in‑watch radio. Battery life is boosted to an advertised 42 hours. The model continues to use recycled titanium for its case and offers new band colors, alongside the Hypertension and Sleep Score health features.
Apple Watch SE 3: Core Features at a Lower Price
The SE 3 targets consumers seeking core Apple Watch functionality at a more affordable price point. It is powered by the same S10 chip found in current‑generation watches, includes an always‑on display, and supports gestures such as double‑tap and wrist‑flick. New wellness capabilities comprise wrist temperature sensing for cycle tracking, a vitals app, sleep apnea detection and the Sleep Score metric. While battery life remains at 18 hours, fast charging provides eight additional hours after a 15‑minute charge. The SE 3 is offered in Starlight and Midnight finishes.
AirPods Pro 3: Fitness‑Focused Audio
The AirPods Pro 3 extend Apple’s fitness ecosystem into the audio domain. They incorporate a tiny heart‑rate sensor that, together with machine‑learning algorithms, captures heart‑rate data during workouts. Integrated with the Workout app and Apple Fitness+, the earbuds allow users to earn badges, track gym sessions and engage with an AI Workout Buddy—all without a watch. This marks the first time Apple’s premium earbuds provide direct health data.
Overall Impact
Collectively, the new devices demonstrate Apple’s strategy of embedding advanced health monitoring and always‑connected features across its wearable range. By offering differentiated models—from the premium Ultra 3 to the budget‑friendly SE 3—Apple aims to broaden its market reach while maintaining a consistent ecosystem of health‑centric technology.