Apple is poised to unveil the long-awaited Apple Watch Ultra 3 later this year, as confirmed by Jeff Pu, an analyst with GF Securities Hong Kong (via @jukanlosreve). Pu anticipates that both the new Apple Watch Series 11 and the Ultra 3 will debut this year, likely coinciding with the introduction of the iPhone 17, following the trends of previous releases.
For fans of the Ultra series, the wait has been considerable. Apple opted not to update the rugged smartwatch in 2024, instead offering a new black titanium variant of the Apple Watch Ultra 2. As a result, by September, it will have been nearly two years since any significant upgrades to the Ultra lineup were made.
Pu’s projections align with insights from other industry observers, who predict that Apple’s fall event will feature updates across its entire Watch lineup. Notably, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has speculated that the Ultra 3 could introduce satellite connectivity and 5G capabilities, enhancements that would justify the unusually prolonged development period.
Furthermore, Pu’s comprehensive Apple roadmap suggests an intriguing outlook for 2025. He forecasts the launch of the anticipated HomePad tablet this year while indicating that the release of AirPods Pro 3 may be postponed until 2026, a prediction that differs from various recent forecasts.
For current Ultra users clinging to first-generation devices, this extended wait may finally result in significant improvements, potentially surpassing the usual enhancements expected from an annual refresh cycle, assuming Apple has been diligently developing the watch.