A new $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3 may include an older S10 chip, a decision that some find questionable but understandable from Apple's perspective.
The new Ultra timepiece is not what we thought it would be.
Is a top-tier smartwatch worth the money? What benefits come with investing in a flagship model, and will it deliver the best value?
The Apple Watch Series 11 was recently unveiled and is available for pre-order on Amazon. The 42mm Wi-Fi version is currently listed at its normal price, with shipments scheduled to begin on September 19.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 includes enhancements like increased battery life and a durable design. It is also available for pre-order at its standard price via Amazon.
What does the Apple Watch Ultra 3 offer?
Many anticipated the arrival of the S11 chip in 2025, expecting it to significantly improve performance and power efficiency in Apple's wearables.
Efficiency is crucial for extending battery life, a common concern with smartwatches that require frequent charging, similar to phones, laptops, earbuds, and tablets.
The S11 chip was expected to enable Ultra users to exceed 72 hours of use without needing a recharge, potentially becoming the most impactful upgrade for everyday use.
Why did Apple use the S10 chip?
Recent Apple watch chips have only had minor improvements. The CPU often remains unchanged, with Apple adding sensors or tweaking features and marketing it as a "new" chip.
Given this trend, Apple may have postponed the S11 until it could offer a more substantial upgrade. Perhaps the company decided against releasing minor updates.
Instead of releasing a chip with minimal upgrades, Apple is waiting to provide genuine performance and efficiency improvements. Consequently, the Ultra 3 may feel outdated due to its older silicon.
Despite this, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 remains a good piece of technology.
Its Always-On Retina display reaches 3000 nits of brightness, improving readability in sunlight. The battery lasts up to 42 hours in normal use, or 72 hours in Low Power Mode, surpassing many competitors.
Durability is a key feature, with water resistance up to 100 meters, a flat sapphire crystal display, and Ceramic Shield 2 front and back glass for enhanced crack resistance.
It also includes health features like blood oxygen monitoring, ECG, sleep stage tracking, temperature sensing, a depth gauge, cycle tracking, and notifications for hypertension and sleep apnea.
In conclusion, the Ultra 3 offers all of Apple's sensors, durability, and display technology. However, using the S10 chip for another two years feels underwhelming, as the solid smartwatch lacks the expected internal upgrade.
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