Apple is betting big on health and connectivity — and it’s putting that promise on your wrist. The company has just unveiled three new smartwatches: the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3.
At its annual hardware event where Apple unveiled the new iPhone 17 Series, the extra slim 17 Air and the new Airpods 3, the company also refreshed its entire smartwatch lineup with a mix of first-time features like 5G connectivity and satellite messaging, alongside new health tools that could identify hypertension before you even realize you have it. Pre-orders are open now, with shipping set to begin September 19 in multiple markets.
Apple Watch Series 11 — thinnest of all time
The Series 11 is Apple’s thinnest and most durable smartwatch yet, featuring tougher Ion-X glass with a ceramic coating. Its headline feature is hypertension awareness, powered by the optical heart sensor. The watch analyzes blood vessel responses over 30 days to detect patterns of high blood pressure — pending FDA clearance but expected to roll out in over 150 countries.
Other upgrades include a new Sleep Score system that rates your rest out of 100, 24-hour battery life, and also full 5G connectivity for smoother, low-power connections. The Apple Watch Series 11 is available in Jet Black, Silver, Rose Gold, and Space Gray, its prices start at $399 for the 42mm aluminum model.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 — Bigger and outdoor ready
Built for outdoor adventurers, the Ultra 3 boasts the largest and brightest Apple Watch screen yet with LTPO 3.0 OLED technology and thinner bezels. But the standout feature is satellite connectivity, allowing users to send texts, share locations, and access Emergency SOS even without Wi-Fi or cellular coverage.
Battery life is another selling point: up to 42 hours in normal use, and up to 72 hours in low power mode. Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available in Black and Natural Titanium, with prices starting at $799.
Apple Watch SE 3 — Affordable with premium touches
The SE 3 may be the entry-level model, but it packs meaningful updates. It runs on the S10 chip, which now supports always-on display, double-tap and wrist flick gestures, and even fast charging that gives eight hours of use from a 15-minute charge.
On the health side, it now includes Sleep Score tracking, continuous heart-rate monitoring, blood oxygen readings, and wrist temperature sensing for insights like ovulation estimates. The Apple Watch SE 3 is available in 40mm and 44mm sizes in a choice of Midnight and Starlight aluminum cases with prices starting at $249.
Life saving features
Apple says the hypertension detection feature alone could notify over 1 million people in the first year — a potentially life-saving tool.
Meanwhile, the satellite connectivity on the Ultra 3 could be crucial in remote areas, especially for hikers, travelers, or people living in regions with patchy network coverage, this could help save lives especially in emergency situations.
Which one should you go for?
If you’re after cutting-edge health tracking in a thin package, the Series 11 is the clear pick. Outdoor explorers will find the Ultra 3’s satellite safety net invaluable. And if you want Apple’s ecosystem at the lowest price point without giving up core features, the SE 3 now feels like a much stronger deal.
Going forward
Apple’s new lineup shows a shift toward smarter health insights and global connectivity, not just cosmetic upgrades. But with FDA clearance for hypertension alerts still pending, the real impact of these features may take a little longer to unfold. Either way, it’s clear: the Apple Watch is no longer just about timekeeping — it’s about keeping you alive and connected.
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