The upcoming release of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is generating significant excitement among tech enthusiasts. Expected to launch in March 2024, this model represents the first update in the Ultra series since the Ultra 2 was unveiled in 2023. As speculation around its features intensifies, users are sharing their desired upgrades, particularly those that could enhance functionality and usability.
Key Features Users Want
As a leading smartwatch reviewer at Tom’s Guide, I have identified several features that could set the Apple Watch Ultra 3 apart from its predecessors and competitors. Here are the five most anticipated upgrades that consumers hope to see.
One prominent request is for enhanced emergency communication capabilities. Rumors suggest that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 may include features that allow users to send messages during outdoor adventures when they are away from their phones. This would align Apple with other smartwatch manufacturers, such as Google, which is reportedly developing similar functionalities for the Pixel Watch 4. Such a feature would complement existing safety tools, such as fall and crash detection, making the device a more comprehensive safety companion.
Another highly sought-after enhancement is the inclusion of high blood pressure alerts. While many upcoming smartwatches claim to introduce hypertension monitoring, none have yet achieved this goal. If the Apple Watch Ultra 3 can successfully provide alerts for abnormal blood pressure levels, it would position the device as a crucial health tool, particularly for those at risk of hypertension. This capability, combined with the anticipated return of SpO2 monitoring for U.S. customers, would significantly bolster its health monitoring features.
Additional Monitoring Features
Users are also eager for the implementation of a daily sleep score. Despite the Apple Watch Ultra 2‘s ability to track sleep, Apple is currently the only major smartwatch manufacturer that does not offer a numeric score summarizing sleep quality. Competing devices from brands like Garmin, Samsung, and Fitbit already provide such metrics, combining various sleep data into an easily understandable score. This feature could help users make informed decisions about their daily activities based on their sleep quality.
In addition to sleep tracking, a daily energy score is another feature Apple users are looking for. This score would reflect a combination of sleep quality, physical activity, and overall health trends. Similar features have been available on Garmin and Fitbit devices for years. An energy score would help users assess their readiness for physical activity and monitor health trends, potentially alerting them to illness before symptoms arise.
Finally, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could benefit from adopting a loss of pulse detection feature, similar to that of the Pixel Watch 3. This technology can automatically alert emergency services or designated contacts if a user experiences a loss of pulse or an abnormal heart rate. Currently, the Pixel Watch 3 is the only smartwatch equipped with this feature, making it an innovative addition that could enhance the safety capabilities of the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
The anticipated upgrades to the Apple Watch Ultra 3 reflect a growing demand for smartwatches that prioritize user health and safety. As the launch date approaches, consumers and industry experts alike will be watching closely for Apple’s next moves, eager to see how the company integrates these desired features into its latest offering.
