Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
The Apple Watch Ultra 3, due to launch this year, will have “almost no” hardware upgrades. The claim comes from reputed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Last year’s Apple Watch Ultra 2 packed modest improvements over its predecessor. Apple will seemingly follow the same trend with this year’s model.
“Almost no” hardware improvements planned for Apple Watch Ultra 3
In a note shared with MacRumors, Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities says not to expect hardware upgrades on the 2024 Apple Watch Ultra. While his note is light on details, it sets the tone on what to expect from Apple’s third-gen Ultra smartwatch.
The watch might retain the same internals as its predecessor, with Apple relying on new software features and marketing to make the wearable stand out.
It was a similar story with the 2023 Apple Watch Ultra 2. Besides a super-bright 3000-nit display, it shipped with an S9 SiP. The only other notable change was the addition of a double-tap gesture, which rolled out with watchOS 10.1 in October. Otherwise, it looked the same and delivered the same functionality as the model it replaced.
Given Kuo’s accurate track record, there’s little reason to doubt this latest claim. With this year’s Apple Watch Ultra 3 not packing any hardware improvements, you should have no reason to upgrade from your current watch.
Could the Apple Watch Series X steal the limelight this year?
Instead of the Ultra, Apple could focus on the rumored Apple Watch Series X revamp this year. If previous reports are accurate, the wearable could debut with a slimmer design and a larger display. It might also sport a magnetic band connector.
But the big Apple Watch redesign has only been detailed in reports. There have not been any concrete leaks that confirm the long overdue Apple Watch redesign will debut in 2024. If not this year, the 2025 model might launch with a new design.
Apple was apparently working on an Apple Watch Ultra with micro LED for 2025. But with the display project canceled, we might not see big improvements in next year’s model either.