Apple's Sept 9 event delivered not one, not two, but three shiny new Apple Watch models, and if you're having trouble deciding between the two higher-end options, the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, I'm here to help.
While both models feature battery life upgrades and Apple's new, groundbreaking hypertension detection feature, there are several noteworthy differentiators. With that in mind, here's how the Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 3 shakes out across seven categories.
Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: Specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Apple Watch 11 | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
|---|---|---|
Starting price | $399 | $799 |
Sizes | 42mm, 46mm, | 49mm |
Display | 326 ppi wide-angle OLED, 2,000 nits | 326 ppi wide-angle OLED, 3,000 nits |
Weight | 30.3 g (42mm GPS), 29.7 g (42mm 5G), 37.8 g (46mm GPS), 36.9 g (46mm 5G) | 61 g |
Case colors | Aluminum: Space Grey, Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver; Titanium: Slate, Gold Natural | Natural, Black |
Processor | S10 | S10 |
Cellular | 5G | 5G |
Satellite messaging | No | Yes |
Water resistance | 50 meters | 100 meters |
Battery life with always-on display (rated) | 24 hours | 42 hours |
Storage | 64GB | 64GB |
Compatibility | iOS 26 or later | iOS 26 or later |
Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: Price
The latest Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 cost the same as their predecessors. The Series 11 starts at $399 for the 42mm option or $429 for the 46mm model. That's for the GPS-only versions. The 5G-compatible Series 11 models are $499 and $529, respectively.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 comes in only one size with 5G for $799. Both models are available for preorder now and will ship on October 19th.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: Design and durability
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 sports a larger, tougher-built case than the Apple Watch Series 11. The standard Series 11 case is made out of aluminum, though you can fork over extra cash for a titanium version, while the Ultra 3 case only comes in titanium.
Thicker and heavier, the Ultra 3 boasts a water resistance rating of 100 meters, compared to 50 meters for the Series 11. This means that you can wear the former during activities like high-impact water sports and diving, while the Series 11 is only rated for short surface-level swims.
You also get an additional customizable button on the Apple Watch Ultra 3, located on the left side of the case. Finally, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 sports a more durable sapphire crystal display compared to a hardened glass display on the Series 11.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: Display
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 screen is a tiny bit larger than the display on the larger 46mm Apple Watch Series 11. Both use Apple's latest LTPO3 wide-angle OLED panels with 326 pixels per inch of resolution, but the Ultra 3's display gets brighter than the display on the Series 11.
I'm talking 3,000 nits versus 2,000 nits. This should make the Ultra 3 much easier to read in direct sunlight or at a quick glance.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: Health and fitness features
Health and fitness features are a match between the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Apple Watch Series 11. They both offer Apple's new hypertension detection tool and daily sleep score metric.
You also get features like sleep apnea detection, heart rate monitoring, Sp02 tracking, and a whole host of workout tools, including Apple's new AI fitness coach, Workout Buddy.
Winner: draw
Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: Safety features
While fall and crash detection come standard on either model, only the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has the brand's new satellite-based emergency messaging capability, for contacting help when off-the-grid/out of cellular range.
This new safety tool, similar to emergency satellite messaging on the Pixel Watch 4, makes a lot of sense on the Ultra 3, given its positioning as a rugged smartwatch for hardcore outdoorsy types and athletes.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: AI features
I'm not going to sugarcoat it; Apple is behind the competition when it comes to onboard AI features. Both the latest Google Pixel Watch and the best Samsung Galaxy smartwatches offer Google's outstanding Gemini AI voice assistant onboard. Yet, Apple Watch wearers are stuck with a non-AI version of Siri for the foreseeable future, including on the Series 11 and Ultra 3.
Apple didn't announce any new AI features during the brand's launch event, but the latest watchOS 26 release has a handful built in, including Workout Buddy, mentioned above, and live message translations.
Winner: draw
Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: Battery life
Both the Ultra and standard series Apple Watches received welcomed battery life bumps this time around. The Apple Watch Series 11 now lasts for 24 hours per charge, compared to 18 hours on the Series 10. The Ultra 3 can cruise for 42 hours per charge, compared to 36 hours for the Ultra 2.
In low-power mode, the Series 11 offers 38 hours of juice, and the Ultra 3 lasts for up to 72 hours, the same as the Ultra 2.
Winner: Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: Which should you buy?
Ultimately, what has historically set the standard Apple Watch series apart from the Ultra series remains true in 2025. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers a tougher-built, though bulkier, design with a brighter screen and an extra button. It's also got better water resistance, a longer-lasting battery, and exclusively offers Apple's new satellite messaging safety tool.
The Apple Watch Series 11 is more affordable and easier wearing. It also offers all the same holistic and fitness features as the Ultra 3, including hypertension alerts and Workout Buddy. Plus, the larger 46mm model sports nearly the same amount of screen as the Ultra 3, even though it's not as bright.
For most folks, the Series 11 is likely more than enough smartwatch, but if you really need the extra durability, longevity, and off-the-grid communications, the Ultra 3 has you covered.
Which new Apple Watch model are you most excited for? Let me know in the comments below.
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